BMW issues Takata airbag recall for upgraded steering wheels

A fresh recall of more than 60,000 cars requires owners to carefully check their vehicles to make sure they are safe.

The largest safety recall in Australian history has returned, with BMW issuing a recall notice for more than 60,000 cars.

A recall notice for BMWs built between 2004 and 2017 states that “some vehicles may have been converted after production with steering wheel variants containing a faulty Takata inflator”.

BMW wants owners of more than 60,000 vehicles, including the M4, to check their cars. Photo: Supplied

“As a result, the driver’s airbag inflator may rupture in the event of airbag deployment.

“In the event of an accident, a faulty airbag inflator could rupture, compressed gas and metal fragments may be propelled through the airbag cushion towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or death.”

In a statement, a spokeperson for BMW Australia said: “This safety recall is to address the issue that some BMW vehicles may have a recalled airbag due to the installation of an optional steering wheel.

“These steering wheels were not fitted at the time of original manufacture, but during vehicle custodianship. All affected customers have or are being proactively notified to check and replace the airbag of their vehicle if necessary. There is no cost to the customer.”

The BMW Australia spokesperson said customers could check the status of their vehicle via this online tool.

Faulty Takata airbag inflators have been linked to more than 30 deaths and 300 injuries around the world.

Shrapnel propelled by a faulty Takata airbag. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP

Sydney man Huy Neng Ngo was killed in 2017 when the airbag in his Honda ruptured during a crash, killing him.

A coronial inquest into Mr Ngo’s death heard that his injuries were similar to those caused by a shotgun.

A BMW M Performance accessory steering wheel. Photo: Supplied

BMW sells accessory steering wheels as a way for enthusiasts to customise their cars.

The brand does not expect to replace inflators in tens of thousands of vehicles.

The recall for BMW models is an international campaign that includes almost 400,000 cars in the US.

America’s NHTSA safety authority issued a statement that said “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 that could have been installed by an owner, even though it was not officially offered/approved by BMW as a replacement part”.

Airbags are triggered by a small explosive charge needed to rapidly inflate them. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

Affected vehicles in Australia include 47,536 F series models, such as the F80 3 Series sedan and F82 4 Series coupe, as well as 15,582 X1, X3, 1 Series and 3 Series models made between 2004 and 2014.

Owners of cars affected by the issue need to upload photos of their steering wheel and VIN chassis plate to BMW’s recall website, or book their car in with dealers to have it checked professionally.

Technicians work to replace Takata airbags.

The recall notice states that “if a faulty airbag inflator is found, the airbag (with centre horn pad) will be replaced free of charge. The steering wheel will not need to be replaced,” it said.

“All work is completed free of charge.”

Faulty airbag inflators produced by disgraced safety firm Takata were triggered recalls of more than 3 million cars in Australia, and more than 100 million around the world.

Takata airbag recall progress. Image: Recalls.gov.au

The ACCC rocked the car industry in 2018 with the nation’s first mandatory recalls in a campaign that forced manufacturers to replace inflators in millions of cars.

Center for Auto Safety spokesman Michael Brooks told the Washington Post that ageing Takata airbag inflators that remain on the road represent “a critical concern”.

It’s a critical concern now, and in five years we’re going to have even more vehicles reaching the age where they are at a critical concern,” he said.

Originally published as BMW issues Takata airbag recall for upgraded steering wheels