The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS. IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH.
The risk
IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW X5 | 2002 |
| BMW Z4 | 2003 |
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 | 2002 | 102 | 3 |
| BMW Z4 | 2003 | 414 | 4 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2003
17 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the seat belts; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE filed 145 campaigns in all.
| 03V534000 19 Dec 2003 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 03V515000 15 Dec 2003 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
| 03V506000 9 Dec 2003 | STARCRAFT BUS AND MOBILITY |
| 03V507000 5 Dec 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 03V391000 10 Oct 2003 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 03V362000 8 Oct 2003 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 03V365000 3 Oct 2003 | GIRARDIN MINIBUS INC. |
| 03V333000 8 Sept 2003 | AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003