BMW has issued a brand new security recall for early-production E53 X5 fashions after figuring out that some automobiles could have obtained Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflators as alternative elements. The marketing campaign, filed as NHTSA 25V748000, covers 5,361 models from the 2000 and 2001 mannequin years. All doubtlessly affected automobiles had been constructed between February 19, 1999 and March 31, 2000.
The recall applies to:
- 2000–2001 BMW X5 3.0i
- 2000–2001 BMW X5 4.4i
BMW’s documentation notes that these X5s didn’t initially go away the manufacturing facility with Takata inflators containing ammonium nitrate. As an alternative, the chance comes from alternative sport steering wheel air bag modules that will have been put in throughout service work greater than 20 years in the past. These modules might embrace a PSDI-4 inflator, the identical sort utilized in lots of the earlier Takata remembers.
The issue is familiar by now. Over time, beneath situations of excessive humidity, warmth, and repeated temperature swings, the inflator’s propellant can degrade. If the air bag deploys, the housing can rupture and ship steel fragments into the cabin. It’s the identical failure mode that led to the worldwide Takata disaster, and the identical concern applies right here: an inflator rupture could cause severe damage or dying.
Takata’s inner testing, referenced within the recall submitting, reveals age-related adjustments within the inflator’s traits. Mixed with environmental publicity and regular manufacturing variability, the chance is excessive sufficient that BMW and NHTSA are increasing the earlier marketing campaign (19V015) to incorporate these further automobiles.
BMW will examine the motive force’s air bag and substitute it if a PSDI-4 inflator is current. The restore is free. Proprietor notification letters are scheduled for December 23, 2025, and VINs shall be searchable on NHTSA.gov the identical day. For questions, homeowners can contact BMW customer support at 1-800-525-7417.
For anybody driving an early X5—particularly one geared up with a sport steering wheel—that is value listening to. Many of those automobiles have lengthy service histories, and never each alternative half put in within the early 2000s is well-documented. As soon as the VIN lookup goes stay, homeowners ought to verify whether or not their automobile is a part of the expanded recall.
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