Vehicle recall 96V110000 · July 1, 1996
BMW 525i, 535i and 10 more models
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
- Consequence
- If this happens, the contact ring wiring could eventually break. The air bag readiness indicator lamp (SRS or airbag) in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the air bag would not deploy in the event of a frontal impact vehicle collision.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the locking tab with one of a different design.
- Notes
- System: interior; passive restraint; air bag; driver. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Owner notification: owner notification is expected to begin August 5, 1996. Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 96V110000
- Reported to NHTSA
- July 1, 1996
- Filed by
- BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
- Owner notification
- September 30, 1996
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 75,000
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- BMW 318i (1992): 1992
- BMW 318iS (1992): 1992
- BMW 325i (1992): 1992
- BMW 325iS (1992): 1992
- BMW 525i (1991-1992): 1992, 1991
- BMW 525IT (1992): 1992
- BMW 535i (1991-1992): 1992, 1991
- BMW 735i (1991-1992): 1992, 1991
- BMW 735iL (1991-1992): 1992, 1991
- BMW 750iL (1991-1992): 1992, 1991
- BMW 850i (1991-1992): 1992, 1991
- BMW M5 (1991-1992): 1992, 1991
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.