Airbag Problems Leads BMW To Stop Sales Of New 7-series In U.S.

DETROIT April 14, 2016; Bernie Woodall writing for Reuters reported that BMW AG is recalling its new flagship 7-series luxury vehicle due to a potential airbag deployment issue, the company said today.

Airbags in 26,000 cars produced before Dec. 11, 2015 may have a defective airbag control module, the company said, adding that there have been no known cases of faulty deployments.

"It is purely a precautionary measure," a BMW spokesman said, adding that so far 47,000 vehicles of its new 7-series vehicles have been produced.

The supplier of the affected air bag parts to BMW was Continental AG.

In a filing posted today on the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW said the recall will affect 6,110 vehicles in the U.S. market.

In the U.S., affected vehicles are from the 2016 model year including 740Li, 750Li, and 750 Lxi.

In Germany, 2,600 cars are impacted and in China 4,700 cars will be recalled, BMW said.

In the U.S., owners will receive letters in May about the recall. The fix, for which customers will not be charged, will take up to four hours at a dealership.

OFFICIAL NHTSA RECALL:
Subject : Air Bags may not Deploy due to Residue on Module

Report Receipt Date: MAR 25, 2016
NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V173000
Component(s): AIR BAGS

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

SUMMARY:

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 740Li, 750Li, and 750Lxi vehicles manufactured July 1, 2015, to December 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may randomly reset due to an electrical short circuit as a result of residual metallic particles from the manufacturing process.

CONSEQUENCE:
In the event of a crash while the air bag module is resetting, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

REMEDY:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.