BMW has issued a recall on 200,000 cars and SUVs due to the possibility of the passenger side airbag failing. The recall affects 2004 and 2005 5-Series standard and sports models, 2004 to 2006 X3, and the 2006 3-Series with sport seats.
The national Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the passenger-side airbags may deactivate due to wear when a passenger enters and leaves the vehicle. According to the NHTSA website, “Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger’s entry and exit, small cracs have developed in the (sensor) mat…. [T]he front passenger airbags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated. They warn that the airbag may not deploy “even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur.”
The NHTSA began investigating earlier this year when the Office of Defect Investigation reported the airbag may malfunction. Those models targeted in the initial investigation were the 2004 to 2006 BMW 5 and 7 series, Z4 convertibles and X3 SUVs, and the 2006 BMW 3 and 6 series and X5 SUVs.
BMW has said dealers will repair the system when the recall begins. However, this isn’t to begin until late September.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a defective product, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.
