BMW: M3: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
| NHTSA Campaign Number: | 99V063001 |
| Vehicle/Equipment Make: | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| Vehicle/Equipment Model: | M3 |
| Model Year: | 1998 |
| Manufacturer Component Description: | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW |
| Manufacturers Involved in Recall: | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| Manufacturered: | 19970301 - 19990831 |
| Type of Report: | V (Vehicle, Equipment or Tire) |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: | 16749 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: | 20000207 |
| Recall Initiated By: | ODI |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| Report Received Date: | 19991115 |
| Record Creation Date: | 19991118 |
Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Consequence Summary:
THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BST) COULD ALSO ACTIVATE, DISCONNECTING THE STARTER CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN, BUT AFTER STOPPING, COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 7, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).