The largest safety recall in Australian history has returned, with BMW issuing a recall notice for more than 60,000 vehicles.
a BMW Recall Notice Reports collected between 2004 and 2017 state that “some vehicles may have been converted after production with steering wheel variants containing a defective Takata inflator.”
As a result, the driver’s airbag inflator may explode if it deploys.
“In the event of an accident, a defective airbag inflator could explode, and pressurized gas and metal fragments could be fired through the airbag cushion toward the vehicle occupants, causing serious injury or death.”
In a statement, a BMW Australia spokesperson said: “This safety recall is to address the issue that some BMW vehicles may have a recalled airbag due to the installation of an optional steering wheel.
“These steering wheels were not installed at the time of original manufacture, but during the vehicle’s maintenance period. All affected customers have been proactively notified to have the airbag in their vehicles checked and replaced if necessary. The customer is not charged any cost.”
A BMW Australia spokesperson said customers can check the status of their vehicle. Via this online tool.
Defective Takata airbags have been linked to more than 30 deaths and 300 injuries worldwide.
A Sydney man, Hui Ning Ngo, was killed in 2017 when the airbag in his Honda exploded during an accident, killing him.
The medical investigation into Mr. Ngo’s death reported that his injuries were similar to those caused by a hunting rifle.
BMW sells additional steering wheels as a way for car enthusiasts to customize their cars.
The brand does not expect to replace tire inflators in tens of thousands of vehicles.
The BMW recall is a global campaign involving nearly 400,000 vehicles in the United States.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement saying, “Some vehicles may have a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver front airbag module that contains a PSDI-5 inflator that can be installed by the owner, although it is not officially offered or approved by BMW as a replacement part.”
Affected vehicles in Australia include: 47,536 F-Series modelsSuch as the 3 Series F80 sedan and the 4 Series F82 coupe, as well as 15,582 X1, X3, 1 Series and 3 Series models It was made between 2004 and 2014.
Owners of vehicles affected by this issue should upload photos of their steering wheel and VIN plate to BMW recall site, Or book their car with the dealers for a professional inspection.
The recall notice states, “If a defect is found in the airbag inflator, the airbag (with center horn) will be replaced free of charge. There will be no need to replace the steering wheel.”
All work is done free of charge.
Faulty airbags made by the world-famous Takata have caused the recall of more than three million cars in Australia, and more than 100 million cars worldwide.
The Competition and Consumer Commission shook the car industry in 2018 when it carried out the country’s first mandatory car recalls in a campaign that forced manufacturers to replace inflators in millions of vehicles.
Michael Brooks, spokesman for the Center for Auto Safety He told the Washington Post, Old Takata airbags that remain on the road are a “significant concern.”
“It’s a very important issue now, and in five years we’ll have more vehicles reaching the age where they become a very important concern,” he said.
