BMW of North America Driver Side Front Air Bag Recall : How To Check

Organization : BMW of North America
Service Name : BMW Driver Side Front Air Bag Recall
Country: United States of America

Website : http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/owner/safetyrecalls.aspx?mobileoverride=true

BMW Driver Side Front Air Bag Recall :

Safety Recalls :
For complete model-specific safety recall information, please enter either the full 17 or last 7 characters of your BMW’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Related : How To Check Volkswagen of America Vehicle Recalls : www.statusin.org/11992.html

Note :
Safety recalls issued prior to 1999 are not included in search results.

For general information regarding safety recalls, please call the BMW Recall Hotline at (800) 525-7417.

Please allow up to 30 days after completion of a safety recall on your vehicle for this data to be updated.

BMW Driver Side Front Air Bag Recall:
Model Year 2002-2006 BMW X5 SAV, 3 and 5 Series
Driver-Side Front Air Bag Module
Safety Recall 15V-318

Q1. Which models are included in this Safety Recall Campaign?:
Included are approximately 381,500 Model Year 2002-2006 BMW 3 Series models produced between January 2002 and August 2006, as well as approximately 28,600 Model Year 2002-2003 5 Series produced between March 2002 and July 2003 and approximately 10,500 Model Year 2003-2004 X5 Sport Activity Vehicles (SAV) produced between February 2003 and October 2003, both equipped with the optional sport steering wheel.

Q2. BMW conducted safety recalls in 2013 and 2014 on a similar issue. How is this different?:
In May 2013, BMW had determined that a safety defect existed on passenger-side front air bag systems for Model Year 2002-2003 3 Series and conducted a recall to replace them. In July 2014, BMW, in an abundance of caution, expanded this recall to certain Model Year 2000-2006 3 Series.

Q3. BMW included the M3 in its 2013 and 2014 recalls. Is the M3 included in this recall campaign?:
The Model Year 2002 to 2006 M3 is included as one of the 3 Series models. Certain Model Year 2002 and 2003 M5 vehicles are also included as one of the 5 Series models.

Q4. Is this recall comparable to similar recalls recently announced by Ford, Chrysler, Honda and Mazda?:
Yes.

Q5. How many vehicles are included in this Safety Recall?:
The number of BMW vehicles in the US included in this campaign is approximately 420,661.

Q6. Why are other models not included?:
Other models have driver-side front air bag systems that were produced with different air bag inflators.

Q7. What is the specific concern?:
The Takata PSDI-4 inflator propellant wafers may experience an alteration over time, which could potentially lead to over-aggressive combustion in the event of air bag deployment. Depending on the circumstances, this potential could create excessive internal pressure when the air bag is deployed, which could result in the body of the inflator rupturing upon 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. Based upon Takata’s investigation to date, the potential for such ruptures may occur in some of the subject inflators after several years of exposure to persistent conditions of high absolute humidity. In addition, the potential for rupturing may also depend on other factors, including manufacturing variability.

Q8. What can happen as a result of this issue?:
If the air bag inflator was not produced to specification, or, had several years of exposure to persistent conditions of high absolute humidity, then in a crash in which air bag system deployment occurs, the air bag system housing may rupture. 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.

Q9. Is there a possibility to find out whether the problem exists in my car?:
No. There is no way to detect if your BMW might have an air bag inflator potentially at risk of rupturing upon deployment in an accident.

Q10. Can I continue to drive my vehicle?:
Yes. BMW is not aware of a ruptured inflator in any of the vehicles associated with this campaign. However, when you receive a letter asking you to have this service performed by an authorized BMW center, please do so as soon as possible. If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers of this important information.

Q11. I had my driver-side front air bag module replaced during BMW’s June 2014-May 2015 Improvement Campaign (“14V-348”). Do I need to have it replaced again?:
Yes. We will notify you via First Class mail when driver-side front air bag modules manufactured with an alternative inflator propellant become available.

Q12. What measures will be taken?:
Depending upon vehicle model, the driver-side front air bag module will be replaced.

Q13. How did BMW become aware of this issue?:
BMW became aware of this issue from Takata (the air bag module supplier) and NHTSA.

Q14. Is BMW aware of any accidents or injuries involving BMW vehicles associated with this campaign?:
BMW is not aware of a ruptured inflator in any of the vehicles associated with this recall.

Q15. How will I be informed of this program?:
You will receive an initial letter in July via First Class mail advising you of this issue, and then an additional letter when replacement parts become available, requesting that you schedule an appointment to bring your vehicle to your authorized BMW center for service and repair. No action is required on your part when you receive the initial letter.