Which BMW Vehicles are Affected by the Airbag Recall?
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this BMW Airbag Recall Affects the following vehicles:
- 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46) including M3
- 2000-2003 5 Series (E39) including M5
- 2000-2004 X5s (E53)
All of these vehicles are 17 to 22 years old, and are equipped with driver’s front airbag inflators manufactured by Takata. These are among the oldest Takata airbags still on the road, and have an extreme risk of exploding or otherwise failing in the event of a crash. If the inflators fracture, the metal debris ejected toward the driver’s face could kill or leave them with severe injuries, NHTSA said.
“If you have a model year 2000-2006 BMW with a recalled Takata air bag, get it repaired immediately – for free,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. “These inflators are two decades old now and, with every day that passes, they become even more dangerous as they can rupture even in a minor crash.”
What’s the Problem with Takata Airbags?
Investigators have found that the flaw in the Takata airbag lies in the device’s ammonium nitrate propellant. To inflate the airbags, Takata installed an ammonium nitrate compound without a drying agent. However, this propellant can burn too fast and cause the inflator to explode without warning.
90,000 BMWs Recalled Over a ‘Dire Risk’ of Takata Airbag Explosion: ABC 11 News Video
How Many People Have Been Injured by Takata Airbags?
More than 30 deaths worldwide — including at least 24 in the United States — and hundreds of injuries in various automakers’ vehicles since 2009 have been linked to defective Takata air bag inflators, according to the NHTSA. The Takata airbag recall is the largest automotive recall in American history. Currently, 50 million airbags are being recalled, affecting about 37 million vehicles in total.
Even Minor Accidents Can Lead to Severe or Fatal Injuries Due to Airbag Flaw
The nature of the Takata airbag defect means that accidents do not have to be serious for occupants to experience severe or fatal injury.
The ammonium nitrate used in Takata airbag inflators does not include a drying agent, which is problematic because ammonium nitrate may break down over time when exposed to moisture. Ignition of the airbag inflator, in combination with degraded propellant, can lead to an explosion that ruptures the inflator and sends shrapnel into the vehicle’s cabin.
As a result, any collision that deploys the airbag can be dangerous if the inflator’s ammonium nitrate is degraded. In fact, many of the fatal accidents linked to the Takata defect occurred in minor, low-speed incidents.
Find Out if Your BMW is Included in this Airbag Recall
If you own a BMW that is affected by the airbag recall, NHTSA urges you not to drive it until repairs have been made. Replacement parts are available, free of charge. To see if your BMW is included in the airbag recall, click here. If your car is affected, you should contact your local BMW dealership to schedule a free repair immediately (includes free towing or mobile repair).
Do I Have a BMW Airbag Recall Class Action Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in BMW Airbag Recall Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one was injured by an exploding BMW airbag, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.