Vehicle recall 15V318000 · May 28, 2015

BMW 325Ci, 330Ci and 10 more models

Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel.

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 of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: 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 replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this 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.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 15V318000
Reported to NHTSA: May 28, 2015
Filed by: BMW of North America, LLC
Owner notification: August 19, 2016
Vehicles potentially affected: 419,235
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 15V318000 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 (2002-2006): 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BMW 325i (2002-2005): 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BMW 325xi (2002-2005): 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BMW 330Ci (2002-2006): 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BMW 330i (2002-2005): 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BMW 330xi (2002-2005): 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BMW 525i (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 530i (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW 540i (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW M3 (2002-2006): 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BMW M5 (2002-2003): 2003, 2002
BMW X5 (2003): 2003

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.