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2003 BMW 5 Series AIR BAGS Recalls

2 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 2003 BMW 5 Series recalls

AIR BAGS Safety Recalls

High Priority #19V015000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The airbag in your vehicle is a safety device that deploys to protect you in a crash. The inflator in your steering wheel is one of the key components that makes the airbag work. In some 2000-2004 BMW models, this inflator can fail after a long time, even if you've never been in an accident.
Risk if Unfixed
If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments could hit you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death. This is an extremely serious safety risk, and you should not drive your vehicle until it's been fixed.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect your vehicle to see if the sports steering wheel has the faulty inflator. If it does, they'll replace the airbag module with a new one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2019 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 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and 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
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. 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 #15V318000 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 a safety system designed to protect you in a crash. The airbag inflator in your vehicle could be vulnerable to moisture, which could cause it to fail over time.
Risk if Unfixed
If your driver's airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator could burst and send sharp metal fragments flying towards you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag module with a new one, completely free of charge. Don't drive your vehicle until the repair is done. You'll receive a notification from BMW, and you can contact them at 1-800-525-7417 for more information.
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 5 Series Years

2025
4 recalls
2024
6 recalls
2023
3 recalls
2022
5 recalls
2021
10 recalls
2020
7 recalls
2019
2 recalls
2018
6 recalls
2017
2 recalls
2016
7 recalls
2015
4 recalls
2014
6 recalls
2013
4 recalls
2012
5 recalls
2011
6 recalls
2010
2 recalls
2009
2 recalls
2008
3 recalls
2007
3 recalls
2006
4 recalls
2002
4 recalls
2001
4 recalls
2000
2 recalls

Similar AIR BAGS Recalls in Other Vehicles

2010 HONDA CR-V
24 AIR BAGS recalls
2011 HONDA CR-V
24 AIR BAGS recalls
2003 HONDA Odyssey
24 AIR BAGS recalls
2004 HONDA Accord
22 AIR BAGS recalls
2005 HONDA Accord
22 AIR BAGS recalls
2003 ACURA MDX
20 AIR BAGS recalls

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2003 BMW 5 Series safe to drive?

This model year has 2 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 2003 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #19V015000)

The airbag in your vehicle is a safety device that deploys to protect you in a crash. The inflator in your steering wheel is one of the key components that makes the airbag work. In some 2000-2004 BMW models, this inflator can fail after a long time, even if you've never been in an accident. If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments could hit you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death. This is an extremely serious safety risk, and you should not drive your vehicle until it's been fixed. Your BMW dealer will inspect your vehicle to see if the sports steering wheel has the faulty inflator. If it does, they'll replace the airbag module with a new one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair after checking repair availability with your dealer. This timing describes the original 2019 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 2003 BMW 5 Series? (Campaign #15V318000)

The driver's airbag in your vehicle is a safety system designed to protect you in a crash. The airbag inflator in your vehicle could be vulnerable to moisture, which could cause it to fail over time. If your driver's airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator could burst and send sharp metal fragments flying towards you or your passengers, causing serious injury or even death. Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag module with a new one, completely free of charge. Don't drive your vehicle until the repair is done. You'll receive a notification from BMW, and you can contact them at 1-800-525-7417 for more information.