The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 325Ci | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW 325i | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW 325iT | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW 325xi | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW 325xiT | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW 330Ci | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW 330i | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW 330xi | 2002, 2003 |
| BMW M3 | 2002, 2003 |
Components: AIR BAGS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 325Ci | 2002 | 30 | 3 |
| BMW 325Ci | 2003 | 27 | 5 |
| BMW 325i | 2002 | 162 | 6 |
| BMW 325i | 2003 | 199 | 7 |
| BMW 325iT | 2002 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW 325iT | 2003 | 3 | 2 |
| BMW 325xi | 2002 | 68 | 6 |
| BMW 325xi | 2003 | 31 | 5 |
| BMW 325xiT | 2002 | 1 | 2 |
| BMW 325xiT | 2003 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW 330Ci | 2002 | 46 | 3 |
| BMW 330Ci | 2003 | 18 | 3 |
| BMW 330i | 2002 | 45 | 6 |
| BMW 330i | 2003 | 77 | 6 |
| BMW 330xi | 2002 | 20 | 5 |
| BMW 330xi | 2003 | 33 | 5 |
| BMW M3 | 2002 | 40 | 5 |
| BMW M3 | 2003 | 54 | 5 |
Other air bags recalls in 2013
23 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the air bags; BMW of North America, LLC filed 347 campaigns in all.
| 13V607000 2 Dec 2013 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 13V564000 12 Nov 2013 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 13V555000 6 Nov 2013 | Chrysler Group LLC |
| 13V542000 1 Nov 2013 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 13V456000 26 Sept 2013 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 13V412000 19 Sept 2013 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 13V405000 6 Sept 2013 | Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. |
| 13V315000 19 Jul 2013 | General Motors LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013