In den USA startet BMW einen Rückruf für insgesamt 6.073 Fahrzeuge, betroffen sind der BMW i3 und mehrere MINI-Modelle. Ursache für den vergleichsweise kleinen und von BMW Nordamerika freiwillig durchgeführten Rückruf sind fehlerhafte Airbag-Module auf der Beifahrerseite, wobei die Kunden in diesem Fall zum “Fehler” beitragen müssen.
Nur wenn der Beifahrer nicht angeschnallt ist und es im niedrigen Geschwindigkeitsbereich zu einem Unfall kommt, könnten sich die mehrstufigen Airbags zu schnell entfalten und so unnötig schwere Verletzungen verursachen. Bisher ist BMW USA allerdings kein einziger Fall bekannt, bei dem die nicht hundertprozentig korrekt konfigurierten Airbag-Module tatsächlich zu einer Verletzung geführt hätten.
Konkret ruft BMW 923 zwischen 2014 und 2015 gebaute i3 sowie 5.150 MINI der Baujahre 2014 bis 2016 zurück, bei den britischen Kleinwagen geht es sowohl um Exemplare des dreitürigen Hatch F56 als auch um den MIIN Fünftürer F55. Deutsche Kunden sind nach aktuellem Stand nicht von dem freiwilligen US-Rückruf betroffen.
In den USA äußert sich BMW offiziell wie folgt zur Thematik:
RECALL Subject : Passenger Frontal Air Bag May not Deploy Properly
Report Receipt Date: OCT 07, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V628000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6,073
All Products Associated with this Recall
Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s)
BMW I3 2014-2015
MINI COOPER 2014-2016
MINI COOPER S 2014-2016
MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS 2015-2016
Details
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
SUMMARY:
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper two-door vehicles, 2015-2016 MINI John Cooper Works and MINI Cooper S and MINI Cooper four-door vehicles and 2014-2015 BMW i3 vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the passenger frontal air bag may not deploy properly in a low speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, “Occupant Crash Protection.”
CONSEQUENCE:
In the event of a vehicle crash, an air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury to the front seat passenger.
REMEDY:
MINI and BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 and BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
BMW Statement:
BMW has informed NHTSA of its intention to voluntarily recall approximately 923 BMW i3 vehicles to replace the passenger-side front airbag module.
Due to a supplier error in the manufacturing process, internal components of the air bag inflator were not assembled as specified. In a low speed crash in which the passenger-side front air bag deploys, inappropriate air bag restraint may be provided to the passenger, increasing the risk of injury.
Owners and lessees of affected vehicles will be notified via First Class mail. The passenger-side front air bag module will be replaced free of charge.
The company is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.
Customers with questions should contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
MINI Statement
MINI USA has informed NHTSA that the company will conduct a voluntary non-compliance recall to replace the passenger-side front airbag module on certain Model Year 2014 – 2016 MINI Cooper, Cooper S and John Cooper Works 2 Door and 4 Door Hardtop models.
Due to a supplier error, internal components of the air bag inflator were not assembled as specified. In a low speed crash (out-of-position/low risk deployment) in which the passenger-side front air bag deploys, inappropriate air bag restraint may be provided to the passenger, increasing the risk of injury.
MINI owners and lessees of affected vehicles will be notified of this recall via First Class mail in November. The passenger-side front air bag module will be replaced free of charge.
The company is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue.
Customers with questions should contact MINI USA Customer Relations at 866-ASK-MINI (866-275-6464).