The long-running saga of defective Takata airbags continues, as BMW is now recalling 5,361 of its X5 crossover SUVs from model years 2000 through 2021. The recall stems from a potential issue with sport steering wheels that may contain a dangerous Takata PSDI-4 airbag inflator.
The Takata Airbag Crisis: A Quick Recap
For years, millions of vehicles globally were recalled due to Takata airbags that could explode with excessive force, releasing dangerous shrapnel. This catastrophic failure led to numerous injuries and, tragically, several deaths. While the bulk of these recalls have concluded, the risk hasn’t entirely vanished.
Why This Recall Matters
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describes the PSDI-4 inflator as potentially susceptible to explosion during airbag deployment. This risk arises from the propellant inside the inflator, which can degrade over time due to prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature fluctuations. This degradation leads to “overly aggressive combustion,” meaning the airbag could deploy with significantly more force than intended, posing a serious safety hazard.
The US-Specific Issue: Sport Steering Wheels
While Takata airbag problems are well-documented, BMW’s recall focuses on a specific scenario: US customers who may have replaced their standard steering wheel with an optional sport steering wheel. This seemingly minor modification could have inadvertently swapped a safer, ammonium-nitrate-free airbag inflator with the potentially dangerous PSDI-4 inflator.
This highlights a critical point: even seemingly routine repairs or modifications can introduce new safety risks if not carefully managed.
Limited Risk, Heightened Caution
BMW estimates that only about 0.1% of the recalled vehicles are equipped with the faulty Takata PSDI-4 inflator. However, the potential severity of the risk—a sudden and forceful airbag deployment—prompted the automaker to issue a recall as a preventative measure. It’s a demonstration of responsible safety practice to address even a small risk when the consequences could be life-threatening.
What BMW is Doing Globally
Beyond the US recall, BMW revealed that they were already preparing “technical campaigns” for vehicles in other markets, indicating a broader awareness of the continued risk posed by Takata airbags. The discovery of the potential issue in the US was part of this ongoing assessment.
This recall serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of the Takata airbag crisis and the ongoing vigilance needed to ensure vehicle safety. It’s a prudent measure to protect drivers and passengers from a potentially dangerous situation, even when the likelihood of occurrence appears low.
