BMW sedans, convertibles recalled over deadly Takata airbags

BMW sedans, convertibles recalled over deadly Takata airbags

October 22, 2019 Sean Reyes ,

Laguna Hills, CA – October 22, 2019 – BMW is pulling over 3,900 models from the marketplace due to the possibility that installed air bags are compromised. In the event of an accident that the air bags to deploy, sharp metal fragments could break through them, potentially leading to a severe injury.

The recall includes the following vehicles:

  • 2000 – 2002 325i
  • 2000 – 2002 325xi
  • 2000 – 2002 323Ci
  • 2000 – 2002 325Ci
  • 2000 – 2002 330Ci

The defect

The cause of this issue is believed to be the propellant used in the release of the air bags. The propellant has the potential to break down over time due to exposure to high levels of humidity and temperature cycling.

Timeline of events

The 2000 – 2002 BMW air bag recall is one of several that have affected the auto industry tracing back several years.

The Office of Defects Investigation arm of the NHTSA opened a sweeping inquiry into this issue back in June 2014 after learning of six separate incidents where air bags ruptured, which involved five vehicle manufacturers.

The ODI determined that the common link between them all was the manufacturer of the air bags – Takata – and the locations of where these air bags were installed. All six took place in either Florida or Puerto Rico.

These events led to a much wider investigation of Takata air bags and their potential to cause serious injury to motorists.

All told, at least 37 million automobiles had been equipped with 50 million defective air bags manufactured by Takata, according to the most recent statistics available from the NHTSA. Repair rates among automakers with Takata air bags installed rose 30% in 2018 compared to the previous year.

“Communicating the urgency for recall repairs with the help of stakeholders and DMVs is proving effective to protecting lives on our nation’s roadways,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King said at the time.

This isn’t the first time this year that BMW has been affected by an air bag safety issue. In June, the luxury automaker announced it was recalling approximately 2,000 SUVs whose air bags were installed improperly.

Prior to that, around 1,700 2-Series, 3-Series and 4-Series models were also recalled because of compromised passenger knee air bags.

The solution

As for the 2000 – 2002 BMW air bag issue, the luxury automaker is getting ready to start distributing mailers that will inform owners about this problem. BMW says it will begin sending the notifications out starting November 25.

Recipients of the safety notices are urged to bring their vehicle to a local dealer. If appropriate, a replacement air bag will be installed free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 3,900 airbags were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date for which information is available – 1,425 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 have added the last section to allow the driver to check if his or her car is part of the recall and include the most up-to-date information on the recall’s completion rates. The article has also been updated to reflect the latest editorial standards.

Sean ReyesBMW sedans, convertibles recalled over deadly Takata airbags
Honda Recalls Over 1.1 Million Vehicles Equipped With Faulty Takata Air Bag Inflators

Honda Recalls Over 1.1 Million Vehicles Equipped With Faulty Takata Air Bag Inflators

March 15, 2019 Sean Reyes , ,

Laguna Hills, CA – March 15, 2019 – Honda is recalling over 1.1 million vehicles equipped with potentially dangerous Takata airbags that could explode if deployed during a crash. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2003 Acura 3.2CL
  • 2013-2016 Acura ILX
  • 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid
  • 2003-2006 Acura MDX
  • 2007-2016 Acura RDX
  • 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL
  • 2004-2006 and 2009-2014 Acura TL
  • 2010-2013 ZDX
  • 2001-2007 Honda Accord
  • 2009 Honda Accord
  • 2001-2005 Honda Civic
  • 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid
  • 2001-2005 Honda Civic GX NGV
  • 2002-2007 Honda C-RV
  • 2010-2011 Honda CR-V
  • 2003-2011 Honda Element
  • 2007 Honda Fit
  • 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey
  • 2003-2008 Honda Pilot
  • 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline

The affected vehicles had previously received a driver air bag inflator or air bag module replacement as part of a massive recall of defective Takata air bags affecting many different automakers.

The defect

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report filed March 11, replacement driver air bag inflators or air bag modules had been installed in the affected vehicles as part of a previous Takata inflator recall. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash in which the air bag is activated, the inflator may explode, resulting in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Car and Driver said this latest recall came about after a crash involving a 2004 Odyssey, in which the driver’s arm was bruised. This happened after the company learned that the Takata replacement, a driver’s-side inflator that is supposed to resist moisture, had ruptured due to “excessive moisture” present at the Takata factory in Mexico.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the Takata air bag recall, which has been going on for over 10 years, involved over 37 million vehicles built by 19 automakers. At least 22 people were killed and hundreds permanently disfigured when the air bags exploded after deployment, spraying them with deadly shrapnel.

Timeline of events

Honda began using the Takata-made driver-side air bag inflators June 2014 as part of a regional safety improvement campaign. By March 2015, when the scope of the original Takata recall expanded, Honda began obtaining remedy air bag inflators from other manufacturers to supplement its supply of replacement parts.

Honda instructed dealers to stop installing the Takata inflators July 2016, and stopped ordering the replacement parts from Takata.

On March 21, 2018, Honda was informed of the Jan. 19, 2018 crash in which the driver air bag inflator had allegedly ruptured during air bag deployment; an initial incident report was then submitted to NHTSA March 23. A joint field inspection April 10 confirmed the driver air bag inflator had ruptured, and a final rupture incident report was sent to NHTSA.

From mid-April to early-February 2019, Honda continued its investigation in conjunction with the air bag inflator supplier and NHTSA. Ultimately, examination of the replacement parts did not turn up any conclusive explanation of the factors that led to the over-pressurization found in these inflators, with Honda concluding that all available evidence suggested a manufacturing anomaly.

Honda met with NHTSA Feb. 15 to share the results of the investigation. The automaker then decided on March 6 that a defect existed, launching the recall process as a result. As of March 16, Honda had received only one injury claim related to this issue.

The solution

Honda will notify owners beginning April 17, and dealers – which are already prepared to begin repairs – will replace the driver’s air bag inflator with another inflator from an alternative supplier, free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 1.1 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of October 12, 2020 – the last date information was available – 541,670 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesHonda Recalls Over 1.1 Million Vehicles Equipped With Faulty Takata Air Bag Inflators
Volkswagen Recalls More Than 100,000 Vehicles Equipped With Defective Takata Air Bags

Volkswagen Recalls More Than 100,000 Vehicles Equipped With Defective Takata Air Bags

February 28, 2019 Sean Reyes , ,

Herndon, VA – February 28, 2019 – Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (OTCMKTS:VWAGY) is recalling over 100,000 vehicles equipped with Takata airbags that could explode and injure vehicle occupants. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2017 Audi R8
  • 2016-2017 Audi TT
  • 2015-2017 Volkswagen CC
  • 2015-2016 Volkswagen Eos
  • 2015 Volkswagen Passat

This is part of a vast and ongoing scheduled recall of vehicles with Takata air bags. The estimated number of units affected is 119,394.

The defect

According to the NHTSA Safety Report filed January 11, the non-desiccated ammonium nitrate used as a propellant in the air bag inflators in the passenger side airbags of these vehicles poses a risk at some point in the future for all vehicles thus equipped.

If the driver’s frontal air bag deploys, the defective inflator could potentially rupture. The degrading ammonium nitrate present in the propellant wafers may explode under excessive internal pressure in the event of a crash which causes deployment of the driver’s frontal air bag.

In very rare cases, the explosion might mean that metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material and go flying into the interior of the vehicle from the passenger front side, potentially striking the vehicle occupants and conceivably resulting in serious injury or death.

This recall is part of a massive worldwide recall of vehicles with Takata airbags that is being conducted in waves starting with the vehicles that are at highest risk of propellant degradation (older vehicles and vehicles in Zones 1, 2, and 3.) 

All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from regions subject to high absolute humidity.

Timeline of events

The filing was made as required per the NHTSA Coordinated Remedy Order. The date of determination for Audi was January 2, and the date of determination for Volkswagen was January 9, 2019.

Volkswagen will cooperate with NHTSA to prioritize and stagger vehicle repairs by joining NHTSA’s coordinated remedy program. The remedy components for this defect are not ammonium-nitrate based accelerant air bag inflators.

According to Consumer Reports, the investigation began in 2008, after reports of exploding air bags and flying metal shrapnel surfaced.

The cause turned out to be degraded propellant wafers in the air bag inflators manufactured by Takata, which were installed in millions of cars between 2002 and 2015. 

Vehicles made by 19 different automakers have been recalled in what may turn out to be the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history.

The solution

The recall is expected to begin in March 2019. Volkswagen will notify owners by mail, and be instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer.

Dealers will replace the driver’s frontal air bag inflator with an alternative part, free of charge. Audi and Volkswagen are excluding reimbursement for costs associated with replacement of air bag inflators. 

The Audi recalled component description is 4S0.880.201, and the Volkswagen’s part numbers are 3C8.880.201 and 561.880.201

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 100,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 99,216 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesVolkswagen Recalls More Than 100,000 Vehicles Equipped With Defective Takata Air Bags
Subaru recalls 370,000 vehicles with dangerous Takata airbags

Subaru recalls 370,000 vehicles with dangerous Takata airbags

February 27, 2019 Sean Reyes ,

Camden, NJ – February 27, 2019 – Subaru (OTCMKTS:FUJHY) is recalling 373,514 vehicles in two recalls related to potentially deadly Takata airbags.

Both recalls are limited to cars sold or registered in certain states that experience high temperature and humidity. They include the following vehicles:

  • 2010 – 2013 Forester
  • 2010 – 2014 Tribeca
  • 2010- 2014 WRX
  • 2010 – 2014 Outback
  • 2010 -2014 Legacy
  • 2010 – 2011 Impreza

To see the complete list of states included in the recalls check out the National Highway Transpiration Safety Administration (NHTSA) official information here and here.

The defect

According to the NHTSA Safety Report filed on January 9th, all the recalled vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators with propellant wafers that contain non-desiccated ammonium nitrate. The injectors are part of full passenger frontal air bag modules which have been utilized over many years as original equipment and replacement equipment. Takata’s investigation to date has revealed that the propellant wafers can degrade over time, especially when exposed over long periods of time to high absolute humidity and drastic temperature cycling.

Risks

This degradation can lead to explosive combustion in the event of a crash that triggers deployment of the passenger frontal air bag. Excessive internal pressure when the non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant is activated can cause the inflator to rupture, causing metal fragments to pass through the air bag. As the sharp metal fragments exit the air bag module at high speed, they can enter the vehicle interior and strike the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants of the vehicle, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Safety tips

In the owner letters, Subaru has warned owners not to allow passengers to ride in the front passenger seat until the defect has been remedied.

The solution

The recall began January 25, 2019. Subaru is notifying owners to take their vehicles to dealerships where dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. Any vehicle owners who have already paid to fix this condition prior to this campaign may seek reimbursement for their costs.

Is your vehicle part of these recalls?

Over 370,000 vehicles were originally included in these recalls. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date for which information was available –  315,724 airbags have been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 14, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have edited this article to make it more clear and make sure it corresponds to the latest editorial standards. We have also included the last section, which provides an important update on these recalls’ completion rates.

Sean ReyesSubaru recalls 370,000 vehicles with dangerous Takata airbags
Toyota Adds Nearly 1.3 Million Vehicles to Takata Air Bag Recall

Toyota Adds Nearly 1.3 Million Vehicles to Takata Air Bag Recall

February 27, 2019 Sean Reyes , , ,

Toyota, Japan – Feb. 27, 2019 – Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain vehicles equipped with Takata air bags containing inflators that can become hazardous over time. Affected vehicles cover units in a range manufactured between 2010 and 2017, from areas determined to be most at risk for propellant degradation. This includes most Southern, Mideastern and Midwestern states (classed as Zones A, B, and C) as well as U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The potential number of units affected is 1,299,448. Vehicles affected may include:

• 2010-2016 Toyota 4Runner vehicles
• 2011-2015 Scion xB vehicles
• 2011-2015 Toyota Sienna vehicles
• 2010-2014 Lexus IS350C and IS250C vehicles
• 2011-2015 Lexus IS-F vehicles
• 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles
• 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla vehicles
• 2011-2013 Corolla Matrix vehicles

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Report filed Jan. 9, the subject vehicles all are equipped with front passenger air bag inflators of the Takata PSPI-6 designation. These airbags contain a non-desiccated, phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. It has been determined that propellant degradation is certain to occur at some point in time after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity or temperature.

If a non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant is activated during a collision, it may result in a rupture of the inflator, which can subsequently cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag and into the vehicle interior. The high speed deployment of the fragments can cause severe injury or death to vehicle occupants.

Timeline of Events

On Jan. 2, Takata filed Part 573 reports in accordance with terms specified in the May 4, 2016 Amendment to the Nov. 3, 2015 Consent Order between Takata and the NHTSA. Based on Takata’s Part 573 reports, Toyota decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall about a week later to identify the subject vehicles and replace the air bag inflator or assembly. Toyota has, however, stated that it does not, by this action, fully endorse the content of Takata’s Part 573 reports.

Based on Toyota’s defect information report, the automaker is unable to provide an estimate of the percentage of vehicles that are an immediate danger. As noted in the May 2016 Amendment to the Takata Consent Order, the length of time that a non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflator will have reached the point where they pose an unreasonable risk to safety could be quite long and is dependent on the age of the inflator and environmental exposure, among other factors. The recall is being deployed in phases with vehicles deemed most at risk – as well as those located in hot and humid regions – being prioritized.

The Solution

The recall began Feb. 15. By March 10, all known owners of the affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles will have been notified of the recall by first class mail, and instructed to return their vehicles to a Toyota or Lexus dealer, as applicable. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will either replace the front passenger airbag inflator only, or replace the entire airbag assembly, free of charge. Any vehicle owners who have already paid to fix this condition prior to this campaign may seek reimbursement for their costs.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Nearly 1.3 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021, – the last date for which information was available – 1,060,060 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesToyota Adds Nearly 1.3 Million Vehicles to Takata Air Bag Recall
Ford Adds Nearly 800,000 More Vehicles to Takata Airbag recall List

Ford Adds Nearly 800,000 More Vehicles to Takata Airbag recall List

February 26, 2019 Sean Reyes , , ,

Dearborn, MI. – Feb. 26, 2019 – Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is recalling 782,384 vehicles as part of the wider ongoing Takata air bag recall. The recall includes the following models:

  • 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles
  • 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles
  • 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles
  • 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles
  • 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles
  • 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles
  • 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles
  • 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles

Recall Summary

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Report filed on Jan. 7, the vehicles in question were originally equipped with a Takata air bag that included an ammonium nitrate powered inflator within the assembly of the passenger frontal air bag module. (The air bag inflators were also used as replacements, so vehicles which have had the air bag replaced may still have a faulty device.)

If a vehicle which is so equipped is involved in a crash and the front passenger airbag deploys, there is a significant risk of the inflators exploding. This is due to propellant degradation, which typically occurs in response to long-term exposure to weather in hot and humid environments.

If an inflator explodes out of the front of the airbag, flying pieces of metal can strike passengers and the driver and cause serious injuries or death.

The Zones designated for the Takata recall are being prioritized as their climate leads to more rapid degradation, and vehicles are being recalled in waves with the oldest makes and models first, do to the higher risk involved for such vehicles and the pace of production for replacement air bags being limited by the sheer number needed to replace all in service.

On May 3, 2016, an Amendment to the Nov. 3, 2015 Consent Order was filed after the NHTSA evaluated the rate at which propellant degradation may occur in non-desiccated frontal airbag inflators. It was adjudged that there was significant variation based on geographic factors affecting both environmental heat and humidity. The department further concluded that all non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators will reach a threshold level of degradation at some point, at which time the inflator has a significantly increased risk of becoming unreasonably dangerous.

According to previous filings, other than inflators already under recall, Takata is not aware of any test ruptures in ballistic testing or confirmed field incidents related to the subject non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflators. On Dec. 17, 2018, Ford’s Field Review Committee decided to issue the next phase of this recall to cover vehicles from the priority zones and years covering 2010 to 2014.

The repair

Owners will be notified by mail with instructions to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have their passenger frontal air bag inflator replaced, free of charge, with one that utilizes an inflator without ammonium nitrate. According to the owner letter from Ford, an appointment must be scheduled in accordance with parts and scheduling availability at the chosen dealer. The recall began Feb. 18, 2019.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 782,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 583,909 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesFord Adds Nearly 800,000 More Vehicles to Takata Airbag recall List
Ferrari Adds More Than 11,000 Vehicles to the Takata Air Bags Recall List

Ferrari Adds More Than 11,000 Vehicles to the Takata Air Bags Recall List

February 26, 2019 Sean Reyes ,

Englewood Cliffs, N.J. – February 26, 2019 – Ferrari North America (NYSE:RACE) is recalling 11,176 vehicles equipped with dangerous Takata airbag inflators. This is part of the larger international Takata air bag recall, which affects a wide range of vehicles (models, makes, and years) across multiple manufacturers. Affected models include:

  • 2014-Ferrari California
  • 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia
  • 2014-2016 Ferrari FF
  • 2014-2017 Ferrari F12
  • 2015-2018 Ferrari California T
  • 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A
  • 2016 Ferrari F60 America
  • 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf
  • 2016-2018 Ferrari 488 GTB
  • 2017-2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso
  • 2014-2015 458 Spider
  • 2016-2018 488 Spider

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report filed Jan. 9, 2019, the specified vehicles were equipped with a certain Takata air bag inflator as part of the fully assembled passenger frontal air bag module. These models were used both in originally equipped vehicles and as replacements in later years.

Vehicles with these inflators that are involved in a crash in which the front passenger air bag deploys are at risk of the inflators exploding. Such an explosion can be prompted by propellant degradation that may occur after long-term exposure to temperature cycling and absolute humidity. Inflator explosion may result in shrapnel bursting from the air bag mount area. Fragments could hit the driver or passengers in the vehicle, and cause serious injury or even death.

Timeline of Events

Takata filed a Defect Information Report with the NHTSA Jan. 2, 2019. Ferrari subsequently filed its own DIR on this incident. As yet, Ferrari is not aware of any confirmed field incidents, warranty claims or consumer complaints about their vehicles that included any of the indicated Takata passenger air bags equipped with the non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflators.

Ferrari chose to conduct a voluntary safety recall on all affected vehicles, and is prioritizing its recalls in accordance with the risk, as availability of replacement assemblies is limited and the age of the inflator is a factor in the risk.

This recall follows a previous recall which was issued in June 2018, and which listed the following models from the years 2009-2013.

• 2009-California
• 2010-California and 458 Italia
• 2011-California and 458 Italia
• 2012-458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF and California
• 2013-458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, F12berlinetta and California

The Solution

Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current front passenger airbag assembly which includes a PSPI-2 inflator, with an airbag assembly including a new non-ammonium nitrate inflator free of charge. Any customers who already incurred a cost associated with repair of this defect can send the original receipt and/or other adequate proof of payment to the company for reimbursement. The recall is expected to begin March 9, 2019.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 11,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 9,900 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesFerrari Adds More Than 11,000 Vehicles to the Takata Air Bags Recall List
BMW Recalls More Than 80,000 2007-2013 Vehicles Due to Takata Airbags

BMW Recalls More Than 80,000 2007-2013 Vehicles Due to Takata Airbags

February 25, 2019 Sean Reyes ,

Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey – February 25, 2019 – BMW of North America, LLC (OTCMKTS:BMWYY) is recalling 83,016 vehicles as part of the larger Takata airbag recall, which spans decades of vehicles across multiple manufacturers. The recall includes:

  • 2007-2013 BMW X5 xDrive30i
  • 2007-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i
  • 2007-2013 BMW X5 xDrive48i
  • 2007-2013 BMW X5 xDrive50i
  • 2007-2013 BMW X5 M vehicles
  • 2008-2014 BMW X6 xDrive35i
  • 2008-2014 BMW X6 xDrive50i
  • 2008-2014 BMW X6 M vehicles
  • 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d
  • 2010-2011 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid

The Defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles are equipped with specific Takata-manufactured air bag inflators as part of their passenger frontal air bag modules. These non-desiccated propellant filled inflator types may have been original equipment or used as replacements.

Due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling, these inflators can become unstable and may explode in the event of a crash that triggers the deployment of the passenger frontal air bag. In the case of an inflator explosion, sharp metal fragments can fly out of the inflator, striking the driver or other occupants and potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Timeline of Events

Based upon Takata DIRs that were filed with the NHTSA Jan. 2, 2019, BMW vehicle assembly records were subsequently reviewed to determine what an appropriate potentially affected vehicle population would be, and made the following determination based on recall component differentiation to non-recall component: The recalled component contains a specific non-desiccated ammonium nitrate as the gas generator but the newer remedy part does not.

Propellant wafers in some of the subject inflators degrade over time, which could potentially lead to a violent explosion with flying metal shards in the event of air bag deployment. The potential for such an event occurs in some of the subject inflators after several years of exposure to persistent conditions of high absolute humidity or temperature.

Other factors, such as specific vehicle environment, the inflator and propellant configuration, and manufacturing variability, can also influence the likelihood of an event. Vehicles from southern and coastal areas of the U.S. appear to be more likely to have experienced this degradation. In the face of the latest information from Takata, BMW voluntarily choose to conduct a safety recall to replace the frontal air bags on the affected vehicles. This decision came to pass solely on the basis of information provided by Takata. BMW is unaware of any injuries arising from this issue at the time of the report.

The Solution

Recall notification to owners is planned to begin and end March 4, 2019. The passenger’s front air bag module will be replaced. Owners will be notified by first class mail and instructed to take their vehicle to an authorized BMW center to have the remedy performed for free. Owners who have replaced the air bag module at their own expense prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement according to the automaker’s reimbursement plan.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 83,000 vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date information was available – 64,623 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Sean ReyesBMW Recalls More Than 80,000 2007-2013 Vehicles Due to Takata Airbags
Chrysler adds nearly 1.5 million more vehicles to Takata recall list

Chrysler adds nearly 1.5 million more vehicles to Takata recall list

February 25, 2019 Sean Reyes , , , ,

Auburn Hills, MI – February 25, 2019 – Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU) is recalling 1,413,222 vehicles whose front passenger airbag may explode while deploying, injuring or killing the passenger and other people in the vehicle with metal shrapnel.

The recall includes:

  • 2010 Ram 3500
  • 2010 Ram 4500
  • 2010 Ram 5500
  • 2010 – 2011 Dodge Dakota
  • 2010 – 2014 Dodge Challenger
  • 2010-2015 Dodge Charger
  • 2010 – 2015 Chrysler 300
  • 2010 – 2016 Jeep Wrangler 

The defect

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Safety Report regarding this matter, Takata’s non-desiccated front passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant were installed in certain 2010 MY Dodge Ram 3500 vehicles and have not been addressed by prior recalls. These systems may experience propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high levels of heat, absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

The triggering of a non-desiccated PSAN inflator with degraded propellant, in a vehicle crash where the air bag would naturally deploy, may result in an inflator rupture. That, in turn, might cause metal fragments to pass through the air bag and into the vehicle interior at high speed, potentially injuring or even killing vehicle occupants.

Timeline of events

According to the chronology submitted to the NHTSA, in June 2014, the department’s Office of Defects Investigation opened a case based on six inflator rupture incidents involving vehicles produced by five manufacturers. All six cars were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their product lifecycle, and were equipped with Takata inflators. ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators as Takata’s testing of the passenger inflators to date continued to indicate hot and humid area as having the highest risk, but in light of eight more field incidents, the recall was expanded nationally.

On May 4, 2016, NHTSA expanded the scope of the original recalls to include additional vehicles built with non-desiccated PSAN air bag inflators. On May 16, 2016, Takata submitted a 573 Defect Information Report to NHTSA stating that the front programmable smokeless passenger inflator and non-desiccated air bag inflator could contain a safety defect. Since most of the inflator ruptures are associated with long-term PSAN propellant degradation (caused by years of exposure to temperature fluctuations and intrusion of moisture present in the ambient atmosphere), recall populations have occurred in segments with the oldest vehicles from hot and humid locations recalled first.

The solution

Chrysler is issuing a recall on all affected vehicles. The recall began February 4, 2019, and owners should be contacted on or around February 28. Owners who incurred the cost of repairing a problem may send adequate proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense and a subsequent refund. Also, the automaker’s dealers will replace the defective non-desiccated passenger frontal air bag inflator desiccated PSAN inflator or GUNI inflator free of charge.

Is your vehicle part of the recall?

Over 1.4 million vehicles were originally part of this recall. As of April 9, 2021 – the last date for which information was available – 958,175 airbags had been replaced. To see if your car still needs to be repaired, use MotorSafety’s free lookup tool.

Note: June 14, 2021

We have noticed a large number of readers are interested in this recall. For that reason, we have added the last section where drivers can check if their vehicle is part of this recall and included the recall completion rate. The article has also been updated to reflect the latest editorial standards.

Sean ReyesChrysler adds nearly 1.5 million more vehicles to Takata recall list
Tesla Recalls Certain Model S Vehicles as Part of Takata Air Bag Recall

Tesla Recalls Certain Model S Vehicles as Part of Takata Air Bag Recall

January 27, 2019 Sean Reyes ,

 

Laguna Hills, Calif. – January 27, 2019 – Tesla is recalling close to 14,000 Model S vehicles as part of the global Takata air bag recall. Affected vehicles are part of a worldwide recall that impacted millions of vehicles from different manufacturers. The recall involves Model S cars manufactured between February 2014 and December 2016, according to TechCrunch, but does not affect the Roadster, Model X, Model 3, or later Model S vehicles.

The Defect

The Takata air bag inflators in question contain a propellant material that can decompose over time, leading to risk of explosion on impact and flying shards of debris. The explosion of an air bag and resulting impact of debris could cause serious injury or death to a driver or passenger. The recall has been ongoing and is taking place worldwide.

Timeline of Events

According to Tesla, the company has been adhering to a schedule previously determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall of the front passenger air bags in 2012 Model S vehicles, which began in January 2017, has now been extended to 2013 Model S vehicles in January 2018, and is also being extended to 2014-2016 Model S vehicles in January 2019.

Tesla remedied nearly 90 percent of all affected 2012 and 2013 Model S vehicles within one year after announcing its recall, and is now moving on to address the 2014-2016 models. Tesla has stated that owners do not need to be concerned if they have not been contacted yet: There is a schedule set in place for notifications to keep repairs moving smoothly, and most vehicles are not in the range of danger yet, as the air bags only become dangerous after a certain amount of time has passed since their manufacture.

The Solution

Tesla is currently continuing to contact customers to complete their air bag replacements. Owners of 2012-2013 Model S vehicles who have not yet received this replacement should schedule a service appointment. For 2014-2016 Model S, replacement parts are expected to be available by the spring of 2019, and Tesla will contact owners when the parts are ready.

Tesla is encouraging the use of their Mobile Service for customers to have the airbag replaced in the convenience of their home, office or other location. 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.

Sean ReyesTesla Recalls Certain Model S Vehicles as Part of Takata Air Bag Recall
Recall Lookup
Enter your vehicle(s) below to check the current recall status.

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories