BMW B48 engine. Coolant started leaking and the engine overheated. Unbeknownst to me caus the bottom of the car is covered. I had a mechanic look at it. Found the leak coming from the "oil filter housing unit". When he removed it it was broken at one of the 6 ports inside with the pieces missing presumably fell into the interio…
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BMW B48 engine. Coolant started leaking and the engine overheated. Unbeknownst to me caus the bottom of the car is covered. I had a mechanic look at it. Found the leak coming from the "oil filter housing unit". When he removed it it was broken at one of the 6 ports inside with the pieces missing presumably fell into the interior of the engine. BMW manufactured these units out of a composite material and not aluminum I assume to save costs and weight. This composite material has failed in many of their engines including the mini cooper. When I looked on line googling it I was shocked at how wide spread it was. It's a costly repair about 2000-2500 for parts and labor. This composite material is also used in their failing water pumps all the failing coolant hose connectors and more I believe.
NHTSA ODI #11570175
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2024
Engine
The plastic oil filter housing assembly developed a crack as we all should know heat and plastic do not do well with each other. Cause my coolant at first to slowly leaked and never gave me a warning of low coolant. Driving 60+ mph then all of a sudden cars goes into limp mode so the person behind me lucky swerved to the left to…
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The plastic oil filter housing assembly developed a crack as we all should know heat and plastic do not do well with each other. Cause my coolant at first to slowly leaked and never gave me a warning of low coolant. Driving 60+ mph then all of a sudden cars goes into limp mode so the person behind me lucky swerved to the left to avoid hitting me. So filled up coolant and same thing happens again about a week later. No visible leaks no dashboard warning of low coolant levels. So I fill up and go. Mind you my engine is already overheating when it tells me on dashboard while going into limp mode at the same time so continuously overheating engine seems to cause more problems water pumps starts leaking and pipes start developing holes. Safety comes into play while driving down a highway when car goes into limp mode causing the driving that’s not paying attention ram into you. Quite a few safety concerns. Never had a chance or opportunity to pull over to self diagnose, car goes into limp mode with no warning. There are several thousands of this reporting the same with oil filter housing assembly. As I am writing this my mechanic is in the process of taking the part off and replacing it with a metal one. This first happened around thanksgiving 2023 and progressively got worse with each week
NHTSA ODI #11569210
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2023
Engine
Coolant Leak from oil filter housing caused a major repair. The Car has about 109,000 miles. Parked it after work on a Thursday went to drive it to a family dinner Friday, i turned the car on and immediately get a low coolant light. I drove 2 miles down the road, Suddenly the coolant started pouring out and the coolant light com…
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Coolant Leak from oil filter housing caused a major repair. The Car has about 109,000 miles. Parked it after work on a Thursday went to drive it to a family dinner Friday, i turned the car on and immediately get a low coolant light. I drove 2 miles down the road, Suddenly the coolant started pouring out and the coolant light comes on again, i return home and have to take my girlfriends car. On the invoice it states, “entire oil filter housing part was replaced”, the plastic used to seal in the coolant had either been destroyed or broken off, not a gasket but a piece from the oil filter housing part. The dealer charged $4500 for the repairs, which they said were “optional” but the engine couldn’t hold coolant. This item is not on the recommended service list, as it’s not an item listed for “wear and tear” However the B48/58 engines are so new that finding enough over 100K miles is not easy to replicate the issue, although message boards have recently discovered this issue occurring with more regularity. Please investigate and help consumers who potentially could be left stranded by this defect.
NHTSA ODI #11562211
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2023
Engine
Coolant Leak caused a major repair. The Car has about 90,000 miles. Suddenly the coolant started pouring out. As you see in the attached invoice, entire heat exchanger, water pump, and other several parts were to be replaced. The dealer first estimated the repairs at $5,400 and they agreed to do it at warranty price rates. Ho…
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Coolant Leak caused a major repair. The Car has about 90,000 miles. Suddenly the coolant started pouring out. As you see in the attached invoice, entire heat exchanger, water pump, and other several parts were to be replaced. The dealer first estimated the repairs at $5,400 and they agreed to do it at warranty price rates. However, we believe other BMW models have had similar recalls for Coolant leak and suspect same on this model too. Please investigate and help consumers who are ending up paying exorbitant amounts to service shops. BMW may be hiding this problem from NTSB to avoid recalls by agreeing to repair at vehicle warranty rates.
NHTSA ODI #11537031
Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2022
EngineUnknown Or Other
out of nowhere with only 1 day warning car requested coolant refill. After refill within 10 minutes car engine ran hot and completely stopped on the expressway. I’ve read hundreds of reviews online and youtube where this exact same thing has happened to others with this same car.
NHTSA ODI #11498815
55,000 miles · Dec 13, 2022
Engine
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown rubber hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the …
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The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown rubber hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the coolant light was illuminated. The contact stated that the oil housing base was replaced; however, a week later, the vehicle started to overheat. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed, and the cylinder and head gaskets needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #11497261
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2022
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
When I was driving on suburban roads with speed limit of 45 mph, I received a waring from my vehicle saying "engine high temperature, drive moderately". After sometime, it said "engine overheated stop carefully". During the first warning, I felt loss of acceleration power and during the second warning I felt completely no power …
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When I was driving on suburban roads with speed limit of 45 mph, I received a waring from my vehicle saying "engine high temperature, drive moderately". After sometime, it said "engine overheated stop carefully". During the first warning, I felt loss of acceleration power and during the second warning I felt completely no power in acceleration that too when I was yielding for a left turn which was life threatening, luckily the oncoming traffic slowed down. Otherwise I would have ended up in life threatening crash. During both warnings, I checked the engine temperature gauge in the instrument cluster and the engine temperature was not even 50% of the maximum temperature in the gauge. After the warning, I slowly made it to a nearby parking lot and opened the hood and did not physically feel any excessive heat for an engine not to function. I regularly service my vehicle and my vehicle is not due for any kind of service for the next 2000 mile as per the onboard vehicle status. The next day I started the vehicle to help it to climb the tow truck ramp and at that time, for the very first time I received a warning saying engine coolant is very low. I have never received this warning since I have owned the car until then. I have two concerns, 1. The temperature gauge did not show a high temperature, only 24 hours after the electronic engine high heat notification, the low coolant warning came in which is weird and my vehicle isn't due for any service. 2. None of the above should result in a sudden loss of acceleration power which could have resulted in a fatal crash in my case. I'm a mechanical engineer with a strong background in automotive occupant safety (airbags/seatbelts) and that's why I see this a very serious incident that needs to be looked into so that it doesn't occur for anyone else in the future.
NHTSA ODI #11477455
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2022
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
Water pump keeps going bad 2nd time replacing in 2 years rough idle and failed part problems that BMW service team does not understand. Vehicle has stalled at 0 rpm I'm thinking there is an issue with the engine also reported by previous owner and I also have the same complaints, as well the foot release which I was was told was…
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Water pump keeps going bad 2nd time replacing in 2 years rough idle and failed part problems that BMW service team does not understand. Vehicle has stalled at 0 rpm I'm thinking there is an issue with the engine also reported by previous owner and I also have the same complaints, as well the foot release which I was was told was an option never worked. Please search vin [XXX] for all incident reports with this vehicle. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11461947
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2021
Engine
EVERYTIME I START UP THE ENGINE, THE IDLE IS IN HIGH RPM LIKE 1200-1300RPM EVEN IT IS WARMED AND THEN GRADUALLY GOES BACK TO NORMAL AFTER A MINUTE. AND IN COLD START THERE IS A LOUD THUD SOUND UNDER THE CAR AND SEEMS LIKE THE CAR ENGAGE AND THEN DISENGAGE, ONLY IN COLD START.
NHTSA ODI #11403190
50,200 miles · Apr 7, 2020
Engine
WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, LIQUID FROM THE WATER PUMP CAUSED THE FILER TO BE DAMAGED AND RESULTS IN A FIRE SMELL THROUGHOUT THE CARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11320426
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
1
EA21002 · 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.
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