Rust on newly purchased OEM Airbags

[ts-m5]

This may be off topic and I'm very sorry if I'm if derailing the thread topic.

in Japan, I recently got a recall notice from BMW dealer that they want to replace the airbag inflator in the steering wheel.

In the notification, it mentions they've found issue with the gas generating agent used in the inflator, and that it's got something to do with humidity... (I'm sorry for my vague explanation...it's a bit difficult for me to translate the details explained in Japanese to English)

I was wondering if the rust mentioned in this thread has any relations.

This recall may only be for areas/country with high humidity seasons... Humidity in summer is awful in Japan.

Any of you outside of Japan aware of such recall case?

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ts-m4

This may be off topic and I'm very sorry if I'm if derailing the thread topic.

in Japan, I recently got a recall notice from BMW dealer that they want to replace the airbag inflator in the steering wheel.

In the notification, it mentions they've found issue with the gas generating agent used in the inflator, and that it's got something to do with humidity... (I'm sorry for my vague explanation...it's a bit difficult for me to translate the details explained in Japanese to English)

I was wondering if the rust mentioned in this thread has any relations.

This recall may only be for areas/country with high humidity seasons... Humidity in summer is awful in Japan.

Any of you outside of Japan aware of such recall case?

The Takata airbag recall in USA did report higher humidity areas (such as Florida in USA) should be replaced first.

However, as far as I know, no 2015+ Airbags were recalled.

Beikoku no Takada eabaggu no rikōrude wa, shitsudo no takai chiiki (Beikoku no Furorida nado) o saki ni kōkan suru hitsuyō ga arimasu. Shikashi, watashi ga shiru kagiri, 2015 + eabaggu wa sōki sa remasendeshita.

[ts-m5]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

The Takata airbag recall in USA did report higher humidity areas (such as Florida in USA) should be replaced first.

However, as far as I know, no 2015+ Airbags were recalled.

Beikoku no Takada eabaggu no rikōrude wa, shitsudo no takai chiiki (Beikoku no Furorida nado) o saki ni kōkan suru hitsuyō ga arimasu. Shikashi, watashi ga shiru kagiri, 2015 + eabaggu wa sōki sa remasendeshita.

Thanks for this information. My F82 is made in 2014 September, so now I see why the dealer is notifying me about this recall.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by ts-m4

Thanks for this information. My F82 is made in 2014 September, so now I see why the dealer is notifying me about this recall.

Honestly I do not think 2014 Airbags were subject to recall, but could be incorrect.

[BuLoOoSki]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Full disclosure, it was purchased in November....

Again, as noted, I suspect 99.999% of owners have never seen the rear of their steering wheel airbag.

Wondering if the 0.001% that have, have they seen anything like this?

I've pulled out my steering wheel airbag once to install the MP CF steering wheel trim and don't recall seeing any rust.

[ts-m5]

just got my airbag inflator changed by the dealership today. they let me take a look at both, the one that got replaced, and the new replacement. both looked clean to me.

[Teeone]

The part with rust on it is likely just plain carbon steel, whereas the larger part is plated. Once processing oils are off plain steel parts, the can get oxidation. This part looks to have more oxidation than typical, however. It would appear that it went thru degreasing after stamping but then had something occur, like exposure to water. I have been in a few automotive plants in China and have seen parts stored outside and inside under areas where the roof leaked. And they didn’t seem to care. But it is only surface rust. Many steel parts in vehicles are not plated and will get oxidation, such as steel brackets under the instrument panel.

[Igor_M5]

For some clarification,

This is absolutely normal for pre-owned (used) airbags, and occasionally appears on even brand new ones. All it takes is a few hours of exposure to climate with sudden change in humidity. The oxidation (rust) will only appear on the detonators as apparently they're not treated with anything during manufacturing. I've had airbags that I removed and placed on a storage shelf in a shop, and over night the detonator would turn orange during relative humidity shifts.

Factory sealed airbags are air tight packed, and sometimes the plastic wrap around the bag could have a small puncture, resulting in oxidation.

So... yeah, nothing to worry about

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by Igor_M5

For some clarification,

This is absolutely normal for pre-owned (used) airbags, and occasionally appears on even brand new ones. All it takes is a few hours of exposure to climate with sudden change in humidity. The oxidation (rust) will only appear on the detonators as apparently they're not treated with anything during manufacturing. I've had airbags that I removed and placed on a storage shelf in a shop, and over night the detonator would turn orange during relative humidity shifts.

Factory sealed airbags are air tight packed, and sometimes the plastic wrap around the bag could have a small puncture, resulting in oxidation.

So... yeah, nothing to worry about

Thanks.

After speaking with some other Dealers, I came to the conclusion it was nothing to worry about. That, and the fact that no F8x airbags have been recalled.

As to airtight sealing, that is no longer the case.

As you can see from the pic, a new airbag has a piece of plastic stretched over it, but it certainly is not airtight.