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BMW Recalls Over 394,000 E90 3 Series Models Due to Faulty Takata Airbags
BMW has announced a recall affecting more than 394,000 E90-generation 3 Series vehicles, produced between 2006 and 2012, due to defective Takata airbags. While the issue of Takata airbags is not new, this latest recall has an added twist involving popular aftermarket modifications made by vehicle owners.
In 2015, BMW, along with several other car manufacturers, initiated recalls for a large number of vehicles equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags. Many BMW owners have since had their airbags replaced free of charge at dealerships. However, BMW now suspects that there are still some E90 3 Series models that may not have been included in previous recalls. This concern arises because some owners replaced their factory steering wheels with upgraded M Sport versions that also contained the same hazardous airbags.
As highlighted in a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 394,029 vehicles that "may contain a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver’s front air bag module that contains a PSDI-5 inflator, which could have been installed by an owner, despite not being officially offered or approved by BMW as a replacement part."
Reports from non-U.S. BMW dealerships revealed that some vehicles in for service had faulty Takata airbags even though they were not part of the initial recall. This prompted BMW to investigate the possibility that some owners swapped their steering wheels with unauthorized alternatives. As a result, the company decided to recall all E90 models to inspect the steering wheels for defective airbags. BMW estimates that only about 1% of the nearly 400,000 recalled vehicles are expected to have faulty airbags. This assessment was made by cross-referencing "vehicle production information" with release dates for “sport and M-sport steering wheel spare parts,” which helped define the range of at-risk sedans, coupes, convertibles, and wagons.
Certain components in the defective airbag inflators can deteriorate when exposed to heat and humidity over the years, potentially causing excessive pressure during deployment. This pressure could lead to shrapnel being expelled into the cabin, posing a risk to passengers. To date, there have been over 30 reported fatalities linked to Takata’s defective airbags worldwide.
BMW plans to notify owners of the affected vehicles. However, if you are a BMW owner who has not replaced your steering wheel, you are likely not impacted. Nonetheless, it is advisable to bring your vehicle in for the recall service, as you may be unaware of any modifications made by the previous owner. Given that E90s are now nearly 20 years old, many may no longer be in the hands of their original owners.
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