Investigation RQ99018: 1999 BMW M3

Status

OPEN

Opened

Sep 3, 1999

Closed

—

Model years

1999

Subject

Inadvertant side airbag deployment

Component: Air bags › Side/window

Summary

On march 26, 1999, bmw of north american, inc. Recalled 32,500 1999 323i and 328i manufactured up to april 1999, for inadvertent deployment of the side airbag system in certain non-crash impacts such as contacting large pot holes or curbs at substantial speed.as a remedy, bmw will recode the air bag control module of the affected vehicles with updated software.the recall was a result of an odi safety defect investigation. Odi received 1 consumer complaint of a 1999 model year m3 alleging the driver side door airbag deployed without side impact to the vehicle causing one injury.the complainant's m3 uses the samechassis as the 3-series and was built in march 1999. The purpose of this rq is to determine the adequacy of the scope of the recall.closing note: bmw has decided to conduct a safety recall campaign under safety recall number 99v-063.001.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 1999 BMW M311 complaints