NEWS:
BMW Recalls 200,000 Vehicles for Airbag
Failures
Extends
airbag warranty for some models
ConsumerAffairs.com -- August 13, 2008 --
BMW is recalling 200,000 cars and small SUVs
because the front passenger-side airbag
could fail.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) warned that in some
of the recalled BMWs it is possible that
"the front passenger airbags will not deploy
even if a sufficiently severe accident would
occur."
The recalled BMWs include the 2004 to
2005 5-Series standard and sport seat
models, the 2004 to 2006 X3 and the 2006
3-Series with sport seats.
NHTSA reported on its Web site that the
passenger-side airbags can deactivate
because of wear associated with a passenger
getting in and out of the vehicle.
"Depending on the manner and frequency of
the front passenger's entry and exit, small
cracks have developed in the (sensor) mat.
If this occurs, the front passenger airbags,
with the exception of the head protection
system, will be deactivated," the agency
warned.
BMW dealers will repair the sensor system in
the passenger seat when the recall begins in
late September. BMW will extend the warranty
for airbags on the recalled vehicles "to 10
years from the first registration without
any mileage limit," according to NHTSA.
The warranty extension covers the 2006
6-Series, 3-Series with a standard seat,
2004 to 2005 Z4, 2004 to 2006 7-Series, 2006
X5 and 2004 to 2006 5-Series with a comfort
seat.
"Under the extended warranty program, the
occupant detection mat in a vehicle that
experiences this specific issue will be
replaced at not charge to the customer,"
NHTSA advises on its Web site.
NHTSA began investigating airbags failures
in the BMW earlier this year when the Office
of Defect Investigation reported that "the
passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and
render the passenger airbag inoperative."
The models included in the initial
investigation were the 2004 to 2006 BMW 5
and 7 series sedans, Z4 convertibles and X3
SUVs, as well as 2006 BMW 3 and 6 series
cars and X5 SUVs.
NHTSA reported "729 non-duplicating owner
reports and 23,739 non-duplicating warranty
claims" prompted the investigation or
engineering analysis.
BMW owners can contact the automaker at
1-800-525-7417 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY 1-800-424-9153).
MORE RECALL
INFORMATION:
BMW 3-Series
BMW 5-Series
BMW X3
AUGUST
2008 -- BMW is recalling 200,000 MY 2006
3 Series (sport seat), MY 2004-2006 5 Series
(standard and sport seat), and MY 2004-2006
X3 passenger vehicles. A fatigue failure of
the front passenger seat occupant detection
mat can occur. If this happens, the front
passenger air bags, with the exception of
the head protection system, will be
deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as
well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp
will be illuminated. In this situation the
front passenger air bags will not deploy
even if a sufficiently severe accident would
occur and occupant protection provided by
the system would not be possible. Dealers
will rework the front passenger seat sensor
mat so that external force application to
the seat does not cause a crack to the mat.
The recall is expected to begin during late
September 2008. BMW will also extend the
warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from
first registration without any mileage
limit. Owners may contact BMW at
1-800-525-7417. BMW is extending the
warranty to 10 years from first registration
without any mileage limit to the following
vehicles: MY 2006 6-Series, 3-Series
(standard seat), MY 2004-2005 Z4, MY
2004-2006 7-Series, MY 2006 X5, and MY
2004-2006 5-Series (comfort seat). Under the
extended warranty program, the occupant
detection mat in a vehicle that experiences
this specific issue will be replaced at no
charge to the customer. This recall was the
subject of an Engineering Analysis,
EA08-001, conducted by the Office of Defects
Investigation. 08V384
