2019 BMW 430I

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.

On October 16, 2026 my vehicle was struck on the driver side door to the point where the door is crushed inward and cannot be opened. The impact was so hard that my vehicle slid from one lane to the next and my head slammed into the glass causing ringing in my ears that is continuous. Neither the side curtain or seat airbags deployed. No airbag deployed.

NHTSA ID

11774227

Incident

Oct 16, 2026

2019 BMW 430i xDrive Convertible (F33). The rear side window regulator and motor failed after water got in through the rear window into the window panel and motor. On October 14, 2026 the window first would roll down only slightly and then stop; later the same day it stopped moving entirely and is now stuck fully up — no movement at all from the window switch. The cause appears to be water ingress through the rear window into the panel housing the window regulator and motor, damaging the electrical components. A window that cannot be opened in an emergency (crash, fire, submersion) is a safety risk, and water intrusion into an electrical panel behind the interior trim raises a fire concern.

NHTSA ID

11772554

Incident

Oct 14, 2026

The vehicle had previously undergone front-end collision repairs. Seventeen days after retrieving the vehicle, it suffered a sudden, catastrophic loss of engine coolant while driving. The dashboard flashed an 'Engine Temperature High' warning followed immediately by an 'Engine Overheated' warning. Due to immediate road conditions, the vehicle could not be safely pulled over or stopped right away, creating a severe safety hazard. The vehicle became completely undrivable and was towed. Following an independent insurance and shop inspection, it was determined that the sudden failure was entirely mechanical and unrelated to the collision. A diagnostic inspection by an independent service center confirmed a cracked and failed Engine Oil Filter Housing / Cooler Assembly, which had caused the sudden, complete coolant dump.

NHTSA ID

11770256

Incident

Apr 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 BMW 430I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH and switching lanes, there was a loud explosion. The contact was unable to determine the cause of the sound. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to inspect the tires and discovered that the sunroof had shattered upward. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,992.

NHTSA ID

11753237

Incident

Jul 28, 2026

Mileage

131,992 mi

The car has a plastic part in the oil housing component that cracks under heat usually between 50000 and 70000 miles causing a major loss of coolant onto highway and disables the engine

NHTSA ID

11744815

Incident

Jun 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 BMW 430I. The contact stated that there was a coolant leak. The contact stated that the engine overheated and the vehicle stalled while driving. The message "Engine Overheating - Stop Vehicle Immediately" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the coolant housing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was determined that the coolant water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that there was coolant leaking from the oil housing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, a complaint was filed, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 116,758.

NHTSA ID

11716146

Incident

Feb 4, 2026

Mileage

116,758 mi

I am reporting a potential safety defect involving the seatbelt, airbag, and occupant detection system in my 2019 BMW 430i. At the time of purchase, the vehicle’s software had not been updated since 2018. Because the software was so outdated, multiple safety-related fault codes did not appear during the dealer’s pre-sale inspection or during initial diagnostic checks. During a later service appointment, the dealership informed me that they were unable to perform accurate diagnostics because the software was old and could interfere with sensor readings. After I paid for the software update, several safety-related codes appeared, including faults connected to the seatbelt/occupant classification system. None of these safety defects were disclosed to me prior to the sale. This raises concern that the vehicle had an existing safety defect at the time of sale, but the outdated software prevented the detection and reporting of these faults. If other vehicles are being sold without current software, this may result in safety-critical issues being hidden from consumers and inspectors. A malfunctioning seatbelt or occupant detection system significantly increases injury risk in a crash. If outdated vehicle software suppresses or fails to display safety-critical faults, consumers may unknowingly be operating unsafe vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11702674

Incident

May 22, 2025

Rear window does not work. This car collects water from the windows which pools inside the window panel. Eventually, the pooled water damages the window motor and window regulator. Once the window stops working, the convertible top no longer works. This issue is reported all over youtube and google searches. The worse part is that to fix this, mechanics have to manually bring down the convertible top. Examples: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11695883

Incident

Feb 3, 2025

The coverage period for qualifying lower rear side panel water drain repair that addresses the issues described in the Service Information Bulletin 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 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.

EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150

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