Owner Letter
August 1996Recall Campaign No. 96V-110, Airbag Contact Ring Locking Tab
Dear BMW Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
BMW AG has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 1991-92 Model Year BMW automobiles. Our records indicate that you are the owner of a potentially affected vehicle.
Description of Defect
Your car is equipped with a locking tab for the airbag contact ring in the steering wheel assembly.
It is possible that the tab could break without warning. If this happens, it is possible that, in some cases, the contact ring wiring could eventually break, depending on the degree and direction of steering wheel movement.
If this happens, the airbag readiness indicator lamp ("SRS" or "AIRBAG") in the instrument cluster will illuminate. In such a case, the airbag would not be available for deployment in a frontal impact.
Description of Repair
The repair will consist of replacing the locking tab with one of a different design.
This repair will require approximately one hour and will be performed free of charge by your Authorized BMW Dealer. Additional time may be required depending on the Dealer's scheduling and processing.
Precautions
1. CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE THIS NECESSARY REPAIR PERFORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
2. Before the repair is performed, tab breakage will be indicated by a clicking noise from the steering wheel as it is turned, along with increased steering effort in some cases. If the contact ring wiring breaks, the airbag indicator lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate. In either case, arrangements should be made immediately with your dealer for repair.
3. If the airbag indicator lamp is ignored and the vehicle is driven, the airbag will not be available for deployment in a frontal impact.
4. If you are not the sole driver of your car, please advise all other drivers of these necessary precautions.
5. Always use your safety belts. They are the primary restraint system in your car.
Other Information
If you are no longer the owner of this vehicle, we would appreciate your furnishing us with the name and address of the new owner, using the enclosed postage-paid card.
Should you have any questions about this campaign, please contact your Authorized BMW Dealer.
We appreciate your confidence in our product, and we wish to do everything we can to retain your confidence. Should you need additional assistance, you may contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-831-1117.
If the dealer is unable to remedy the defect without charge or within a reasonable period of time, you may notify the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C. 20590, or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393 (Washington, D.C. area residents may call 202-366-0123).