BMW Initiates SUV Recall Due to Takata Airbag Inflator Issue

BMW is recalling a limited number of SUVs in the U.S. following instances of Takata airbag inflators rupturing, causing potential harm to drivers. The recall affects 486 X3, X4, and X5 SUVs from the 2014 model year. This development raises concerns about the safety of approximately 30 million Takata inflators currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with most yet to be recalled.

Takata's use of ammonium nitrate, a volatile chemical, in airbag inflators has been linked to malfunctions, with deterioration over time leading to ruptures and the ejection of dangerous shrapnel. The recall by BMW highlights a potential manufacturing problem affecting the inflators from Feb. 22, 2014, to March 7, 2014.

BMW was alerted to the issue in November after a complaint to NHTSA regarding a ruptured airbag in a 2014 X3. Preliminary investigations suggest a manufacturing flaw during the specified timeframe. However, due to the ongoing inquiry, BMW has not yet been able to inspect the X3 with the faulty airbag.

NHTSA records include a complaint from October, where the inflator in a 2014 X3 exploded in Chicago, causing serious injuries to the driver. The incident emphasizes the urgency of the recall, which will see BMW replacing the airbags at no cost to owners. Letters notifying affected owners will be dispatched starting Jan. 16.

The broader context of Takata airbag recalls involves a history of fatalities and injuries due to inflator malfunctions, prompting the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history. The current recall adds to the scrutiny of Takata inflators with a desiccant, a moisture-absorbing chemical, raising concerns about their safety. NHTSA's ongoing investigation, initiated in 2021, covers over 30 million inflators in more than 200 models from various automakers, including BMW.

While no immediate safety risks have been identified, the NHTSA emphasizes the need for further evaluation to assess the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators. The recall by BMW follows a similar action by General Motors in July, reinforcing concerns about Takata inflators with a desiccant and prompting heightened monitoring by safety regulators.

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