Another Takata airbag recall has hit the news. This time, BMW is recalling 230,117 late model cars and SUVs, adding to the 900,000 it recalled in 2015. The recalled vehicles may have defective Takata driver side airbag inflators that were installed as part of a previous recall or as replacements after the vehicles were involved in accidents in which the airbags deployed.The recalled vehicles include:

• Model years 2000-2002 of

  • 320i

  • 325i

  • 325xi

  • 330i

  • 323Ci

  • 330Ci

  • M3

  • 323iT

  • 325xiT

• Model years 2001-2002 of

  • 525i

  • 530i

  • 540i

  • M5

  • 525iT

  • 540iT

• Model years 2001-2003 of

  • X5 3.0i

  • X5 4.4i

  • X5 4.6is

A 2002 BMW 320i; image courtesy of www.lookatthecar.org.

The affected vehicles came equipped with airbag inflators manufactured by another company, according to BMW.The problem with the Takata airbag inflators involves the ammonium nitrate propellant. In areas of long-term exposure to humidity, higher temperatures and temperature cycling, the propellant becomes unstable. When this occurs, there is a risk that the airbag inflators will explode regardless of whether there’s been an accident. When they explode, the defective airbag inflators blast metal shrapnel into the vehicle cabin. The Takata airbag inflators have been connected to at least 16 deaths around the world and many more serious injuries.BMW is notifying owners of the affected vehicles. The driver side airbag inflators will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced free of charge by BMW dealerships. The company expects the recall work to begin on March 15, 2017.The company can only notify those owners for which it has contact information. Therefore, it is asking owners to register their vehicles at http://www.bmwusa.com/myBMW.Owners can also call BMW customer service directly at 1-800-525-7417.

Sources:

BMW recalls older vehicles with airbag issue

BMW to recall 230,117 vehicles that may have Takata air bags