WASHINGTON — BMW of North America is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles in the U.S. because they are equipped with airbag inflators that can explode, leading to a potentially serious injury or death.
The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata inflator, the agency said.
If the inflator explodes, it may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants of a vehicle, resulting in serious injury or death, the NHTSA said.
BMW has not received any reports of any accidents or injuries in the U.S. that may be related to this issue, according to the latest report.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday that the recall of 394,029 vehicles includes certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.
BMW dealers will inspect and replace the driver’s air bag module as necessary for free.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on Aug. 23. Vehicle owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
BMW has issued a recall for over 390,000 vehicles due to a potential issue with the airbag inflators. The German automaker announced the recall after it was discovered that the airbag inflators in certain models may rupture during deployment, posing a serious safety risk to drivers and passengers.
The affected vehicles include certain BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, X1, X3, and X5 models manufactured between 2000 and 2018. The recall covers both passenger-side and driver-side airbags, and BMW has stated that it will replace the faulty inflators free of charge for affected customers.
This recall is part of a larger ongoing issue with Takata airbag inflators, which have been linked to numerous injuries and deaths worldwide. Takata, a Japanese auto parts supplier, filed for bankruptcy in 2017 after it was revealed that their airbag inflators were prone to exploding and sending shrapnel flying into the vehicle cabin.
BMW is urging owners of affected vehicles to contact their local dealership as soon as possible to schedule a repair. In the meantime, drivers are advised to avoid using the front passenger seat until the airbag inflator has been replaced.
It is crucial for BMW owners to take this recall seriously and act promptly to ensure their safety and the safety of others on the road. Airbags are a critical safety feature in vehicles, and any malfunction can have devastating consequences in the event of a crash.
If you own a BMW that is included in this recall, do not hesitate to reach out to your local dealership for more information on how to proceed. Your safety is paramount, and BMW is committed to addressing this issue promptly and effectively.
