The defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A SENSING SYSTEM TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. THIS SENSING IS PROGRAMMED TO DETECT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY A SMALL ADULT OR CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT SEATS. PLACING CERTAIN CHILD SEATS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS DESIGNED TO RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG.
The risk
IN SOME CASES, THE SENSING SYSTEM MAY MISINTERPRET A PROPERLY SEATED SMALL ADULT AS ONE OF THESE SPECIFIC CHILD SEATS, RESULTING IN DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN THE AIR BAG MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE ADULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 6 Series | 2007 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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 6 Series | 2007 | 2 | 3 |
Other air bags recalls in 2007
15 of the 587 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2007 concerned the air bags; BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC filed 89 campaigns in all.
| 07V550000 4 Dec 2007 | MASERATI NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 07V549000 3 Dec 2007 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 07V541000 21 Nov 2007 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 07V520000 7 Nov 2007 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 07V500000 26 Oct 2007 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. |
| 07V344000 7 Aug 2007 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 07V240000 13 Jun 2007 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 07V246000 7 Jun 2007 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER MANUFACTURING INTL |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2007