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2001 BMW 540i 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.

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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 inflator in your vehicle is a critical safety component that deploys in a crash to protect you. In some affected 2000-2004 BMW models, the inflator's propellant can degrade over time, especially in humid conditions, and potentially cause the airbag to burst.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments flying into you or other passengers, causing serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect your vehicle for the affected airbag inflator and replace it with a new one, free of charge. Do not drive your vehicle until this repair is done.
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 #03V421000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
What Happened
The air bag control module is a critical safety system that helps control the deployment of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners. In your vehicle, this module may have a malfunction that could cause it to activate unexpectedly, even when there's no crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbags deploy unexpectedly while you're sitting close, you could get seriously hurt. Additionally, the starter cable could become disconnected, making it impossible to restart your engine.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag control module with a new one, free of charge. You should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117 to schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL, MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED ACTIVATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPONENTS.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S). IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL MAY ALSO BE ACTIVATED. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE STARTER CABLE WOULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY, AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Other BMW 540i 2001 Recalls

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 recalls

Other BMW 540i Years

2024
1 recall
2021
5 recalls
2020
5 recalls
2019
1 recall
2018
2 recalls
2017
1 recall
2003
2 recalls
2002
2 recalls
2000
2 recalls

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