Automotive

Bmw, mega-recall in China: Takata airbags targeted again

In 2024, cars of leading brands such as Tesla (1.6 million), BYD, Nio, SAIC-GM-Wuling will also be involved in safety recalls.

by Finance Review

16 August 2024

3' min read

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Bmw and its joint venture will have to recall 1.36 million cars produced locally and imported into China because of potential risks related to the Takata airbag, which is causing an earthquake, because it affected several houses. Ford the most damaged. The recalls are effective immediately and affect models produced from 2003 to 2017, China's State Administration for Market Regulation said. Bmw Brilliance Automotive, a joint venture based in Shenyang, northeast China, will recall 598,496 cars produced in China, while Bmw China Automobile Trading will recall 759,448 imported cars.

For vehicles on which the defect in the inflator (under certain conditions, it can explode with too much force, projecting metal fragments into the passenger compartment) will be confirmed after inspection, Bmw will replace the driver's front airbag free of charge to eliminate safety risks. According to the Chinese regulator, the recall affects BMWs that have had their steering wheel modified by owners who may have installed faulty Takata airbags. It covers a wide range of models, from the 1-series cars to the 6-series and the X1, X3, X4, X5 and X6 SUVs.

The German carmaker also recalled 394,000 vehicles in the United States, again due to defects in Takata airbags, which could cause serious or fatal injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated in July.

In 2024, China saw a significant number of recalls for production defects by several car manufacturers. In addition to the Bmw case. In particular, Tesla carried out a major recall, which affected approximately 1.61 million vehicles, and focused on problems related to the much-discussed automatic assisted steering (Autopilot) and door closure controls. As on several other occasions, Tesla opted for an over-the-air (OTA) software update solution to solve the problem.

The local giant BYD also made some significant recalls in China in 2024, the most notable of which was the recall of 16,666 units of the Seagull model, a very popular electric vehicle and one of the cheapest in the BYD range. This recall, which took place in May, was caused by a software bug that prevented the rear camera image from being displayed during reversing manoeuvres, increasing the risk of accidents. BYD solved the problem mainly through a free over-the-air software update, contacting owners of vehicles that could not receive the update automatically to upgrade at the workshop.

The Shenzen-based company also recalled a number of Tang models due to problems with the battery pack assembly, which could lead to water seepage, posing a safety risk. Again, the recall was mainly handled with specific work on the affected vehicles.

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New York-listed premium electric carmaker Nio, known for its alternative battery swapping system, has faced several recalls in China, mainly related to technical and safety issues. One of the main recalls concernedthe ES6 and ET7 models, in which problems were found with the battery management system, which could lead to malfunctions while driving, increasing safety risks. Nio handled these recalls mainly through software updates and service centre interventions.

In addition, the Shanghai-based company faced a significant challenge with the recall of the Onvo L60 model, the first vehicle of the new sub-brand designed to compete directly with Tesla (even too much so, as the interiors look embarrassingly similar, according to Electrek). The problem encountered was related to the driver assistance system, which needed upgrades to improve vehicle performance and safety. Again, the company took a proactive approach, contacting the owners of the affected vehicles to carry out the necessary repairs.

Other recalls involved the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture, which carried out recalls for defects in electrical components and safety systems of vehicles, including some popular models such as the electric Hongguang Mini.