Ford and Mazda ordered to recall close to 3 million vehicles with Takata airbags

Washington, D.C. – January 27, 2021 – Ford (NYSE:F) and Mazda (OTCMKTS:MZDAY) must recall close to 3 million vehicles  in the U.S. after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) denied both manufacturers’ petitions to be excluded from an expansion of Takata airbag inflator recalls. The inflators, which have killed at least 30 people and caused over 400 injuries, are at the center of the largest auto recall in history, involving 19 car manufacturers and tens of millions of vehicles. Ford and Mazda will have to recall and replace airbags in the following models:

  • 2007-2011 Ford Ranger pickups
  • 2007-2009 Mazda B-Series pickups
  • 2006-2012 Ford Fusion sedans
  • 2006-2012 Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ sedans
  • 2006-2011 Mercury Milan sedans
  • 2007-2010 Ford Edge SUVs
  • 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX luxury SUVs

The manufacturers have until February 18 to initiate the recall. The Mazda vehicles involved were built by Ford on Mazda’s platform due to Ford’s past investment in the company.

Summary  

The recall concerns these vehicles’ driver’s-side airbag inflators, which are supposed to inflate the airbags using a small explosion. If moisture gets into the inflator and degrades the explosives inside, it may generate a blast that is too large. This can rupture the inflator and send pieces of metal flying into vehicle occupants, injuring or even killing them. Some inflators, including those in the aforementioned Ford and Mazda models, were made with a drying agent to protect the explosives from water.

Background of the recall

Similar to a recent Volkswagen Takata airbag recall, the vehicles that are set to be recalled were manufactured with a desiccant, or a drying agent, that was set to prevent the possible explosion by blocking the moisture from getting inside. Based on that and other factors, in 2017, Ford and Mazda petitioned NHTSA to be excluded from the recall that was initiated by Takata earlier that year. 

However, this month, NHTSA denied the petitions due to its and Takata’s analysis of salvaged inflators, which showed that these components still degrade over time, increasing the risk of an explosion. 

Risks

For risks related to this recall, please see our recent article about Volkswagen recalling over 100,000 Beetles over similar concerns. Mazda reported injuries related to previous recalls of cars manufactured by the brand but it is not clear how many. The vehicles affected under those Mazda airbag recalls include 2004-2009 B-Series pickup trucks and 2004-2006 Mazda MPV vans.

Other Ford recalls

Recently, Ford recalled 2014-2016 Edge SUVs due to potential brake failure. You can read more about that recall here.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Close to 3 million vehicles will be included in these Ford and Mazda recalls. To do a Ford recall check, bookmark MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool and come back to the site when more details become available.

Rebecca RandFord and Mazda ordered to recall close to 3 million vehicles with Takata airbags

Volkswagen recalls over 100,000 cars equipped with Takata airbag inflators

Auburn Hills, MI – January 4, 2021 – Volkswagen (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) has recalled 105,652 Beetles and Beetle convertibles whose driver-side Takata airbag inflators could explode, hitting the occupants of the vehicle with its potentially lethal metal fragments.

This is the latest in the series of widespread Takata airbag recalls. General Motors and Nissan recently announced their own recalls associated with these dangerous airbags.

This round of recalls involves the following model years:

  • 2012 Volkswagen Beetle compact cars, as well as the 2013 and 2014 models
  • 2012 Volkswagen Beetle convertibles, as well as the 2013 and 2014 models

Recall summary

Cars involved in this ever-growing Takata airbag recall were made with Takata inflators that may blow up during a crash and hurl metal fragments at the driver and passenger, injuring or killing them. 

The airbags on these Volkswagen Beetle convertible and compact cars are no exception, despite being made with a desiccant, or drying agent, that was designed to prevent moisture – which is one of the factors in the explosion – from getting into the airbags.  However, while the addition of the drying agent does help, it does not fully prevent these inflators from degrading, resulting in a high risk of an explosion. The risk becomes higher as the inflators age, according to a study submitted to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) on behalf of the manufacturers involved in the Takata recall in 2019.

Volkswagen’s internal efforts failed to show that these airbags were dangerous. However, the manufacturer agreed to recall the cars “out of an abundance of caution.”

To read more about the background of the Takata airbag recall, please see the following article about the recent General Motors recall of Takata airbags that suffered the same issue.

Risks

Exploding inflators pose a serious threat to the safety of car occupants. More than 25 people have been killed and at least 250 injured so far in the Takata airbag recall, which has turned into the biggest automotive recalls in U.S. history. 

The report provided by NHTSA to the public about the recall does not furnish any information about injuries associated with this particular Volkswagen recall.

Additional recalls

This is only the first round of Volkswagen recalls replacing desiccated Takata airbag inflators. The manufacturer has agreed to issue further recalls as vehicles age. The next recall, which will take place in 2023, will include 2015-2016 Volkswagen Beetles and Beetle convertibles. 2017-2019 Beetles and convertibles will be recalled in 2025, along with 2011-2014 Passats.

Repair

Volkswagen dealers will replace the airbag with one that does not contain ammonium nitrate. The repair is not yet available. Owners will be notified by mail starting February 12, 2021.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Over 100,000 vehicles are included in this Volkswagen recall. As of April 29, 2021, 2,151 airbags had been replaced, with 103,501 remaining. Use MotorSafety’s free recall lookup tool to see if your vehicle is among the ones that still need to be repaired.

Note: June 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have updated the completion rate of this recall in the last paragraph to reflect the most up-to-date information.


Rebecca RandVolkswagen recalls over 100,000 cars equipped with Takata airbag inflators

Nissan recalls nearly 4,000 Sentras equipped with Takata airbags

November 18, 2021 UPDATE – Nissan (OTCMKTS: NSANY) has remedied Nissan Sentra airbag issues in 691 models including the 2003 Nissan Sentra with no models being deemed unreachable or being removed from the recall.

Franklin, TN – October 28, 2021  – Nissan (OTCMKTS: NSANY) has recalled 3,930 Sentra compact cars built with Takata airbag inflators that could explode and injure or kill the occupants of the vehicle with “sharp metal fragments.” This acted as another installment of recalls following the 2020 Nissan and Infiniti recall of malfunctioning airbags. So far the infamous recall – that has encompassed multiple manufacturers including and is the largest one in history – has seen 27 fatalities and at least 250 injuries.

This latest round includes 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra cars and concerns the front passenger airbag (part #985614Z60A).

Recall summary

This recall serves to correct a prior Nissan recall of Takata airbags conducted in 2015.

During that recall, dealers misidentified the types of airbag inflators on some of the recalled vehicles. As a result, these dangerous airbags were not removed. 

According to recall documents, such an error resulted in an injury in 2018, when a misidentified airbag’s inflator exploded, prompting an investigation by the automaker.

Continuing history of recalls

Automakers have been issuing ever-expanding recalls of Takata airbags for seven years, with 100 million inflators recalled worldwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has overseen the removal of approximately 63 million Takata airbag inflators in the US, including a recently ordered recall of 5.9 million General Motors vehicles equipped with them.

Read more about what’s wrong with Takata airbags here.

Repair

Nissan dealers will inspect and replace the airbag, if necessary, with one manufactured by a different supplier. Owners will be notified by mail starting Jan 5, 2021, but parts are already available. Nissan is recommending that owners do not allow passengers to sit in the front passenger seat until the car has been serviced. 

If you are uncomfortable driving your recalled Sentra, Nissan will pay to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. Customers may request this by calling Consumer Affairs at 1 (888) 737-9511.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 4,000 vehicles are included in this Nissan Takata Airbag recall. As of April 9 – the last date for which information was available – only 357 airbags had been replaced. To see if your airbag still needs to be replaced, use MotorSafety’s free vehicle recall lookup tool.

Note: June 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have updated the completion rate of this recall in the last paragraph to reflect the most up-to-date information.


Rebecca RandNissan recalls nearly 4,000 Sentras equipped with Takata airbags

General Motors ordered to recall 5.9 million cars equipped with Takata airbags

Pleasanton, CA – December, 3 2020 – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ordered General Motors (NYSE:GM) to recall 5,888,421 pickup trucks and SUVs built with potentially dangerous Takata airbag inflators, which could explode and fling deadly shrapnel into vehicle occupants. The infamous airbag inflators have already killed 27 people and injured at least 250 more, and are part of the largest auto recall in history. The latest installment of the recall – which already encompasses 19 car manufacturers and “tens of millions” of cars – includes the following GM models on the GMT900 platform: 

  • 2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT SUVs
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Avalanche pickups
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500/3500 pickups
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Suburban SUVs
  • 2007-2014 Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs
  • 2007-2014 GMC Sierra 1500 and 2500/3500 pickups
  • 2007-2014 GMC Yukon XL SUVs

Recall summary

The recall concerns the vehicles’ passenger-side airbag inflators. The inflators use ammonium nitrate to generate a small explosion to inflate the airbags. If this volatile chemical is exposed to heat and humidity, it becomes porous. The extra surface area in this microscopic swiss-cheese allows the ammonium nitrate to burn faster, thus causing a much stronger explosion than intended. This explosion can blow up the inflator and send bits of shrapnel flying into vehicle occupants at high speeds, potentially maiming or killing them.

NHTSA first ordered GM to recall the affected cars in 2016. The company had recalled 330,198 vehicles on the GMT900 platform in May 2015, but argued that the rest of vehicles that are now being recalled should be excluded because the airbag defect was “inconsequential.” This argument was rejected by NHTSA on November 23. Despite disagreeing with the decision,  GM said it would not appeal.

‘Almost no data’ to back up claims

NHTSA consulted air-bag chemical expert Harold Blomquist regarding these findings, who rebutted GM’s many claims that unique design features could prevent their inflators from exploding. “GM expended little effort over the last two years to methodically study the claimed features in order to substantiate their effectiveness,” he said in his 75-page review of GM’s petition. As a result, Blomquist said, GM had “almost no data” to back up their claims that their Takata airbags were somehow less dangerous.

Previous Takata airbag recalls

Automakers have been issuing ever-expanding recalls of Takata airbags for seven years, with 100 million inflators recalled worldwide. Volkswagen, BMW and Honda all recalled cars this and past year because of the airbag issue.

Repair

GM will replace the Takata airbags with a different model, free of charge. More information about the recall schedule should be released by December 24. 

What to do if you own a recalled vehicle

NHTSA has issued a few broad recommendations for drivers in the Takata recall population:

  1. Don’t have your dealer disable your airbags. “It is much more likely that your airbag will perform properly and protect you in a crash than cause harm,” NHTSA says.
  2. “If you feel uncomfortable continuing to drive your vehicle before it is repaired, you should contact your dealer to see if they will provide a loaner until the repair is completed,” NHTSA says. Dealers and manufacturers aren’t required to provide loaners, but it can’t hurt to ask. 
  3. If you’re offered an interim repair, take it. Some automakers will offer to replace the old Takatas with newer ones, which are safer. “It is an inconvenience to have your vehicle serviced twice and to wait for a final repair,” NHTSA says, “But rejecting an interim replacement air bag is not worth the continued higher risk of injury or even death to you, your family, and your friends while waiting for the final repair.”

Some automakers have advised riders not to sit in the front passenger seat. 

Here is the list of vehicles that NHTSA says should NOT be driven.

Is your vehicle part of this recall?

Nearly 6 million vehicles are included in this GM Takata Airbag recall. Use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool to see if your vehicle is affected. 

Rebecca RandGeneral Motors ordered to recall 5.9 million cars equipped with Takata airbags

BMW Recalls Over 300,000 Vehicles Due to Faulty Airbag Inflators

Laguna Hills, Calif. – March 20, 2022 – BMW of North America has remedied issues with 46,423 models including the 2007-2012 BMW X5, 2000-2006 BMW M3, and others with driver and/or passenger airbag Failures. Besides this, 0 have been declared as unreachable and 606 has been removed from the recall. Four groups of these BMW models were remedied in 2020 and two groups were fixed in 2021 for this un-announced explosion risk on the driver and/or passenger airbags.

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 17, 2020 – BMW of North America (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) is recalling approximately 357,000 vehicles with faulty driver and/or passenger airbags that could explode un-announced, sending dangerous objects and metal at car passengers.

The following models will need their passenger-side airbags replaced:

  • 2000-2005 BMW 320I
  • 2000-2006 BMW 323CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 323I
  • 2000-2005 BMW 323IT
  • 2000-2006 BMW 325CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325I
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325IT
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325XI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325XIT
  • 2000-2006 BMW 328CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 328I
  • 2000-2006 BMW 330CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 330I
  • 2000-2005 BMW 330XI
  • 2000-2006 BMW M3

The following models will need their driver’s-side airbags replaced:

  • 2008-2013 BMW 1 Series M
  • 2008-2013 BMW 128I
  • 2008-2013 BMW 135I
  • 2006-2011 BMW 325I
  • 2006-2012 BMW 325XI
  • 2006-2013 BMW 328I
  • 2006-2012 BMW 328XI
  • 2006-2011 BMW 330I
  • 2006-2011 BMW 330XI
  • 2009-2011 BMW 335D
  • 2006-2013 BMW 335I
  • 2007-2013 BMW 335IS
  • 2006-2011 BMW 335XI
  • 2007-2013 BMW M3
  • 2013-2015 BMW X1
  • 2007-2010 BMW X3
  • 2013 BMW X5
  • 2013-2014 BMW X6

The following models will need to have both driver- and passenger-side airbags replaced:

  • 2006 BMW M3
  • 2007-2012 BMW X5
  • 2008-2012 BMW X6
  • 2010-2011 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid SAC

The defect

Affected vehicles may be installed with faulty airbag inflators which, under the pressure of high heat and humidity, could explode sending dangerous metal fragments and objects toward the driver and other vehicle occupants.

In accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW has released certain years and models that have specific airbag inflator recalls; these include the driver’s-side airbag, driver’s-side airbag inflator, and the passenger side airbag. Below is a released list of the affected vehicles:

The solution

BMW asks all affected vehicles owners to bring the recall into any authorized BMW dealership for instalment of a new airbag inflator. This recall service will be free of charge. All affected vehicle owners should register their vehicles online to ensure fast and reliable recall service.

Affected airbag inflators, supplied by Takata, were installed using ammonium nitrate, which, under the extreme cases of heat and humidity, caused the inflators unannounced explosion. Permanent replacements of the airbag inflators will not use ammonium nitrate.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 357,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 147,233 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 17, 2020 – BMW of North America (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) is recalling approximately 357,000 vehicles with faulty driver and/or passenger airbags that could explode un-announced, sending dangerous objects and metal at car passengers.

The following models will need their passenger-side airbags replaced:

  • 2000-2005 BMW 320I
  • 2000-2006 BMW 323CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 323I
  • 2000-2005 BMW 323IT
  • 2000-2006 BMW 325CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325I
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325IT
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325XI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 325XIT
  • 2000-2006 BMW 328CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 328I
  • 2000-2006 BMW 330CI
  • 2000-2005 BMW 330I
  • 2000-2005 BMW 330XI
  • 2000-2006 BMW M3

The following models will need their driver’s-side airbags replaced:

  • 2008-2013 BMW 1 Series M
  • 2008-2013 BMW 128I
  • 2008-2013 BMW 135I
  • 2006-2011 BMW 325I
  • 2006-2012 BMW 325XI
  • 2006-2013 BMW 328I
  • 2006-2012 BMW 328XI
  • 2006-2011 BMW 330I
  • 2006-2011 BMW 330XI
  • 2009-2011 BMW 335D
  • 2006-2013 BMW 335I
  • 2007-2013 BMW 335IS
  • 2006-2011 BMW 335XI
  • 2007-2013 BMW M3
  • 2013-2015 BMW X1
  • 2007-2010 BMW X3
  • 2013 BMW X5
  • 2013-2014 BMW X6

The following models will need to have both driver- and passenger-side airbags replaced:

  • 2006 BMW M3
  • 2007-2012 BMW X5
  • 2008-2012 BMW X6
  • 2010-2011 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid SAC

The defect

Affected vehicles may be installed with faulty airbag inflators which, under the pressure of high heat and humidity, could explode sending dangerous metal fragments and objects toward the driver and other vehicle occupants.

In accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW has released certain years and models that have specific airbag inflator recalls; these include the driver’s-side airbag, driver’s-side airbag inflator, and the passenger side airbag. Below is a released list of the affected vehicles:

The solution

BMW asks all affected vehicles owners to bring the recall into any authorized BMW dealership for instalment of a new airbag inflator. This recall service will be free of charge. All affected vehicle owners should register their vehicles online to ensure fast and reliable recall service.

Affected airbag inflators, supplied by Takata, were installed using ammonium nitrate, which, under the extreme cases of heat and humidity, caused the inflators unannounced explosion. Permanent replacements of the airbag inflators will not use ammonium nitrate.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 357,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 147,233 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyBMW Recalls Over 300,000 Vehicles Due to Faulty Airbag Inflators

Certain Nissan and Infiniti AirBags May Explode

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 16, 2020 – Nissan North America is recalling over 300,000 Nissan and Infiniti vehicles with faulty airbag inflators that could explode without warning, propelling sharp and metal objects toward vehicle occupants. The recall includes

  • 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
  • 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
  • 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  • 2007-2011 Nissan Versa sedan and hatchback.
  • 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35
  • 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
  • 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45
  • 2006-2010 Infiniti M35

The Defect

Affected vehicles were manufactured with faulty airbag inflators supplied by Takata, now a bankrupt company, that has phased out airbags in accordance with documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A Nissan spokesperson announced that “Nissan Group is implementing the next phase of the Takata inflator recalls in accordance with the predetermined coordinated remedy schedule set by NHTSA.”

The recall outlines that airbag inflators, subjected to high temperatures or humidity, could explode sending propellant and metal objects toward the driver and other occupants. This could result in injury or death. NHTSA estimated that sixteen people in the U.S. have been killed and 250 have been injured due to the defective airbag inflators. Of the recalled vehicles, NHTSA estimates that 25 percent, or 13 million vehicles, are still to be repaired by Nissan.

Solution

Affected owners should take their vehicle into any authorized Nissan or Infiniti dealership to replace the defective airbag inflator, free of charge. Nissan will notify the owners on February 10, 2020 asking to bring their vehicles into any authorized dealers for proper service. Affected vehicle owners should contact Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715 or Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511, for further recall information.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 103,241 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Sean ReyesCertain Nissan and Infiniti AirBags May Explode

Airbag Inflators May Explode in Certain BMW Vehicles

re: NHTSA Campaign 20V018000

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 23, 2020 – BMW (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) is recalling 292,948 vehicles equipped with faulty front passenger airbag inflators that could explode when placed under extreme or long-term weather conditions. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 323iT
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 325iT
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 325xiT
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 320i
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 323i
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 325i
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 325xi
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 328i
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW 330i
  • 2000 – 2005 BMW330xi
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW 323Ci
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW 325Ci
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW 328Ci
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW 330Ci
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW M3 Coupe
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW 323Cic
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW 325Cic
  • 2000 – 2006 BMW 330Cic
  • 2000 – 2006 BMWM3 Convertible

The defect

Previous replacement parts, used to satisfy Takata airbag inflator recalls, contain ammonium nitrate (PSAN and PSPI), which will explode once subjected to high temperatures and long term humidity exposure.

The front passenger airbag in affected vehicles could explode and send metal objects toward the car’s occupants.

The solution

Affected vehicle owners will be notified on the official recall date – March, 6, 2020. Official licensed BMW dealerships will perform the proper repairs in accordance with the recalled parts.

This will be free of charge. The appropriate solution is to replace the faulty frontal airbag (passenger side) with another inflator that does not contain ammonium nitrate (PSAN). After the proper repair, inflators should not explode even under long-term exposure to high temperatures and humidity.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 292,000 vehicles were originally part of this BMW recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 100,844 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.


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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyAirbag Inflators May Explode in Certain BMW Vehicles

BMW recalls cars with exploding Takata airbags

Laguna Hills, CA – January 23, 2020 – BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 4,007 vehicles equipped with faulty airbag inflators that could possibly explode when placed under high humidity and heat.

The recall includes:

  • 2009 – 2012 X5 xDrive35d
  • 2008 – 2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M
  • 2007 – 2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M
  • 2010 – 2011 X6 ActiveHybrid

The defect

BMW is recalling over 4,000 vehicles due to risk of unintended airbag deployment. Affected vehicles are equipped with a non-desiccated, front airbag that contains ammonium nitrate propellant (PSPI-2); a propellant used to satisfy previous Takata inflator recalls.

Under long-term high temperatures and humidity the ammonium nitrate propellant (PSPI-2) will explode, sending large metal fragments and shards towards the driver and other vehicle passengers, resulting in serious injuries and possible death.

BMW will notify affected vehicle owners when the official recall begins, which is March 6, 2020. Any officially licensed BMW dealership will perform the proper inflator repairs, free of charge.

The solution

The repair will include a replacement front airbag inflator that does not include ammonium nitrate (PSPI-2). This repair will allow airbag inflators to remain intact under long-term high humidity and temperatures.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 4,000 vehicles were originally included in this recall. As of April 30, 2021 – the last date for which information is available – 2,454 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 8, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we added the last section and included completion rates. The article has also been edited to reflect the latest editorial standards.

Marshall EarleyBMW recalls cars with exploding Takata airbags

BMW Recalls Vehicles Equipped with Faulty Airbag Inflators

re: NHTSA Campaign 20V017000

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 23, 2020 – BMW of North American, LLC (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) is recalling nearly 60,000 vehicles equipped with faulty airbag inflators that could explode, sending sharp metal objects towards the driver and other occupants. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2008-2013 BMW 1 SERIES M
  • 2008-2013 BMW 128I
  • 2008-2013 BMW 135I
  • 2006-2011 BMW 325I
  • 2006-2012 BMW 325XI
  • 2006-2013 BMW 328I
  • 2006-2012 BMW 328XI
  • 2006-2011 BMW 330I
  • 2006-2011 BMW 330XI
  • 2009-2011 BMW 335D
  • 2006-2013 BMW 335I
  • 2007-2013 BMW 335IS
  • 2006-2011 BMW 335XI
  • 2006-2013 BMW M3
  • 2013-2015 BMW X1
  • 2007-2010 BMW X3
  • 2007-2013 BMW X5
  • 2008-2014 BMW X6
  • 2010-2011 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid SAC

The defect

The affected driver-side frontal inflators are non-desiccated and contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as repair parts for all authorized Takata recalls.

Exposed to long periods of humidity and high temperatures, the ammonium nitrate (PSAN) could cause the driver frontal inflator to explode sending sharp metal fragments that could result in severe injury to the vehicle occupants or death.

The solution

BMW will notify affected vehicle owners by March 6, 2020 when the official recall will begin. All official BMW dealerships will perform the necessary repair free of charge. The repair consists of replacing the previous faulty Takata airbags with an inflator that does not contain ammonium nitrate.

X5 and X6 vehicles will only need the inflator and not the whole apparatus replaced.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Nearly 60,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 43,982 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.


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About MotorSafety.org

MotorSafety.org is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to vehicle safety and assisting consumers with the identification and resolution of vehicle manufacturing recalls and defects. Through education, awareness, government relations, repair facility referrals and strategic partnerships, MotorSafety.org hopes to remove every unsafe vehicle from the road, facilitate its proper repair, and ensure its prompt return to the owner once the vehicle has met the required safety and performance standards. For more information about MotorSafety.org, please email support@motorsafety.org.

Marshall EarleyBMW Recalls Vehicles Equipped with Faulty Airbag Inflators

Nissan Recalls a Variety of Vehicles Due to Issue With Replacement Airbag

Laguna Hills, CA – Jan 9, 2020 – Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling over 300,000 vehicles that may be equipped with non-desiccated frontal airbag inflators used as temporary remedy replacement parts for a previous recall. The inflators are in danger of rupturing due to exposure to high levels of humidity or temperatures, as well as rapid temperature changes. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima
  • 2002-2006 Nissan Sentra
  • 2002-2004 Nissan Pathfinder
  • 2007-2011 Nissan Versa Sedan
  • 2007-2011 Nissan Versa Hatchback
  • 2001-2004 Infiniti I30
  • 2001-2005 Infiniti I35
  • 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4
  • 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35
  • 2003-2008 Infiniti FX45
  • 2006-2010 Infiniti M35
  • 2006-2010 Infiniti M45

The Defect

Non-desiccated air bag inflators were equipped on various Nissan vehicles as temporary stopgap remedies in previous Takata airbag recalls. These inflators have a defect of their own; due to the presence of moisture in these parts, the inflator’s supply of stabilized ammonium nitrate is susceptible to changes in pressure. These pressure changes can occur due to high temperatures or high levels of humidity – in addition, rapid temperature cycling can also cause these pressure changes. At high enough temperatures or humidity, the inflators can explode, resulting in metal debris impacting the driver and passengers in the vehicle. This increases the risk of personal injury to occupants as well as collisions resulting from either distraction or incapacitating injuries.

Timeline of Events

In early January, Takata sent out Defect Report 20E-001, detailing a defect they discovered in some airbag inflators used as temporary replacement parts in a recall. Upon receipt of this report, Nissan collated a list of previously recalled vehicles equipped with this remedy. It was determined that 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 / M45 vehicles were equipped with these replacement parts.

After the confirming the risk, Nissan drafted a safety recall January 2, 2020, brought upon by an “abundance of caution” according to the initial filing. On January 9, this recall notice became public, and owners of the affected vehicles were made aware of the risk. Preparations were made to replace the non-desiccated inflators with correct desiccated ones; the remedy process is projected to start in early February.

The Solution

In accordance with the initial recall, Nissan will notify owners of the danger and replace the air bag inflators with non defective ones, free of charge. Owners will be periodically notified and reminded of the defective nature of the parts and the recall will be distinguished from the original to avoid confusion. Owners can bring their vehicles to authorized retailers in order to receive their free replacement parts. However, until then, owners are advised not to operate their vehicles due to the risk involved to both occupants and other motorists. This recall is expected to begin February 10, 2020.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 300,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 103,241 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesNissan Recalls a Variety of Vehicles Due to Issue With Replacement Airbag