BMW Recalls 90,000 Cars, Owners Warned to Not Drive Until Replacement of Defective Airbags

Three BMW models with defective airbags from Takata Corp have been recalled (a total of 90,000 cars) by the company to deter further injuries and deaths among drivers.

Written by: Arjita Gupta

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: May 05, 2023

BMW AG has upgraded its recall for Takata airbags-provided vehicles, as the best carmaker telling the owners to not drive 90,000 affected SUVs and sedans. But the owners can continue to drive the specified cars after the defective equipment is successfully replaced. The alert – “do not drive” is also released for orders from Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co., and others for airbags by the Takata Corp. The airbags are defective in a way that they can explode if exposed to humidity and high heat for a long time.

In US history, this is the largest recall following a car model crisis. As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defect has resulted in more than 400 injuries and at least 25 deaths in the US. Also, 34 car brands have been affected because of the Takata airbags. Three BMW model ranges carry the defect for driver’s airbags from Takata. The models are the 2000-2003 5 Series (E39) including M5, 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46) including M3, and 2000-2004 X5s (E53).

The announcement came on the website of the car manufacturer itself. The company has also recalled BMW 1 series, X1, X3, X5, and X6 models manufactured in particular years. The company has also asked owners to check if there is free repair allowed for their vehicles. And this can be known by visiting the recall website of BMW or contacting/calling for assistance from the BMW service center.

It was in the early 2000s that investigations began into the issues with the Japanese airbags. In 2017, the firm also agreed to pay a penalty of $1 billion and pleaded guilty to criminal charges. And for the automakers, it has to keep $850 million aside. Also, the same year, Takata filed for bankruptcy. And to this date, the organization had continued to recall the car models for defects.