2013 BMW M3

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.

The contact filed the complaint on behalf of her son who owned a 2013 BMW M3. The contact stated the vehicle was parked in a school parking lot, and the contact's son was sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle when the vehicle was crashed into violently by four vehicles. The vehicle was damaged in the front end, passenger's side, and rear. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The son was forced out of the vehicle by the attackers and the occupants of all 4 vehicles inflicted bodily harm in addition to the unknown injuries sustained due to the crash. The son ran into the highway where the ambulance provided medical attention. The police department arrived at the scene however the son had fled from the scene due to being fearful for his safety; the attackers provided details for the police report. The contact stated that none of the air bags were deployed and that the vehicle remained in her possession. The repair shop was contacted and confirmed that the air bags were faulty however no further information was provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,838.

NHTSA ID

11615934

Incident

Jul 25, 2024

Mileage

88,838 mi

THERE IS A BURNING SMELL WHEN I RUN MY A/C. I TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THEY STATED IT'S AN ISSUE WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING, WHICH IS COVERED UNDER RECALL. BUT I CHECKED THE RECALL NOTICE AND IT ONLY COVERS MY VEHICLE UP TO 2011, BUT MINE IS A 2013. HOWEVER, THE BLOWER MOTOR PARTS IN MY CAR ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE 2011, SO I FEEL IT SHOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH A/C BECAUSE SOMETHING IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAS ALREADY BURNED SO FAR.

NHTSA ID

11416316

Incident

Apr 30, 2021

Mileage

49,000 mi

I INITIALLY EXPERIENCED ABRUPT CATASTROPHIC CLUTCH FAILURE THIS PAST DECEMBER 2019 WHEN WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND IT FAILED TO RELEASE LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD IN 2ND GEAR AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR A STOP AND THEN PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MORRISTOWN BMW IN MORRISTOWN NJ. BMW NA AGREED TO PROVIDE THE PARTS AND THE CLUTCH WAS REPAIRED. UNFORTUNATELY, LAST WEEK I AGAIN EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITHOUT WARNING. I AM NOW TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT SPEED. I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. AS THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES, THERE ARE UNDOUBTEDLY OTHER 2013 M3 ON THE ROAD WHO'S DRIVERS ARE AT RISK FOR SIMILAR ABRUPT CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AND BMW SHOULD BE CONTACTED TO COMMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330176

Incident

Jun 16, 2020

Mileage

55,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM WAS STRUCK BY THE AIR BAGS AND WAS INJURED BY METAL FRAGMENTS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER (MOTORWERKS BMW, 1300 AMERICAN BLVD W, BLOOMINGTON, MN 55420, (952)-888-2700) WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. USAA INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID

11161348

Incident

Sep 20, 2017

Mileage

18,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (JACKY COOPER IN EDMOND, OK) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11031578

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. I'VE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACED FOR OVER A YEAR. THE LAST TIME I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. MY VIN SHOWS ON THE RECALL LIST AND I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM BMV TO CONTACT THEM. KEELER MOTOR CAR IN LATHAM NY IS THE DEALER.

NHTSA ID

11020265

Incident

Apr 15, 2015

WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREET AT APPROX 35MPH I WAS FORCED TO SWERVE DUE TO BEING CUT OFF BY AN ADJACENT WRECKLESS VEHICLE. MY 2013 BMW E93, WITH JUST OVER 43,000 MILES, AND WHICH I HAD PURCHASED LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR, IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN ENTIRELY WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS LITERALLY LEFT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET WITH ZERO FUNCTIONALITY. FROM ELECTRICAL TO EVERY ASPECT OF MECHANICAL, THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO FUNCTION OF ANY KIND. MY VEHICLES COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED FAILURE WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT REQUIRED MULTIPLE TOW TRUCKS IN ORDER TO LIFT THE REAR, AS IT HAD LOCKED UP ENTIRELY AND THE MOTOR SEIZED. UPON ARRIVING AT CENTER BMW (SHERMAN OAKS, CA), THEY CONFIRMED THE OBVIOUS COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THEIR MASTER MECHANIC, SHAUN, VERIFIED THE OIL WAS FULL AND CLEAN, AND NOTED THEY TOO RECEIVED NO ERROR CODES OR IDICATORS OF ANY KIND UPON IN DEPTH INSPECTION. THIS BMW DEALERSHIP & SERVICE CENTER IS AS BEWILDERED AS I AM. BECAUSE I HAD LITERALLY JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, WITH A FULL WARRANTY, I NOTIFIED MY WARRANTY COMPANY RED AUTO WHOM SENT A 3RD PARTY INSPECTOR. WITHOUT ACTUALLY INSPECTING THE MOTOR, THE WARRANTY CO HAS DENIED MY CLAIM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING FURTHER, CLAIMING IT IS A "PRE-EXISTING CONDITION" BASED ON ONLY REMOVING THE OIL PAN. HOWEVER, FINDINGS OF CENTER BMW'S MASTER MECHANIC DISPUTE THIS ENTIRELY. THIS REPORT, AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REPORT AT THE TIME OF MY PURCHASE (LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR) BOTH REFLECT THE VEHICLE AS WELL MAINTAINED PRIOR TO THIS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE SEIZE. I AM APPALLED TO HAVE A BASICALLY BRAND NEW BMW ENGINE IN COMPLETE FAILURE FOR NO ADVISABLE REASON. I AM WITHOUT VEHICLE AND WITH A $30,000 REPAIR ESTIMATE.

NHTSA ID

11000637

Incident

May 23, 2017

Mileage

46,590 mi

TAKATA RECALL. REASONABLE TIME HAS PASSED SINCE THE AIRBAG RECALL. BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD AS TO WHEN THIS SAFETY ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED.EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR I FEEL I AM RISKING MY LIFE OR CHANCE FOR SERIOUS INJURY. BMW HAS BEEN COMPLETELY NEGLIGENT WITH REGARDS TO RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. BMW SHOULD TEMPORARILY REMEDY THE SITUATION BY REPLACING THE CAR WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE. I NEED THIS TO BE RESOLVED NOW!!!. ALSO THE DRIVE TRAIN HAS A CLUNKING NOISE OF WHICH I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE NEW. THEY HAVE MADE TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENT BUT THE PROBLEM STILL SURFACES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I SHIFT GEARS EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS (6 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION).

NHTSA ID

11000438

Incident

Jan 30, 2013

Mileage

7 mi

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.

Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If the ignition is cycled the engine then usually performs normally.

SERVICE ACTION: N54T ENGINE - INSPECT AND REPLACE INJECTOR(S). The piezo-type fuel injectors may cause a rough running at start-up or rough running while at idle.