Flammable, metal-spewing airbag? BMW to recall 220,000 vehicles worldwide – including M3

By Marcus Amick Published May 7, 2013

BMW now joins the list of carmakers recalling vehicles due to faulty airbags produced by Japanese supplier Takata Corp.

Left Lane news reports that the carmaker is calling back 220,000 vehicles worldwide including all 3-Series sedan, coupe, convertible, and station wagon models from the 2002 to 2003 model years — including the M3.

Recommended Videos

The recall, which includes 42,080 BMW models in the U.S., stems from Takata passenger-side airbags that “are at risk to catch fire or spew metal fragments at passengers during a crash,” reports Left Lane news.

BMW, however, said that no injuries or accidents from the airbags have been reported.

The recalls started last month when Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Mazda announced that they were calling back 3.4 million vehicles worldwide.

BMW is expected to start officially notifying its owners of the recall later this month. Dealerships are expected to start replacing the passenger-side airbag in July, at no charge.

Marcus Amick

Former Contributor

Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…

Cars

BYD Seal 08 makes a splash for under $30K, and It gives the Tesla Model 3 a run for its money

More range, more interior, more spec, for less money than a Tesla Model 3. Just not in the US yet.

The Tesla Model 3 has spent years defining what a premium and functional EV should cost; that’s what we’re used to. However, BYD seems to think that number is way too high.

The Chinese automaker has unveiled a new flagship sedan, the Seal 08, that packs features you don’t normally expect from cars in this segment, blurring the line between affordable and luxury. And after reading its entire spec sheet, it’s actually the price that shakes me the most.

Cars

Tesla launches the six-seat Model Y Long Wheelbase in the US

The stretched electric SUV brings more space, more comfort, and up to 325 miles of range.

Tesla is giving the Model Y a little more breathing room. The company has officially launched the Model Y Long Wheelbase in the United States and Puerto Rico, introducing a stretched version of its best-selling electric SUV with a three-row, six-seat layout that's designed to make family road trips a lot more comfortable.

A bigger Model Y with a focus on comfort

Cars

A stolen Kia reveals the hidden limits of connected car technology

Kia can see where your stolen car is. GDPR means it won't share that in real time. That is the entire problem.

If you’re buying a car with connected car technology, thinking it would help you to recover it in the event of theft, you might want to recalibrate your expectations.

A recent incident in the UK, in which a car owner had three tracking devices installed in his car and still couldn’t recover it, led the carmaker to state that connected-car technology isn’t a “certified security vehicle tracker” (via the BBC).