In a major safety related move, BMW of North America has initiated a recall of over 390,000 vehicles in the United States due to concerns over exploding airbag inflators. According to reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, certain 3 Series models built between 2006 and 2012 are impacted.
The defect lies in Takata airbag inflators that were used as replacements in the steering wheels of these BMWs. In some cases, the original steering wheel may have been swapped for a sport or M-Sport version outfitted with one of these inflators. The ongoing issue is that the inflators could rupture violently during airbag deployment in a crash. were one to ignite, sharp metal fragments could seriously endanger occupants in the vehicle’s front seats.
While BMW has yet to receive reports linking any incidents in the US directly to this defect, the potential risks are clear. An exploding airbag inflator raises the specter of severe injuries or even loss of life. To proactively address the problem, BMW dealers will inspect vehicles and replace faulty driver’s airbag modules free of charge.
Affected owners can expect notification letters to arrive in August, with the option to also contact customer support. Both BMW and the NHTSA emphasize that safety is the top priority as this voluntary yet important recall unfolds. With nearly 400,000 vehicles pulled in, it represents one of the larger actions taken to rectify unreliable Takata airbag components.
