Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
I THINK I KNOW WHY THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE SINCE MINE ALMOST DID AND I TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IF THE ALTERNATOR EVER OVERHEATS FOR ANY REASON (SUCH AS THE COOLING VENT COMES LOOSE), THE PASS TRAN…
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I THINK I KNOW WHY THE CAR CATCHES ON FIRE SINCE MINE ALMOST DID AND I TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. IF THE ALTERNATOR EVER OVERHEATS FOR ANY REASON (SUCH AS THE COOLING VENT COMES LOOSE), THE PASS TRANSISTOR IN THE BUILT IN REGULATOR OF THE ALTERNATOR BEGINS TO SHORT. SINCE IT IS NEVER DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY (EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED) THE FIST SYMPTOM APPEARS TO BE A BAD BATTERY AS THE ALTERNATOR KILLS THE BATTERY. ESPECIALLY IF YOU REPLACE THE BATTERY WITH A NEW, FRESH ONE AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR THE PASS TRANSISTOR CONTINUES TO SHORT MORE AND MORE (IT CHARGES THE BATTERY MORE AND MORE LEADING TO OVERCHARGING AND POSSIBLE FIRE) AND EVENTUALLY SHORTS SO BAD THAT EVEN WHEN TURNED OFF IT DRAWS SO MUCH CURRENT FROM THE BATTERY THAT IT STARTS TO CATCH FIRE. IF AT THIS POINT YOU DON'T HAPPEN TO BE THERE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IT BECOMES A CASCADED FAILURE AND WILL BECOME AN ENGINE FIRE. I KNOW BECAUSE THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CATCH IT AND FIGURED IT OUT BY MEASURING THE RESISTANCE OF THE ALTERNATOR AND WAS SHOCKED AT HOW LOW IT WAS. I REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE SINCE. I STILL HAVE THE OLD ALTERNATOR IF ANYONE WANTS TO EXAMINE IT. IN MY OPINION THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY WITH THE IGNITION KEY OFF. I JUST DON'T SEE ANY REASON FOR IT. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW 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 ↗
Defect investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.
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