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2014 BMW 535D

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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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

24 reports with mileage · 34 unknown

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 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Diesel. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

58 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2020
Engine

2014 BMW 535. CONSUMER STATED THAT BMW FAILED TO PERFORM NHTSA'S SAFETY RECALL 18V-755 IN A TIMELY MANNER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11349403

80,000 miles · May 19, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion System

MESSAGE COMES ON THE CONSOLE INDICATING DRIVETRAIN FAULT AND ABOUT 2 SECONDS LATER LOOSES ALL ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AS THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIMITED ON THE ROAD. DIAGNOSIS BY BMW REPAIR SHOP IS THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325197

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2019
Engine And Engine Cooling

2014 BMW 535D. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 18V-755. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART NECESSARY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. AT THE END OF JANUARY, THE CONSUMER NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND REDUCTION OF POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER WAITED 30 MINUTES BEFORE BEING RESC…

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2014 BMW 535D. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 18V-755. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE PART NECESSARY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. AT THE END OF JANUARY, THE CONSUMER NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND REDUCTION OF POWER. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC. THE CONSUMER WAITED 30 MINUTES BEFORE BEING RESCUED FROM THE TRAFFIC BY POLICE. THE DEALER CHARGED THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11286233

41,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

I RECEIVED SEVERAL SAFETY RECALL NOTICES FROM BMW OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS, EVERY TIME I CALL BMW, I AM TOLD "THE NECESSARY PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE". I HAVE AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY EGR COOLER MALFUNCTION. REALLY FRUSTRATED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BY BMW.

NHTSA ODI #11233940

54,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Engine

I OWNED A 2014 535D WITH ABOUT 54,000 MILES. BMW HAS ISSUED EGR RECALL DUE TO RISK OF FIRE SINCE OCT 2018. AS OF MARCH 2019, THERE IS NO REMEDY OR PART REPLACEMENT. WHAT IS THE POINT OF RECALL ESPECIALLY THE VEHICLE IS USED TO CARRY CHILDREN. NTHSA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11185076

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 535D. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CREVIER BMW (1500 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705, (657) 213-3493) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 535D. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CREVIER BMW (1500 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705, (657) 213-3493) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11183166

48,000 miles · Feb 13, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 535D. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). CENTURY BMW (2934 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 535D. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V755000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). CENTURY BMW (2934 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 214-3449) DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR COOLER FAILED, BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11179740

40,000 miles · Feb 9, 2019
Electrical SystemStructure

THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY DUE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL DOOR ACTUATOR FAILURE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN A CRITICAL COMPONENT WHERE THE DRIVER SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR IN CASE OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OR IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN ITS CRITICAL THAT THE DRIVER IS ABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR EVE…

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THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY DUE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL DOOR ACTUATOR FAILURE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN A CRITICAL COMPONENT WHERE THE DRIVER SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR IN CASE OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OR IN AN EMERGENCY WHEN ITS CRITICAL THAT THE DRIVER IS ABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOOR EVEN IF THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, BATTERY DIES, THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE CAR FALLS INTO A BODY OF WATER - IN ANY OF THESE CASES THE DRIVER SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR MANUALLY. THE FAILURE OF THIS DOOR ACTUATOR ALSO PREVENTS THE DOOR TO BE UNLOCKED AND OPENED MANUALLY. I THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND A POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE BMW OWNERS THAT HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET AND TO BMW, WITHOUT ANY RECOURSE.

NHTSA ODI #11175900

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

I HAVE 2014 535D AND THE FILL RESERVOIR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER CHRISTMAS . I DIPPED DRIVE HOME. ON THIRSDAY JANUARY 3 IT DID IT AGAIN. I HAD SENT BMW AN EMAIL THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WHICH HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE O BOUGHT THE CAR. INTAKE MANIFOLD, NOX, OXYGEN HAD ALL BEEN REPLACED. RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ON FRIDAY JAM 4…

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I HAVE 2014 535D AND THE FILL RESERVOIR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER CHRISTMAS . I DIPPED DRIVE HOME. ON THIRSDAY JANUARY 3 IT DID IT AGAIN. I HAD SENT BMW AN EMAIL THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON WHICH HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE O BOUGHT THE CAR. INTAKE MANIFOLD, NOX, OXYGEN HAD ALL BEEN REPLACED. RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ON FRIDAY JAM 4,2019. WE ALREADY KNEW IT HAD THIS RECALL ISSUES WELL NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE A $625 HOSE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR ISSUE THAT'S BEEN RECALLED. I BELIEVE THE RECALL CAUSED THE ISSUE BUT NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR PART AND LABOR BEFORE THEY CAN WORK ON IT AND THIS PART IS SEVERAL WEEKS WAIT. I BELIEVE THE EGR LEAK CAN MELT THE HOSE AND LEAVE STRANDED . ONCE THE EGR FAILS IT'S DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE VERY QUICKLY AND LEAVING EVEN MORE REPAIRS BMW IS NOT COVERING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN WORKED ON FOR MONTHS NOW AND THE FIX DOESN'T LAST BUT COUPLE MONTHS AT BEST.

NHTSA ODI #11164962

110,000 miles · Nov 15, 2018
EngineFuel System, Diesel

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 535D. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO HERRIN-GEAR BMW OF JACKSON (LOCATED AT 1685 HIGH ST, JACKSON, M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 535D. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO HERRIN-GEAR BMW OF JACKSON (LOCATED AT 1685 HIGH ST, JACKSON, MS 39202, (601) 354-2269) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-4011097971. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11151823

Official recalls

4

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.

21V907000 · Fuel System, Diesel

Nov 19, 2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

21V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump

Jul 29, 2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

18V755000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)

Oct 25, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. 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

2

EA23001 · High Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Mar 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel:delivery:fuel Pump

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337

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.