BMW Takata airbag recall: urgent warning issued for thousands of cars over ‘killer’ mechanical problem

More than 60,000 BMW cars have been recalled after a very serious defect was discovered in their ‘killer’ airbags. Kia De Niros are also being recalled.

According to a warning from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, several recent models of steering wheels have a defective Takata airbag inflator.

The driver’s airbag may rupture if it deploys in an accident, causing gas and metal fragments to be thrown toward the driver, causing serious injury or death.

Defective Takata airbags have been linked to more than 30 deaths and 300 injuries worldwide.

Takata’s airbags have been the subject of one of the largest recalls in automotive history, leading the company to file for bankruptcy in 2017.

In the latest shocking incident, 63,118 cars have been recalled.

The recall applies to BMWs built between 2004 and 2017. The warning states: “Some vehicles may have been modified after production with steering variants that contained a defective Takata pump.”

The recalled models include the BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, X1 and certain X3 models, as well as the F Series models produced between 2009 and 2017.

More than 60,000 BMWs (pictured) have been recalled after a very serious defect was found in their ‘killer’ airbags

Faulty Takata airbag inflators have been linked to more than 30 deaths and 300 injuries worldwide.

BMW owners can online toolto check if their car has been affected.

They can then check whether their car needs to be checked by a BMW dealer.

If a defective airbag inflator is found in the vehicle, the airbag and center horn will be replaced free of charge.

In addition to the BMWs, 1,366 Kia De Niros have also been recalled.

Due to manufacturing defects, moisture may have entered a part of the hydraulic clutch actuator, causing a short circuit and fire.

Owners can book an inspection with their Kia dealer to have the problem resolved free of charge.

Shrapnel fired from a faulty Takata airbag is pictured. Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2017