Safety Recall 18V-030 – Passenger’s Front Air Bag Module – 2007-2013 BMW X5 & 2009-2013 X6

January 9, 2018

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V030

Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 41,808

 

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or “Zone A.”

BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2010 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or “Zone B.”

BMW is also recalling certain 2007-2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xdrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X5 xDrive35d, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or “Zone C.”

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

 

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. 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

 

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TIS Service Bulletin

SI B65 02 18	January 2018
Audio, Navigation, Monitors, Alarms, SRS	Technical Service

 

RECALL 18V-XXX: PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG

MODEL

E70 (X5 incl. M)

E70 (X5 Diesel)

E71 (X6 incl. M)

 

SITUATION

BMW Group is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective January 9, 2018) on Model Year 2007-2013 X5 and X6 SAV vehicles that are equipped with non-desiccated Takata inflators. These vehicles are also affected by an earlier Takata-related recall for the driver’s front air bag (16V-071) and will now need both driver and passenger air bags replaced.

Approximately 41,808 vehicles are affected by this recall. This is an expansion to the previously announced recalls 16V-364 and 17V-020.

Affected vehicles will show the campaign as “Open” when checked either in AIR or ISPA Next. Once the Warranty Vehicle Inquiry system is updated on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, it will display the same information. The affected vehicles will be identified with the comment: 0072930100B650218 Recall: Passenger Air Bag.

The bulletin will be updated with repair, parts and warranty information when it becomes available. The Q&A has been attached for further information.

 

ATTACHMENTS

View PDF attachment 18V-xxx_QA_8Jan2018_Final.

View PDF attachment B650218_Recall_Notice.

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SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

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

RE: Recall 18V-XXX: Passenger’s Front Air Bag B65 02 18

BMW Group is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective January 9, 2018) on Model Year 2007-2013 X5 and X6 SAV vehicles that are equipped with non-desiccated Takata inflators.

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.

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BMW X5 SAV and X6 SAC
Model Year 2007 – 2013
Passenger’s Front Air Bag Module
Safety Recall 18V-xxx
Last updated: 1/8/2018

Q1.	Which models are included in this Safety Recall Campaign?
	Included are approximately 41,641 vehicles, with approximate volumes and production dates as noted below. Series Model Model Year Approx. Volume Production Dates E70 X5 SAV (incl. M) 2007 – 2013 35,746 Sept 2006 – June 2013 E70 X5 SAV (diesel) 2009 – 2010 2,011 Mar 2008 – Mar 2010 E71 X6 SAC (incl. M) 2009 – 2013 3,884 Oct 2008 – Mar 2013
Q2.	Which inflator is affected?
	This recall campaign involves the Takata PSPI-2 inflator.
Q3.	Why are other X5 and X6 vehicles not included?
	The vehicles included in this recall are Model Year 2013 and older for Zone A, Model Year 2010 and older for Zone B, and Model Year 2009 and older for Zone C. See geographic areas by zone in Q13/14 response.  Some X5 and X6 vehicles are already included in recalls 16V-364 and 17V-020 and others will be recalled at a later date per the NHTSA guidelines.
Q4.	What is the fix?
	The passenger’s front air bag module will be replaced.
Q5.	How long will the repair take?
	This FREE repair may take approximately four hours; however, additional time may be required depending upon your BMW center’s schedule.
Q6.	How will I be notified of this recall?
	You will receive a letter in March via First Class mail, advising you of this recall. To ensure BMW of North America, LLC has your most recent contact and vehicle information, please register your vehicle at https://www.bmwusa.com/myBMW . Registration is free, and will give you access to factory initiated campaigns and other information specific to your BMW vehicle.
Q7.	Do I have to wait for my letter to have my vehicle serviced?
	Yes.  We are in the process of implementing this program to ensure that the necessary parts, tools and procedures are available, prior to contacting you to schedule your vehicle to have this safety recall performed.  For the latest updates to this recall, please visit www.bmwusa.com/recall .
Q8.	Will BMW give me a loaner vehicle until a repair part is available?
	If you request a loaner vehicle and replacement parts are not available, BMW has authorized its Centers to assist customers with their alternate transportation needs.
Q9.	Is the driver’s front air bag in my vehicle affected by a 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.
Q10.	Why is this Recall just coming out now, I just had my Drivers Airbag recall performed? The recall schedule is following guidelines published by NHTSA in the May 2016 Takata Recall Amendment.

 

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BMW X5 SAV and X6 SAC
Model Year 2007 – 2013
Passenger’s Front Air Bag Module
Safety Recall 18V-xxx
Last updated: 1/8/2018

General Takata Questions

Q1.	What is the specific concern? Takata’s investigation to date indicates that exposure to certain environmental conditions (several years of exposure to persistent conditions of high absolute humidity) could lead to over-aggressive combustion in the event of air bag deployment.
Q2.	What is desiccant?
	Put simply, desiccant is a substance with properties that enable it to soak up water vapor from the air surrounding it.
Q3.	Why are other BMW models not included?
	Other vehicles have frontal air bags that were produced with different inflators.
Q4.	What can happen as a result of this issue?
	In a crash where air bag system deployment occurs, the air bag inflator housing may rupture. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the air bag cushion material, which may result in injury or death to vehicle occupants.
Q5.	Is it possible to find out whether the problem exists in my car?
	No. There is no way to detect if your BMW might have an air bag inflator potentially at risk of rupturing upon deployment in an accident.
Q6.	How did BMW become aware of this issue?
	BMW became aware of this issue from Takata (the air bag module supplier) and NHTSA.
Q7.	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 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.
Q8.	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 a few different ways. 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.  Make sure to update your contact information by registering at https://www.bmwusa.com/myBMW.
Q9.	What if I am not the current owner of this vehicle?
	You can update your vehicle ownership information by registering at https://www.bmwusa.com/myBMW .
Q10.	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.
Q11.	Am I eligible for reimbursement under the TREAD Act if I previously replaced my passenger’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-of-pocket” 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.
Q12.	I’m not the first owner of this vehicle and am concerned it may have been kept in a high humidity state. What can you tell me?
	Any vehicle that was ever registered in hot and humid area as defined by NHTSA is given priority on the list of customers being notified about this recall.
Q13.	Which states are considered to be high absolute humidity areas?
	Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, Saipan, and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Q14.	What determines the prioritized locations that are associated with the most at-risk vehicles – and what is the average propellant degradation time in each?
	Per the NHTSA website, geographic zones have been established based on the temperature fluctuations and humidity and the exposure time required under those environmental conditions to degrade the propellant to the point where it poses an unreasonable risk to safety. High Absolute Humidity (“HAH”) definitions are as follows:  “HAH” or “A”  Time until unsafe propellant degradation is projected between 6-9 years. “Non-HAH” or “Non-A” Covers vehicles that have not been identified by the vehicle manufacturer as having been originally sold or ever registered in the HAH region. This includes Zones B and C. “B” Time until unsafe propellant degradation is projected between 10-15 years. “C” Time until unsafe propellant degradation is projected between 15-20 years.

 

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12 Affected Products

Vehicles

BMW	X5	2007-2013
BMW	X6	2009-2013

 

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11 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-18V030-1205.pdf 269.869KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-18V030-4013.PDF 216.862KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-18V030-3488.pdf 221.442KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-18V030-0998.pdf 215.56KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-18V030-1660.pdf 891.727KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-18V030-6770.pdf 810.243KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2018-2

RCLQRT-18V030-1218.PDF 214.631KB

 

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Recall 573 Report – AMENDMENT 1

RCLRPT-18V030-7669.PDF 217.919KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2018-3

RCLQRT-18V030-8806.PDF 211.342KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2018-1

RCLQRT-18V030-4364.PDF 214.522KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2018-4

RCLQRT-18V030-8621.PDF 211.451KB

 

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1 Associated Investigation

Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA ID: EA15001
Dated opened: February 24, 2015

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers. All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.

During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers. Nonetheless, at ODI’s insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation. The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures. As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.

Takata’s initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida. Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas. Takata’s testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions. During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.

Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina. Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls. Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity. Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing. All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.

The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time. ODI’s investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.

The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=18V030&docType=RCL

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