Consumer Alert: BMW Upgrades Takata Recall to “Do Not Drive” Warning, Targeting Older, Most Dangerous Air Bags

BMW has issued a “Do Not Drive” warning today for 90,000 vehicles built between 2000 and 2006 that are already under recall for a defective Takata air bag. Owners of these vehicles should park them immediately and contact BMW for more information. 

If you own one of these vehicles and still have an open Takata air bag recall, do not drive it until this urgent, lifesaving recall has been completed. Replacement parts are available now for free for this recall. Check your vehicle for recalls here.

These vehicles are 17 to 22 years old, and the risk to vehicle occupants is dire. These are some of the oldest Takata air bags under recall and have an extremely high probability of failure during a crash. If the inflators rupture, the metal fragments ejected toward the driver’s face could kill or leave them with devastating, life-altering injuries.

“If you have a model year 2000-2006 BMW with a recalled Takata air bag, get it repaired immediately – for free. These inflators are two decades old now and, with every day that passes, they become even more dangerous as they can rupture even in a minor crash,” NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman said.

Replacement parts are available now for free for this recall. NHTSA urges vehicle owners to immediately check to see if their vehicle has an open Takata air bag recall. If it does, owners need to contact their dealership or BMW customer service to schedule a FREE repair as soon as possible, as well as free towing or mobile repair. 

Models involved in this recall include: 2000-2006 BMW 3 Series (E46) including M3, 2000-2003 5 Series (E39) including M5, and 2000-2004 X5s (E53) equipped with certain driver’s front airbag inflators manufactured by Takata. 

To learn if your vehicle requires repair right now, you may: 

• Visit www.bmwusa.com/recall.
• Call BMW Customer Relations Recall Services at 1-866-835-8615.
• Contact your preferred BMW service center. Do not drive your vehicle—BMW will come to you. 

For more information on the Takata air bag safety recall, please click here.

How to Check for Recalls

• Use NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool to check your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for any open safety recalls, including the urgent Takata recall.
• Download our SaferCar app and let it check automatically for you. 
• If your vehicle does have a safety recall, call your automaker’s local dealer to schedule the free recall repair. 
• Sign up at NHTSA.gov/Alerts to be notified by email if your vehicle is affected by a future recall.

If you think your vehicle may have a safety defect that isn’t part of a current recall, contact NHTSA online or by calling the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. For more information, visit NHTSA.gov/Recalls.