BMW Issues a Do Not Drive Warning

On Friday, May 5, 2023, BMW put a "do not drive" alert on 90,000 sedans and SUVs, notifying owners that their vehicles may have the potentially dangerous Takata airbags installed. As stated on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website, the owners of the BMW vehicles built between 2000 and 2006 have been instructed to park their cars and to contact BMW for more information immediately. As listed on the NHTSA's website, the following vehicle models with the Takata airbags that have been affected by the BMW do not drive notice. 

• 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series
• 2000-2003 5 Series
• 2013 - 2015 X1
• 2007 - 2010 X3
• 2000 - 2004 X5
• 2007 - 2013 X5 
• 2008 - 2014 X6

BMW owners can check if their vehicle is affected by the notice on their recall website or by calling their local BMW service center. Customers who call in and have a recalled or do not drive noticed vehicle are also eligible for a free repair. 

Takata Airbags Continue to Affect Thousands of Vehicles

Over the last few years, there has been recall after recall regarding the Takata airbags. Takata is a Japanese automaker that created the defective airbags. According to the design, the airbags use ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate in a crash; however, the chemical has come to be known to deteriorate over time and need to be replaced since long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause the airbags to explode sending metal fragments ejected toward the driver's face that could leave them with severe injuries or even result in death.

Since 2009, faulty Takata airbags have taken the life of 24 people in the United States and 33 lives worldwide. Takata has been under investigation for its fatal issues as early as 2002, and then in 2017, the company pleaded guilty to criminal charges, paying $1 billion in penalties. Amid the lawsuits, multimillion-dollar fines, and crushing recall costs involving the airbags, Takata was forced to file for bankruptcy. As previously mentioned, the Takata recalls are still being placed all over the world and has become the largest series of auto recalls in US history.

19 Car Manufacturers Recall Their Vehicles Due to Takata Airbags

According to the NHTSA, another issue surrounding the notice and recall is that the problem BMW vehicles are all roughly 17-22 years old, making the risk for the drivers dire. A message on the BMW website has listed off the vehicles that are affected as well as their priority based on the age and region of the car. However, all of the vehicles that are listed are still just at risk of the inflators rupturing. BMW is just the latest in the line of automakers calling for a recall regarding the Takata airbags. 

BMW is just the latest in the line of automakers calling for a recall or sending out "do not drive" alerts regarding the Takata airbags. According to the BMW website, vehicles from 19 different automakers have called for the airbags to be replaced in the driver and passenger seats. In December 2022, Stellantis, an auto manufacturer known for its subsidiaries Chrysler, Dodge, and other popular vehicles, confirmed that an exploding Takata airbag inflator had killed a third driver. They were also able to confirm the other two deaths in the previous month.

Once the news of the deaths broke, Stellantis urged their customers to stop driving their Dodge Magnum wagons, Dodge Challenger, Charger muscle cars, and Chrysler 300 sedans from the 2005-2010 model years. Shortly after, Volkswagen voluntarily recalled roughly 42,000 Beetles in the US and Canada from the 2015 and 2016 model years to replace the defective airbags. Honda also issued a similar warning in February, urging their customers to stop driving the Acura and Honda models from 2001-2003. Ford also issued multiple warnings to its customers and dealers for certain Bronco SUVs, including "do not drive" and to "stop deliveries."

If you believe you are currently in possession of one of the recalled vehicles with the Takata airbags, or if you own one of the vehicles BMW has issued a "do not drive" warning for, we may be able to help you. For more information regarding this case, you can connect with us today.