2014 BMW 335XI

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.

What happened: While driving, steering system malfunction warning appeared, power steering felt normal. Within 5 sec the HVAC blower quit, A/C shut off, and “Transmission not in Park” flashed although shifter was untouched (in Drive). All cluster gauges began sweeping randomly; iDrive screen flickered. Within 10 seconds, I heard a loud pop from passenger-side engine bay; voltage warnings continued. Pulled over immediately, switched ignition off, opened hood: active flames at passenger side of engine bay. Fire spread rapidly. Fire dept arrived within 5 min, but vehicle was fully engulfed. Total loss. No injuries. Suspected root cause: BMW’s PCV valve-heater (“blow-by heater”) or electric coolant-pump connector short-circuited, causing a massive current draw that browned out control modules (explaining the cascading warnings) and started the fire. These parts are the subjects of recalls 22V-119 (PCV heater, build cutoff 10 Oct 2013) and 24V-608 (water-pump connector, N20 engines only). My VIN shows NO open recalls, yet the failure sequence and fire origin perfectly match the defects acknowledged in those campaigns. Damage & consequences Complete destruction of vehicle forward of the firewall and significant damage to cabin. Towing, tow-yard and haz-mat cleanup fees incurred in excess of $1300 I only have liability coverage on the vehicle, so insurance will not get involved. Request to NHTSA Please investigate 2014 335i GT (N55) models excluded from 22V-119 and 24V-608. Evidence suggests the same defective components are present and can cause in-motion engine-bay fires. Please advise if I have any recourse on this matter.

NHTSA ID

11664177

Incident

May 31, 2025

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY AT MY JOB PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. I AM STILL IN DISABLED THIS HAPPENED. I KNOW I DID NOT BIT THE GAS BY MISTAKE AS THAT I WASN'T USING THE GAS PEDAL I WAS PULLING IN THE SPACE USING THE BRAKE I DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ONLY AND CAN'T PUSH TWO PEDALS AT ONCE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND BACKED OFF THE TRUCK . I'VE PARKED IN PARKING SPACES FOR YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE .

NHTSA ID

11406219

Incident

Apr 2, 2021

Mileage

47,000 mi

MY BMW 2014 335XI GT 63900 MILES VIN:[XXX] SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AND LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT AND STUCK ON ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COST 23K, AND THE REPORTS SAID THE REASON MAY BE DUE TO FUEL PUMP OR PREVIOUS OIL LEAK. THIS ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN LEAVE ANYONE STRANDED ANYWHERE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. NO WARNING LIGHT SHOWED PREVIOUSLY. I WAS DOING REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE AND FIXED THE OIL LEAK. I THOUGHT IT DUE TO THE RECALL CASE BELOW: IMPROPER PLATING ON FUEL PUMP MAY RESULT IN STALL IF THE FUEL PUMP FAILS, THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 MANUFACTURER BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL OF BMW POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 18,054 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11384029

Incident

Dec 13, 2020

Mileage

63,900 mi

VEHICLE STALLED ON ROAD WAY WHILE GOING 50 PLUS MILES AN HOUR. SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. POLICE WERE CALLED. COULD NOT GET CAR TO SHIFT AND MOVE. NEEDED TWO DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS TO GET DOLLIES TO MOVE CAR. BMW REPLACED FUEL PUMP. BMW SAYS WARRANTY ON NHTSA FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE. FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO GET KILLED AS CARS HONKED GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR AROUND ME AT 830 AT NIGHT ON BEACH BLVD.

NHTSA ID

10969839

Incident

Jan 11, 2016

Mileage

13,500 mi

FUEL SUPPLY MODULE (FUEL PUMP) FAILED IN MY 2014 BMW 335I XDRIVE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN ENGINE COMPLETELY QUIT. CAR STOPPED IN THE LEFT LANE DUE TO THE STALLED ENGINE. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT POLICE OFFICER WAS ABLE TO STOP TRAFFIC AND PUSH THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALER. DEALER REPLACED FUEL SUPPLY MODULE UNDER WARRANTY. REPRESENTATIVE MENTIONED THAT THERE'S NO OPEN RECALLS FOR MY CAR'S VIN. I ATTACHED A PICTURE OF REPAIR INVOICE THAT LISTS VIN AND PART NUMBER OF THE FAILED FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ID

10811186

Incident

Dec 15, 2015

Mileage

13,136 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RUBBLE DRAINAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ID

10693912

Incident

Jan 6, 2015

Mileage

9,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A HEAVY TRAFFIC HIGHWAY. ROAD CONDITION IS DRY, CLEAN. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN, THEN I PRESSED BRAKE. I DIDN'T FEEL ANY SPEED DECREASE SO I PRESSED THE BRAKE EVEN HARDER. I FELT THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD EVEN IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS DOWN, WHICH IS VERY STRANGE. BUT MY CAR STILL BUMPED INTO THE FRONT CAR AND STOPPED. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO CARS AND I SHOULD HAVE TOTALLY STOPPED MY CAR IN TIME. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND BMW MANUFACTURER IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND SENT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. NOW BMW IS MAKING AN INVESTIGATION ON MY CAR TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY DIAGNOSIS YET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10678804

Incident

Dec 31, 2014

Mileage

210 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