2017 BMW X4

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 owns a 2017 BMW X4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while slowing down for a traffic light, the message for possible transmission failure and to seek service immediately was displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11658269

Incident

Aug 12, 2024

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PKG LOT AT LOW SPEED AND SNOW CONDITIONS, MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON, WHILE VEHICLE SLIDED TOWARD COLISION. THE CAR WENT TO PARK (BY ITSELF) WHILE MOVING FWD DIRECTION, THE REAR TIRES WERE SPINNING AND THE FRONT WERE LOCKED INTO PARK WITHOUT ANY TRACTION. WHILE THE CAR MOVED TOWARD COLLISION, PEOPLE HELPED TO PUSHED THE CAR AWAY FROM OTHER CARS, AS THE CAR MOVED TO "PARK". AFTER FEW SECONDS OF TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT SUCESS, (THE CAR) IT WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO TRY TO RESET THE WARNINGS AND GET IT MOVING. CAR STILL WAS NOT RESPONDING 100% PROPERLY; GOT CAR TO REVERSE TO GET SOME STEERING AWAY FROM OTHER CARS AND PUT "AUTOSOCKS" ON FRONT WHEELS (NOT PER MFG'S MANUAL) TO GET TRACTION ON FRONT AXEL AND TRY TO GET THE FRONT WHEELS TO MOVE. ONCE THE FRONT AXEL GOT TRACTION, AND THE PANEL WAS RESET, THE SITUATION WAS UNDER CONTROL AND AVOIDED COLLISION. AFTER THIS, TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY HAD AGED AND THAT THIS RESULTED IN A FAULT DYNAMIC SYSTEM CONTROL. THERE WAS NO BATTERY HEALTH WARNING THAT ADVISE TO LOOK AT THIS PRIOR ENGAGE ON TRAVELS, OR ANYTHING THAT MENTIONED THAT LOW BATTERY COULD AFFECT BRAKE SYSTEM. I CHANGED THE BATTERY AND I ASKED HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENINING AGAIN, THERE WAS NO GOOD ANSWERS. BMW ONLY ADVICED TO REPLACED THE BATTERY AND TOLD ME THAT IT SHOULD BE FINE FOR FEW YEARS NOW, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW THE LIFE OF A BATTERY AND THIS PARTICULAR CASE DID NOT PROVIDED ME ANY BATTERY INDICATOR AS THE BATTERY WAS NOT FULLY DEAD. ACCORDING TO BMW, "IT PROVIDED ENOUGH CHARGE FOR THE BASIC FUNCTIONS BUT NOT FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES SUCH AS DSC". I WAS LUCKY BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE, I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, AND THIS DOES NOT HAVE A WAY TO MAINTAIN OR PREVENT SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11385533

Incident

Dec 25, 2020

THE VEHICLE'S DASH AND INFOTAINMENT SCREENS WILL FLICKER OR STAY OFF FOR A PERIOD OF A FEW SECONDS, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WILL DISPLAY VARIOUS ERRORS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET THROWN INTO NEUTRAL, ON SOME OCCASIONS THE CAR WILL TURN OFF. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, YOU WILL REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL HAPPEN RANDOMLY FROM PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY OR WHILE IN THE TURNPIKE, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT FOR OVER 50 DAYS OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MONTHS. BMW HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE CAR. THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT CONTAINS TWO YOUTUBE LINKS WHERE YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11291623

Incident

Dec 20, 2019

Mileage

46,000 mi

It has been established that the water drain in the right front end area is inadequate. Water at the right front end may not drain off properly. This can result in various Check Control messages and the failure of various systems (e.g. Park Distance Control (PDC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), window washer system). We would therefore like to optimize the water drain.

The NVLD limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the top of the B-pillar(s) is heard.

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.

With the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there may be a cracking and orclicking type noise when turning the steering wheel left/right. See attached video V31 01 24. The sound can reoccur when the vehicle is lowered, and the wheels are once again under load. The noise might also be heard for a short time while driving.