The defect
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, FRONT SEAT CENTER, FOLD-DOWN ARM REST MAY CONTACT THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RELEASE BUTTON AND PREVENTING THE BELT TONGUE FROM LATCHING WHEN BUCKLING UP.
The risk
OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND COULD BE INJURED IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
The remedy
REPLACE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH SHORTER VERSION THAT WILL NOT CONTACT THE ARMRESTS. NOTE: OWNER NOTIFICATION DATE; 2/90 IS PREPARED IN DRAFT FORM.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 525 | 1989, 1990 |
| BMW 535 | 1989, 1990 |
| BMW 735 | 1988, 1989, 1990 |
| BMW 750 | 1988, 1989, 1990 |
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 525 | 1989 | 3 | 3 |
| BMW 525 | 1990 | 7 | 2 |
| BMW 535 | 1989 | 7 | 2 |
| BMW 535 | 1990 | 4 | 2 |
| BMW 735 | 1988 | 8 | 2 |
| BMW 735 | 1989 | 1 | 2 |
| BMW 735 | 1990 | 3 | 2 |
| BMW 750 | 1988 | 2 | 3 |
| BMW 750 | 1989 | 5 | 2 |
| BMW 750 | 1990 | 2 | 1 |
Other seat belts recalls in 1990
24 of the 208 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1990 concerned the seat belts; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE filed 145 campaigns in all.
| 90V203000 14 Dec 1990 | FLXIBLE CORPORATION |
| 90V181000 15 Oct 1990 | STARCRAFT COMPANY |
| 90V175000 4 Oct 1990 | THOMAS BUILT BUSES, INC. |
| 90V170000 17 Sept 1990 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 90V152000 28 Aug 1990 | MOLONEY COACH BUILDERS |
| 90V137000 18 Jul 1990 | MARK III INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 90V125000 6 Jul 1990 | EXCALIBUR AUTO CORP. |
| 90V116000 12 Jun 1990 | RV IND., INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1990