394,000 BMWs recalled; airbag inflator could explode – KIRO 7 News Seattle

2006-2011 3 Series Sedan

• 324i
• 325i
• 325xi
• 328i
• 328xi
• 330i
• 330xi
• 335i
• 335xi

2006-2012 3 Series Sportwagon

2009-2011 3 Series Sedan

A total of 394,029 vehicles were recalled.

The cars may be equipped with a replacement Sport or M-Sport steering wheel that has an inflator that can explode if triggered. The device is a Takata PSDI-5 inflator and is not an approved or officially offered replacement part, the NHTSA reported.

The original inflator, which is not affected by the recall, does not contain ammonium nitrate, according to the federal agency.

“As noted in Section 4 of Takata’s Defect Information Report 16E-005, the propellant in the Takata PSDI-5 inflator may change over time, potentially resulting in overly aggressive combustion in the event of airbag deployment,” NHTSA said in the recall released this week.

Over the past decade, tens of millions of cars with Takata airbags have been recalled after it was discovered that the airbags can explode when deployed by high heat and humidity. The explosions have injured and killed people. The NHTSA has issued several “do not drive” warnings, which you can find here.

Other Takata airbags with azide-free driver gas generators were also recalled starting in 2019.

Regarding the recent recall, dealers will inspect the airbag module free of charge and replace it if necessary.

Drivers whose vehicles have been recalled will receive letters after August 23, or they can contact BMW directly at 800-525-7417.