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.
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.
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 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
357
Reported to NHTSA
2003-05-27
Owners notified
2003-06-23
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE STEERING SHAFT JOINT IS NOT SUFFICIENT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LINE COULD COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE JOINT AND EVENTUALLY SUFFER DAMAGE AND CORROSION.
Safety risk
A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, INDICATED BY A WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, COULD OCCUR. THIS WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A REDUCTION IN FRONT BRAKE PERFORMANCE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE STEERING SHAFT JOINT, AND IF NECESSARY, INCREASE THE DISTANCE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 23, 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
Electrical system
15
115,000 mi
Air bags
14
112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
12
58,076 mi
Engine
11
115,000 mi
Power train
10
106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
8
53,000 mi
Unknown or other
7
130,500 mi
Exterior lighting
5
53,000 mi
Seats
5
69,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
4
68,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
4
130,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
3
40,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
3
95,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
3
63,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
2
74,200 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
2
90,000 mi
Service brakes
2
100,000 mi
Steering
2
70,000 mi
Structure: body
2
95,000 mi
Suspension
2
50,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
1
80,419 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
28,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module
1
—
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
150,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
33,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
1
—
Power train: driveline
1
129,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit
1
44,500 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
1
128,000 mi
Seat belts
1
50,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
53,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
1
1,000 mi
Structure
1
114,000 mi
Structure: body: door
1
75,000 mi
Suspension: rear
1
—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
3,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
1
51,000 mi
The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.