BMW Recalls Thousands of X3 SUV Due to Defective Detection Mats
BMW has recalled thousands of units of its 2006-2010 X3 SUV, reportedly due to their faulty passenger seat occupant detection mats. The giant car company has recently issued a recall for the said car models, including the 2.5i, 3.0i, and xDrive30i variants that were released in the market from Nov. 20, 2005 to Aug. 31, 2010.
Although thousands of car units were ordered for recall, the car company said in a statement that only around nine percent of the total number could actually have the seat and airbag defect, which involves the seat belt warning of the front passenger seat going off when a heavy item is placed on top of the seat.
According to reports, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat of the BMW car models in question tends to disable the airbags when it does not detect a person on the seat. The defect does not only affect the airbags but the seat belt chime as well, and through time, this defect is expected to grow to the point of failing to determine the presence of a human on the passenger seat.
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In government documents released by BMW, the car company said the occupant detection mat of the passenger seat could develop cracks, which might get in the way of electrical signals. As a result, the front airbag would switch off and a warning light would be activated. This mat makes up the system that changes how the airbags inflate when a child occupies the passenger seat.
Since the defect could cause the airbag to not deploy during a crash, BMW has decided to recall the car units. The good news, however, is that occupants will be able to identify the defect ahead of time since this will cause the airbag warning light to illuminate.
BMW is set to replace the seat mats of the defective vehicles free of charge. On the other hand, car owners who have already paid for the needed fix can file for reimbursement with the car company. The recall is expected to begin on Nov. 20.
