On July 3, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that BMW recalled nearly 400,000 vehicles because of a potential risk of airbag explosions.
The recall is a reminder of the massive Takata airbag recall, which spanned the globe and impacted about 67 million vehicles. Many of those airbags were at risk of exploding upon deployment because of a defective inflator fuel that could degrade over time.
BMW Vehicles May Contain Dangerous Takata Airbags
According to the NHTSA, the affected BMW vehicles may contain a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver’s side front airbag module.
BMW did not originally equip these vehicles with these particular defective airbags. Still, if owners swapped out the steering wheel component, it’s possible they got a potentially explosive airbag.
This airbag is the same as the Takata airbag recalled in 2023. It was made using ammonium nitrate fuel, which is subject to degradation, particularly in areas of high heat and humidity.
Over time, the fuel may degrade to the point that, when the airbag deploys in an accident, the inflator will explode, expelling sharp fragments that can injure or even kill occupants. This airbag defect has already been linked to over 30 deaths worldwide.
BMW models affected by this recall include:
- 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi),
- 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi)
- 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d)
BMW encourages customers to get their vehicles checked. If they have a defective airbag, BMW will replace it free of charge. The company will notify owners by mail with instructions regarding the recall. Any owners who have already replaced the defective airbag at their own expense before this may be eligible for reimbursement.
BMW Adds More Airbags to the Recall
On July 17, 2024, BMW added 1,145 more vehicles to this recall for the same reason—they may contain defective Takata airbags that could explode during deployment.
Owners are encouraged to check their vehicles for any airbag recalls at the NHTSA website. Enter the VIN or the license plate number to find out if your vehicle has any outstanding recalls that could compromise your safety.
On May 29, 2024, CARFAX reported that 6.4 million vehicles still contain recalled Takata airbags that have not been replaced. More than 2.5 million are located in states identified as “Zone A,” which means they pose the highest threat to safety because of their high heat and humidity. These include Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.
Faisal Hasan, CARFAX General Manager for Data, noted that even after a decade of efforts by vehicle manufacturers, the government, non-profits, and businesses, “its concerning that so many affected vehicles continue to be driving on U.S. roads with these potentially dangerous airbags sitting inside.”
In addition to the NHTSA site listed above, consumers can also use the CARFAX site to check for any outstanding recalls.
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