2018 BMW 640I

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.

I took the car in for a service and mentioned that there is a slight vibration at highway speeds. The dealer performed wheel balancing and found that the issue was still there. Following this, a software update was performed and the issue was still prevalent. The final cause was identified to be the control arm bushings. The problem I see is that a number of bushings/rubber parts are failing in the vehicle and I am being asked to pay out of pocket for what I believe is a defective part/vehicle. In the first instance, the guibo/ flex disk had cracked which was replaced. These are parts that should not fail until about 80k miles while my vehicle only has 28k miles and is barely out of new car warranty.

NHTSA ID

11506494

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

I took my vehicle for a regular oil change and vehicle check at 22000 miles. The service advisor performed a routine check and found that the driveshaft flex disc had multiple cracks. If the cracks expand, it could lead to a complete failure of the disc at which point the driveshaft was come loose and can cause an accident along with extensive underbody damage. I do not understand how a certified preowned vehicle with only 22000 miles can have such a major part defect.

NHTSA ID

11475624

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

THE CAR ON MY RIGHT CHANGED LANES AND AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. PHOTO'S OF DAMAGE ATTACHED. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUMPER AND PANEL ON THE FRONT SIDE. POLICE REPORT ATTACHED. THE CARFAX REPORT PRINTED 5/5/2021 SHOWS DAMAGED AREAS AS FRONT, RIGHT AND REAR. THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE SIDE FRONT ONLY AND THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 12/21/2018.

NHTSA ID

11416300

Incident

Dec 21, 2018

Mileage

19,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW 640I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ANNAPOLIS (31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401, (410) 349-9312) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,551.

NHTSA ID

11387120

Incident

Sep 28, 2018

Mileage

25,551 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW 640I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF SILVER SPRING (3211 AUTOMOTIVE BOULEVARD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, (888) 295-2096, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS NO LEAKS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR SHROUD WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

NHTSA ID

11311834

Incident

Sep 14, 2018

Mileage

18,000 mi

A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a “fasten seat belt” warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slightly different position. The POL (Passenger Occupancy Light) light should now function correctly. In some cases, the Air bag Warning Light was illuminated, and the following Advanced Crash Safety Module (ACSM) fault is stored: 930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault (moisture)

The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS) Mat for defects in materials and/or workmanship that causes a false seat occupancy alert to occur has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the vehicle's original in-service / first delivery date.

A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a “fasten seat belt” warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slightly different position. The POL (Passenger Occupancy Light) light should now function correctly. In some cases, the Air bag Warning Light was illuminated, and the following Advanced Crash Safety Module (ACSM) fault is stored: 930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault (moisture)

The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS) Mat for defects in materials and/or workmanship that causes a false seat occupancy alert to occur has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the vehicle's original in-service / first delivery date.

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

One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.