Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- Component
- Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- Manufacturer
- BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
- Vehicles affected
- 225
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2007-04-25
- Owners notified
- 2007-05-21
Defect description
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A SENSING SYSTEM TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THIS SENSING IS PROGRAMMED TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A SMALL ADULT OR CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT SEATS. PLACING CERTAIN CHILD SEATS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS DESIGNED TO RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG.
Safety risk
IN SOME CASES, THE SENSING SYSTEM MAY MISINTERPRET A PROPERLY SEATED SMALL ADULT AS ONE OF THESE SPECIFIC CHILD SEATS, RESULTING IN DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN THE AIR BAG MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE ADULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.