BMW is recalling a small number of SUVs in the U.S. because the driver’s air bag inflators can blow apart in a crash, hurling metal shrapnel and possibly injuring or killing people in the vehicles. U.S. auto safety regulators say in documents posted Saturday that the recall covers 486 X3, X4 and X5 SUVs from the 2014 model year that are equipped with air bags made by Takata Corp. of Japan.
Quick Read
- BMW Recalls SUVs for Air Bag Issues: BMW is recalling 486 SUVs in the U.S., specifically models X3, X4, and X5 from the 2014 year, due to the risk of driver’s air bag inflators exploding and releasing metal shrapnel in a crash.
- Takata Air Bags Under Scrutiny: The recall involves air bags made by Takata Corp., which used ammonium nitrate to inflate air bags. However, this chemical can deteriorate and explode violently, especially in high humidity and temperature conditions.
- History of Takata Air Bag Failures: Takata air bag inflators have been linked to at least 26 deaths in the U.S. since May 2009, with global deaths reaching at least 30 and around 400 injuries reported.
- Largest Auto Recall in U.S. History: The Takata air bag issue has led to the largest auto recall in the country, involving at least 67 million inflators. Globally, about 100 million inflators have been recalled, eventually leading Takata to bankruptcy.
- Unique Issue with BMW SUVs: The BMW recall focuses on air bags with a moisture-absorbing chemical (dessicant) that were not part of earlier recalls. A specific manufacturing issue between February 22 and March 7, 2014, is suspected.
- Recent Incident Report: In October, a 2014 X3 model in Chicago reportedly had an air bag rupture, causing severe injuries to the driver, including a metal fragment entering the lung.
- Widespread Investigation of Takata Air Bags: Over 30 million Takata air bags with dessicant are under investigation, covering more than 200 models from 20 different automakers. This probe was initiated in 2021.
- Government Response: In 2020, NHTSA decided not to recall air bags with dessicant but is monitoring them for potential future risks.
- BMW’s Recall Process: Dealers will replace the defective air bags at no cost to owners, with notifications set to begin on January 16.
- Previous Similar Recall: General Motors also recalled nearly 900 vehicles in July with Takata inflators that have dessicant, attributing the issue to a manufacturing defect at Takata.
The Associated Press has the story:
BMW recalls SUVs after Takata air bag inflator blows apart, hurling shrapnel and injuring driver
Newslooks- DETROIT (AP)
BMW is recalling a small number of SUVs in the U.S. because the driver’s air bag inflators can blow apart in a crash, hurling metal shrapnel and possibly injuring or killing people in the vehicles.
U.S. auto safety regulators say in documents posted Saturday that the recall covers 486 X3, X4 and X5 SUVs from the 2014 model year that are equipped with air bags made by Takata Corp. of Japan.
The recall raises questions about the safety of about 30 million Takata inflators that are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most have not been recalled.
Takata used volatile ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel.
At least 26 people have been killed in the U.S. by Takata inflators since May 2009, and at least 30 have died worldwide including people in Malaysia and Australia. In addition, about 400 people have been injured.
Potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata into bankruptcy.
Documents say the inflators in the BMWs have a moisture absorbing chemical called a dessicant that were not part of previous recalls.
BMW says in documents that in November, it was told of a complaint to NHTSA that the driver’s air bag in a 2014 X3 had ruptured. The automaker began investigating and hasn’t determined an exact cause. But preliminary information points to a manufacturing problem from Feb. 22, 2014 to March 7, 2014, the documents said.
The German automaker says in documents that it’s still investigating but it has not yet been able to inspect the X3 with the faulty air bag.
NHTSA records show a complaint saying that on Oct. 23, the inflator on a 2014 X3 exploded in Chicago, sending a large piece of metal into the driver’s lung. The driver also had chest and shoulder cuts that appeared to be caused by shrapnel, the complaint said. A surgeon removed a gold-colored disc from the driver’s lung, according to the complaint, which did not identify the driver.
NHTSA says Takata air bags with a dessicant are under investigation because they have the potential to explode and expel shrapnel. The investigation opened in 2021 covers more than 30 million inflators in over 200 models from 20 car and truck makers, including Honda, Stellantis, General Motors, Ford, Nissan, Tesla, BMW, Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover, Daimler Vans, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, Mazda, Karma, Fisker, Spartan Fire vehicles.
The agency decided in May of 2020 not to recall the inflators with the dessicant, but said it would monitor them.
“While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled dessicated inflators,” the agency said in a document opening the probe.
A spokeswoman for NHTSA said Saturday she would check into the status of the investigation. A message was left seeking comment from BMW.
In the BMW recall, dealers will replace the air bags at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letter starting Jan. 16.
The BMW recall comes after General Motors recalled nearly 900 vehicles in July with Takata inflators that have the dessicant. GM also blamed the problem on a manufacturing defect at Takata.
In a statement about the GM recall last summer, NHTSA said the agency did not have any data suggesting that other dessicated Takata inflators might rupture.
