The defect
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 19, 2011, THROUGH MARCH 18, 2012, THAT HAVE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS THAT EXCEED THE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT LIMIT OF 25MM IN THE HIGHEST POSITION. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202A,"HEAD RESTRAINTS."
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE HEAD RESTRAINT MAY UNEXPECTEDLY MOVE DOWN SLIGHTLY IF IT WAS ADJUSTED TO THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ATTACH A CLAMP TO THE FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT POSTS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series | 2012 |
Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
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 3 Series | 2012 | 7 | 3 |
Other seats recalls in 2012
13 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the seats; BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC filed 89 campaigns in all.
| 12V554000 30 Nov 2012 | Medtec Ambulance Corporation |
| 12V525000 31 Oct 2012 | General Motors LLC |
| 12V509000 18 Oct 2012 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 12V496000 9 Oct 2012 | Braun Corporation |
| 12V328000 12 Jul 2012 | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 12V323000 9 Jul 2012 | VAN HOOL N.V. |
| 12V313000 5 Jul 2012 | PREVOST CARS, INC. |
| 12V138000 2 Apr 2012 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012