Feb. 3, 2017—BMW is recalling over 230,000 cars and SUVs in the U.S. that may have faulty Takata air bag inflators.
BMW stated the vehicles may have had a driver's air bag replaced with a Takata inflator after a crash. The vehicles originally were built with inflators made by another company.
The recall covers certain 3 series cars from 2000 to 2002, some 5 series cars from 2001 to 2002, and some X5 SUVs from 2001 to 2003.
Takata inflators can explode with too much force and spew shrapnel into drivers and passengers. At least 16 deaths and more than 180 injuries have been blamed on the problem worldwide. In the U.S. 19 automakers are recalling 69 million inflators in what has become the largest automotive recall in the nation's history.