Rear Airbag - Activation/Deactivation: Overview
GROUP 72Safety Restraint Systems
Bulletin Number
72 03 99
Woodcliff Lake, NJ
July 2000
Service Engineering
This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 72 03 99 dated June 1999.
SUBJECT:
Rear Airbag Activation/Deactivation Procedure
Starting with June 1999 production, vehicles equipped with rear side airbags (option code 261) will arrive at the BMW center with the rear side airbags deactivated. The rear HPS (head protection system), on E38 as of 3/99 production, will remain active from the factory. THE CUSTOMER MUST BE INFORMED OF THIS SITUATION PRIOR TO DELIVERY.
MODEL:
E38, E39, E46, E53 with option 261 (rear seat side-impact airbag)
Situation:
Accident research shows that the safest place for children in an automobile is in the rear seat. However, a child sitting in the rear seat and not properly restrained may place his or her head on or near the side airbag. It may be difficult for a driver to ensure that children in the rear seat will remain properly positioned at all times and not place their heads on or near the side airbag. BMW of North America Inc. recommends that the customer should deactivate the rear-seat side airbags if they plan to transport children in the rear seat of their BMW.
Although the rear side door airbags are deactivated, the rear side door air bag equipped vehicles will have "AIRBAG" stamped on the door trim panel as illustrated.
Note:
This situation is not critical for the HPS. Therefore, BMW does not recommend the deactivation of the HPS.
This rear airbag status at the time of vehicle production is listed.
Correction:
Prior to new car delivery, the customer must be informed that the rear side airbags are deactivated. BMW of North America, Inc. will provide rear-door side-airbag deactivation and reactivation free of charge to the customer, through all BMW centers, on a customer request basis only. Rear HPS, if available will remain active, unless the separate deactivation of the rear HPS system is requested by the customer and performed by a BMW center.
(Important:
Although the rear HPS can be deactivated, BMW NA does not recommend performing this procedure. Therefore, the customer will be responsible for paying any cost associated with the deactivation of the rear HPS.)
Affected Vehicles:
E38, E39, E46, E53 with option 261 (rear-seat side-impact airbag)
Parts Information:
Warranty Information:
Reimbursement for this procedure will be provided through warranty entry without regard to vehicle age or mileage.
All labor operations include time to fill out all required forms, remove rear door panels, disconnect/reconnect rear airbags, code the MRS module, affix stickers. and discuss the procedure with the customer.