BMW issues a recall over airbag issues. The recall affects certain MY2006 3 Series Sedans and Sports Wagons, MY2007 Sedans, 2006-2007 5 Series sedans/wagons and 2006 X5 models. The company says it discovered an issue with the front passenger seat occupant airbag detection therefore “Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury,” says the press release.
76,565 are potentially affected by this recall which begins in January 2014.
Here is the full bulletin by NHTSA:
RECALL Subject : Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat
Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
SUMMARY:
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
CONSEQUENCE:
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
REMEDY:
BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
