[bluebee]

EDIT: As of May 28th, 2015, the E39 is affected (details start at post #41).
EDIT: Only the round "sport" steering wheel is currently affected (details start at post #50).

Eventually, they will recall at least some of our airbags, but every time I call BMWNA, they say the 5 series is unaffected.
Therefore, this thread is opened simply to answer the specific question of why exactly are our E39 airbags NOT YET involved in the BMW recall (actually it's not a recall; it's a "field action") of shrapnel-producing Takata airbags and, when/if the recall extends to the E39 (which it eventually will), then this thread is intended to have all the relevant information we know about getting the soon-to-be-recalled airbags replaced.

For background, the canonical E46 thread on the Takata airbag recall is:
- BMW to Replace Passenger-side Front Airbags in 2000-06 3 Series, As a Precaution (06-28-2014)

Here's a revealing post from that canonical thread:

It's explained in the NYT article I posted above. The propellant is highly sensitive to contamination by moisture, which makes it unstable and prone to "overly energetic combustion." Some of the propellant was suspected to have been improperly stored at Takata's Mexican factory.

Humidity was just one of the suspects Takata investigated while they, Honda, and regulators dragged their feet in warning the public about the defect. Other theories included flaws in the propellant packaging process at a U.S. factory, as well as U.S. workers' circumvention of a QA/QC procedure that would have rejected substandard parts.

NY Times article on what happened.

Between late 2001 and late 2002, workers at a Takata factory in Monclova, Mexico, had left out moisture-sensitive explosives on the plant floor, making them prone to "overly energetic combustion,"

Takata engineers next linked the defect to its factory in Moses Lake, Wash. Between 2000 and 2002, a flaw in a machine that presses air bag explosives into wafers had made the explosives unstable

In the following months, Takata engineers came up with yet another explanation for the ruptures: Beginning in September 2001, machine operators at the Moses Lake plant could have inadvertently switched off an "auto reject" function that weeded out poorly made explosives that can become unstable

Given the information above, it seems confusing (to me) which things are involved, but some of the culprits are apparently: (1) the brand of the airbags (Takata) and (2) the origination and date of the explosive mix (Mexico/Washington, 2001/2002) and (3) the registered location of the car (high humidity states).

Which of those factors above don't we have on the E39?
a. Takata?
b. Mexico/Washington?
c. Time frame?
d. Humidity?

 

[stickbuilder]

Why exactly are the E39 airbags NOT involved in the massive Takata SRS airbag...

Probably because they were not produced by the company who manufactured the defective bags. My E46 Touring was recalled for the passenger side.

 

[bluebee]

Probably because they were not produced by the company who manufactured the defective bags.

What company produced the E39 airbag explosives?

 

[bluebee]

If we don't even know the brand of our E39 airbag explosive, I can't see how we can say that our airbags aren't involved.

Anyway, another woman was killed this month when the Takata airbag sliced her neck so severely she bled to death, like the others.

Takata says all six relevant instances occurred in Florida or Puerto Rico, which is why the high-humidity states are on the recall list.

 

[bluebee]

Also note, this is apparently NOT a recall; it's apparently a "field action".

 

[TerraPhantm]

E46 airbag is only recalled on the passenger side, which is at least a different part number than what other bmws got. I'm assuming the driver side bag in the E46s (which are shared with many BMWs) were either not made by Takata or at least not in the problem factories

Edit: I confirmed at least the round airbags can be made by Takata. Hopefully BMW isn't just cheaping out. Maybe we should collectively send some letters to the NHTSA

 

[fire730]

Definitely keeping an eye on this since I own a 2001 325iT and a 2001 525iT.

 

[AnotherGeezer]

Why exactly are the E39 airbags NOT involved in the massive Takata SRS airbag recall?

It's obvious that these weren't the droids they were looking for.

 

[bluebee]

I confirmed at least the round airbags can be made by Takata

Let's keep those round Takata airbags in our sights then, as every clue builds us closer to the answer as to why (yet) we're not involved in the already massive recall.

BTW, it looks like Takata reported ANOTHER (different) problem with their airbags, which were manufactured with a wrong part installed.

 

[computiNATEor]

I just wrecked my e39 (about a month ago), which deployed my driver's airbag. I am still alive (LOL), and I received no injuries whatsoever. The airbag deployed was an 03 round wheel 'bag, but there were no signs of inflator problems. However, I do live in dry Southern California...

 

[JDeGraff89]

This seems like fear mongering, is Bimmerfest owned by Fox news now? The E39 is not involved because simply it is not involved, air bags were either made by a different company, or made in a different factory than the suspect ones in Mex. Or WA. BMW says the E39 is uneffected then its uneffected and we should move on with our lives. This is like asking why you were the sole survivor in a train derailment.

 

[bluebee]

I just wrecked my e39

Sorry about your loss. It's good that you were unharmed.

So we constantly strive to learn, from every endeavor, if you get a chance, can you find out, if possible, who the manufacturer is for your Takata airbag, if you get a chance to look at the wrecked car.

That would add value to this thread:
- What brand is the OEM original equipment manufacturer for your BMW parts (1)

We want to always keep on learning about our bimmers, as those who simply say there is no problem so they don't learn are the ones who never will learn anyway.

Let's keep learning.

 

[540 M-Sport]

It only takes the effort of removing the two Torx screws on the back of your steering wheel to lift the module from the wheel and inspect the makers mark on the back. Someone care to do it? Because the E39 was made over a long period of time, and there were actually several different wheels, and bags (single stage and dual stage), there could very well be more than one manufacturer of E39 air bags.

 

[Nfs021]

Well I checked my airbags today and here's what to report.

I don't see any markings of Takata on the passenger airbag. So I think I'm in the clear.

Passenger

BUT...The steering wheel airbag has Takata on it twice as pictured.

So should I be somewhat concerned or not. The recall I belive is for only the passenger airbag so I don't know what to think. :what:

I'll probably contact BMW NA just to be sure. Better to be safe than regretful. I'll fill you guys out on info when I hear back.

 

[bluebee]

Well I checked my airbags.

Thank you very much for checking your 2002 540i airbag manufacturer for the team!

Looking a bit closely at your photos, your passenger side airbag picture seem to show a "TRW Alfdorf" airbag.

- TRW Safety Systems, Airbags

However, your steering wheel airbag is clearly Takata.

Your steering wheel airbag appears to indicate the name "Sachsen":

Sachsen appears to be in Germany:

What worries me a little bit is the Herstellar Inflation Systems (Georgia, USA), also on that steering wheel airbag tag.

"Herstellar" doesn't appear to be a German city, nor a German word.
All my searches for "Herstellar" in "Georgia" boomerang right back as "Takata":

But, we know that "Inflation Systems" is (apparently) an affected facility (which touts that they were permitted in only 45 days!)

Is the "Herstellar Inflation Systems (Georgia, USA)" the same as the "Inflation Systems" in Moses Lake?
I certainly hope not, since Moses Lake, Washington is one of the implicated sites (along with a site in Monclova, Mexico).

 

[sealbeach740]

I thought the recall was for Takata passenger airbags, which are quite different than the driver's side steering wheel airbags. I didn't think the recall was for alll Takata made airbags.....?
There also isn't any mention of the side curtain airbags (AFAIK).

 

[retiredat44]

Interesting, as my car I believe, was originally from Florida, so high humidity is definite. I never looked at the labels. it is so hard to trust manufacturers and gov agencies. And, you don't know about these things until it is too late. I appreciate these posts... great info!

 

[Burning2nd]

i know why.... because they dont go off ever lol

 

[bobdmac]

Thank you very much for checking your 2002 540i airbag manufacturer for the team!

...However, your steering wheel airbag is clearly Takata.

Your steering wheel airbag appears to indicate the name "Sachsen":

Sachsen appears to be in Germany:

What worries me a little bit is the Herstellar Inflation Systems (Georgia, USA), also on that steering wheel airbag tag...

"Herstellar" doesn't appear to be a German city, nor a German word.
All my searches for "Herstellar" in "Georgia" boomerang right back as "Takata":

Bluebee, "Hersteller" means "producer" or "manufacturer." "Einführer" means "importer." So the "Gas Generator" was made in Georgia by "Inflations Systems, Inc." and imported by Takata in the Land, or equivalent of "state" of "Sachsen," or "Saxony" in English, and the town of Elterlein. Thus, "Takata (Sachsen) GmbH". By the way GmbH is the equivalent of "incorporated." It means "Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung."

For instance, Hannover is in the state of Niedersachsen, or "Lower Saxony."

 

[sealbeach740]

Interesting, as my car I believe, was originally from Florida, so high humidity is definite. I never looked at the labels. it is so hard to trust manufacturers and gov agencies. And, you don't know about these things until it is too late. I appreciate these posts... great info!

Input your VIN & see if your car's airbags are affected:
http://www.nhtsa.gov/