The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
The 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.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 1 Series M | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW 128i | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW 135i | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW 325 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| BMW 328 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW 330 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| BMW 335 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW M3 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW X1 SAV | 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| BMW X3 SAV | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| BMW X5 SAV | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
| BMW X6 Activehybrid SAC | 2010, 2011 |
| BMW X6 SAC | 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 1 Series M | 2008 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW 1 Series M | 2009 | 1 | 2 |
| BMW 1 Series M | 2010 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW 1 Series M | 2011 | 2 | 3 |
| BMW 1 Series M | 2012 | 0 | 3 |
| BMW 1 Series M | 2013 | 3 | 2 |
| BMW 128i | 2008 | 18 | 6 |
| BMW 128i | 2009 | 26 | 6 |
| BMW 128i | 2010 | 22 | 7 |
| BMW 128i | 2011 | 50 | 7 |
| BMW 128i | 2012 | 31 | 5 |
| BMW 128i | 2013 | 36 | 3 |
| BMW 135i | 2008 | 51 | 4 |
| BMW 135i | 2009 | 29 | 4 |
| BMW 135i | 2010 | 15 | 4 |
| BMW 135i | 2011 | 27 | 6 |
| BMW 135i | 2012 | 19 | 6 |
| BMW 135i | 2013 | 12 | 2 |
| BMW 325 | 2006 | 8 | 1 |
| BMW 325 | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 325 | 2008 | 1 | 1 |
| BMW 325 | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 325 | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 325 | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 325 | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 328 | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 328 | 2007 | 9 | 1 |
| BMW 328 | 2008 | 8 | 1 |
| BMW 328 | 2009 | 11 | 1 |
| BMW 328 | 2010 | 3 | 1 |
Other air bags recalls in 2016
92 of the 919 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2016 concerned the air bags; BMW of North America, LLC filed 347 campaigns in all.
| 16V946000 30 Dec 2016 | Porsche Cars North America, Inc. |
| 16V956000 30 Dec 2016 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 16V943000 29 Dec 2016 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 16V941000 29 Dec 2016 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 16V939000 28 Dec 2016 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 16V953000 28 Dec 2016 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
| 16V935000 27 Dec 2016 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| 16V947000 22 Dec 2016 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2016