Drivers across Eswatini and the broader Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region are being urged to take immediate action following a significant update regarding the recall of BMW vehicles equipped with defective Takata airbags.
The COMESA Competition and Consumer Commission (CCCC) released a comprehensive updated alert to the general public, highlighting the life-threatening technical risks associated with specific airbag inflators.
According to the commission, the core of the issue involves multiple types of Takata manufactured airbag inflators. These include PSDI-4, PSDI-5, PSPI, SDI, and NADI units which utilize propellants that may degrade over time.
This degradation can lead to the inflator rupturing during deployment, potentially spraying metal fragments into the cabin and causing serious injury or death to occupants, according to the commission.
In July 2024, the Commission warned consumers about the long-running global recall of over 100 million Takata airbag inflators by more than 20 car manufacturers.
With the faulty airbags linked to 22 deaths worldwide and affecting models from 2002 to 2015, the CCC specifically targeted the high importation of used cars in the region, urging consumers to have their vehicles checked.
This extension In October 2025, there was a safety recall affecting 12 491 BMW vehicles across the region following the initial notice from BMW Group South Africa.
According to the statement issued by the commission at that time, the recall affects various popular BMW models sold since 2016, centers on a manufacturing defect in the starter motor.
These Include the BMW 3 Series (G20 model), 4 Series (G22 model), 5 Series (G30 model), Z4 (G29 model), X3 (G01 model) and the X4 (G02 model).
The severity of the defect, according to the CCC is the potential for a vehicle fire to occur even when the car is switched off, making the alert a critical consumer safety issue.
“The Commission is aware that consumers from several COMESA Member States import similar vehicles from South Africa, therefore, pursuant to Article 30 (1)(b) of the COMESA Competition Commission Regulation, the commission wishes to inform the public of the risks associated with the recalled BMW vehicles and advises affected consumers to verify whether their vehicles are affected and have them checked,” said the commission.
Affected Models and Production Years
The expanded recall list covers a vast range of BMW models produced over nearly two decades, including many popular vehicles found on Eswatini’s roads:
- BMW 3 Series (E46): Models produced from July 1997 through August 2006.
- BMW 5 Series (E39): Models produced from March 2002 through December 2003.
- BMW X5 (E53): Models produced from February 2003 through September 2003.
- BMW X5 and X6 (E7x): Models produced from June 2006 through June 2014.
- Modern Series (1er, 3er, X3 / E8x, E9x): Models produced between 2004 and 2015.
- Broad Range Production (2012–2017): Driver airbags in models spanning the 1 Series through the 8 Series, as well as the X1, X3, X4, X5, and X6.
How to Check Your Vehicle
BMW Group South Africa has established a dedicated online portal to help owners determine if their specific vehicle is impacted. Consumers are advised to visit https://www.bmw.co.za/en/topics/service-and-accessories/bmw-service/recall.html and enter their vehicle’s unique VIN number.
Pursuant to Regulation 66 (5) of the COMESA Competition and Consumer Protection Regulations, the CCCC advises all consumers in Member States to exercise extreme caution. “If your vehicle is confirmed to be part of the recall, you should contact your nearest authorized BMW dealership immediately to schedule an inspection and necessary repairs,” it advises.
The CCCC remains in close contact with BMW to monitor the recall progress and ensure that all affected consumers are provided with appropriate redress. Safety is paramount, and owners are encouraged not to delay in checking their vehicle’s status, as these repairs are typically performed free of charge to ensure public safety on the roads.
