BMW: 328I: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
| NHTSA Campaign Number: | 02V223000 |
| Vehicle/Equipment Make: | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| Vehicle/Equipment Model: | 328I |
| Model Year: | 2000 |
| Manufacturer Campaign Number: | E46 |
| Manufacturer Component Description: | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW |
| Manufacturers Involved in Recall: | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| Manufacturered: | 19990408 - 19990831 |
| Type of Report: | V (Vehicle, Equipment or Tire) |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: | 20500 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: | 20021025 |
| Recall Initiated By: | ODI |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| Report Received Date: | 20020809 |
| Record Creation Date: | 20020814 |
Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN 4-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM COULD DEPLOY IN CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS WHEN CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEEDS.
Consequence Summary:
THIS COULD CAUSE THE SIDE AIR BAG AND HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM TO DEPLOY WITHOUT AN ACTUAL SIDE CRASH OR IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE SIGNIFICANT VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THE OCCUPANT'S HEAD IS RESTING NEAR THE SIDE AIR BAG.
Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE CENTRAL AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH A NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 25, 2002. 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.
Notes:
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).