BMW of North America issued a “do not drive” order to owners of about 90,000 vehicles due to ongoing concerns about Takata airbag inflators. The affected vehicles are already under a recall, but this next-step-style directive suggests the situation is dangerous.
The affected vehicles include: 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46) including M3, 2000-2003 5 Series (E39) including M5, and 2000-2004 X5s (E53) equipped with certain driver’s front airbag inflators manufactured by Takata.
The order was issued because a significant number of those vehicles, despite being part of the largest automotive recall in U.S. history, haven’t been repaired yet. The problem is the longer the inflators remain in place, the more likely they are to explode.
Takata’s inflators used a chemical propellant that over time and exposure to large temperature fluctuations were prone to random explosions, sending shrapnel flying into the vehicle’s cabin injuring and, in some cases, killing occupants of the vehicle.
Take heed
“We cannot state strongly enough just how urgent it is for our customers to take this warning seriously”, said Claus Eberhart, vice president of Aftersales BMW NA. “We know these airbags only become more dangerous over time, which is why we are taking yet another step to get these parts out of our vehicles.
“Customers must park these vehicles immediately and take a few moments to check if their vehicle is safe for them and their family members to drive. Repairing these vehicles is quick, easy to arrange, and is completely free of charge.”
BMW said it has aggressively and continuously engaged in a wide variety of customer outreach campaigns urging vehicle owners complete the safety repair — at absolutely no charge — as soon as possible.
These have included contacts by phone, text, email, letters and postcards, and social media. BMW has coordinated with its dealer network, collision centers, and independent retailers and repair facilities to identify affected vehicles and facilitate repairs. Thus far, about 87% of all of BMW’s recalled airbag inflators have been repaired.
There are no restrictions whatsoever preventing customers from having the airbag in their vehicle replaced immediately, the company noted, adding the parts are available, and the repair costs them nothing.
In many cases, the replacement can be done remotely — technicians can be sent wherever the vehicle is located and complete the repair on site. If remote repair cannot be done, the vehicle can be picked up at the customer’s home or office free of charge, repaired, and returned when the service is complete. Typically, the airbag replacement takes less than an hour.
More than just BMW
The airbags were used by 14 different brands globally. In fact, Stellantis issued a “Do Not Drive” order as well last November for owners of 2005 to 2010 Dodge Magnums, Chargers and Challengers as well as Chrysler 300s. In all, it affected about 276,000 vehicles.
There have been more than 30 deaths globally due to the issue and nearly two dozen in the U.S. alone, as well as hundreds of injuries.
The action covers about 100 million inflators worldwide, including about 67 million in the U.S. Aside from Honda, there have been fatalities in Ford (2) and BMW vehicles in the U.S. At this point, NHTSA officials estimates show more than 50 million of the 67 million inflators have been replaced or accounted for as part of the recall.
The Takata airbag recall is not only the largest safety-related service action in U.S. history, but also the longest-running recall, with the first advisories going out to vehicle owners back in 2001.
