The company initially limited its campaign to 220,000 vehicles from the 2002-2003 model years. The broader recall now includes 1.6 million 3-Series vehicles produced between May 1999 and August 2006, essentially covering the entire E46 generation.
“Potential problems with gas generators that may rupture in vehicles produced by our competitors using similar systems from the same supplier have become evident in rare cases,” the company said in a statement. “BMW is not aware of a case involving a BMW vehicle.”
The latest expansion is focused on passenger-side airbags that may have been outfitted with Takata’s defective inflators. In several accidents involving Japanese vehicles operated in humid environments, the inflators exploded and caused shrapnel injuries.
BMW suggests service centers should be able to replace the airbags in approximately one hour.
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