BMW says it will recall 42,000 2002–2003 3 Series cars over an airbag problem that prompted five other major automakers to recall 3,400,000 vehicles. However, the recall is precautionary; BMW spokesman Dave Buchko said that the automaker knew of no improper "deployments or injuries related to this issue in any BMW."
The massive recall—blamed on a single faulty part in an air bag built a decade ago in Washington State—is the latest example of the impact of more common parts among major automakers. It's also the latest in a series of high-profile airbag recalls in recent years, according to The Detroit News.
In April, six automakers said they would recall 3.4 million vehicles worldwide, including more than 1 million in the U.S., because air bags from a supplier could catch fire or send metal fragments harming people in the front seat. At the time, BMW didn't say how many or what models it would recall, but said it would take part.
Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co, Mazda Motor Co. and General Motors Co., said they would recall 3.4 million vehicles because of a faulty air bag part produced by Takata, the automakers, said.
Toyota is recalling 1.7 million vehicles worldwide, including 510,000 in the U.S. The vehicles include models from 2001-2003, including the Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, Tundra, Lexus SC 430.
GM said it planned to recall 48,000 2003 Pontiac Vibe cars in the United States - a model assembled at a joint GM-Toyota facility - and up to 7,000 in Canada.
Toyota said its investigation was prompted after learning about a fire in an instrument panel in a crash in October 2011 that involved a faulty inflator in an airbag.
In 2012, the automaker received three reports of fractured inflator parts in U.S. vehicles. Toyota said it believes just 170,000 of the vehicles will need repairs, but all 510,000 will have to be recalled to be inspected.
U.S. auto safety officials are keeping a close eye on the issue.
"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been in communication with Takata and the affected automakers regarding the recalls. The agency will continue to monitor the situation closely and will take appropriate action as warranted," the agency said.
Honda recalled 561,000 vehicles in the U.S.: the 2001-2003 Civic, 2002-2003 CR-V and 2002 Honda Odyssey, while Nissan is recalling 480,000 vehicles worldwide, including about 265,000 in the United States including the 2001-2003 Maxima, Pathfinder Sentra, Infiniti FX crossover and QX4.
Edmunds.com senior analyst Michelle Krebs said the recall shows the impact of automakers using common parts "This recall is an example of one of the downsides of using 'super suppliers' for important vehicle components," she said.
Takata, which has a major presence in southeast Michigan and its headquarters in Auburn Hills, said it is aware of six incidents worldwide - two in Japan and four in the U.S. and said there have been no injuries.
Takata said the problem was primarily caused by a faulty manufacturing process at its Moses Lake, Wash., plant. The machine at issue was modified by at least September 2002. Takata also said some airbag parts may have been exposed to moisture at its plant in Moncolva, Mexico.––Paul Duchene
