NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
27 reports49,000 miles · Mar 2, 2018
Engine
TIMING CHAIN STRETCH. THE TIMING CHAIN HAS STRETCHED AND AS A RESULT IS RUBBING ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS AND IS AT SEVERE RISK OF SNAPPING THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW HAS OFFERED AND EXTENDED 7 YEAR/70,000 MILE WARRANTY TO COVER CARS MANUFACTURED BEFORE 3/2013 HOWEVER CARS INELIGIBLE FOR FACTORY WARRANTIES AREN'T COVERED AND THE…
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TIMING CHAIN STRETCH. THE TIMING CHAIN HAS STRETCHED AND AS A RESULT IS RUBBING ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS AND IS AT SEVERE RISK OF SNAPPING THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW HAS OFFERED AND EXTENDED 7 YEAR/70,000 MILE WARRANTY TO COVER CARS MANUFACTURED BEFORE 3/2013 HOWEVER CARS INELIGIBLE FOR FACTORY WARRANTIES AREN'T COVERED AND THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS. THEY NEED TO ISSUE A RECAP!
NHTSA ODI #11075992
49,000 miles · Sep 12, 2017
Wheels
I PURCHASED A 2013 BMW 328XI CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED SEDAN 6/22/16 FOR MY WIFE. IT CAME WITH 18" WHEELS AND PIRELLI CINTURATO RUN-FLATS. THE TIRE-PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) WARNING STARTED COMING ON A FEW MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT IT, SO I PUT AIR IN THE TIRES. BUT IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE DIAGNOS…
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I PURCHASED A 2013 BMW 328XI CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED SEDAN 6/22/16 FOR MY WIFE. IT CAME WITH 18" WHEELS AND PIRELLI CINTURATO RUN-FLATS. THE TIRE-PRESSURE MONITOR (TPM) WARNING STARTED COMING ON A FEW MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT IT, SO I PUT AIR IN THE TIRES. BUT IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING AIR. I ASKED IF THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE BUT THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING IT ANYWAY BECAUSE THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED. I ASKED WHAT WOULD CAUSE A CRACK IN AN ALLOY WHEEL, AND THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT SHE 'PROBABLY HIT A POTHOLE'. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT WAS ALL IT WOULD TAKE, BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID HITTING POTHOLES ON OUR FREEWAYS. MY WIFE DRIVES VERY CAREFULLY AND ONLY PUT 5,700 MILES ON THE CAR IN 14 MONTHS. THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE RUN-FLATS DON'T PROVIDE ENOUGH CUSHION TO PROTECT THE WHEEL FROM ROAD IMPACTS. I BOUGHT A NEW WHEEL (BMW GAVE ME 50% OFF) AND TOOK THE CAR TO A TIRE STORE TO BUY A SET OF CONVENTIONAL TIRES TO REPLACE THE RUN-FLATS. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TIRE ON THE CRACKED WHEEL, AND NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT. I HAVE THE CRACKED WHEEL AND ITS TIRE. I FEEL THAT BMW IS PUTTING DRIVERS AT RISK BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY TO AVOID HITTING POTHOLES UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THEY'VE ESSENTIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT'S A HAZARD BECAUSE THEY SELL TIRE & WHEEL INSURANCE TO NEW OWNERS (BUT NOT TO BUYERS OF CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED LIKE US). THE TIRE STORE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT HE'S HAD 'LOTS' OF BMW OWNERS COME IN WITH CRACKED WHEELS. THERE ARE ALSO MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. PLUS BMW SETTLED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT OVER CRACKED WHEELS ON THEIR Z4 MODEL. AND SINCE THE CAR HAS NO ROOM FOR A SPARE TIRE, BMW HAS PUT OWNERS WHO SWITCH TO CONVENTIONAL TIRES AT RISK.
NHTSA ODI #11022876
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2017
Air Bags
TAKATA INFLATORS BMW SERVICE CENTER SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE AND DON'T KNOW WHEN. ISN'T THIS DANGEROUS THAT THEY DON'T QUICKLY ACT ON IT AND REPLACE OUR PARTS? WHAT IF WE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT/ I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLIANT ON THEIR INEFFICIENCY IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST FOR THEM TO GET THE PA…
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TAKATA INFLATORS BMW SERVICE CENTER SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE AND DON'T KNOW WHEN. ISN'T THIS DANGEROUS THAT THEY DON'T QUICKLY ACT ON IT AND REPLACE OUR PARTS? WHAT IF WE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT/ I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLIANT ON THEIR INEFFICIENCY IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND REQUEST FOR THEM TO GET THE PARTS ASAP.
NHTSA ODI #11012798
43,000 miles · Apr 26, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON A STATE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER, DECELERATED TO 25MPH, AND NARROWLY AVOIDED REAR-END COLLISION. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS WAS A DEFECTIVE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA ODI #10980995
30,000 miles · Dec 12, 2016
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION HAS SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING, ABOUT ONCE A YEAR, BEGINNING A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE DISPLAY READS "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE. CONSULT SERVICE CENTER." PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE CAR MAKES THE PROBLEM…
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THE TRANSMISSION HAS SUDDENLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING, ABOUT ONCE A YEAR, BEGINNING A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. I EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE DISPLAY READS "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE. CONSULT SERVICE CENTER." PULLING OVER AND RESTARTING THE CAR MAKES THE PROBLEM GO AWAY. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS: HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=667636 BMW REFUSES TO MAKE ANY FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE WARRANTIED PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE IT AT WILL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10934792
30,000 miles · Dec 9, 2016
Unknown Or Other
MY CAR DOORS INTERMITTENTLY WON'T OPEN, POTENTIALLY TRAPPING ME IN MY UNDER-WARRANTY CAR. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK ACROSS ANY OF THE FOUR DOORS AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO BMW MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY WITHOUT REPAIR. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR BMWS. BOT…
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MY CAR DOORS INTERMITTENTLY WON'T OPEN, POTENTIALLY TRAPPING ME IN MY UNDER-WARRANTY CAR. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE A WEEK ACROSS ANY OF THE FOUR DOORS AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO BMW MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER WARRANTY WITHOUT REPAIR. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM IN THEIR BMWS. BOTTOM LINE: BMW REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY ANY INTERMITTENT CAR ISSUE, EVEN IF IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS EVEN IN LIGHT OF VIDEO EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATING THE PROBLEM, UNLESS THEY CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN IN THEIR SHOP. HERE'S A LINK TO MY VIDEO: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LQ9IUVQLO2S ABOUT ONCE EVERY WEEK OR TWO, ONE OF OUR FOUR DOORS COMPLETELY FAILS TO OPEN USING THE DOOR LATCH, EVEN WHEN PULLING THE HANDLE REPEATEDLY. DURING THESE FAILURES, THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE CAR IS IF I PRESS THE POWER LOCK BUTTON. IF THE CAR'S BATTERY FAILS OR THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE DURING AN ACCIDENT, THERE WOULD BE NO ESCAPE FROM THE CAR. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PHENOMENON ONLINE: HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=674994 THERE WERE OTHER INTERMITTENT ISSUES THEY ALSO REFUSED TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10934291
36,000 miles · Dec 16, 2015
Air BagsStructureUnknown Or OtherCrashFireInjury
ON DECEMBER 1ST I WAS REARENDED AT INTERSTATE SPEED (65 MILES PER HOUR) JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT I HAD TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO LESSEN THE IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. HOWEVER IT IS CLEAR FROM THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE THAT MY CAR MADE CONTACT ON THE DRIVER SIDE CORNER WITH THE BRIDGE AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE P…
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ON DECEMBER 1ST I WAS REARENDED AT INTERSTATE SPEED (65 MILES PER HOUR) JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT I HAD TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO LESSEN THE IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. HOWEVER IT IS CLEAR FROM THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE THAT MY CAR MADE CONTACT ON THE DRIVER SIDE CORNER WITH THE BRIDGE AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTACT WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR HAD BEEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF CAUSING ME TO SUFFER SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES AND SCULL FRACTURES. IN ADDITION, UPON IMPACT, MY CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS PULLED UNCONSCIOUS FROM MY BURNING CAR BY BYSTANDERS WITH ONLY MOMENTS TO SPARE
NHTSA ODI #10810625
7,900 miles · Aug 8, 2015
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR'S IDRIVE SYSTEM SPONTANEOUSLY REBOOTED. THE SYSTEM WILL OFTEN TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO REBOOT (SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM WILL REBOOT AGAIN DIRECTLY AFTER REGAINING CONNECTIVITY OR WHILE TRYING TO REBOOT). WE HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME. IT HAS …
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE CAR'S IDRIVE SYSTEM SPONTANEOUSLY REBOOTED. THE SYSTEM WILL OFTEN TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES TO REBOOT (SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM WILL REBOOT AGAIN DIRECTLY AFTER REGAINING CONNECTIVITY OR WHILE TRYING TO REBOOT). WE HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE. BMW HAS TRIED TO FIX THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE HEAD UNIT, IDRIVE SCREEN, AND THE COMBOX, ALL WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE IDRIVE SYSTEM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE DRIVER FOR THE CAR'S STATUS INCLUDING TIRE PRESSURE AND OIL LEVEL (THERE IS NO MANUAL WAY TO CHECK THE OIL). IN ADDITION, THIS SYSTEM CONTROLS THE LOW JACK COMMUNICATION, ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND ALL BLUETOOTH CAPABILITIES (HANDS FREE DRIVING IS REQUIRED IN MOST OUR STATE) IN THE AUTOMOBILE.
NHTSA ODI #10747213
19,000 miles · Jun 12, 2015
Service Brakes
WHILE I WAS EXITING MY DRIVEWAY AT MY RESIDENCE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND SO I EASED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PAVEMENT ON THE MAIN STREET, GOOD THING NO CARS WERE COMING. I THEN HEADED SOUTH ON N BROADWAY AND THE WARNING APPEARS THAT THE BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED PLEASE DRIVE MODERAT…
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WHILE I WAS EXITING MY DRIVEWAY AT MY RESIDENCE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND SO I EASED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PAVEMENT ON THE MAIN STREET, GOOD THING NO CARS WERE COMING. I THEN HEADED SOUTH ON N BROADWAY AND THE WARNING APPEARS THAT THE BRAKES HAVE MALFUNCTIONED PLEASE DRIVE MODERATELY. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS THE WARNING WENT AWAY BRAKES CAME BACK. NOW I JUST HAD THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND BMW ALSO REPLACED THE FRONT. NOW THE SERVICE INDICATOR IS ON AGAIN TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AGAIN, AFTER LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. MY CAR IS MOSTLY DRIVEN ON THE WEEKENDS AND IT IS MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. I ALSO TAKE OUTSTANDING CARE OF MY CAR BECAUSE IT LOOKS BETTER THAN THE DAY I PICKED IT UP. (I DETAIL AND MAKE WAX ETC). BESIDES THAT, THESE ARE THE OTHER FAILURES ON THE CAR: FUEL INJECTORS, 15,600 MI (STRANDED), RATTLE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVERS DOOR. DRIVERS SIDE DOOR RATTLE IS BACK. DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR, REPLACED AND STARTING TO MALFUNCTION AGAIN. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT LEATHER COVER DAMAGED AND REPLACED. DOOR JAM AREA DAMAGED AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID NOTHING. I HAD TO E-MAIL THEM. THEY SAID IT COULD'T BE HELPED. I KNOW BETTER, THEY FIXED ALL THE DAMAGED THEY CAUSED. HORNS, REPLACED, OIL LEVEL SENSOR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, REPAIRED. THE FUEL INJECTOR BREAKDOWN OCCURRED THE DAY AFTER I PICKED IT UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP HORNS RATTLE ETC. I HAVE LESS THAN 25,000 MI AND THE CAR IS 2 YEARS AN 5 MONTHS OLD. I TRANSPORT MY 12 YEAR OLD SON ON THE WEEKENDS AND SOMETIMES DURING THE WEEK. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR ANY MORE. CALLED BMW N.A. AND THEY SEND ME A PORTRAIT OF THE 3 SERIES PROTOTYPE. 9 YEARS IN THE MARINE CORPS AS A SGT AND OVER 30 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT I HAVE NOT SCENE THIS IN COMPETENCE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, IF THEY CANNOT FIX THIS VEHICLE ITS TIME FOR MY ATTORNEY TO STEP IN.
NHTSA ODI #10724865
30,241 miles · Nov 11, 2014
Electrical System
WHEN I STARTED THE CAR UP THE PARKING LIGHT MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS 7 DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10654087
Official recalls
2Aug 13, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Aug 17, 2015
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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:passenger Side:inflator Module
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.
Illustration