RoadVitals

2015 BMW 640I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Aug 31, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jul 11, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 BMW 640I, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, body & structure and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 253 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Other / unspecified233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Engine116.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jul 11, 2024
1,145 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
The remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Aug 31, 2022

The car is leaking from the third rear brake light (at the rear roof of the car). It appears the seals and possible clips/fasteners have failed and water is entering the car during rain or water immersion from the rear brake light, to the back seat, trunk, and rear floor. There is now visible mold in the car.

NHTSA ID
11482181
Incident
Aug 31, 2022
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 13, 2018

THE REAR TIRE WAS LEAKING CAUSING AN UNSAFE ROAD CONDITION. WHEN THE TIRE WAS INSPECTED IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WHEEL HAD A CRACK IN THE SUPPORT DUE TO A DEFECT IN DESIGN. THE DEALER STATES THAT MANY OF THE 5 AND 6 SERIES WITH THIS WHEEL HAVE ISSUES AND OFFERED ME A "WARRANTY PACKAGE" FOR THEM FOR $1700. WHEN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN USED WITH RUN-FLATS (WHAT THEY SUGGEST AND REQUIRE) THE WHEEL TAKES TOO MUCH STRESS AND ULTIMATELY CRACKS. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS A CRACKED WHEEL WITH NO REASON. THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY CONCERN AS A RAPID LOSS OF AIR IN A WHEEL MAY CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. IT HAS CLEAR CONCERNS FOR STOPPING DISTANCE AND AVOIDANCE AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
11161150
Incident
Dec 12, 2018
Mileage
22,500 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 23, 2016

THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE ON A ROAD TRIP AT APP 11,000 MILES, SEPARATION RIGHT UNDER THE RIM. TIRES ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, GOODYEAR DUNLOP WON'T BE SQUARE WITH WARRANTY, MAKING THE WARRANTY OF NO VALUE. IN FACT THEY LIED ABOUT THE CAUSE AT FIRST. STILL HAVE THE TIRE FOR REVIEW.

NHTSA ID
10897987
Incident
Aug 13, 2016
Mileage
11,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 21, 2016
Crash reported2 injuries reported

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPEN ON ITS OWN, WILL NOT STAY SHUT , DEALSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TOO FIX IT? SIDE DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE REPAIRED FOUR TIMES . ENGINE LIGHT COME ON? ROOF LATCH NO AIR BAGS WENT OF?DEALSHIP SAYS CODES SAY?THEY DID?

NHTSA ID
10887459
Incident
Aug 1, 2015

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

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

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

B340914

WHEELS

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: 480712 and/or 480715 and/or 480718 and/or 48071B They cannot be cleared, even though the wheel speed sensors work correctly and no problem can be found with the wiring harness.

B651523

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

B840822

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, BMW Assistance, and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of the vehicle and all other telephone (paired mobile devices) functions are not affected. Emergency call location data is unaffected.

B010122

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 640I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000
2019211
2018521
2017011
2016101
2015Viewing411
2014701
2013601
2012121

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.