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Feds Probe BMW Air Bags

September 3, 2002
Following reports of 41 injuries from BMW side air bags deploying without a crash, federal safety regulators are investigating the bags used in more than 200,000 BMW cars sold in the U.S.

BMW has already tried to solve the side air bag problem with two recalls. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says its records indicate 265 complaints of side air bags deploying after cars hit curbs, potholes and other objects. BMW has reported processing 212 warranty claims involving side air bags.

The bags were installed in BMW 3-series vehicles built between April 1999 and April 2001. BMW recalled 20,500 3-series vehicles last month to reprogram the side air bag controllers. Earlier, it recalled 34,000 vehicles built between June 1998 and March 1999 for a similar adjustment.

There have been no reports of serious injuries or deaths associated with the problem. The 41 injuries were mostly cuts and bruises, NHTSA said.

In another air bag inivestigation, NHTSA says it is stepping up its probe into the Kia Rio after reports of one death and 26 injuries linked to air bags failing to deploy in a collision.

NHTSA also announced that Kia Motors was recalling 189,706 Sephia cars and Sportage sport utility vehicles built between 1994 and 1998 to fix seat belts that could "false latch" and come loose in a crash.

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