Skip to main content

2012 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 2012 BMW 3 Series recalls

AIR BAGS Safety Recalls

High Priority #24V513000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The airbag inflator in your steering wheel is designed to deploy in the event of a crash, but a certain type of replacement steering wheel could have a faulty inflator that might not work as it should.
Risk if Unfixed
If the inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect and replace the airbag module in your steering wheel with a safe one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2024 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 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
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
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. 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 #20V017000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The driver's airbag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in a crash to protect you. Unfortunately, some of the airbags in your car contain an old type of propellant that can break down over time and explode.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflates and the propellant explodes, sharp metal fragments could hit you or other occupants, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag with a new one, completely free of charge. They'll do this as after confirming availability with your dealer as you schedule an appointment 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 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) 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 driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 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 #16V071000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The driver's air bag in your vehicle is a safety device that deploys in a crash to cushion your head and neck. In some affected models, the air bag's inflator could fail and rupture, releasing sharp metal fragments.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator ruptures during a crash, metal fragments could hit you or other passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag module or inflator with a safer one, at no cost to you. The repair is free, and you should schedule it after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2016 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 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may 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
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. 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 →

Other BMW 3 Series 2012 Recalls

Other BMW 3 Series Years

Similar AIR BAGS Recalls in Other Vehicles

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2012 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:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE recall for the 2012 BMW 3 Series? (Campaign #24V513000)

The airbag inflator in your steering wheel is designed to deploy in the event of a crash, but a certain type of replacement steering wheel could have a faulty inflator that might not work as it should. If the inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or even death. Your BMW dealer will inspect and replace the airbag module in your steering wheel with a safe one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2024 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.

What is the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE recall for the 2012 BMW 3 Series? (Campaign #20V017000)

The driver's airbag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in a crash to protect you. Unfortunately, some of the airbags in your car contain an old type of propellant that can break down over time and explode. If the airbag inflates and the propellant explodes, sharp metal fragments could hit you or other occupants, causing serious injury or even death. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag with a new one, completely free of charge. They'll do this as after confirming availability with your dealer as you schedule an appointment 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:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE recall for the 2012 BMW 3 Series? (Campaign #16V071000)

The driver's air bag in your vehicle is a safety device that deploys in a crash to cushion your head and neck. In some affected models, the air bag's inflator could fail and rupture, releasing sharp metal fragments. If the air bag inflator ruptures during a crash, metal fragments could hit you or other passengers, causing serious injury or even death. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag module or inflator with a safer one, at no cost to you. The repair is free, and you should schedule it after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2016 filing; contact your dealer now to confirm the free repair is available.