One week in now...BMW recall for my 2003...driver airbag..QUESTIONS?

[Eaglesail]

So I found out a 2003 BMW 3 series has a recall dated August 2016 for driver and passenger AIR-BAG replacement...and can be rectified, replaced, at ones local BMW dealer, nationwide...and free of charge.

Has anyone here addressed this recall, and if so, was it really free?

[dworthy]

Yes, both of my E-46's had this done over a year ago. Yes it is free, now of course they with naturally find something wrong with the car and would like to fix it for you.

All Safety Recalls are FREE of Charge. It is how the Manufacturer fixes issues related to safety on cars.

You should have read my post at the very top of this forum.

[Eaglesail]

Airbag recall question yesterday, to my local BMW dealer, New London, Connecticut, says yes a recall and NO if I didn't receive the official letter in the mail...I said I was second owner..they said NO! ...no no No! ............The impression I was left with...airbag recall and replacement only applies to first original owners and not second owners.

[RuskiE39]

Yes, it's free. Call your dealer, provide them your VIN, and they will arrange an appointment to perform the replacement.

My 2003 330ci airbag was replaced 2 months ago and I have an appointment tomorrow to get my 530 & 540 airbags replaced.

[Eaglesail]

Yes I will do that, yet it seems I was thwarted off at the door..upon my inquiry! I wondered yesterday after the question how a lawsuit for such a future second owner claim....I think BMW has issued a "discourage" notice to it's USA marketeers...and may need to be tested in law...as it is seemingly what BMW rules now in order to end all this....discourage 2nd owner, 3ed owner...junk yard owner...all the way to the crusher....

[VCOUI]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if I recall, the dealerships get reimbursed by BMW corp. for all warranty and recall service; and as such, it is a source of revenue for the dealership. In fact I believe this applies to all manufactures... Also, the margins on the sale of cars has become so thin, that the service departments have become an increasingly necessary source of revenue generation for all dealerships... i.e. was a time when leasing and service were just something they had to offer to keep the customer happy; now it is the primary means of keeping the lights on.

So in short, it is to the *dealer's* benefit to perform the repair.

Can someone please confirm or deny this?

Thank you.

-V

P.S. If the dealerships are smart, they'll use it as an opportunity to offer other services and repairs, etc.

[dworthy]

Yes the dealership put in what's called a PUMA.

I would call the 1-800-831-1117 and talk to a BMW of North America rep and inform them that your BMW is being turned away from a SAFETY RECALL!

It doesn't matter how many people have owned the car before you, it is a recall mandated by BMWNA.

Also, here is the info paperwork.

[Eaglesail]

Dworthy..YES! It is a safety issue and is, or should be, considered priority #1 liability for BMW. How BMW works with it's USA counterparts, I do not know, but I do know that if my airbag deploys and a fragment of shrapnel puts out my eyesight...I do know an army of attorneys that 'bite' will be all over BMW..pronto!

I am now inclined to believe BMW of New London, Connecticut....a large volume dealer, has put measures in place to discourage "end users" including 2nd, 3ed party end owners.

I'm not looking to get new 'free' airbags just because....The BMW recall indicates severe bodily damage is possible because of the nature in which the propellant effects the cylinder it is contained in for the discharge of the air bags. The cylinder explodes metal fragments in an array outward...directly in path of the driver and passenger....Eye ball fragmentation, loss of eyesight..permanently.

[shoman24v]

I just bought a 2002 330i January and they replaced the airbag.

[curry]

I got mine replaced several months ago and I'm the third owner. There was never a question. No charge and I got a loaner overnight. 2002 330Ci cabrio.

[Dave1027]

I got mine replaced several months ago and I'm the third owner. There was never a question. No charge and I got a loaner overnight. 2002 330Ci cabrio.

Me too. Except they found a small crack in the windshield of the loaner and tried to bill me for it. I guess that's confirms why they are the stealer.

[All2kool]

Had mine (drivers) done last July. Was at the dealer about 2 hours. The passenger side had been done by a PO. Yes, it is free. They did not wash my car or suggest any service. The did put my top up for some unknown reason.

[Honolulu]

Second owner of an '02 325xi, car from Chicago, I'm in Hawaii. Daughter called and got an appointment, we dropped it off, shuttle service to and from work. I was treated well and the car was washed as well. I have almost no history whatsoever with this dealer since I do my own work or would go to an indie.

Yes dealers are reimbursed, but if their calendars are full of customer work I think it pays more to work on customer cars.

[N00B3R]

I currently own a BMW 320D 12/2002 110 kW/150 HP and bought this one second hand.
Also, I'm from Belgium (Europe), does the recall also counts for the cars produced for EU consumption?
And is it still valid after about 15 years and me being the second owner?

[floydr]

I currently own a BMW 320D 12/2002 110 kW/150 HP and bought this one second hand.
Also, I'm from Belgium (Europe), does the recall also counts for the cars produced for EU consumption?
And is it still valid after about 15 years and me being the second owner?

EU rules are radically different than USA/CA. You'll have to ask a dealer there.

[Onizukachan]

There are still limited replacement parts. I got my letter in August saying to go in, it was February before they actually had the parts to do it.

[Cutler]

Got the letter stating that there is a recall in February of 2017, completely free of charge, so made an appointment with the dealer right away to change them. Only thing is that it took them a couple of weeks to get the E46 airbags back in stock.

Definitely worth the effort, I'll take a free dealer's service any given day.