BMW 320, 323, 325 and others: Inflator module

Date

Jan. 20, 2017

Filed by

BMW of North America, LLC

Consumer advisory

Do Not Drive (NHTSA consumer advisory in this record).

Vehicles

BMW 320 (2000, 2001, 2002); BMW 323 (2000, 2001, 2002); BMW 325 (2000, 2001, 2002); BMW 330 (2000, 2001, 2002); BMW 525 (2001, 2002); BMW 530 (2001, 2002); BMW 540 (2001, 2002); BMW M3 (2000, 2001, 2002); BMW M5 (2001, 2002); BMW X5 (2001, 2002, 2003)

Component

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

Description of the 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.

Potentially affected

230117

What can happen

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.

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.

Recall 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.

Owner notification date

March 15, 2017

Recall type

V (vehicle)

Influenced by

ODI

Recall number

17V047000

What should I do? Car recall: how to check your car and get it fixed

Source: NHTSA · Vehicle record. View the agency notice. The agency notice governs; check it and the company before acting.