NHTSA recall 99V063001
Air Bags · BMW of North America, LLC
Details
What's wrong: These vehicles are built with a side air bag system consisting of door-mounted thorax air bags (rear door air bags are optional), a central electronic sensor and diagnostic system, left and right satellite impact sensors, and associated wiring. This system is unduly sensitive to certain non-crash impacts, such as contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speed.
Why it matters: This could cause the side air bag to deploy without an actual side crash. In addition, the battery safety terminal (bst) could also activate, disconnecting the starter cable from the battery. In this case, the vehicle's electrical system could continue to operate and the engine would continue to…
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems.
Affected vehicles on MotorDeets
All model years NHTSA lists
1997 Bmw M3, 1998 Bmw M3, 1999 Bmw M3.
Recalls can cover only some VINs. Check yours on NHTSA's official recall page for 99V063001.
Source: NHTSA recall records. Summary shortened; the official notice has the full text.