BMW Recalls More than 76,000 Vehicles for Defective Airbags
BMW Recalls More than 76,000 Vehicles for Defective Airbags
BMW has issued an auto defect recall for a wide range of its vehicles from the 2006 and 2007 model years for potential airbag defects. According to a news report in The Washington Post, the recall affects 75,565 BMW vehicles including the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and X5 crossover from the 2006 and 2007 model years fitted with a certain type of seat.
Airbag System Defect
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the occupant detection mats under some front passenger seats may deteriorate over time and crash. This mat determines if and how an airbag system should deploy during a collision. If the mat degrades and malfunctions, it might not deploy, increasing the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
BMW plans to notify owners about this recall in January 2014, but the automaker cautions that the parts needed to make the repairs will not be available until March. When the parts do become available, BMW will send a second notice to owners. Anyone who has questions or concerns is asked to call BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417.
The Danger of Defective Airbags
Airbag systems are getting more and more sophisticated in newer cars. Airbag technology has come a long way in the last two decades. However, the more sophisticated these technologies become, the more room there is for defects and malfunctions. We have come to count on airbags to provide us with that extra layer of protection in the event of a crash. When an airbag fails to deploy as intended, vehicle occupants can suffer traumatic injuries. Occupants even risk suffering fatal injuries. In some vehicles, airbags may deploy inadvertently, causing a crash or injuries to occupants at the time of the deployment.
Auto Product Liability Issues
If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a dangerous or defective auto product, you can file a product liability claim against the automaker and/or product manufacturer. In such cases, it is important that you preserve the vehicle unaltered so that it can be examined by an expert for evidence of malfunctions, defects and design flaws. In such cases, an experienced auto product liability lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families about their legal rights and options.
