Recall 13V172 affects 43,204 2002-2003 BMW vehicles for passenger air bag inflator rupture. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.
In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into occupants, causing serious injury. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Arrange towing if it must move. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
BMW is recalling 43,204 2002-2003 325XI, 325IT, M3, 330CI, and 330I vehicles under recall 13V172 because the passenger-side frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. Metal fragments can strike occupants in a crash. Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer repair is available and completed free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger-side frontal air bag in affected 2002-2003 BMW 325XI, 325IT, M3, 325XIT, 325I, 330XI, 330CI, 330I, and 325CI vehicles is designed to cushion the front passenger in a frontal crash. The air bag module includes an inflator, a sealed device that produces gas fast enough to fill the bag when crash sensors command deployment. That pressure has to stay inside the inflator and move into the bag in a controlled way.
In this recall, the passenger-side inflator can create excessive internal pressure during air bag deployment. Instead of directing the gas only into the air bag, the inflator can rupture. That means the safety part meant to protect the passenger does not deploy as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows itself only if the passenger-side frontal air bag deploys in a crash.
Who's affected?
Spans 9 BMW model variants across the 2002 and 2003 model years, all involving the air bag system.
| 2002 BMW 325XI | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2003 BMW 325IT | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW M3 | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW M3 | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 325IT | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 325XIT | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 325XI | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 330XI | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 330CI | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 330XI | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 330CI | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 325CI | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 325XIT | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 325CI | air bag system |
| Units affected | 43,204 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into occupants, causing serious injury. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Arrange towing if it must move. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2002-2003 BMW 325XI, 325IT, M3, 325XIT, 325I, 330XI, 330CI, 330I, or 325CI is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger air bag repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to a franchised BMW dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact BMW customer service or a franchised BMW dealer for repair timing, since the source record does not show a current remedy status.
- Reference recall number 13V172 when you call, and ask about the free passenger air bag replacement that addresses the inflator rupture risk.
What happens at the repair
BMW's remedy plan is to replace the passenger air bag at a BMW dealer. Do not drive the vehicle until that repair is complete. The remedy notice describes an initial owner notification in June 2013, followed by another notice after replacement parts became available, estimated for July. Once the repair is available for your VIN, a BMW technician replaces the passenger air bag. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| May 2, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 9, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V172?
Recall 13V172 covers 43,204 2002-2003 BMW 325XI, 325IT, M3, 325XIT, 325I, 330XI, 330CI, 330I, and 325CI vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag inflator defect. In a crash with air bag deployment, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin.
What should I do if my 2002-2003 BMW 325XI, 325IT, M3, 325XIT, 325I, 330XI, 330CI, 330I, or 325CI is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V172. If it is, do not drive the vehicle until a franchised BMW dealer replaces the passenger air bag. Call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 and ask the dealer about towing.
Is the BMW recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW will replace the passenger air bag free of charge at a franchised BMW dealer. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 13V172.
What does do not drive mean for recall 13V172?
Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger air bag repair is complete. BMW advised owners not to drive affected vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments toward occupants. Ask the dealer or BMW customer service about towing.
What if I bought this BMW used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner or where the vehicle was purchased. Check your VIN to confirm whether your BMW is included in recall 13V172, then reference the recall number when you call a franchised BMW dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V172000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V172 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V172000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →