2015 BMW 328XD

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.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 95 IN NJ DURING INCLEMENT, COLD WEATHER. OTHER CARS AND TRUCKS ON THE ROAD WERE KICKING UP SNOW, SALT AND SAND WHICH WAS COLLECTING ON MY FRONT WINDSHIELD. I TRIED TO USE MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, BUT WHEN I ENGAGED IT, NO FLUID CAME OUT AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SPREAD THE DEBRIS COVERING THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD IN A BROWN FILM WHICH BLOCKED 100% VISIBILITY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING. I ENGAGED THE WIPERS ON THE FASTEST SETTING TO TRY AND GET THE FILM OFF, BUT FOR A PERIOD OF 5 OR 10 SECONDS, I WAS COMPLETELY BLIND, DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE OPEN ROAD BMW SERVICE CENTER IN MORRISTOWN NJ TO HAVE IT FIXED. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND SENT ME HOME. IN THE 15 MINUTE DRIVE HOME, THE WASHER FLUID SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AGAIN, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO OPEN ROAD. THEY AGAIN TOLD ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. HOWEVER, TWO OF THEIR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE INDIVIDUALLY TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE IS THAT THE TANK THAT HOLDS THE WASHER FLUID IS NO INSULATED AND LOCATED BEHIND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. SO WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE WIND GENERATED BY THE WHEEL, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER, FREEZES THE WASHER FLUID. THIS REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT, SYSTEMATIC SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE CARS THAT WARRANTS A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11062118

Incident

Jan 5, 2018

Mileage

20,000 mi

I'M LEASING A BMW 2015 WITH 10K MILES. LAST THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1ST 2016 I HAD A FLAT TIRE, A SMALL SCREW IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE, PUNCTURED IT. THESE ARE RUN-FLAT -TIRES, AND THEY ARE DEFECTIVE!!! THE DEALER BMW-TOWSON CHARGE ME $320 FOR A NEW TIRE. NOW, AGAIN, THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE IS LOSING AIR, AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE IT AND THE BMW DEALER WILL CHARGE ME ANOTHER $320 AND THE CAR HAS 18K MILES.THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. I CONTACTED CONTINENTAL TIRE AND TOWSON BMW SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING, I'M OUT OF WARRANTY. I'M LEASING THIS CAR AND I TAKE CARE OF IT.

NHTSA ID

11003148

Incident

Dec 1, 2016

Mileage

10,000 mi

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.

DIESEL FUEL INJECTORS: LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES