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BMW 328i Recall 20V017: Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments

NHTSA campaign 20V017, reported January 15, 2020, 59,965 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

The driver-side frontal airbag inflator in certain vehicles contains an ammonium nitrate propellant that was not properly dried. Over time, long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures and repeated temperature swings can degrade the propellant, which may cause the inflator to rupture when the airbag deploys.

If the inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, which may result in serious injury or death. The recall covers affected vehicles that received these inflators as interim replacement parts under earlier Takata airbag recalls.

BMW will notify owners, and authorized dealers will replace the driver airbag free of charge (on X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced). Owners can contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417, and should check their vehicle identification number (VIN) for open recalls.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 20V017BMW of North America, LLC
Component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. 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.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

BMW 1 Series M200820092010201120122013
BMW 128i200820092010201120122013
BMW 135i200820092010201120122013
BMW 325i200620072008200920102011
BMW 325xi2006200720082009201020112012
BMW 328i20062007200820092010201120122013
BMW 328xi2006200720082009201020112012
BMW 330i200620072008200920102011
BMW 330xi200620072008200920102011
BMW 335d200920102011
BMW 335i20062007200820092010201120122013
BMW 335is2007200820092010201120122013
BMW 335xi200620072008200920102011
BMW M320062007200820092010201120122013
BMW X1201320142015
BMW X32007200820092010
BMW X52007200820092010201120122013
BMW X62008200920102011201220132014
BMW X6 Activehybrid SAC20102011