Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Manufacturer
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
What Happened
The front passenger air bag in your vehicle is a safety feature that deploys in a crash to protect the passenger. A small mat under the seat can crack if the passenger gets in and out frequently, which could disable the air bag.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag is deactivated, it won't deploy in a severe crash, which means you won't have the same level of protection as you should. This could lead to serious injury or even death in a crash.
Free Fix
Your authorized BMW dealer will rework the mat under the seat to prevent it from cracking, and they'll do it at no cost to you. They'll also extend the warranty on your vehicle to 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details →
Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →