2018 BMW X6

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.

During operation in DRIVE, the vehicle would shift to PARK, without the control lever being operated. This occurred intermittently, but with greater frequency over time. The safety concern is that it occurred while in traffic and even occurred on an Interstate highway, while at momentary stop. When reported to BMW, the failure was isolated to the mechatronics, the components including electronic valve body, seals, etc. that control BMW automatic transmission functions. This is not a failure of an eco-mode or other fuel efficiency option. The item required costly repair, but confidence that a single part or system was isolated and repair is complete has not been confirmed.

NHTSA ID

11447297

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X6 equipped with Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tires, Tire Size: 255/50/R19, DOT number: UN64P9784417. While his wife was driving 70 MPH, the passenger’s side rear tire delaminated two tread belts and began whipping inside of the wheel well. Due to the failure, a friction fire ignited inside the wheel well which caused two rows of the tread to separate from the tire. The contact's wife pulled off to the shoulder and pressed the emergency button for immediate assistance. The authorities were dispatched to the scene. There was no injury reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact made the service representative aware of the failure. The contact was provided an estimate of $5,000 in damages. The tire manufacturer was notified of the failure and the tire was sent to the Pirelli manufacturer for evaluation. The contact then received an email from the manufacturer stating they would not offer any assistance with the repair or replacement of the tire. The vehicle was repaired. The tire and vehicle failure mileages were approximately 26,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11426789

Incident

May 11, 2021

Mileage

26,000 mi

WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. THERE WAS APPARENTLY NO FIX AVAILABLE YET, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO TRANSPORT A CHILD. I WAS ADVISED BY A BMW DEALERSHIP THEY COULD GET THE PARTS. HAVE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A WEEK WITH NO REMEDY AND WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THEY WERE STILL TRYING. CALLED BMW CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE PARTS WERE IN GERMAN AND IT WAS UP TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO LOCATE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP. MY CAR IS UNUSABLE TO TRANSPORT MY GRANDSON AND NO REMEDY IS IN SIGHT. BMW IS TAKING A "SO WHAT" ATTITUDE! THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY SITUATION. THIS IS THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL: NHTSA RECALL NUMBER19V823 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE SUMMARY ISOFIX CHILD SEAT ANCHORS: WHEN ATTACHING AN ISOFIX-TYPE CHILD SEAT (RIGID-STYLE CONNECTORS) TO THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEAT LOWER ANCHOR BARS, THEN OVER THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE, THE BAR(S) COULD BECOME DAMAGED. SAFETY RISK IF THE LOWER ANCHOR BAR(S) BECAME DAMAGED, THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD IN AN ISOFIX-TYPE CHILD SEAT DURING A CRASH. REMEDY A REINFORCING BRACKET WILL BE WELDED TO THE LOWER ANCHOR BARS AND THE VEHICLE BODY FOR FREE AND TAKE SEVERAL HOURS.

NHTSA ID

11311914

Incident

Feb 24, 2020

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE FRONT SYSTEM AND CAUSES INSTABILITY, ISSUES WITH THE SUSPENSION AND THE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. NEVER WAS FIXED PROPERLY FROM BMW TENAFLY

NHTSA ID

11281983

Incident

Nov 9, 2019

Mileage

34,000 mi

N63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR

For this vehicle, the engine coolant thermostat limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles, as determined from the original in-service date.

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.

This bulletin outlines known areas of possible water entry, operational noise, or wind noise for the vehicles listed above. It serves only as a diagnostic resource in troubleshooting complaints from the roof area. This bulletin and the associated attachments are designed to provide one single diagnostic resource for troubleshooting all known issues related to the panoramic sunroof of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles which have quality improvement measures already in place.

At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.