Vehicle recall 03V421000 · October 24, 2003

BMW 525i, 525iA and 8 more models

On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners,…

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, may have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of these components.
Consequence: Unexpected deployment of the air bag(s) could cause serious injury if an occupant is too close to the deploying air bag(s). In addition, the battery safety terminal may also be activated. If that happens, the starter cable would become disconnected from the battery, and the engine could not be restarted.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began NOVEMBER10, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Notes: Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 03V421000
Reported to NHTSA: October 24, 2003
Filed by: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Owner notification: November 10, 2003
Vehicles potentially affected: 23,000
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 03V421000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

BMW 525i (2001): 2001
BMW 525iA (2001): 2001
BMW 525IT (2001): 2001
BMW 525ITA (2001): 2001
BMW 530i (2001): 2001
BMW 530iA (2001): 2001
BMW 540i (2001): 2001
BMW 540iA (2001): 2001
BMW 540IAT (2001): 2001
BMW M5 (2001): 2001

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