Do Not Drive Warning Issued for 38K Older BMWs
BMW has warned owners of around 38,000 older vehicles to stop driving them until they can be repaired, Kelley Blue Book reports.
The warning applies to the 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46), including M3; the 2001-2003 BMW 5 Series (E39), including M5; and the 2001-2004 BMW X5.
The reason for the warning comes from a recall of Takata airbags that have not been repaired “despite intense customer outreach efforts since 2016,” BMW said.
Takata airbag recalls have affected vehicles from “34 manufacturers and sold on at least five continents.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has stated that at least 67 million cars in the U.S. contained the part, but it’s estimated around 50 million of them have been repaired, leaving 17 million as a potential threat.
Not only BMW, but other automakers have documented cases of fatalities related to the airbags after owners disregarded recall notices through the mail, e-mail, text messages, and phone calls.
“There are no restrictions whatsoever preventing customers from having the airbag in their vehicle checked and replaced immediately,” BMW has stated. “The parts are available, and the repair costs them nothing.”
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