2018 BMW 330I

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 engine overheated and suddenly lost power/ acceleration while driving in rush hour traffic at highway speed. I had to move across 3 lanes of traffic to get on to shoulder of highway safely while car and engine sputtered and slowed to a stop with no power or acceleration. After having vehicle towed I was told by certified technicians that the oil filter housing was made of plastic with coolant lines inside and failed causing rapid coolant loss with no low coolant warning and ultimately loss of engine and power.

NHTSA ID

11728378

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, unknown warning lights were suddenly illuminated, indicating that the engine was overheating. The message instructed the driver to shut off the vehicle immediately. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle, and it was discovered that the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was determined that there was a plastic part from the oil cooler housing that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11728250

Incident

Mar 24, 2026

Mileage

40,000 mi

The coolant system and oil housing filters. The entire coolant system components fails in this vehicle after 60,000 mile due to the parts not being all aluminum. This fix alone is about 8k from the BMW Dealership. This isn’t fair to the customer! This needs to be a recall! The parts needs to be more stronger and never replaced with the same manufacturer part! This fails the entire engine system! The car will have multiple issues just because of this constant failing area of the vehicle!

NHTSA ID

11715764

Incident

Jan 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle shut off unintendedly. The contact stated that there was an oil intake leak and a coolant leak. There were several warning lights illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was an engine malfunction with the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed there was no recall or warranty coverage on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11688157

Incident

Aug 28, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

Car keeps overheating. Water pump, water hose and expansion tank have been replaced several times and the car still overheats.

NHTSA ID

11680483

Incident

Aug 13, 2025

While driving on the highway, my vehicle unexpectedly caught fire due to no fault of my own. Upon investigation, it appears the fire originated from a short in the rear window defroster wiring, which led to significant damage in the right rear C-pillar area, headliner, rear window, and rear deck. This event was not only hazardous to my physical safety but also deeply traumatic on a personal level. As someone who suffered severe burns as a child, experiencing a fire while operating a vehicle triggered a powerful emotional response. The trauma of the incident has had a profound impact on my mental health and sense of safety. I have always trusted BMW for its engineering excellence and commitment to safety, which makes this situation even more disheartening because they refuse to fix my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11678001

Incident

Jun 17, 2025

I smelt and saw smoke coming from the back of my vehicle. I pulled over on to the left side of [XXX] bound. Then, I jumped out of the car to check the truck. I didn't see anything, then i popped the hood and still did not see anything visible. I then went back to the trunk to check it again, and that is when I saw flames pop out from the back seat area. It was in the area where the back de-frost wires and some other wires are as well. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11667410

Incident

Jun 12, 2025

My 330i 2018 bmw has a cracked in the oil housing unit. This is due to bmw putting plastic parts instead of aluminum. After researching this I found thousand of people complaining about the sane thing. The car overheats and sometimes the oil gets mixed into the coolsnt system b causes more damage. This seems to happen on cars with mileage between 60-70 on engines B46, B48 n B58z

NHTSA ID

11655822

Incident

Apr 21, 2025

The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

The Telematics Control Units (TCU) Internal Emergency (Backup) Battery for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 6 years without mileage limitation, as determined from the vehicles original first in-service / delivery date. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

The Telematics Control Units (TCU) Internal Emergency (Backup) Battery for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 6 years without mileage limitation, as determined from the vehicles original first in-service / delivery 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.