BMW recalling all 2000-06 3 Series models over airbags in US, 1.6M globally

Wed, 16 Jul 2014

We just can't seem to get away from recalls involving the faulty airbag inflators supplied by Takata. There are already millions of vehicles in need of repair as a result of these ever-expanding campaigns, and BMW is adding another 1.6 million worldwide. The Bavarian automaker is issuing a recall for certain 3 Series models, including 574,000 of them in the US, to replace the passenger-side, front airbag inflator.

Specifically, the campaign covers 3 Series models from the 2000 through 2006 model years built between May 1999 and August 2006. "It's only the E46" generation of cars that are affected, which are now two model revisions old, according to BMW of North America spokesperson Matt Russell, speaking to Autoblog.

These models suffer the same problem as the rest of the vehicles with the faulty inflators. It's possible for the part to rupture during airbag deployment and possibly spray shrapnel at the occupant. However, according to BMW, the automaker isn't aware of any actual cases of this happening in any of its vehicles.

This is at least the third inflator recall for these 3 Series models. The first was issued in 2013 to cover 42,000 units of the 2002 and 2003 model years. Barely a month ago, the company also issued a campaign for certain 2001 through 2005 vehicles in hot weather states to inspect both the driver- and passenger-side inflators. With the passenger units being replaced, the analysis "will now focus on the driver-side airbag," said Russell.

BMW will notify owners if they have one of the potentially affected models and repairs will begin "as soon as we have the parts available," said Russell. Scroll down to read both BMW's US and global announcements for the recall.

As a Precaution, BMW to Replace Passenger-side Front Airbags in Model Year 2000-06 3 Series Vehicles.

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – July 16, 2014 – 7:00am EDT/4:00am PDT ... BMW announced today that it has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the company's intent to voluntarily recall all model year 2000 – 2006 BMW 3 Series vehicles, produced between May 1999 and August 2006, to replace the passenger-side front airbag as part of a worldwide recall. Potential problems with the airbag inflator which may rupture in vehicles produced by other manufacturers using similar systems from the same supplier have become evident in rare cases. BMW is not aware of a case involving a BMW vehicle. The replacement campaign is a voluntary precautionary measure that aims at minimizing the risk of faulty airbag activation. The number of potentially affected vehicles in the US is approximately 574,000.

This is a voluntary extension of the recall campaign announced in May 2013. At that time, the supplier stated a production period during which potentially faulty airbag inflators were installed in passenger-side front airbags. Following this, BMW recalled 42,000 3 Series vehicles in the US. The supplier has now extended the production period.

In order to ensure maximum safety of our customers, BMW has decided to replace the passenger-side front airbags in the vehicles from the suggested production period, and additionally as a voluntary precautionary measure, the passenger-side front airbags in all model year 2000 – 2006 BMW 3 Series vehicles equipped with this airbag module. The 42,000 units recalled in May 2013 are excluded from the current replacement campaign.

BMW will notify customers with potentially affected vehicles will be informed by mail. Customers with questions should contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email customer.relations@bmwna.com.

As a precautionary measure, BMW is replacing the passenger airbags in models of the 3 Series pre-predecessor generation.

Munich. BMW is replacing the passenger airbags on 1.6 million 3 Series vehicles (pre-predecessor generation E46) produced between 05/1999 and 8/2006. Potential problems with gas generators that may rupture in vehicles produced by our competitors using similar systems from the same supplier have become evident in rare cases. BMW is not aware of a case involving a BMW vehicle. The replacement campaign is a voluntary precautionary measure that aims at minimising the risk of faulty airbag activation.

Formally speaking, it is a voluntary extension of last year's recall campaign. At that time, the supplier stated a production period during which potentially faulty gas generators were installed in passenger airbags. Following this, BMW recalled 240 000 3 Series vehicles (E46) of the pre-predecessor generation. The supplier has now extended the production period.

In order to ensure maximum safety of our customers, BMW has decided to replace the passenger airbags in the vehicles from the suggested production period, and additionally, as a voluntary precautionary measure, the passenger airbags in all BMW 3 Series models (E46) of the pre-predecessor generation equipped with this airbag module. The 240 000 E46 units already recalled worldwide last year are excluded from the current replacement campaign.

The customers affected will be informed by BMW. It goes without saying that the costs of the quality measure will be borne by BMW. The rectification of the problem will take about 1 hour.

By Chris Bruce