A fresh new Takata airbag issue has rocked BMW, with 12,663 of it’s 3 series models being taken off the road due to faulty airbags.

Linked to two separate crashes in Australia that resulted in one fatality and a serious injury, BMW have asked all owners of 3 Series model vehicles manufactured between 1997 and 2000 to immediately stop driving their vehicles and contact their preferred BMW dealership for a free inspection.

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) owners of vehicles that are found to contain a faulty airbag will be provided with alternative means of transport until the issue is fixed through the use of a rental or loan vehicle. Alternatively, BMW may arrange to purchase the dangerous vehicle off the owner.

This latest recall is believed to be unrelated to the Takata airbag recall that has seen some 42 million vehicles recalled worldwide, but rather stems from the Takata NADI type 5AT airbags.

“Transport safety authorities in Australia, US and Japan have identified a different type of Takata airbag that poses a critical risk of death or serious injury to vehicle occupants, prompting an urgent recall of around 12,000 BMW vehicles which may still be in use on Australian roads,” said the ACCC.

“The ACCC and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development are working with police and other authorities to understand the facts regarding two recent suspected mis deployments of these inflators in Australia, including a death and a serious injury.”

If an affected airbag is involved in a collision, the airbag may rupture, causing metal fragments to enter the vehicle cabin at high speeds and potentially harm passengers.

A statement released by BMW Australia has confirmed that the company will conduct a safety recall for all potentially affected vehicles.

“We are currently checking this matter in more detail together with the Australian authorities,” said BMW Australia.

“In addition, we are taking immediate steps to prevent the affected vehicles from being driven and implementing measures to minimise inconvenience to owners of those vehicles by providing alternative means of transportation.”

Original source: Caradvice | BMW asks owners of 12,663 cars with Takata airbags to stop driving immediately, following a fatality in Australia

8 Nov 2019