Driver’s Front Air Bag Module Safety Recall 17V-495 – 2012-2013 BMW

NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V495
Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC
Components AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected 6,785

 

Incorrectly Welded Driver Air Bag Inflator

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver’s frontal air bag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

 

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, and M6 Convertible vehicles and 2013 M6 Coupe vehicles.

The affected vehicles have a driver’s frontal air bag inflator that may have been improperly welded.

 

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver’s front air bag module, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 9, 2017.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your BMW has a Recall

 

---

RECALL 17V-495: REPLACE DRIVER’S AIR BAG MODULE (PSDI-X) EXPANSION

New information provided by this revision is preceded by this symbol .

 

MODEL

F25 (X3)

F12 (M6 Convertible)

F13 (M6 Coupe)

 

SITUATION

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective August 16, 2017) on Model Year 2011-2013 BMW X3 and M6 vehicles involving the driver’s air bag module (PSDI-X). Due to a supplier production error, inflators were incorrectly welded. This issue is related to supplier production and not propellant.

Approximately 3,365 vehicles have been added to recall 17V-495 that was announced August 8, 2017. Total approximate number of vehicles affected is now 6,775.

This new recall is an extension to the previous recall 16V-683.

Vehicles in dealer inventory are affected by this recall/stop. Vehicles which are affected will show the campaign as “Open” when checked either in AIR or ISPA Next. Once the Warranty Vehicle Inquiry system is updated on Thursday, August 17, 2017, it will display the same information. The affected vehicles will be identified with the comment: 0032560200 B320517 Recall: Do not retail or deliver.

This bulletin will be updated with repair instructions, parts and warranty information when it becomes available.

Q&A has been attached for further information.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

 

ATTACHMENTS

View PDF attachment B320517 Recall Noticev2.

View PDF attachment 17V-495-Driver’s_Air_Bag_PSDIX_QA_16August2017_final.

 

---

SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

To:  All Center Operators, Sales Managers, Service Manager, Parts Manager and Warranty Processor

RE: Recall 17V-XXX: Replace Driver’s Air Bag Module B32 05 17

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective August 16, 2017) on Model Year 2011-2013 BMW X3 and M6 vehicles involving the driver’s air bag module (PSDI-X).

Owners will be notified by First Class mail about the Recall and will be instructed to bring their vehicles in for a free repair when parts are available.

 

Please be reminded that it is a violation of federal law (The Safety Act) for you to sell, lease or deliver any new motor vehicle covered by this notification until the recall repair has been performed.  This means that centers may not legally deliver new motor vehicles to consumers until they are fixed or use/sell replacement equipment/parts subject to this recall.  Note also that substantial civil penalties apply to violations of the Safety Act. 

 

Also, you should not sell, lease or deliver any Certified Pre-Owned or used vehicles subject to a safety recall until the repair is completed. 

 

Please follow any special instructions that we provide to you for the return or disposition of recall parts.

  

We appreciate all your assistance with this Recall.

---

BMW X3 SAV & M6
Model Year 2011-2013
Driver’s Front Air Bag Module
Safety Recall 17V-495
Last updated: 08/16/2017

 

Q1.	Which models are included in this Safety Recall Campaign? Included are approximately 6,775 vehicles. The approximate volumes and production dates are noted below. Series Model Model Year Approx. Volume Production Dates F12 M6 Convertible 2012-2013 101 5/14/2012-7/25/2012 F13 M6 Coupe 2013 44 7/02/2012-11/23/2012 F25 X3 SAV 2011-2013 6,630 7/22/2011-4/20/2012
Q2.	This sounds familiar.  Was there a similar recall before? Yes.  In 2016, approximately 3,606 X5 SAV vehicles were recalled.
Q3.	Which inflator is affected? This recall involves the Takata PSDI-X inflator.
Q4.	What is the specific concern? Takata believes that a manufacturing error occurred whereby the inflator housing may have been incorrectly welded.
Q5.	Is this related to high absolute humidity like the other Takata recalls? No.  This is a supplier manufacturing error.
Q6.	How will by vehicle be repaired? The driver’s front air bag module will be replaced.
Q7.	How long will the repair take? This repair will take approximately one hour; however, additional time may be required depending upon your BMW center’s schedule. The free repair will be performed by your authorized BMW center.
Q8.	When are the repair parts expected to be available? We are currently working on securing parts as quickly as possible.
Q9.	Do I have to wait for my letter in order to have my vehicle serviced? Yes.  BMW is in the process of implementing this program to ensure that the necessary parts, tools and procedures are available to its authorized BMW centers, prior to instructing you to take your vehicle in for repair.
Q10.	Why are other X3 and M6 vehicles not included? Only a specific production period is believed to be affected by these improperly manufactured inflators.
Q11.	Why is the passenger’s front air bag not affected?             The passenger front air bag has a different type of inflator.
Q12.	How are the replacement parts different? The replacement parts were produced during a different manufacturing period.
Q13.	What can happen as a result of this issue? If the inflator housing was incorrectly welded, then it could separate from the base plate during an air bag deployment.  This could result in metal and other debris passing through the air bag cushion material.  This may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants.
Q14.	Is it possible to find out whether the problem exists in my car?  No.
Q15.	How did BMW become aware of this issue? BMW became aware of this issue through its quality review procedures.
Q16.	Is BMW aware of any accidents or injuries involving BMW vehicles associated with this campaign? No.
Q17.	Can I continue to drive my vehicle? Yes. Vehicles equipped with air bags, save lives and reduce injuries. The vast majority of Takata air bags will perform as expected. When you are notified of this recall and receive a letter asking you to have this service performed by an authorized BMW center, please do so as soon as possible. If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers of this important information.
Q18.	How will I be informed of this Safety Recall? You will receive a letter in October 2017 via First Class mail advising you of this recall.  At that time, you should immediately schedule an appointment with an authorized BMW center to have this recall performed.  You can locate your nearest authorized BMW center at www.bmwusa.com/dealers.
Q19.	I did not receive a letter from BMW regarding my vehicle. How can I find out if my BMW is included in this recall? You can check for open recalls by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN) at www.bmwusa.com/recall and download a sample owner notification letter and Q&A if your VIN is affected.  You can also call or visit your local BMW center’s service department to determine if your BMW is affected.
Q20.	How do I update the vehicle ownership information? To ensure BMW has your most recent contact and vehicle information, please register your vehicle at www.bmwusa.com/myBMW.  Registration is free, and will give you access to factory initiated campaigns and other information specific to your BMW.
Q21.	Will my BMW center deactivate my frontal air bag until it is replaced? No. NHTSA estimates that frontal air bags saved 2,400 lives in 2014 alone. It is far more likely that if you are involved in a crash that your air bag will perform properly and protect you than it will rupture and cause harm.
Q22.	Am I eligible for reimbursement under the TREAD Act if I previously replaced my driver’s front air bag module?In this particular recall, reimbursement is likely not applicable, as you would typically have replaced your frontal air bag module as a result of an accident.  In that situation, most likely your insurance company paid for the repair. However, in the very unusual (unlikely) scenario that you previously paid to replace the front air bag module “out-ofpocket” upon learning of this possible defect, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Additional information will be provided when BMW mails the letter asking you to make an appointment with an authorized BMW center.

 

---

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCMN-17V495-5883.pdf

 

---

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCAK-17V495-8718.pdf

 

---

Last update on 2026-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

---

 

This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.