E39 Airbag Recall
Discussion
Hey all,
A BMW recall notice just dropped on my door mat regarding the drivers' airbag on my 2003 E39 Champagne II. Obviously related to the well documented Takata manufacturing defect. I had a similar recall notice about 2 years ago on my E46 and had the recall done.
Two questions, if you can help answer?
1. How come it has taken so long for the E39 recall to come through? Did a previous owner ignore the notification and this is BMW just being diligent contacting new owners?
2. Do you know if the airbag will definitely be replaced? I've heard the issue only affects a small number of airbag modules - it seems like a lot of hassle if they're not going to replace the airbag. Has anybody been recalled but not had the airbag replaced?
A BMW recall notice just dropped on my door mat regarding the drivers' airbag on my 2003 E39 Champagne II. Obviously related to the well documented Takata manufacturing defect. I had a similar recall notice about 2 years ago on my E46 and had the recall done.
Two questions, if you can help answer?
1. How come it has taken so long for the E39 recall to come through? Did a previous owner ignore the notification and this is BMW just being diligent contacting new owners?
2. Do you know if the airbag will definitely be replaced? I've heard the issue only affects a small number of airbag modules - it seems like a lot of hassle if they're not going to replace the airbag. Has anybody been recalled but not had the airbag replaced?
I got a recall letter for my (MY2001) E39 M5 yesterday. Was a little surprised because when I checked last year my M5 wasn't one of those included in the original recall. The only reason I can think of to explain this is that the DVSA & BMW have tightened or changed the recall criteria thereby widening the recall net.
My (MY2000) E39 530d hasn't had a recall for airbags (yet) but I guess a different airbag supplier or iteration of airbag may have been fitted.
The M5 is booked in at my local dealer for the airbag work. My recall letter states that the airbag will be 'checked and if necessary replaced'. Apparently, prolonged exposure to high humidity can cause the gas generator to malfunction so I guess mine will be checked for evidence of this on the relevant part and replaced if found to be affected. My guess is that cars that have been stored (in less than ideal conditions) and not driven much will be worse affected by the humidity issue than 'daily drivers'.
My (MY2000) E39 530d hasn't had a recall for airbags (yet) but I guess a different airbag supplier or iteration of airbag may have been fitted.
The M5 is booked in at my local dealer for the airbag work. My recall letter states that the airbag will be 'checked and if necessary replaced'. Apparently, prolonged exposure to high humidity can cause the gas generator to malfunction so I guess mine will be checked for evidence of this on the relevant part and replaced if found to be affected. My guess is that cars that have been stored (in less than ideal conditions) and not driven much will be worse affected by the humidity issue than 'daily drivers'.
It's not just the E39 but all BMWs of that era with the Takata airbag.
My E46 M3 had to go in at the following times:
-Feb 2014 : Passenger airbag recall
-November 2016 : Driver's airbag recall.
I think my E46 was one of the first cars to have the airbag swapped out at my dealership : I've since seen a few other E46s there.
The entire unit was replaced. I had to clean the steering wheel to make the airbag blend in!
My E46 M3 had to go in at the following times:
-Feb 2014 : Passenger airbag recall
-November 2016 : Driver's airbag recall.
I think my E46 was one of the first cars to have the airbag swapped out at my dealership : I've since seen a few other E46s there.
The entire unit was replaced. I had to clean the steering wheel to make the airbag blend in!
This has happened with a lot of manufacturers cars, not just BMW - The initial recall was only thought to affect a limited number of models from each manufacturer, but later on it was found that other models were also at risk.
In BMW's case, initially it was thought that only the E46 was involved, and that it was only the passenger side airbag. Then it became apparent that the drivers side airbag could also be at risk, and so a second recall was sent out to check, and where necessary, replace the drivers airbag.
Later on it became apparent that more BMW models were possibly at risk and so BMW started issuing recalls on other models.
In BMW's case, initially it was thought that only the E46 was involved, and that it was only the passenger side airbag. Then it became apparent that the drivers side airbag could also be at risk, and so a second recall was sent out to check, and where necessary, replace the drivers airbag.
Later on it became apparent that more BMW models were possibly at risk and so BMW started issuing recalls on other models.
minimods said:
Thanks guys.
It appears that they've expanded the scope of the recall to cover E39.
Once you get yours replaced please post back with your experience. I'll call up on Monday to get mine booked in!
Had mine done yesterday - they check the number against the affected batch, and if it's affected, they will replace the airbag unit. Mine was one of the affected batch and so was replaced. It must have taken them 15/20 mins, although I went out in the new 530d (amazing BTW) so not sure how long exactly. It appears that they've expanded the scope of the recall to cover E39.
Once you get yours replaced please post back with your experience. I'll call up on Monday to get mine booked in!
I received the recall notice for my E46 at the start of last year for the driver's side, and then via direct dealer contact this year for the passenger side one, which was done in April. As stated this manufacturer makes something like a third of all the airbags in the world, so replacing them all is not the work of even a few months, but I also understand that BMW has actually been one of the better manufacturers out there in terms of calling the cars in and getting the replacements fitted.
Collectingbrass said:
Is there a list of affected models anywhere, or part numbers?
https://www.gov.uk/check-if-a-vehicle-has-been-recalledhttp://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/e...
Need to get my 2003 530i sorted according to that, although I haven't had a letter from BMW about it.
My other car is a 2013 Honda Jazz, which has exactly the same recall on it for the Takata drivers airbag. so need to find time to get that sorted out too, not easy with a 2 year old and a 6 week old to take care of.
Just a quick update, I had the airbag recall the Friday before last. The airbag was completely replaced and they gave the car a once over and clean. Really good service from BMW. I'm glad they still treat the older cars with respect and (hopefully) realise the drivers are enthusiasts and often drive these cars not because they can't afford something newer, but because they like the older generation cars.
While I was waiting I looked over some of the cars in the showroom. Does anybody else think that the interiors on the new models have gone downhill, some of the plastics were awful, no lovely leather and wood like the E39
OK, the tech was miles better but I obviously don't need any of that.
While I was waiting I looked over some of the cars in the showroom. Does anybody else think that the interiors on the new models have gone downhill, some of the plastics were awful, no lovely leather and wood like the E39
OK, the tech was miles better but I obviously don't need any of that.minimods said:
Just a quick update, I had the airbag recall the Friday before last. The airbag was completely replaced and they gave the car a once over and clean. Really good service from BMW. I'm glad they still treat the older cars with respect and (hopefully) realise the drivers are enthusiasts and often drive these cars not because they can't afford something newer, but because they like the older generation cars.
While I was waiting I looked over some of the cars in the showroom. Does anybody else think that the interiors on the new models have gone downhill, some of the plastics were awful, no lovely leather and wood like the E39 OK, the tech was miles better but I obviously don't need any of that.
Good to hear you had a positive experience OP - I took my 2002 E46 325ti for the airbag recall a year or so ago and got great service! While I was waiting I looked over some of the cars in the showroom. Does anybody else think that the interiors on the new models have gone downhill, some of the plastics were awful, no lovely leather and wood like the E39
OK, the tech was miles better but I obviously don't need any of that.Sadly the Sytner dealership I used has it's service department in a different location to the showroom so I couldn't mooch around current models, but I can see why tech is the new leather and wood!
(Even if not for me)!Still they had a few Rollers in there - I went to a PH SS at the RR factory in Goodwood a year or two ago and they are wonderful! Plenty of leather and wood too (or whatever the customer wants)!
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