BMW North America has announced a recall of more than 394,000 vehicles to replace defective airbags that could explode upon deployment. This was reported by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Wednesday.

The recall by the German car manufacturer includes 3-series sedans and sport wagons from the model years 2006 to 2012, which may be equipped with defective front airbags from the former auto parts supplier Takata. Takata was at the center of one of the largest recalls in US history, as its defective airbags were linked to deadly explosions.

According to the report, the propellant in the airbag inflator changes over time, which can lead to an "overly aggressive combustion" during deployment. If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments could penetrate the airbag cushion material, causing injuries or fatalities.

BMW stated that the airbags in the affected vehicles may have been installed by an owner, although they were not officially offered or approved by BMW. Counterfeit airbags continue to illegally enter the USA and are often installed in vehicles as replacement parts.

The NHTSA has linked at least 27 deaths and 600 injuries in the U.S. to Takata airbag inflators. Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2017, and about 67 million of its airbags in several million vehicles were recalled.

The defect is caused by the chemical degradation of the bonding agent in the airbag, primarily due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity, explained the NHTSA. Vehicles in warmer states like Texas and Florida are at a higher risk, with degradation occurring in these regions over six to nine years, while vehicles in colder states may be affected between 15 and 20 years.

BMW is among the 19 car manufacturers, including Ford, Honda, and Tesla, that have set aside billions of dollars for years of mass recalls.