The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·16V364000·Announced 2016-05-25

BMW Recalls X5 and X6 Models Due to Air Bag Inflator Rupture Risk

BMW is recalling specific 2007-2011 X5 and X6 models because the passenger air bag inflators may rupture in a crash, potentially causing serious injury or death.

NHTSA safety advisory

Do not drive this vehicle

NHTSA advises owners to stop driving this vehicle until the recall repair has been completed.

This is the agency’s own advisory, not our assessment. Contact the manufacturer or a dealer, and see the official NHTSA notice for the current guidance.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. This aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural vehicle defects involving serious harm potential.

Plain-English summary

BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5, 2008-2011 X6, and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles. The recall applies to vehicles originally sold or registered in specific high-humidity regions, designated as Zone A and Zone B in the official notice. Vehicles not sold or registered in these zones are not subject to this recall.

The defect involves certain passenger frontal air bag inflators that may rupture during deployment due to propellant degradation caused by long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature cycling. If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments may strike vehicle occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module free of charge. The recall began on July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
BMW X5, X6 ACTIVEHYBRID SAC, X6
Brand
BMW
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag Inflator
Hazard
Affected units
97,738

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • X5
  • X6 ACTIVEHYBRID SAC
  • X6

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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