Do Not Drive Your BMW 3 Series Until You Read This

BMW has issued a recall for 394,029 3 Series models built between 2006 and 2012. The reason? A faulty driver’s side airbag inflator may explode, causing serious injury or death in a crash where the airbag is deployed. Unsurprisingly, these vehicles are equipped with Takata airbag systems. If you’re unaware, the now-defunct Japanese company engineered airbags with a deadly flaw linked to the propellant.

The company chose to use ammonium nitrate (without a drying agent) to inflate the airbags, which may cause a problem in a collision. When the airbag deploys, there’s a potential for the propellant to burn too quickly, causing the inflator to explode. This sends shrapnel flying through the cabin and turns a safety feature into a deadly instrument. So far, the defect has killed more than 30 people globally.

The Recalled Part Wasn’t Approved By BMW

Interestingly, the recall concerns a replacement part that wasn’t originally approved by BMW. According to the NHTSA recall report, certain vehicles “may contain a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with a Takata driver’s front airbag module that contains a PSDI-5 inflator.” The automaker says this may have been installed by an owner, as the part was not offered or approved by BMW as an official part. The German brand notes that the original airbag “did not contain an inflator with ammonium nitrate.”

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If you own one of these BMWs or any vehicle with a Takata airbag, this defect requires urgent attention. There is no warning that the airbag may be faulty, and it may be too late once the airbag deploys. According to the Takata Defect Information Report, if the inflator ruptures, “metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material,” which could cause severe injury or death to the driver and passenger. CarBuzz has contacted BMW for comment and will update the article once we receive a reply.

Yet Another Piece Of The Deadly Takata Puzzle

The latest Takata airbag recall underscores how serious the scandal was (and still is). Millions of vehicles have been affected, turning a crucial safety feature into something that could cause harm. Several automakers have issued ‘Do Not Drive’ directives for their vehicles, the most recent being Nissan, which recalled around 84,000 cars and trucks due to defective Takata airbags.

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The NHTSA specifically states “the risk to vehicle occupants is dire.”

So what are affected BMW owners to do? The manufacturer says the driver airbag model will be checked and, if necessary, replaced at no charge to the owner. Drivers will be notified (via First Class mail) with instructions on what to do. You may be eligible for reimbursement if you’ve already had your inflator replaced. Owners are encouraged to contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 to learn more.

List of affected vehicles:

• 2006-2011 BMW 323I
• 2006-2011 BMW 325I
• 2006-2012 BMW 325XI
• 2006-2012 BMW 328I
• 2006-2012 BMW 328XI
• 2006-2011 BMW 330I
• 2006-2011 BMW 330XI
• 2009-2011 BMW 335D
• 2006-2011 BMW 335I
• 2006-2011 BMW 335XI