Skip to main content

2004 BMW 3 Series AIR BAGS Recalls

3 recalls Highest severity: High Priority

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service for AIR BAGS issues.

← View all 2004 BMW 3 Series recalls

AIR BAGS Safety Recalls

High Priority #20V018000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The airbag in your passenger seat is a safety device that inflates in a crash to protect you from injury. In some affected BMW models, the airbag's inflator can degrade over time and explode, sending sharp metal fragments into the passenger area.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments into the passenger area, striking you or other occupants. This could result in serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new, safer one at no charge to you. They'll do this repair as after confirming availability with your dealer as you schedule it after receiving the recall notice. This timing describes the original 2020 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #14V428000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The passenger side airbag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in a crash to protect you and your passengers. Unfortunately, in certain models, this airbag could produce too much pressure and rupture when it deploys, sending sharp metal fragments into the passenger area.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, the fragments could seriously injure the passenger in the front seat or others nearby. This is a very serious safety risk that could cause severe harm in a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty passenger airbag with a safer one, at no cost to you. Please don't drive your vehicle until the repair is done. BMW will contact you to schedule the fix.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Original — Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #15V318000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The driver's side air bag in your vehicle is the part that deploys in a crash to protect you. It's a small module that inflates at high speed to cushion your head and chest. Unfortunately, some models have a design flaw that lets moisture get inside and could cause it to rupture.
Risk if Unfixed
If the driver's air bag inflates during a crash, it could explode and send sharp metal shards into the driver, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag module with a new one, free of charge. This is a critical repair – please don't drive your vehicle until it's been fixed. Contact BMW to schedule the repair as after confirming availability with your dealer as possible, and have your vehicle ready to go to the dealer with the original air bag module. This timing describes the original 2015 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Other BMW 3 Series 2004 Recalls

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 recall
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 recall

Other BMW 3 Series Years

2025
1 recall
2024
3 recalls
2023
4 recalls
2022
3 recalls
2021
10 recalls
2020
15 recalls
2019
9 recalls
2018
6 recalls
2017
3 recalls
2016
5 recalls
2015
8 recalls
2014
12 recalls
2013
9 recalls
2012
8 recalls
2011
11 recalls
2010
9 recalls
2009
7 recalls
2008
6 recalls
2007
7 recalls
2006
11 recalls
2005
5 recalls
2003
8 recalls
2002
8 recalls
2001
8 recalls
2000
7 recalls

Similar AIR BAGS Recalls in Other Vehicles

2010 HONDA CR-V
60 AIR BAGS recalls
2011 HONDA CR-V
60 AIR BAGS recalls
2003 HONDA Odyssey
60 AIR BAGS recalls
2004 HONDA Accord
55 AIR BAGS recalls
2005 HONDA Accord
55 AIR BAGS recalls
2003 ACURA MDX
50 AIR BAGS recalls

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2004 BMW 3 Series safe to drive?

This model year has 3 recorded safety recalls. Model-level listings do not establish VIN-specific open recalls or whether this vehicle is safe to drive. Check your VIN and contact the manufacturer for recall instructions.

What is the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE recall for the 2004 BMW 3 Series? (Campaign #20V018000)

The airbag in your passenger seat is a safety device that inflates in a crash to protect you from injury. In some affected BMW models, the airbag's inflator can degrade over time and explode, sending sharp metal fragments into the passenger area. If the airbag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments into the passenger area, striking you or other occupants. This could result in serious injury or even death. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new, safer one at no charge to you. They'll do this repair as after confirming availability with your dealer as you schedule it after receiving the recall notice. This timing describes the original 2020 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.

What is the AIR BAGS recall for the 2004 BMW 3 Series? (Campaign #14V428000)

The passenger side airbag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in a crash to protect you and your passengers. Unfortunately, in certain models, this airbag could produce too much pressure and rupture when it deploys, sending sharp metal fragments into the passenger area. If this happens, the fragments could seriously injure the passenger in the front seat or others nearby. This is a very serious safety risk that could cause severe harm in a crash. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty passenger airbag with a safer one, at no cost to you. Please don't drive your vehicle until the repair is done. BMW will contact you to schedule the fix.

What is the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE recall for the 2004 BMW 3 Series? (Campaign #15V318000)

The driver's side air bag in your vehicle is the part that deploys in a crash to protect you. It's a small module that inflates at high speed to cushion your head and chest. Unfortunately, some models have a design flaw that lets moisture get inside and could cause it to rupture. If the driver's air bag inflates during a crash, it could explode and send sharp metal shards into the driver, causing serious injury or even death. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag module with a new one, free of charge. This is a critical repair – please don't drive your vehicle until it's been fixed. Contact BMW to schedule the repair as after confirming availability with your dealer as possible, and have your vehicle ready to go to the dealer with the original air bag module. This timing describes the original 2015 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.