Westwood, N.J. – Mar. 30, 2017 – BMW of North America has recalled almost 300 vehicles equipped with defective air bag module igniters that were the subject of a previous campaign. The new recall impacts BMW 4 Series and Rolls-Royce Dawn convertibles produced between September and November 2016, according to documentation from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
The Defect
Affected vehicles include air bag module igniters with mix ratios that do not meet internal standards. In some cases, these fixtures may not deploy properly, leaving drivers and passengers unprotected in the event of a crash. As yet, no injuries have been connected to the defect.
Timeline of Events
On Dec. 6, 2016, OEM parts provider NCS Pyrotechnie et Technologies SAS notified BMW that its air bag module igniters were improperly mixed. The German automaker investigated the issue and discovered that the faulty igniters had been installed in more than a dozen models. BMW officials launched a voluntary safety recall Dec. 8, according to the NHTSA. More than one month later, engineers found the faulty igniters in 4 Series and Rolls-Royce Dawn convertibles. BMW conducted another investigation and on Feb. 16 added the two vehicles to the previous recall. Dealers were notified Feb. 24.
The Solution
BMW has ordered dealers to replace the defective air bag module igniters, free of charge. The automaker plans to send out all owner notifications by April 17. Owners are encouraged to contact BMW customer service or call the NHTSA hotline if they need immediate assistance.
