Recall on BMWs ex-Japan

The NZTA has advised the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) that some Japan-sourced BMW vehicles might have been fitted with a recall-relevant driver’s airbag due to a steering-wheel replacement.

The affected vehicles may have had an M-Sport steering wheel fitted by its owner in Japan.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan is working with BMW Japan to resolve this issue.

“If a vehicle inspected at the border shows an open-service campaign for ‘occupant protecting device, driver’s airbag’, it will be flagged as damaged with notes recorded stating ‘BMW open airbag service campaign’,” explains Malcolm Yorston, VIA’s technical services.

A vehicle doesn’t need to be flagged if the service campaign has been resolved, and no longer appears in both the BMW Japan and BMW New Zealand search results. These are

• Reference number 1C/320524A when searching: https://www.bmw.co.jp/ja/topics/service-and-accessory/service/recall-info/recall-search.html 

• Recall code 0032550300 when searching: https://www.bmw.co.nz/en/topics/offers-and-services/personal-services/bmw-recall.html 

“BMW Japan doesn’t have a time frame on how long it may take to reflect the search results, but it will be updated,” adds Yorston. “BMW NZ advises that once completed, the recall status will be updated within one to two days.

“VIA recommends members to check out BMW’s recall websites prior to purchase and to have outstanding replacements carried out in Japan before shipping.”