Major car brand issues urgent recall for more than 60,000 vehicles over safety feature defects
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The spectre of the largest safety recall in Australian history has once again reared its head, and this time, it's car owners who need to be on high alert.
A major car brand is taking swift action to address safety concerns with a recall affecting a range of its vehicles.
This move underscores the ongoing importance of vehicle safety and the company's commitment to protecting its customers. For owners, staying informed and taking the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are safe on the road is crucial.
BMW has issued a recall notice for an astounding number of over 60,000 cars, spanning models built between 2004 and 2017.
The notice stated that ‘some vehicles may have been converted after production with steering wheel variants containing a faulty Takata inflator’.
‘As a result, the driver’s airbag inflator may rupture in the event of airbag deployment.’
‘In the event of an accident, a faulty airbag inflator could rupture, compressed gas and metal fragments may be propelled through the airbag cushion towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or death,’ they added.
According to a statement from a BMW Australia spokesperson, ‘This safety recall is to address the issue that some BMW vehicles may have a recalled airbag due to the installation of an optional steering wheel.’
‘These steering wheels were not fitted at the time of original manufacture, but during vehicle custodianship. All affected customers have or are being proactively notified to check and replace the airbag of their vehicle if necessary. There is no cost to the customer.’
The spokesperson also advised customers to check their vehicle’s status using this online tool.
For those who remember, the Takata airbag scandal has been a recurring nightmare in the automotive world.
The faulty inflators have been linked to more than 30 deaths and 300 injuries globally, and the issue is far from resolved.
In fact, it's a stark reminder that the vehicles we trust to keep us safe on the road can sometimes harbour hidden dangers.
In a chilling local example, Sydney man Huy Neng Ngo tragically lost his life in 2017 when the airbag in his Honda ruptured during a crash.
The coronial inquest into Mr Ngo’s death revealed that his injuries were akin to those inflicted by a shotgun blast—a harrowing comparison that underscores the severity of the issue.
BMW offers accessory steering wheels to allow enthusiasts to personalise their vehicles. However, the brand does not anticipate needing to replace inflators in tens of thousands of cars.
The recall for BMW models is part of a global effort, impacting nearly 400,000 cars in the US alone.
America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement saying, ‘Certain vehicles may contain a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver’s front airbag module that contains a PSDI-5 inflator that could have been installed by an owner, even though it was not officially offered/approved by BMW as a replacement part.’
In Australia, the recall affects 47,536 F series models, including the F80 3 Series sedan and F82 4 Series coupe, along with 15,582 units of the X1, X3, 1 Series, and 3 Series produced between 2004 and 2014.
Owners of the affected vehicles must either upload photos of their steering wheel and VIN chassis plate to BMW’s recall website or schedule an inspection with a dealer to have their car checked professionally.
The recall notice stated that ‘if a faulty airbag inflator is found, the airbag (with centre horn pad) will be replaced free of charge. The steering wheel will not need to be replaced.’
‘All work is completed free of charge.’
Defective airbag inflators made by the discredited safety company Takata prompted recalls of over 3 million vehicles in Australia and more than 100 million globally.
In 2018, the ACCC shocked the automotive industry by issuing the country's first mandatory recalls, compelling manufacturers to replace inflators in millions of cars.
Michael Brooks, a spokesperson for the Center for Auto Safety, noted that the ageing Takata airbag inflators still in use are ‘a critical concern’.
‘It’s a critical concern now, and in five years, we’re going to have even more vehicles reaching the age where they are at a critical concern,’ he added.
Have you been affected by the Takata airbag recall? Do you have concerns about vehicle safety recalls in general? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
A major car brand is taking swift action to address safety concerns with a recall affecting a range of its vehicles.
This move underscores the ongoing importance of vehicle safety and the company's commitment to protecting its customers. For owners, staying informed and taking the necessary steps to ensure their vehicles are safe on the road is crucial.
BMW has issued a recall notice for an astounding number of over 60,000 cars, spanning models built between 2004 and 2017.
The notice stated that ‘some vehicles may have been converted after production with steering wheel variants containing a faulty Takata inflator’.
‘As a result, the driver’s airbag inflator may rupture in the event of airbag deployment.’
‘In the event of an accident, a faulty airbag inflator could rupture, compressed gas and metal fragments may be propelled through the airbag cushion towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or death,’ they added.
BMW recalled over 60,000 Australian cars for faulty Takata airbag inflators in aftermarket steering wheels. Credit: Shutterstock
According to a statement from a BMW Australia spokesperson, ‘This safety recall is to address the issue that some BMW vehicles may have a recalled airbag due to the installation of an optional steering wheel.’
‘These steering wheels were not fitted at the time of original manufacture, but during vehicle custodianship. All affected customers have or are being proactively notified to check and replace the airbag of their vehicle if necessary. There is no cost to the customer.’
The spokesperson also advised customers to check their vehicle’s status using this online tool.
For those who remember, the Takata airbag scandal has been a recurring nightmare in the automotive world.
The faulty inflators have been linked to more than 30 deaths and 300 injuries globally, and the issue is far from resolved.
In fact, it's a stark reminder that the vehicles we trust to keep us safe on the road can sometimes harbour hidden dangers.
In a chilling local example, Sydney man Huy Neng Ngo tragically lost his life in 2017 when the airbag in his Honda ruptured during a crash.
The coronial inquest into Mr Ngo’s death revealed that his injuries were akin to those inflicted by a shotgun blast—a harrowing comparison that underscores the severity of the issue.
BMW offers accessory steering wheels to allow enthusiasts to personalise their vehicles. However, the brand does not anticipate needing to replace inflators in tens of thousands of cars.
The recall for BMW models is part of a global effort, impacting nearly 400,000 cars in the US alone.
America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a statement saying, ‘Certain vehicles may contain a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver’s front airbag module that contains a PSDI-5 inflator that could have been installed by an owner, even though it was not officially offered/approved by BMW as a replacement part.’
In Australia, the recall affects 47,536 F series models, including the F80 3 Series sedan and F82 4 Series coupe, along with 15,582 units of the X1, X3, 1 Series, and 3 Series produced between 2004 and 2014.
Owners of the affected vehicles must either upload photos of their steering wheel and VIN chassis plate to BMW’s recall website or schedule an inspection with a dealer to have their car checked professionally.
The recall notice stated that ‘if a faulty airbag inflator is found, the airbag (with centre horn pad) will be replaced free of charge. The steering wheel will not need to be replaced.’
‘All work is completed free of charge.’
Defective airbag inflators made by the discredited safety company Takata prompted recalls of over 3 million vehicles in Australia and more than 100 million globally.
In 2018, the ACCC shocked the automotive industry by issuing the country's first mandatory recalls, compelling manufacturers to replace inflators in millions of cars.
Michael Brooks, a spokesperson for the Center for Auto Safety, noted that the ageing Takata airbag inflators still in use are ‘a critical concern’.
‘It’s a critical concern now, and in five years, we’re going to have even more vehicles reaching the age where they are at a critical concern,’ he added.
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