BMW Recalls Compact Cars Due to Knee Airbag Issue

BMW has announced that it is pulling out 5,000 compact cars from the market because of problems with the knee airbags.

The brand is set to recall a total of 5,079 vehicles spread across three lines, each with multiple variants and its own separate spread of build dates.

Included in the recall are the 230i and 230i xDrive coupe and convertible, M240i and M240i coupe and convertible, and M2 Competition from the 2019-2020 2 Series; the 330i xDrive Sportswagon from the 2019 3 Series; 430i and 430i xDrive coupe and convertible, 440i and 440 xDrive coupe and convertible, and M4 coupe and convertible from the 2019-2020 4 Series; 430i and 430i xDrive, and 440i and 440i xDrive from the 2020 2 Series Grand Coupe.

The problem comes from the knee airbag modules for both driver and passenger. These modules, which are produced by supplier Joyson Safety Systems, are suspected to have airbags that were improperly folded and assembled into the housing.

As a result, the airbags become damaged during inflation, thereby preventing its full safety benefit and increasing the risk of injury during an accident.

BMW first learned of the problem in April after an in-house test conducted by the supplier determined that some airbags were damaged in deployment. The brand initiated a voluntary recall as soon as it managed to narrow the parts down to a specific batch.

The company also clarified that it is not aware of any injuries or accidents related to the problem with the knee airbags.

To fix the defective parts, dealership technicians will replace one or both knee airbag modules with ones that have correctly folded airbags at no cost to car owners. Those who have already had theirs fixed will also have no problems with reimbursements as the vehicles are still covered under warranties. Owners can expect to receive their recall notifications by mail in July.