BMW recalls 394K cars due to airbag explosion risk

BMW airbag recall overview: 

• Who: BMW recalled more than 394,000 3 Series sedans and sportswagons.
• Why: The vehicles may contain potentially-deadly airbag inflators.
• Where: The BMW airbag recall is active in the United States.

BMW is recalling more than 394,000 vehicles due to a risk that their Takata-made airbag inflators can explode, which could potentially cause fatal injuries to occupants

The recall was issued July 3 on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. 

It applies to the following BMW models:

• 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 
• 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi)
• 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d)

According to the BMW airbag recall, the original steering wheel in the vehicles may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can “explode during deployment.”

“In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants,” BMW said in the recall notice. 

Car companies BMW, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota have recalled millions of vehicles that contained the allegedly defective Takata air bags. The Takata air bags are allegedly to blame for at least 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries worldwide.

Takata has reportedly reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice that would require the air bag maker to pay up to $1 billion in penalties over allegations of criminal wrongdoing.

Affected vehicles with the Takata defective airbags were built between 2002-2015, by 19 different manufacturers, according to Consumer Reports. Worldwide, approximately 100 million vehicles have been recalled.

If your BMW vehicle is affected by this recall, dealers will replace the driver-side airbag module for free, NHTSA said. Notification letters will be mailed to owners on August 23. 

Are you affected by this BMW airbag recall? Let us know in the comments.

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