BMW issues ‘do not drive’ warning to 90,000 car owners over defective Takata airbags

BMW has issued a “do not drive” warning to nearly 90,000 car owners who have not yet replaced their defective Takata airbags. The recall affects three model ranges: the 2000-2006 3 Series (E46), including M3; 2000-2003 5 Series (E39), including M5; and the 2000-2004 X5s (E53). The faulty airbags can explode with excessive force and send metal fragments flying inside the vehicle, posing a serious risk of injury or death to the driver and passengers.

The problem is caused by the degradation of the ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbags, which can become unstable after long-term exposure to high heat and humidity. Takata, the Japanese supplier of the airbags, has been involved in a massive recall scandal that has affected millions of vehicles from various automakers worldwide. At least 25 deaths and more than 400 injuries in the US have been linked to the defect, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

BMW urges owners of the affected vehicles to check their recall status by visiting BMW’s recall website, or calling or contacting a BMW service center for assistance. Repairs are available at no cost to owners, as well as mobile repair and free towing. BMW says it has enough replacement parts in stock and can perform the service quickly. Owners should park their vehicles and avoid driving them until the airbags have been replaced.

BMW says it is taking this step to ensure the safety of its customers and prevent any further tragedies caused by the defective airbags. “We cannot state strongly enough just how urgent it is for our customers to take this warning seriously,” said Claus Eberhart, vice president of aftersales at BMW of North America. “We know these airbags only become more dangerous over time, which is why we are taking another step to get these parts out of our vehicles.”

Related Stories:

Ford recalls over 1.5 million vehicles to fix the issues with the wiper arms and leaky brake hoses NASA Confirms Launch Date for Its Massive Moon Rocket Hyundai puts safety first: Six airbags now standard on Cars, SUVs in India China issues new warning against crypto scams amid crackdown in Dalian Home Owning: What First time Home Owners Should Know China Takes Incredible Close Up Shot of Mars’ Moon Phobos Sonam Bajwa: Acting and Dressing the Fashion Supernova Mannara Chopra and Munawar Faruqui Kiss – Actress Responds, No Truth to Claims of Kissing