The airbag in your passenger seat is a safety device that deploys in a crash to protect you. In certain older BMW models, the airbag's inflator, which is a small canister that propels the airbag, could rupture and spray sharp metal fragments.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, you could be seriously hurt or even killed by the sharp metal fragments. It's a very serious safety risk.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty passenger airbag inflator with a new one, completely free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
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.
The passenger airbag in your vehicle is a safety device that inflates in a crash to cushion your body. However, in certain models, this airbag could produce too much pressure and burst apart, spraying sharp metal fragments at you or others inside the car.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag bursts in a crash, sharp metal fragments could hit and seriously injure you or other passengers in the vehicle, causing severe pain, lacerations, or even internal injuries.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag with a new one, completely free of charge. To ensure your safety, please don't drive your vehicle until the repair is done. You'll get a notice from BMW when it's time to schedule the repair.
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.
The driver's side air bag in your vehicle is a safety feature that deploys in a crash. In some cases, the air bag's inflator might let water in, which can cause it to rupture over time.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator ruptures in a crash, it could shoot sharp metal fragments at you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty driver's side air bag with a new one, completely free of charge. Don't drive your vehicle until this repair is done, and schedule an appointment as soon as you receive the recall notice.
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.
The passenger air bag in your vehicle is a safety feature that deploys in a crash to protect you. However, in certain 2002-2003 models, this air bag can be damaged and might even explode in a crash, sending sharp metal pieces flying towards you.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag ruptures in a crash, metal fragments could hit you or your passengers, causing serious injuries. This is a serious risk that could have long-lasting effects or even be life-threatening.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag with a new one, free of charge. Don't drive your vehicle until you've been notified and scheduled a repair. BMW will contact you when the parts are ready, likely in July, and you should follow their instructions to get it fixed.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the 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, the inflator could rupture with 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 intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
The rear lights on your 325i or 330i (made between 2001 and 2005) have electrical contacts that can wear out over time. This can cause one or more tail lights, brake lights, or turn signals to stop working.
Risk if Unfixed
If the lights don't work properly, other drivers might not know when you're slowing down or turning - this could lead to a crash without warning.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will fix the issue for free. They'll notify you when it's time to bring your vehicle in for the repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Original — Remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
