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BMW 323i Recall 19V851: Driver air bag may rupture or underinflate in a crash

NHTSA campaign 19V851, reported November 26, 2019, 7,910 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

Certain 1999 BMW 323i and 328i vehicles have driver air bag inflators made by Takata at one production facility. Due to a manufacturing problem, these inflators can absorb moisture. This can cause the inflator to rupture, sending metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, or cause the air bag to underinflate and not properly protect the occupant in a crash. Either outcome raises the risk of serious injury or death.

BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive affected vehicles. Contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 and take your vehicle to an authorized BMW dealer, where the driver air bag inflator will be inspected and replaced if necessary, free of charge. Check your vehicle identification number (VIN) for open recalls to confirm whether your vehicle is affected.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 19V851BMW of North America, LLC
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999 323i and 328i vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata at one specific inflator production facility. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result 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 inspect the driver air bag inflators and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: BMW recommends that owners do not continue to drive their vehicles.
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.

Affected vehicles

BMW 323i1999
BMW 328i1999