BMW owners warned of urgent recall for faulty airbags
A new recall has been issued for BMWs containing potentially lethal Takata airbags.
Once again, Takata airbags are hitting the news. Today a warning has been issued by BMW and the ACCC that 12,000 BMW E46 3 Series cars produced between November 1997 and June 2000 are subject to an urgent voluntary recall.
These cars were discovered to contain faulty Takata airbags, which abnormally deploy upon impact. Abnormal deployment of such airbags could prove fatal and it is suspected that a number of these automobiles are still currently on Australian roads.
This concern comes to light as a result of two recent suspected faulty deployments in Australia, in which the airbag inflators ruptured upon a collision. Ruptured inflators cause high-speed metal fragments to enter the vehicle cabin. The two suspected cases have resulted in one serious injury and one fatality. The police and a number of Australian authorities, including the ACCC, are currently working together on the cases.
"Because of the critical level of risk, the ACCC urges people to stop driving their vehicle immediately and to contact BMW to arrange to have their vehicle inspected as soon as possible," said ACCC Deputy Chair Celia Rickard. "BMW will arrange to tow your vehicle to repair facilities for inspection, or send a mobile technician out to your premises or vehicle's location to inspect the vehicle."
BMW models affected
The following models and car body types are currently under urgent recall:
| Model | Body type |
| 316i | Sedan |
| 318i | Sedan |
| 320i | Sedan |
| 323i | Sedan |
| 325i ( 2 vehicles) | Sedan |
| 328i | Sedan |
| 330i (1 Vehicle) | Sedan |
| 318Ci | Coupe |
| 320Ci | Coupe |
| 323Ci | Coupe |
| 328Ci | Coupe |
| 330Ci (1 vehicle) | Coupe |
What to do if you suspect your car might be affected
If you suspect that your vehicle may be affected, immediately stop driving it and contact your local BMW dealership, or call BMW Australia's Takata Hotline on 1800 243 675 to organise a free vehicle inspection. BMW will either tow your car free of charge to a place of inspection or it will send out a technician directly to your home.
If you're unsure about whether or not your car might be affected, you can visit the BMW recall page to look up your vehicle.
If you own a vehicle that is affected, you'll be reimbursed for alternative transport or a loan or hire car will be arranged until the situation is resolved. There is also the option to discuss your vehicle being purchased back by BMW.
While some situations may be unavoidable, there are a number of measures that you can take to make sure you're purchasing a safer car and that you're insuring your car against potential damage in the future.
