Air bagsRecall 13V-172 · BMW vehicles
BMW of North America, LLC recall 13V-172 covers 43,204 BMW vehicles for a air bags problem, reported to NHTSA on May 2, 2013.
Do not drive these vehicles until repaired
Source: NHTSA recall 13V172000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.
The problem
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
The fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.
The investigation behind this recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureNHTSA