2014 BMW 328I

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the camshaft geometry that prevented the seal disk from blocking the oil port.BMW has not received any braking complaints related to loss of power assist after the design change was implemented in production.The owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to a BMW dealer who will install a locking ring into the camshaft to keep the seal disk in its proper location.BMW expects to begin dealer and owner notification in November 2013 and complete dealer and owner notification in December when the remedy is expected to be available.Based on the actions taken by BMW, this investigation is closed.

The contact owned a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled after overheating the previous day. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valvetronic system needed to be replaced; while the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs, the contact was notified that the vehicle had sustained thermal damage over the weekend, caught fire, and burned completely, leaving only the frame. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. A police and fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was later notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11753873

Incident

Dec 30, 2023

Mileage

100,000 mi

I was driving in the highway at 65MPH, I heard an audible tone. I looked at speedometer and had a message to to press unlock button to switch gears. Then my engine light came on and was steady. My car went into neutral while driving at 65 mph. Thank god I was able to pull to side. I tried to put back into drive or reverse and no response. It did allow me place in park. It would not start. I had it towed to a BMW service center and they said my engine failed internally.. while driving.

NHTSA ID

11741157

Incident

May 27, 2026

So, the N20 2.0L motors are known to have prematurely failing plastic chain guides and a weak hydraulic tensioner, leading to whine, rattles, and potential engine failure. BMW improved the issue in the 2015 or newer models which have more robust timing chain guides and Tensioners. The fix involves replacing the entire timing chain assembly (guides, chain, tensioner) with updated, more durable parts and cleaning the oil pump/pan of debris. Which the 2015 and newer models have this fix. 2014 and older models with the N20 suffer from failing parts due to a design flaw. Since the The BMW N20 engine (2012–early 2015 328i) does suffer from premature timing chain guide failure, leading to oil pump failure and catastrophic engine failure. There should be a recall with these older models. And there should be a fix for them. BMW design this motor and the only remedy the issue in the newer models 2015 or newer. So anyone that doesn't have a 2015. Their N20 is basically a ticking time bomb.

NHTSA ID

11726074

Incident

Mar 21, 2026

Vehicle is under Recall 24V-608 for a fire risk. The vehicle has suffered the exact failure described (Overheating, Limp Mode, and Smoke/Thermal Event). Dealership (BMW of Pleasant Grove Utah) is refusing to replace the failed water pump, offering only a 'protective shield' which does not fix the current failure. This is a failure to provide a free and effective remedy for a known safety defect. A code was discovered when the senior advisor at this location ran the scanner, and displayed a "coolant pump switch-off due to locking" which the senior advisor tried to deflect as a physical object blocking the pump or some other mysterious issue. The issue was confirmed at a reputable maintenance shop earlier in the day before towing to BMW dealership. The senior advisor at BMW of Pleasant Grove is attempting to put me back in the road in a high safety risk vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11723477

Incident

Mar 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle in the State of California, the contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000(Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be registered until the recall had been serviced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11707532

Incident

Dec 29, 2023

Thermostat was a recall back then, brought it to the dealer they fixed it and now it has come back, i brought it to a mechanic to fix it, and it came back again one more time. thermostat is staying stuck open. safety recall with emissions

NHTSA ID

11701327

Incident

Nov 23, 2025

I went to Lakeland bmw, for my recall, they only put a shield up for the recall instead of changing out my water pump which was draining my battery. Now they are trying to charge me for a whole water pump installation even after I informed them that it was supposed to be changed out when I came in for a the recall due too it causing a battery drain.

NHTSA ID

11698897

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

The water pump is draining my battery, the bmw dealership said they fixed the recall but it has not been fixed. They told me I needed a new battery which was replaced & now it’s back at the shop for a dead battery again.

NHTSA ID

11698015

Incident

Nov 5, 2025

Fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.

Exterior rear lights do not work.