According to Bloomberg News, BMW is recalling its cars with Takata airbags, advising owners to park the 90,000 damaged sedans and SUVs until the faulty parts are replaced. The “do not drive” warning comes after similar warnings about Takata Corp. airbags that can explode if they are activated after being exposed to intense heat and humidity for an extended period of time from Honda Motor Co., Ford Motor Co., and others. The problem led to the largest recall in US history, which involved 34 different automakers. The fault has been blamed for at least 25 fatalities and more than 400 injuries in the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Owners are urged to visit BMW’s recall website, call, or speak with a BMW service center for assistance
The 2000–2006 BMW 3 Series (E46), which includes the M3, the 2000–2003 5 Series (E39), which includes the M5, and the 2000–2004 X5s (E53), all of which have Takata driver’s airbags, are all affected. According to the automaker’s website, the recall also includes specific years’ worth of the BMW 1 series, X1, X3, X5, and X6 models. Owners are urged to visit BMW’s recall website, call, or speak with a BMW service center for assistance in determining whether their vehicles are eligible for a free repair.
Early in the new millennium, investigations into problems with Japanese airbags started. In 2017, the corporation will pay $1 billion in fines after entering a guilty plea to criminal crimes, with $850 million going to automakers. The following year, Takata filed for bankruptcy, and recalls have continued ever since.