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2003 BMW 330xi

5 recalls Most severe issue: High Priority

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

High Priority #20V018000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The front passenger airbag in your vehicle is equipped with a part called an inflator module, which helps deploy the airbag in the event of a crash. Unfortunately, in certain 2000-2006 models, this part may not work as intended.
Risk if Unfixed
If the inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments flying into the passenger compartment, causing serious injury or even death. This is a very serious safety risk, especially for the passenger in the front seat.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator module with a new, safer one, at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it 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.
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 air bag in your vehicle is a safety feature designed to protect you in the event of a crash. In some older BMW models, this air bag's inflator could burst and send sharp metal fragments into the passenger area.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator ruptures, sharp metal could hit and seriously injure the person sitting in the passenger seat, or other occupants nearby. This is a life-threatening risk in a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the potentially faulty air bag with a new one, at no cost to you. Don't drive your vehicle until you've had it repaired – schedule the fix as soon as possible.
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 frontal air bag in your vehicle is designed to deploy in a crash to protect you. However, in certain models, the air bag's inflator might let moisture in, which could cause it to rupture over time.
Risk if Unfixed
If your air bag deploys in a crash, it could break apart and send sharp metal fragments into you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Don't drive your vehicle until it's fixed. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty driver air bag module with a new one at no cost to you. Just 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 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 →
High Priority #13V172000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The side airbag in your car is designed to protect you in case of a crash. In some 2002-2003 BMW models, the airbag's inflator can burst with extreme force when it deploys, sending sharp metal fragments your way.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're a passenger in the front seat and the airbag goes off in a crash, the inflator could shatter and hit you or other passengers, causing serious injury.
Free Fix
Do not drive your car until you get a recall notice. Once replacement parts are available, your BMW dealer will install a new, safer airbag at no charge. You'll get a second notice in July to schedule the repair.
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #11V438000 Plain English
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Manufacturer
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
What Happened
The electrical contacts in your rear lights, like the tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals, might wear out over time, causing one or more lights to stop working.
Risk if Unfixed
If your rear lights start malfunctioning, you could be driving without warning other cars of your intentions, which could lead to a collision.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will fix the issue for free. They'll take care of the repair without any cost to you, and you should schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice.
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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

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