Laguna Hills, CA – May 16, 2019 – BMW is recalling certain 2019 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i and X4 M40i vehicles because of air bags that may not function, as the result of an instrument panel defect. As many as 50 vehicles may be affected.
The Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report on this issue, the affected vehicles are equipped with an instrument panel assembly that may have been improperly manufactured. The errors of this particular flaw pertain to the front passenger air bag and could adversely affect its deployment. If the air bag does not operate properly during a crash, there is a significantly increased risk of injury for the passenger in the front seat.
Timeline of Events
BMW learned from its supplier on March 20, 2019 that instrument panels in the affected vehicles may have been fastened with an adhesive not originally specified by the automaker during the course of the lamination process. BMW immediately launched an investigation to determine whether that improper adhesive had, in fact, been used, and learn which vehicles contained the problematic instrument panel cluster modules. Production was halted at the assembly plant as soon as the investigation began.
Further review by both BMW and the component supplier revealed the specific production dates during which the incorrect adhesive was potentially used in manufacturing the vehicles’ instrument panels. Based on this information, BMW decided April 3 to launch a voluntary recall. As of that date, the automaker had not received any reports of injuries or accidents related to this issue.
The Solution
The recall will formally begin June 3, 2019. BMW will notify owners of the affected vehicles, explaining to them that authorized dealers will replace the flawed instrument panel assembly at no cost.
Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA Campaign Number for this recall is 19V-291.
