BMW recalls over 390K vehicles in US over airbag issues
Why is BMW recalling over 390,000 vehicles in the US?
BMW is recalling over 390,000 vehicles in the US due to potentially faulty airbag inflators that pose a risk of exploding. The recall covers certain BMW 3 Series Sedans and Sportwagon models manufactured between 2006 and 2012, which may have a steering wheel with a Takata PSDI-5 airbag inflator that was installed by owners after purchase, despite not being officially approved by BMW as a replacement part56.
What specific BMW models are included in the recall?
The recall covers certain 2006-2011 BMW 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) vehicles4. These vehicles may have a steering wheel with a Takata PSDI-5 airbag inflator that was installed by owners after purchase, even though it was not officially approved by BMW as a replacement part.
What issues are associated with the Takata airbag inflators?
Takata airbag inflators have been linked to at least 27 deaths and more than 400 injuries worldwide due to their tendency to explode and shoot metal fragments at vehicle occupants. The defect has been attributed to the use of ammonium nitrate as a propellant, which can degrade over time and cause the inflator to rupture upon deployment. This issue has led to the largest automotive recall in U.S. history, affecting millions of vehicles from various manufacturers.