Vehicle recall 21V401000 · May 27, 2021
BMW 3 Series, 323i and 7 more models
These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V-851, 19V852, or 19V-853.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V-851, 19V852, or 19V-853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
- Consequence
- The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. 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.nhtsa.gov.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 21V401000
- Reported to NHTSA
- May 27, 2021
- Filed by
- BMW of North America, LLC
- Owner notification
- July 12, 2021
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 4,511
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- BMW 3 Series (1999-2001): 2001, 2000, 1999
- BMW 323CI (2000-2001): 2001, 2000
- BMW 323i (1999-2001): 2001, 2000, 1999
- BMW 325Ci (2000-2001): 2001, 2000
- BMW 328Ci (2000-2001): 2001, 2000
- BMW 328i (1999-2001): 2001, 2000, 1999
- BMW 330Ci (2000-2001): 2001, 2000
- BMW 330i (1999-2001): 2001, 2000, 1999
- BMW 330xi (1999-2001): 2001, 2000, 1999
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.
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.