BMW Has an Airbag Problem
» Posted July 24, 2019 • Resources | Share This Post
BMW wants to take another look at some of its compact cars, thanks to issues with knee airbags.
The German automaker is recalling more than 5,000 vehicles because of a potential problem with the way knee airbags are folded on both the driver and passenger sides of the cars. The safety devices may be damaged, meaning they cannot fully inflate in the event of a crash.
“Affected vehicles were equipped with knee air bag modules that may not have been produced to specifications,” the company said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Specifically, improper folding of the air bags and assembly into the air bag housing could cause the knee airbags to become damaged during air bag deployment. If this were to occur, the knee air bag would not properly inflate.”
The recalled vehicles are from three different production lines: the 2, 3, and 4 series. That includes the 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i, M2 Competition, the 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon, the 2019-2020 430i and 430i xDrive, 440i and 440i xDrive, M4 and the 2020 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i and 440i xDrive.
The problem airbags were supplied by Joyson Safety Systems, according to CNET. Joyson alerted BMW to the problem after testing showed that a certain batch of airbags were damaged when they deployed.
The recall is not the first time that BMW has had to take another look at certain cars because of defects. The company in 2017 recalled roughly 1 million vehicles over concerns about possible electrical fires stemming from a problem in a crankcase ventilation valve heater.
How the Lemon Law Protects Car Buyers, Lessors in California
The BMW recall underscores the kinds of safety risks that defective vehicles pose to drivers, passengers and everyone else on the road. The California lemon law is designed to provide some basic legal protections for certain car buyers and lessors in the Golden State.
The lemon law requires car manufacturers to buy back certain malfunctioning vehicles. It forces the manufacturer to perform certain repairs on cars that are still under warranty and to take them back if those repairs are not successful. The carmaker is obligated to compensate the owner or lessor for the purchase price, financing costs and other related expenses.
The manufacturer is also required to pick up the tab for any legal fees that an owner or lessor incurs in enforcing his or her rights under the California lemon law.
How Our California Lemon Law Attorneys Can Help
If you are a car owner or lessor who has been stuck with a lemon, an experienced California lemon law can help. The California lemon law attorneys at the Bickel Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with an attorney.
