BMW is recalling more than 5,000 X5 SUVs from the 2000 through 2021 model years due to a risk that some vehicles may be equipped with defective Takata airbag inflators.
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Scope of the Recall
The recall covers 5,361 X5 crossovers, some of which may contain Takata PSDI-4 inflators, the same component tied to a global airbag safety crisis. Installed on the driver’s side, these inflators can degrade over time due to prolonged exposure to humidity and temperature fluctuations. When that happens, the airbag can rupture violently during deployment, sending metal fragments into the vehicle cabin instead of inflating normally.
How BMW Identified the Issue
BMW had previously believed its X5 lineup wasn’t affected by the broader Takata recall. However, while preparing service campaigns for other markets, engineers discovered that some U.S. owners had replaced their factory wheels with aftermarket options in a way that inadvertently introduced the affected Takata inflators into their vehicles.
A Small But Serious Risk
BMW says the actual number of affected vehicles containing the defective inflator is likely a small fraction of the total recall population. Even so, the company is proceeding with a full recall given the severity of the Takata defect, which has been linked to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide since the crisis first emerged.
What Owners Should Expect
According to BMW, affected owners will be notified before the holiday season and instructed to bring their vehicle to a BMW dealership, where technicians will inspect the steering wheel airbag module and replace it free of charge if necessary.
A Lingering Risk From an Old Crisis
The recall is a reminder that Takata-related airbag risks can still surface years after the original crisis, particularly in vehicles that have had aftermarket parts installed by previous owners.