BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall. These replacement modules contain an air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS. IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH.
Safety risk
IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
84,000
Reported to NHTSA
2003-01-09
Owners notified
2003-02-14
Defect description
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FRONT BRAKE LINE TO SLIP OUT OF THE RETAINING BRACKET LOCATED AT THE FRONT STRUT. THE BRAKE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE LINE COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TIRE AND BE SUBJECTED TO WEAR AND ABRASION.
Safety risk
THIS COULD INITIALLY CAUSE SOME BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, AND EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THERE COULD BE A NOTICEABLE REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE IF A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE OCCURS.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL RETAINING CLIP TO FURTHER SECURE THE BRAKE LINE TO THE FRONT STRUT. ADDITIONALLY, IF INSPECTION OF ANY BRAKE HOSE INDICATES THAT IT HAS EXPERIENCED DAMAGE, THE HOSE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags
20
144,900 mi
Electrical system
14
150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
13
83,615 mi
Engine
7
93,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
7
63,000 mi
Structure: body
7
86,000 mi
Steering
6
132,000 mi
Unknown or other
6
100 mi
Exterior lighting
5
150,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
4
10,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
3
88,022 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
3
65,000 mi
Seat belts
3
89,000 mi
Service brakes
3
118,475 mi
Equipment: electrical
2
100 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
2
93,140 mi
Power train
2
91,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light
2
12,958 mi
Visibility
2
10,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
2
150,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear
2
200 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
2
—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
2
36,000 mi
Air bags: side/window
1
82,944 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module
1
59,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
39,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
—
Exterior lighting: tail lights
1
100,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
1
153,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
1
117,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission
1
47,861 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
69,380 mi
Structure: body: bumpers
1
—
Structure: body: door
1
11,000 mi
Suspension
1
170,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
1
—
Vehicle speed control
1
170,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
12,958 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
1
—
The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.