NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
46 reportsClear category filter85,000 miles · Sep 27, 2015
EnginePower Train
WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 72 IN ILLINOIS, WE NOTED A LOW COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT. CHECKED THE OWNER'S MANUAL, AND IT STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A MAJOR ISSUE, BUT WE SHOULD CHECK IT AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY. COINCIDENTALLY, THE OTHER PARTY WE WERE TRAVELING WITH ASKED IF WE WANTED TO STOP FOR COFFEE AT A LOCATION 1.5 MILES OFF THE IN…
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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 72 IN ILLINOIS, WE NOTED A LOW COOLANT LEVEL LIGHT. CHECKED THE OWNER'S MANUAL, AND IT STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A MAJOR ISSUE, BUT WE SHOULD CHECK IT AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY. COINCIDENTALLY, THE OTHER PARTY WE WERE TRAVELING WITH ASKED IF WE WANTED TO STOP FOR COFFEE AT A LOCATION 1.5 MILES OFF THE INTERSTATE. WHEN WE STOPPED, THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT WENT OFF. BEFORE GETTING BACK ON THE ROAD, NOTICED THAT COOLANT WAS DRIPPING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE. A REPAIR FACILITY WAS NEARBY, AND THEY INVESTIGATED THE LEAK AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS EMANATING FROM A CRACK IN THE WATER PUMP. ALSO DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE CRACK WAS THE ENGINE SAGGING. FURTHER INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT A LOWER ENGINE MOUNTING BOLT WAS MISSING ENTIRELY. THIS WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE WATER PUMP, WHEN THE ENGINE WAS JACKED BACK INTO PROPER POSITION. AT THIS POINT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE UPPER MOUNTING BOLTS HAD SHEARED OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. WE WERE ONE MOUNTING BOLT AWAY FROM THE ENGINE SAGGING EXCESSIVELY, LIKELY CAUSING DRIVE TRAIN SEIZURE.
NHTSA ODI #10777935
92,538 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED CUTTING OFF AND ON AND THE EML WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR DID COMPLETELY CUT OFF AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE. I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE CAR RESTARTED. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND…
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I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED CUTTING OFF AND ON AND THE EML WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. MY CAR DID COMPLETELY CUT OFF AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE. I WAITED FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THE CAR RESTARTED. I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND HE MET ME AT MY PLANNED DESTINATION AN HOUR LATER. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. ON THE WAY IT CUT OFF AGAIN. WE FINALLY MADE IT AND HAD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RUN A DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS. IT SHOWED A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR, WHICH BASICALLY DEALS WITH THROTTLE CONTROL. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPLACEMENT WAS QUOTED AT $1,707.08. THE VEHICLE (A BMW X3 ) HAS 92,538 MILES ON IT. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. I WANT THIS ON RECORD IN CASE OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644974
134,530 miles · Aug 6, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, EXITING AN OFF RAMP, DECELERATING IN SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE DIED, THE CAR STALLED AND I LOST POWER STEERING. THIS VERY SAME THING HAPPENED 5 WEEKS PRIOR WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING 60 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619267
70,000 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 07, 2014 AND WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY VEHICLE STARTED JERKING. IT WOULD JERK REALLY HARD AND WHEN YOU WOULD TRY TO STOP BY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK HARDER AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN APRIL, I BELIEVE THE 5TH I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM A…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON FEBRUARY 07, 2014 AND WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY VEHICLE STARTED JERKING. IT WOULD JERK REALLY HARD AND WHEN YOU WOULD TRY TO STOP BY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK HARDER AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN APRIL, I BELIEVE THE 5TH I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEN SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN. AS SOON AS THE SERVICE ADVISOR CHECKED ON THE VEHICLE SHE SAID THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AND HOW IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN MAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TOWARDS THE END OF JUNE IT SAID I WAS REALLY LOW ON OIL. I WENT TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN AND IT WOULD NOT START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611325
108,000 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Power Train
SEVERE ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION ON 2007 BMW E83 X3. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS REACHED NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, TRANSMISSION ISSUES ARE MORE NOTICEABLE. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO THROTTLE INPUT WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP. SEVERAL HESITATIVE JERKS ARE FELT AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACCE…
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SEVERE ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION ON 2007 BMW E83 X3. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS REACHED NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE, TRANSMISSION ISSUES ARE MORE NOTICEABLE. MY VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO THROTTLE INPUT WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP. SEVERAL HESITATIVE JERKS ARE FELT AND THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY. OFTEN TIMES DURING THIS SEQUENCE, THE EXHAUST EMITS A HUGE PLUME OF SMOKE, BLINDING DRIVERS BEHIND THE VEHICLE. UPON DECELERATION, MY VEHICLE MAY DOWNSHIFT HARSHLY, GENERATING A FORWARD SURGE OF ACCELERATION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO MATCH ENGINE REVS WITH THE LOWER GEAR; I HAVE ONLY EXPERIENCED THIS PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTIC AT LOW SPEEDS (<20 MPH). ALSO WHILE DECELERATING, MY VEHICLE MAY LOSE POWER, WHICH RESULTS IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A DECELERATION RATE THAT "TRIGGERS" THIS BEHAVIOR. I AM A TEST ENGINEER AND A PERFORMANCE DRIVING INSTRUCTOR WITH BMW CCA. I HAVE REGULARLY DRIVEN BMWS OVER THE PAST DECADE AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER MODELS THAT I HAVE DRIVEN (E46, E39, E63). I ALSO HAVE LIMITED RACING EXPERIENCE IN E30 BMWS. I.E. I KNOW HOW AN ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSE TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE UNDER A WIDE VARIETY OF CONDITIONS. THESE ACCELERATION/DECELERATION ISSUES ARE VERY CONCERNING TO ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561948
62,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Power Train
THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP DESPITE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE HESITATION RANGES FROM 1-3 SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. THE HESITATION IS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE DYNAMIC TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH AN INTERSECT…
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THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP DESPITE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE HESITATION RANGES FROM 1-3 SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. THE HESITATION IS OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE DYNAMIC TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TROUBLING WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OR MAKING A TURN FROM A STOP THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE LETTING MY FAMILY DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522060
98,000 miles · Aug 5, 2012
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2007 MODEL YEAR IS A 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THERE HAS BEEN GRADUAL INCREASE IN UPSHIFT KICK AND DOWNSHIFT KICK AFFECTING THE ACCELERATOR FOOT PEDAL FEELING. AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS READY TO MOVE FROM A DEAD STOP, THIS IS SPECIALLY CONCERNING ON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHERE THE TRANS…
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THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2007 MODEL YEAR IS A 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THERE HAS BEEN GRADUAL INCREASE IN UPSHIFT KICK AND DOWNSHIFT KICK AFFECTING THE ACCELERATOR FOOT PEDAL FEELING. AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE IS READY TO MOVE FROM A DEAD STOP, THIS IS SPECIALLY CONCERNING ON STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION IS CONSTANTLY UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING IN LOW GEARS. THE DOWNSHIFT KICK IS MORE PREVALENT IN THE LOWER GEARS 3RD TO 2ND AND 2ND TO 1ST. THE UPSHIFT KICK IS MORE PREVALENT IN 2ND TO 3RD. A SENSE OF CONCERN HAS CREEPED UP ON MY WIFE EVERY TIME SHE DRIVES THE VEHICLE WITH NO SENSE OF SECURITY AS SHE TRIES TO MAKE LEFT TURNS OR IN SLOW STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT REACT AND BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469256
64,000 miles · Apr 17, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10455530
45,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Power Train
THERE IS A DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE THROUGH THE 1-2, 2-3 UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP; THERE IS A LACK OF POWER OR HESITATION WHEN REAPPLYING THROTTLE, DURING EITHER A 4-3 OR 3-2 TIP-IN DOWNSHIFT. THIS MAY OCCUR AFTER SLOWING AND COMING TO A STOP ON A HILL AND THEN CONTINUING INTO A TURN; HARSH DOWNSHIFTS WHEN SLOWING…
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THERE IS A DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE THROUGH THE 1-2, 2-3 UPSHIFT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP; THERE IS A LACK OF POWER OR HESITATION WHEN REAPPLYING THROTTLE, DURING EITHER A 4-3 OR 3-2 TIP-IN DOWNSHIFT. THIS MAY OCCUR AFTER SLOWING AND COMING TO A STOP ON A HILL AND THEN CONTINUING INTO A TURN; HARSH DOWNSHIFTS WHEN SLOWING ON A ROADWAY WITH HILLS; DOWNSHIFTS BECOME VIOLENT. BMW DEALER HAS LOOKED AT VEHICLE TWICE FOR SAME CONCERN BUT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THIS ALL HAPPENS UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS ALMOST STALLED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 DAYS, ONCE MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION WITH NO LIGHT, AND THE OTHER TWO TIMES WHILE ENTERING A ROUNDABOUT. BMW NA SAYS SEE A DEALER AND THE DEALER DOES NOTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451730
38,800 miles · Jan 15, 2012
Power Train
TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO HESITATE @ LOW GEARS, ESPECIALLY AT INITIAL ACCELERATIONS WHILE STOPPED @ A STOP SIGN OR SIGNAL LIGHT. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES,CAR JOLTS TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT GEAR. THE CAR THEN JUMPS INTO A HIGHER GEAR AND DANGEROUSLY ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING ON A STEEP DOWNHILL DECL…
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TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO HESITATE @ LOW GEARS, ESPECIALLY AT INITIAL ACCELERATIONS WHILE STOPPED @ A STOP SIGN OR SIGNAL LIGHT. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES,CAR JOLTS TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT GEAR. THE CAR THEN JUMPS INTO A HIGHER GEAR AND DANGEROUSLY ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING ON A STEEP DOWNHILL DECLINE, THE CAR ADJUSTS WELL; HOWEVER, WHEN TRANSITIONING TO A LEVEL SURFACE STREET AFTER A STEEP DOWNHILL, THE GEAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR (I.E., WAS STUCK IN PREVIOUS GEAR). ON 6/14/2010, TOOK CAR TO DEALER. THEY "PERFORMED BMW DIAGNOSIS CONTROL UNIT FUNCTION, THERE IS NO FAULT RECORD IN CONTROL UNIT, AND AT TEST DRIVE I9 COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER COMPLAINT AT THIS TIME." NO FIX WAS PROVIDED. AFTER YEARS OF MINOR JOLTS WHEN ACCELERATING (I BELIEVE IN 1ST AND 2ND) & THEN A RAPID KICK ACCELERATION TO 3RD, NO MAJOR INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BUT SAFETY ON ROAD HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. I HAVE LEARNED TO EASE INTO ACCELERATIONS WITH THIS CAR AND DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF UNEXPECTED HESITATIONS/ACCEL. ON 1/14/2012, I HAD A CLOSE CALL ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AFTER I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT. AS I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION TO TURN LEFT, THE CAR HESITATED & STALLED IN MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION, THEN JERKED FORWARD AND YELLOW TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN "P" & TURNED ENGINE OFF. TURNED IT BACK ON AND TRANNY LIGHT REMAINED ON AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN "D"; HOWEVER, IT WOULD ALLOW ME TO "REVERSE." IT TOOK THREE ATTEMPTS (ON/OFF ENGINE) AND THE CAR WENT INTO "D" WITH HESITATION. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME AND CAR STALLED AT THE NEXT LIGHT. WAS STUCK IN MIDDLE OF ROAD FOR 2 MINUTES TRYING TO GET IT IN GEAR. "D" FINALLY WORKED. I PARKED IN A LOT, TURNED ENGINE OFF FOR 15 MINUTES. CAR HAS BEEN WORKING OK REST OF DAY BUT IT IS NOT SAFE! THIS IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10443826
Official recalls
2Mar 2, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Feb 5, 2016
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. 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
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.