BMW Recall

[w5lx]

WASHINGTON: BMW AG is recalling 200,000 vehicles over concerns that the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.

The German automaker says the recall involves the 2006 3 Series, the 2004-2006 5 Series, and the 2004-2006 X3 compact sport utility vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its Web site Wednesday that small cracks could develop in a seat detection mat and lead to the front passenger air bags to be deactivated.

It would also turn on the passenger air bag "on-off" light. NHTSA (NIT'sa) says the head protection system would not be affected.

The company said last month there had been no injuries or accidents tied to the problem.

[sfca-325i]

No surprise. I've had the seat mat in the passenger seat replaced twice, so far.

[brainguy]

Pardon my ignorance....what happens if my vehicle is included in the recall? Should I take the vehicle to the dealer? Thanks!

[Evlengr]

Pardon my ignorance....what happens if my vehicle is included in the recall? Should I take the vehicle to the dealer? Thanks!

Yes! Any dealer must handle it.

[brainguy]

Yes! Any dealer must handle it.


OK..thanks! Will they try to fix it or will there be some sort of trade-in?

[Andrew*Debbie]

OK..thanks! Will they try to fix it or will there be some sort of trade-in?


It is a repair. This is a voluntary recall. It covers X3's made before November 30, 2005. Warranty for the passenger side mat is extended to 10 years from the in-service date.


BMW is mailing out letters in September. Or you could call a dealer now. I'm not sure if the dealers have the service bulletin yet.


http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2008/V/RCDNN-08V384-5007.pdf


http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2008/V/RCAK-08V384-2899.pdf

[Sans Nil]

It is a repair. This is a voluntary recall. It covers X3's made before November 30, 2005. Warranty for the passenger side mat is extended to 10 years from the in-service date.


BMW is mailing out letters in September. Or you could call a dealer now. I'm not sure if the dealers have the service bulletin yet.


http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2008/V/RCDNN-08V384-5007.pdf


http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2008/V/RCAK-08V384-2899.pdf

Hmm, the CNN story includes 2006 X3's:

The German automaker said the recall involves the 2006 3 Series, the 2004-2006 5 Series, and the 2004-2006 X3 compact sport utility vehicles in the United States.

[Vodka G]

BMW has issued a recall for the 2006 3 Series, 2004-2006 5 Series and 2004-2006 X3 for a problem with their air bags. Please read the details carefully for which model years apply to each model.

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Model Year: 2004, 2005,2006
Models affected:3 Series, 5 Series, X3
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V384000
Potential Units Affected: 200000

Problem: BMW is recalling 200,000 model year 2006 3 Series sport seat, model year 2004-2006 5 Series standard and sport seat, and model year 2004-2006 X3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger’s entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag “on-off” lamp will be illuminated. In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.

Corrective Action: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall is expected to begin during late september 2008. BMW will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

[x3man]

I have 2005 X3 and the front airbag light is on. Will BMW replace the mat? The document I read said that they will rework it but my vehicle is showing the symptoms of the problem. Since my wife and baby use the X3, I am very concerned. It's making me rethink future purchases of BMW actually.

[Andrew*Debbie]

Hmm, the CNN story includes 2006 X3's:

The German automaker said the recall involves the 2006 3 Series, the 2004-2006 5 Series, and the 2004-2006 X3 compact sport utility vehicles in the United States.



X3's made between September 2005 and November 30, 2005 are MY 2006.

The recall doesn't include the entire 2006 MY, that's why I posted the date range. I'd trust the actual recall document (I posted the link) over CNN.

Better yet, call a BMW dealer or the 800 number with your VIN. They can tell you if there are any open campaigns.

[Andrew*Debbie]

I have 2005 X3 and the front airbag light is on. Will BMW replace the mat? The document I read said that they will rework it but my vehicle is showing the symptoms of the problem. Since my wife and baby use the X3, I am very concerned. It's making me rethink future purchases of BMW actually.

Take your car in. Rework == Repair. Anyone able to post a copy of the TSB?


Baby should be in a car seat in the rear seat. If baby must be in the front, the air bag should be turned off anyway.


If the light is on when your wife is in the front passenger seat, she could ride in the back with baby until you get your car repaired.

[New Motors]

X3man: If no one is in seat the light is to be on. Only when it is occupied does the seat light turn off.

It's making me rethink future purchases of BMW actually.

WOW! because of a recall.

[Vodka G]

i called BMW NA yesterday and they told me that the 1-800- number is not activated until this Friday (tomorrow) 8/15/08 after noon EST

[sfca-325i]

If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag “on-off” lamp will be illuminated. In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.




When I experienced the first "air-bag light incident", my dealership had to special order the seat mat. They said to go ahead and drive the car, there isn't an issue that the front passenger air bag would not deploy, if needed. I guess they were wrong :mad:

BTW, IIRC, the replacement mat is a pretty expensive part as the entire seat bottom is replaced. That may be why the press release cites "rework" instead of "replace". Rework may mean remove seat bottom, replace mat, reinstall seat bottom.

[legalfee]

I called the local dealer today. He said to call back Tuesday because they haven't gotten the affected VIN numbers yet.

[x3man]

X3man: If no one is in seat the light is to be on. Only when it is occupied does the seat light turn off.

It's making me rethink future purchases of BMW actually.

WOW! because of a recall.

NO. The seatbag light does NOT supposed to come under normal operation. i.e. if noone is sitting in the front seat or even if someone is sitting (and is belted). You may be thinking of a situation where if you put something heavy on the front seat and don't use the seat belt, a beeping alert will sound.

Are you really surprised when you could die or be seriously injured without the air bag deploying? That's not to mention some other previous issues with say the transmission and the many electronic glitches. I love BMW but this is getting pretty bad. I'm not saying I'm going to flee yet. Let's see how they handle this situation first.

[Supercourse]

NO. The seatbag light does NOT supposed to come under normal operation. i.e. if noone is sitting in the front seat or even if someone is sitting (and is belted). You may be thinking of a situation where if you put something heavy on the front seat and don't use the seat belt, a beeping alert will sound.

Are you really surprised when you could die or be seriously injured without the air bag deploying? That's not to mention some other previous issues with say the transmission and the many electronic glitches. I love BMW but this is getting pretty bad. I'm not saying I'm going to flee yet. Let's see how they handle this situation first.

This is getting a bit muddled.
Perhaps I can clarify - New Motors is correct. The PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT should be ON if the vehicle is being driven without a front seat passenger or a heavy article on the front seat. (Leave the seat belt buzzer entirely out of the discussion.)
With a front-seat passenger on board (or a heavy briefcase - which should be on the floor!), the light should go out when driving. Some owners have found it does not. This is what the recall is about. If you haven't seen the light staying on when it should go out, you are not at immediate risk of having a non-deploying passenger air bag. There is no point in rushing to have your passenger seat bottom dismantled, as this could possibly introduce a problem where none existed.
The owners with the real concern are those that were told by some dealers years ago not to worry that their light was not going out with a passenger in the seat. A written admission and apology by BMW might be good PR.

[Evlengr]

A written admission and apology by BMW might be good PR.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHHAHAHAHAHA Nuff Said:rofl:

[riod007]

mine's already in for it to be repaired

[Fragnade]

Is this just the states? or canada included? I had an issue with the light once. its fixed now. dealer said it was electronic.

[riod007]

all north america

[Fragnade]

Thanks. Il see if i get the letter.

[kjboyd]

Touche'

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHHAHAHAHAHA Nuff Said:rofl:

[PimoX3]

This is getting a bit muddled.
Perhaps I can clarify - New Motors is correct. The PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT should be ON if the vehicle is being driven without a front seat passenger or a heavy article on the front seat. (Leave the seat belt buzzer entirely out of the discussion.)
With a front-seat passenger on board (or a heavy briefcase - which should be on the floor!), the light should go out when driving. Some owners have found it does not. This is what the recall is about. If you haven't seen the light staying on when it should go out, you are not at immediate risk of having a non-deploying passenger air bag. There is no point in rushing to have your passenger seat bottom dismantled, as this could possibly introduce a problem where none existed.
The owners with the real concern are those that were told by some dealers years ago not to worry that their light was not going out with a passenger in the seat. A written admission and apology by BMW might be good PR.

Just for the sake of clarity, if I recall from a previous thread, the behavior of the PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT changed through the years -- I believe between the '05 and '06 model years -- such that in later models the light is not on unless something light is detected in the front passenger seat. For example, in my '06 the light is not on unless there is something on the front seat that weighs less than x pounds (ie a backpack or something). Nothing in the seat = no light, adult in the seat = no light, briefcase on seat = light.

Cheers,

Pierre

[SouthernHero]

Will the dealership be providing loaners? What type, do you think?...

[Andrew*Debbie]

Like doughnuts in the waiting room BMW loaners are a dealership courtesy. Most provide them and a few do not. Policies vary. Be sure to ask for a loaner when you call to make an appointment.

[ajiva]

I took my 2005 X3 and the BMW dealer here in Austin said that if I didn't have a letter they wouldn't even check to see if my car is affected. Ahh well

[3seriesbmw]

Get the letter! Our friend had a wreck in her 2004 x3 a week before the recall and the passenger airbags didn't deploy. She took it to the dealer and they said they wouldn't fix it without a letter....shes getting it fixed soon (the seat) don't know when for sure. A guy hit her while pulling out of a bar downtown. They said he wasn't drunk but apparently he has drove through his house before:dunno: