2014 BMW 435XI

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.

INTERMITTENT THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK USING THE USUAL METHOD OF PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE. THEY ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR WHEN LOCKED INSIDE IS FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE UNLOCK BUTTON. IF THE BATTERY WERE TO BE LOW, I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I'VE HAD PASSENGERS WHO FELT TRAPPED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS.

NHTSA ID

11172214

Incident

Jan 2, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

THE DRIVER DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT UNLOCK/OPEN THE DOOR. THE PROPOSED SOLUTION BY THE DEALERSHIP TO LOWER THE WINDOW AND USE THE MECHANICAL KEY TO OPEN THE DOOR, IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE CASE THAT ONE HAS TO EXIT THE CAR IN AN EMERGENCY (E.G. FLOODING, OR FIRE). THIS PROBLEM STARTED TO HAPPEN ONCE EVERY MONTH, THEN ONCE A WEEK, THEN EVENTUALLY ALMOST DAILY. THE CAR WAS FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE COST BEEN PAID BY THE OWNER (A CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED)

NHTSA ID

11155227

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

15 mi

A FEW WEEKS BEFORE MY ACCIDENT I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO READ THE SENSORS I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND WIPE IT OFF WITH WATER FOR IT TO WORK. TWO WEEKS AFTER I WAS DRIVING IN THE INTERSTATE NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN FOR NO REASON THE EMERGENCY COLLISION WENT OFF WHICH COST ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND ROLLED HER VEHICLE SERVICE TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11103564

Incident

Feb 5, 2016

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A 20MPH ACCIDENT WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER ENTERED MY LANE AND STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY CAR THEN BURST INTO FLAMES AND WAS CONSUMED BY THE FIRE IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

NHTSA ID

11002355

Incident

Jun 21, 2017

Mileage

28,000 mi

ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS SHINE OFF TO THE RIGHT INTO THE WOODS. DEALER SAID ITS SO YOU CAN SEE THE DEER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AUTOMATIC WIPER BLADES SHUT OFF DURING HEAVY RAINS AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT ON DURING THE DAY OFF ON A NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10667150

Incident

Apr 1, 2014

Mileage

100 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.

The paint finish on the door jamb (above the door striker) is scratched due to the inner door cavity window seal.

BMW:SOME BMW MODELS MAY OR MAY NOT DISPLAY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. *TA

BMW: SOME BMW MODELS CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY (CID) ARE BLANK AND DISPLAY "NO SIGNAL". *TA

BMW: SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCING VARIOUS MESSAGE DISPLAYED REGARDING MALFUNCTION OF LED HEADLIGHT, WITH OPTIONS 0552 AND 0524. *PE