NHTSA Recall 17V047000
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Component: Air Bags. Reported 2017-01-20. An estimated 230,117 vehicles are affected. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Defect
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.
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.
What the manufacturer will do
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Vehicles covered by this recall
- 2000 BMW 320
- 2001 BMW 320
- 2002 BMW 320
- 2000 BMW 323
- 2001 BMW 323
- 2002 BMW 323
- 2000 BMW 325
- 2001 BMW 325
- 2002 BMW 325
- 2000 BMW 330
- 2001 BMW 330
- 2002 BMW 330
- 2001 BMW 525
- 2002 BMW 525
- 2001 BMW 530
- 2002 BMW 530
- 2001 BMW 540
- 2002 BMW 540
- 2000 BMW M3
- 2001 BMW M3
- 2002 BMW M3
- 2001 BMW M5
- 2002 BMW M5
- 2001 BMW X5
- 2002 BMW X5
- 2003 BMW X5