BMW is recalling 6,110 vehicles because of a problem with the air bag control module. The recall includes certain model year 2016 740Li, 750Li, and 750Lxi vehicles. The affected vehicles were equipped with an air bag control module that may contain metallic stamping particle residue that can cause an electrical short circuit.
Due to a supplier manufacturing process error, small metallic particle residue can adhere to the inside of the air bag control module housing. In certain driving situations involving excessive vibration or acceleration, a particle could separate from the housing, contact the control module circuit board, and cause a short circuit.
If a short circuit occurs, the air bag control module could stop working, and therefore the air bags might not deploy if the vehicle crashes. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge.
At the same time, in an unrelated recall, Ford is also recalling model year 2015-2016 Transit vehicles for air bag issues. In the 37,066 affected vehicles, the side curtain air bag may not deploy with the proper trajectory due to being folded and packaged incorrectly.