Vehicle recall 13V172000 · May 2, 2013

BMW 325Ci, 325i and 7 more models

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…

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

Do not drive affected vehicles until they are repaired. This is the manufacturer’s safety advisory for this recall.

Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
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.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 13V172000
Reported to NHTSA: May 2, 2013
Filed by: BMW of North America, LLC
Owner notification: August 9, 2013
Vehicles potentially affected: 43,204
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Air bags

Recall 13V172000 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 325Ci (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 325i (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 325IT (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 325xi (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 325XIT (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 330Ci (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 330i (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 330xi (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW M3 (2002-2003): 2003, 2002

Has your BMW been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A BMW dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.