If more than two notches are visible with the headrest fully up, then the 3 Series is recalled.
In the latest series of safety recalls and defect filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW is recalling its best selling 3-Series compact that has been in production since last October and Chrysler is recalling 2012 model minivans.
Some Chrysler Town, Country, and Dodge Caravan minivans have an automatic rear liftgate closing option that because of a defective Magna-supplied sensor may keep closing – even if someone or something is stuck under it. The Chrysler minivan recall came from an internal quality audit that discovered three vehicles whose sensors generated a closing-force outside the prescribed range before reopening the liftgate, Chrysler said in a statement.
“Risk was isolated to a small batch of parts and Chrysler Group is not aware of any related accidents or injuries, Chrysler said.
The BMW 3 Series recall and stop sale or lease on 2012 models was prompted by a headrest design that in its fully raised position will deflect too far under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 202. BMW dealers will stop the sale of 2012 3-series models until a clamp is fitted that limits the headrest’s upper adjustment. This requires taking the seat back apart. Customer owned 2012 3-Series are also recalled. Owners can contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline At 1-888-327-4236 or http://www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA fined BMW $3 million fine earlier this year, after the German automaker failed to comply with requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act that BMW report safety defects to the federal government in a timely manner.
The BMW penalty is the biggest since Toyota Motor paid almost $50 million in fines because of its cover-up of safety issues ultimately resulted recalls of millions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in 2009 and 2010 for unintended acceleration.
