IllustrationEVERY TIME I GO FROM I93 MASS TO I90 HWY ON THE EXIT MY CAR SHUTS OFF FOR 3SEC AND RESTARTS THE ELECTRONICS. NOT SURE WHAT DEFECT OR SENSORS ARE IN THE AREA THAT CAUSES THIS MALFUNCTION. BUT THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I TAKE THE SAME EXACT EXIT EVERY SINGLE TIME.
2014 BMW 335I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 BMW 335I do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 31.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 335I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reportsI WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WAS READING THAT IT HAD GAS, THEN SUDDENLY IT CAME TO A STOP, ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAD DIED MAKING THE CAR THINK IT HAD GAS WHEN IT IN FACT HAD NONE. THE DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TANK FOR $2700, THIS ISSUE I…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR WAS READING THAT IT HAD GAS, THEN SUDDENLY IT CAME TO A STOP, ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAD DIED MAKING THE CAR THINK IT HAD GAS WHEN IT IN FACT HAD NONE. THE DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TANK FOR $2700, THIS ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN LEAVE ANYONE STRANDED ANYWHERE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD AND THIS ISSUE CAN BE FOUND ON BMWS MUCH OLDER THEN THAT. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE, THEY KNOW IT IS DANGEROUS AND THEY CHOOSE TO CONTINUE MAKING CARS WITH THIS IS ISSUE. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL BMW DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE DRIVERS OF ITS CARS AND ONLY CARES ABOUT MAKING MONEY BY SELLING DEATH TRAPS TO PEOPLE. IF YOU WANT TO BE LEFT STRANDED AND RISK GETTING KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY OR GETTING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE, BY A BMW. IF NOT, BUY A MERC OR AUDI. THIS ISSUE CAN HAPPEN IF THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL. ANY BMW THAT USES THE GAS TANK FROM THE F30 3 SERIES IS EFFECTED, AS WELL AS BMWS AS FAR BACK AS THE E46. *TR
THE SYMPTOM: THE CAR MISSES OR SHUTTERS UNDER LOAD. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS INTERMITTENT BUT IS BECOMING WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE IS A JUST OVER 6YRS OLD WITH 82K MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN MY OPINION FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE WITH AVERAGE M…
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THE SYMPTOM: THE CAR MISSES OR SHUTTERS UNDER LOAD. THE PROBLEM STARTED AS INTERMITTENT BUT IS BECOMING WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE IS A JUST OVER 6YRS OLD WITH 82K MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN MY OPINION FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE WITH AVERAGE MILES AND CONTINUALLY SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND DRIVEN BY TWO OLD PEOPLE. TODAY I READ ABOUT A RECALL FOR A 2014 MODEL 328D THAT REQUIRES REPLACE THE CONSTANT-VELOCITY JOINT AND INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE, REPLACING IT IF NECESSARY. I SUSPECT THE SAME FAULTY PART COULD ALSO BE THE CAUSE OF MY NOW FAULTY TRANSFER CASE. *TR
THIS PROBLEM CONCERNS THE DOOR LATCHES ON THE BMW 335I (F30 GENERATION). THE PROBLEM I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT ONCE IN A WHILE, THE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN PULLING THE LATCH. TYPICALLY, YOU WOULD PULL THE DOOR HANDLE ONCE, UNLOCKING THE CAR, AND ONCE AGAIN TO OPEN THE DOOR. WHEN THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF, PULLING ON THE HANDLE…
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THIS PROBLEM CONCERNS THE DOOR LATCHES ON THE BMW 335I (F30 GENERATION). THE PROBLEM I HAVE NOTICED IS THAT ONCE IN A WHILE, THE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK WHEN PULLING THE LATCH. TYPICALLY, YOU WOULD PULL THE DOOR HANDLE ONCE, UNLOCKING THE CAR, AND ONCE AGAIN TO OPEN THE DOOR. WHEN THIS PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF, PULLING ON THE HANDLE DOES NOT UNLOCK THE CAR. ONLY THE ELECTRONIC BUTTON CAN BE USED TO UNLOCK IT. IT PROBLEM COULD CAUSE DANGER IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS NO LONGER WORKING AND COULD LEAVE ONE TRAPPED INSIDE OF THEIR CAR. THE PROBLEM PRESENTS ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE ONLY NOTICED THE PROBLEM HAPPEN WHEN PARKED. I BELIEVE THAT THE LOCK ACTUATOR IS THE FAULTY COMPONENT HERE. EVEN WHEN USING THE ELECTRONIC BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOOR, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE LOCK INDICATOR (THAT SMALL THING ON THE SIDE OF YOUR DOOR) GOES UP MUCH SLOWER THAN THE OTHER UNAFFECTED DOORS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE COMPARTMENT, WHICH THEN SPILLED ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF FREMONT (LOCATED AT 5720 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 224-4820) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL GASKE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE COMPARTMENT, WHICH THEN SPILLED ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF FREMONT (LOCATED AT 5720 CUSHING PKWY, FREMONT, CA 94538, (510) 224-4820) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL GASKET OIL PAN HOSE AND PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE RISK OF A FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,800.
REAR TAIL LIGHT CONNECTORS MELT JUST LIKE A RECALL OF PREVIOUS 3-SERIES BMW'S. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. GETTING NOTIFICATION OF BLINKER FAILURE, DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED ME THAT THE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THE LIGHT BULBS ARE STOCK AND HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,800.
DRIVING ON 4 LANE ROAD AT 40MPH WHEN 2104 BMW 335I XDRIVE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL FAILURE-STARTING WITH THE NAVIGATION SCREEN THEN THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT BLACK AND ENGINE SHUTDOWN (ALL IN FEW SECONDS). THERE WAS NO SHOULDER (CONCRETE CURB) SO VEHICLE CAME TO STOP IN THE RIGHT LANE. HEADLIGHTS WERE "STUCK" ON BUT NOTHING ELS…
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DRIVING ON 4 LANE ROAD AT 40MPH WHEN 2104 BMW 335I XDRIVE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL FAILURE-STARTING WITH THE NAVIGATION SCREEN THEN THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD WENT BLACK AND ENGINE SHUTDOWN (ALL IN FEW SECONDS). THERE WAS NO SHOULDER (CONCRETE CURB) SO VEHICLE CAME TO STOP IN THE RIGHT LANE. HEADLIGHTS WERE "STUCK" ON BUT NOTHING ELSE WORKED INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS! CONTACTED BMW ASSIST BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP BUT SENT OUT POLICE AND TOW TRUCK. CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS DRAGGED ONTO A FLATBED DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING! WE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED AS CARS WERE BEARING DOWN ON US THEN SWERVING AS WE COULD NOT WARN THEM WITHOUT EMERGENCY FLASHERS. BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED/KILLED, THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED STARTING WITH WHY DOES THIS VEHICLE NOT "FAIL-SAFE"?--I.E., WHERE THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WORK AND TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL? THANK YOU!! *TR
WAS DRIVING IN RAIN, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH START/STOP ENABLED AND IN STANDBY MODE. WHEN SIGNAL TURNED GREEN VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO COME TO LIFE AND STALLED WITH MESSAGE ON I-DRIVE SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS TO BRING THE ENGINE BACK TO LIFE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND PULL OVER T…
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WAS DRIVING IN RAIN, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH START/STOP ENABLED AND IN STANDBY MODE. WHEN SIGNAL TURNED GREEN VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO COME TO LIFE AND STALLED WITH MESSAGE ON I-DRIVE SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS TO BRING THE ENGINE BACK TO LIFE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND PULL OVER TO THE CURB AFTER WHICH THE ENGINE WOULD STILL STRUGGLE TO IDLE AND TRANSMISSION REFUSED TO ENGAGE DRIVE MODE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE BMW SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND REPLACED IT AND CLAIM THE ISSUE IS FIXED. *TR
SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING/MOVING (BRAND NEW 335I 2014). HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED(COMPLETE FAILURE) WHILE MERGING ON TO LANE AT BUSY AIRPORT GATE RAMP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) OR PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER BUT, I DID GET A TOTAL AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITH …
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SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING/MOVING (BRAND NEW 335I 2014). HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED(COMPLETE FAILURE) WHILE MERGING ON TO LANE AT BUSY AIRPORT GATE RAMP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT) OR PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER BUT, I DID GET A TOTAL AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITH A SUDDEN VEHICLE STOP. BUS BEHIND ME ALMOST RUN INTO ME! THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO RE-START. AFTER A WHILE AIRPORT POLICE CAME AND HELP ME MOVE THE CAR OUT OF BUSY INTERSECTING/MERGING LANES RAMP. ON THIS AUTOMATIC VEHICLE, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, WHEN ENGINE DOES NOT START. (I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FREEWAY) BMW 335I HAD ISSUES WITH FUEL PUMP A FEW YEARS BACK AND IT COULD BE BACK AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK TO DRIVERS OUT THERE. *TR
Official recalls
525V871000 · Air Bags:side/window:head
Dec 17, 2025
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
24V527000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jul 11, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
24V288000 · Air Bags:side/window
Apr 24, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
15V520000 · Exterior Lighting
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.
15V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Mar 31, 2015
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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
2DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
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.