Recall - Occupant Crash Protection Improvement: Overview
GROUP 32Steering
Bulletin Number
32 04 94 (4106)
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
Feb. 1995
Product Engineering
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 32 0494 (4106) dated November 1994, which should be removed from your S.I. binder and discarded. It contains new repair procedures and work packages for cars produced 9/92 - 11/92, as well as other repair procedure clarifications.
SUBJECT:
Recall Campaign 94V-151
MODELS:
1993 and 1994 318i, 318iA, 318is, 318isA
{For information on other 3 Series models, please refer to S.I. 32 03 94 (4074).}
Situation:
BMW has determined that certain 1993-94 model year 3 Series automobiles fail to conform fully to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208.
BMW has found that, in vehicle crash testing involving a 30 mph frontal impact with a fixed, rigid barrier, the unbelted driver dummy may experience a chest load and the unbelted passenger dummy may experience a left femur load that exceeds FMVSS 208 limits. BMW has received no reports of accidents or injuries relating to this recall.
Vehicles Affected:
This campaign affects all 1993 and 1994 model year 318i, 318iA, 318is, and 318isA vehicles that have not previously been modified under Recall 94V-151.
Convertible models are not affected.
Due to the limited availability of parts, customer notification mailings will be sent out in stages to ensure adequate parts supply for customers receiving notification letters.
In order to determine if a specific vehicle is affected by this Recall Campaign, it will be necessary to utilize the "Service Menu" of the DCS (Dealer Communications System). Proceed to "Inquiries;" "Vehicle History" and enter the Chassis Number (last seven characters) of the vehicle in question. Based on the response of the system, either proceed with the corrective action or take no further action at this time.
Note:
If a customer presents the customer notification letter (for that chassis number) it is not necessary to inquire on the DCS. Perform the required repair, unless a label with code number 122 stamped out is found on the B-pillar of that vehicle.
The Chassis Number Ranges listed are only for informational purposes and are not to be considered as the only deciding factor. The affected vehicles are limited to vehicles within these ranges but not all of these vehicles are affected by the Recall Campaign. The final decision is the DCS inquiry.
Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, as amended, if there has been a recall campaign, dealers must assure that all new vehicles and new items of replacement equipment are free of safety defects and comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards at the time of delivery to the consumer. This means that dealers may not deliver new motor vehicles or new items of replacement equipment unless the safety defect or noncompliance has been remedied before delivery.
All personnel should be made aware that the procedures described in the Service Information bulletins for this Recall apply only to those vehicles included in the Recall Campaign. 1995 model year vehicles produced after 9/94 have had numerous production changes resulting in different components and component locations than found in vehicles produced prior to 9/94. Therefore, modifications should not be performed on 1995 model year vehicles.
Correction:
All affected vehicles will receive a new Hardy disc (Procedure 1), new knee bolster reinforcement brackets (Procedure 2), a modification to the ignition switch housing, and new steering column trim (Procedure 3), and a modification of the steering column support tube bracket (Procedure 4).
Parts Information:
Part numbers are given below only for reference. DO NOT ORDER PARTS. Parts will be allocated for the campaign automatically, based on vehicle population in each dealer's area. When sufficient parts are in stock to allow ordering, your parts department will be notified.
The special tools, part number 90 88 6 323 010 and 90 88 6 323 020 have been sent via the automatic allocation program.
One parts kit has been developed for this Recall.
Kit 1 - Part Number 32 31 9 068 623
= Part Number 20 20 2 055 555 in the automatic allocation program.
Included in this kit:
In addition, the special bolt for 9/92 - 11/92 production vehicles, part number 07 12 4 203 573, will be allocated to each dealer, under part number 10 10 1 099 999 in the automatic allocation program.
Recall Label Instructions:
This Recall has been assigned code number 122. After the vehicle has been checked, and corrected if necessary, obtain a label (SD 92-050) and:
a) emboss your BMW dealer warranty number in the middle of the label (1);
b) punch out code number 122 printed on the label (2); and
c) bend the label to crease an edge and remove the backing paper. Then affix the label to the B pillar as shown:
If the vehicle already has a label from a previous Service Action/Recall Campaign, affix the new label next to the old one. Do not affix one label on top of another one because a number from a underlying label could appear in the punched-out hole of the new label.
Warranty Information:
Reimbursement for this Recall Campaign will be provided by Campaign Entry.