Recall 14V428 affects 574,007 2000-2006 BMW models for passenger air bag inflator rupture. Do not drive. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.
If the passenger's frontal air bag deploys in a crash, excessive pressure can rupture the inflator and send metal fragments toward the passenger or other occupants. This creates a risk of serious injury. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Arrange towing if it needs to move. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 574,007 2000-2006 323I, 325I, 330I, 325XI, 330XI, 328I, and M3 vehicles under recall 14V428 because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. In a crash that deploys the air bag, metal fragments can strike occupants and seriously injure them. Do not drive affected vehicles until a BMW dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The passenger side frontal air bag in affected 2000-2006 BMW 323I, 328I, 325I, 325XI, 330I, 330XI, and M3 vehicles is part of the crash protection system. In a frontal crash, the inflator is supposed to generate gas that fills the air bag cushion in front of the passenger, so the cushion helps manage the force of the impact.
The defect is inside the inflator. When the air bag deploys, excessive internal pressure builds inside that inflator, and the inflator can rupture instead of staying contained. That means the air bag module is not doing only its intended job of inflating the cushion. A rupture changes the event from a normal air bag deployment into a broken component inside the passenger air bag system.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect shows itself only when the passenger frontal air bag deploys, so an owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a symptom during normal driving.
Who's affected?
Spans 7 BMW model variants across the 2000-2006 model years, all tied to the air bag system.
| 2004 BMW M3 | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2002 BMW M3 | air bag system |
| 2006 BMW M3 | air bag system |
| 2004 BMW 330XI | air bag system |
| 2001 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2001 BMW 325XI | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 325XI | air bag system |
| 2001 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| 2006 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| 2000 BMW 328I | air bag system |
| 2000 BMW 323I | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW M3 | air bag system |
| 2001 BMW 330XI | air bag system |
| 2001 BMW M3 | air bag system |
| 2005 BMW M3 | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 330XI | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 330XI | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| 2005 BMW 325XI | air bag system |
| 2004 BMW 325XI | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 325XI | air bag system |
| 2005 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2005 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| 2004 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2003 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2002 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2005 BMW 330XI | air bag system |
| 2006 BMW 330I | air bag system |
| 2004 BMW 325I | air bag system |
| Units affected | 574,007 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the passenger's frontal air bag deploys in a crash, excessive pressure can rupture the inflator and send metal fragments toward the passenger or other occupants. This creates a risk of serious injury. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips. Arrange towing if it needs to move. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2000-2006 BMW 323I, 325I, 325XI, 328I, 330I, 330XI, or M3 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger side frontal air bag repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact your nearest franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free passenger side frontal air bag replacement that addresses the inflator rupture risk.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V428 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the passenger side frontal air bag covered by recall 14V428. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available through BMW dealers now. Do not drive the vehicle until the repair is complete. If the vehicle must move, call the BMW dealer first and ask how they want it brought in, including whether towing is available.
Timeline
| October 31, 2014 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
|---|---|
| December 1, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 11, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V428?
Recall 14V428 covers 574,007 2000-2006 BMW 323I, 325I, 325XI, 328I, 330I, 330XI, and M3 vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag inflator defect. Do not drive an included vehicle until BMW replaces the passenger side frontal air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2000-2006 BMW 323I, 325I, 325XI, 328I, 330I, 330XI, or M3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 14V428. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Call a franchised BMW dealer or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 and ask how to arrange the free passenger frontal air bag replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised BMW dealer.
What does "Do not drive" mean for recall 14V428?
Do not drive means the vehicle should stay parked until the recall repair is complete. BMW advises owners not to drive included vehicles because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin.
What if I bought my BMW used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific BMW is included, then reference recall 14V428 when you call a franchised BMW dealer for the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V428000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V428 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V428000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →