German automaker BMW is currently recalling over 390,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to defective airbag inflators that may explode upon deployment, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Wednesday. The affected vehicles include certain BMW 3 Series Sedans and Sportwagon models that were manufactured between 2006 and 2012.
The issue stems from the presence of a steering wheel with a Takata PSDI-5 airbag inflator that was installed by owners after purchase, despite not being officially approved by BMW as a replacement part. The NHTSA highlighted that the PSDI-5 inflator is prone to rupture after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
The faulty airbag inflators were manufactured by Japanese automotive parts maker Takata, which faced bankruptcy in 2017 following widespread recalls. The Takata airbag inflators have been linked to over 30 deaths, including at least 26 in the U.S., and hundreds of injuries across various automakers since 2009. In response, more than 100 million vehicles worldwide have been recalled over the past decade due to this issue.
This latest BMW recall adds to the ongoing challenges faced by the automotive industry in addressing safety concerns related to airbag inflators. Previously, BMW issued a "do not drive" warning for 90,000 older model vehicles in the U.S. in May 2023, which included certain BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, and X5 models with Takata airbags.
Overall, the safety implications of the defective airbag inflators are significant, as they could potentially cause injury or death to the driver and occupants of the affected vehicles. Reuters contributed to the reporting of this issue.