2014 BMW 328XI

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.

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11646698

Incident

Mar 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11628689

Incident

Dec 3, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine coolant pump and connector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11614794

Incident

Sep 16, 2024

Mileage

148,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW NORTHWEST (4011 20TH ST E, TACOMA, WA 98424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO LEAKS WERE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11362751

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

61,000 mi

BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS OCCASIONALLY FAIL TO UNLOCK PREVENTING EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 12-15 TIMES TO EITHER MY WIFE OR MYSELF. THERE IS A MASTER LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON THAT WILL UNLOCK THE DOORS. NEVER THE LESS, THIS DEFECT COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY.

NHTSA ID

11174388

Incident

Feb 4, 2019

Mileage

25,000 mi

THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE IN THAT IF ONE PULLS ON THE HANDLE, THE DOOR WILL NOT MECHANICALLY UNLOCK BY DOUBLE-PULLING THE HANDLE, MEANING THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR IS BY USING ELECTRONIC UNLOCK BUTTON. IF THE CAR IS IN A WATER ACCIDENT, FIRE, OR ANY OTHER SITUATION WHERE THE BATTERY IS NO LONGER OPERABLE, THE OCCUPANTS WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE, UNABLE TO ESCAPE AS THE DOORS WILL NOT MECHANICALLY UNLOCK BY DOUBLE-PULLING THE HANDLE. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS A REPLACEMENT PART, HOWEVER IF THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT FIX IT VOLUNTARILY.

NHTSA ID

11160929

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY FROM TIME TO TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IS TO USE THE CENTRAL UNLOCKING FEATURE. COULD BE DEADLY IN A CRASH! BMW WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR UNLESS I PAY THEM A $150 DIAGNOSTIC FEE! CAR IS STOPPED, ENGINE OFF, AND THE FRONT DOORS (BOTH) WILL NOT MANUALLY UNLOCK FROM TIME TO TIME. ONLY WAY TO GET OUT IS TO USE CENTRAL UNLOCKING BUTTON, WHICH REQUIRES POWER.

NHTSA ID

11113288

Incident

Jul 24, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

STRANGE ?MAKE YOU FEEL SICK? FUMES CONSTANTLY ENTERING MY CAR CABIN. I USED AN AIR QUALITY TEST DEVICE TO READ THE AIR. ITS BAD. MANUFACTURER DENIES EVERYTHING. WANTS ME TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. BUT ONLY IF HE DOES IT. 3RD PARTY NOT ALLOWED. I HAD WINDSHIELD CHECKED BY 3RD PARTY. NO AIR LEAKS. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO DO THE SAME TEST. FUMES IN CAR GET SO BAD THAT I CONSTANTLY HAVE THE FEELING I AM BEING CHOCKED WHILE DRIVING, RED EYES, WEIRD STOMACH AND HEART BEAT FEELING, PAIN IN ARM AND FINGER, FUNNY SENSATION ON MY TONGUE. MANUFACTURER WON?T INSPECTOR THE CAR FURTHER. NO INTEREST IN RESEARCHING PARTICULARLY PARTS, OR ANY FOR THAT MATTER, IN DETAIL. PLEASE ADVISE. IS THERE A LIST AND OR CHART THAT LISTS HOW MUCH LIKE OF FORMALDEHYDE, VOCS, CO, NO2, TVOC ARE ALLOWED/ ARE OK IN A VEHICLE CABIN WITH ALL WINDOWS CLOSED WHILE VENTILATION IS RUNNING? IAM HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES WHILE DRIVING, ANY ROAD, WITH 30MIN FROM FIRST TURNING CAR ON, THEN WITH 30 MPH AND UP, VENTILATION SYSTEM ON, NO MATTER WHAT SETTING OF IT ON OR OFF WITH PRE SELECTING +70 DEGREES. PLEASE ADVISE. THX. KIND REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11055813

Incident

Dec 11, 2017

Mileage

47,950 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.

BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN STARTING, LOW BEAM, WITH 0552 OPTION, WOULD BRIEFLY FLASHES, DUE TO A FAULTY LED MAIN LIGHT MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2008-14 F01, F02, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. *PE

BMW: WITH DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON, ENGINE CAN GO INTO REDUCED POWER MODE, DUE TO ENGINE POSITION MANAGEMENT (EPM) UNFAVORABLE PARAMETERS IN DME SOFTWARE. *PE