Recall 17V115 covers 292 2017 BMW M4, 440I, Dawn, and 430I vehicles for faulty side air bag initiators. Free repair at franchised BMW dealers.
BMW is recalling 292 2017 M4, 440I, 430I, and Dawn vehicles because seat-mounted side air bag inflator initiators can fail to ignite during a crash. If the initiator fails, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing injury risk; BMW dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The affected 2017 BMW M4, 440I, 430I, and Dawn vehicles use seat-mounted side air bags in the front seats. Each side air bag has an inflator initiator, also called an igniter, that starts the chemical reaction inside the inflator. In a qualifying side-impact crash, that reaction produces gas so the air bag opens next to the occupant.
In this recall, some driver and passenger front seat-mounted side air bag module igniters were not made to BMW's specifications. The supplier identified a production condition that affected the generant mix ratio, meaning the material inside the igniter was not blended as required. If the igniter does not light, the inflator does not fill the side air bag as designed during a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag system can appear normal before a crash, so the VIN check and dealer repair path matter.
Who's affected?
Covers four model lines under one air bag system scope.
| 2017 BMW M4 | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2017 BMW 440I | air bag system |
| 2017 Rolls-Royce Dawn | air bag system |
| 2017 BMW 430I | air bag system |
| Units affected | 292 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2017 model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. There is no listed warning sign, so confirm your VIN and schedule the air bag module replacement soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 BMW M4, 440I, Dawn, or 430I is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free seat-mounted side air bag module replacement that addresses inflator initiator failure in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V115 when you call.
- Complete the dealer repair before relying on the seat-mounted side air bags for crash protection.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the seat mounted side air bag modules covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. BMW has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for this same repair before the recall work was completed. Ask BMW customer service or the service desk how to submit documentation for reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 23, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 24, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| April 10, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 17, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V115?
Recall 17V115 covers 292 2017 BMW M4, 440I, Dawn, and 430I vehicles with seat-mounted side air bag inflator initiators that fail to ignite during a crash. If that happens, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, which raises injury risk. BMW dealers will replace the air bag modules for free.
What should I do if my 2017 BMW M4, 440I, Dawn, or 430I is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V115. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 17V115 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW's remedy says dealers will replace the air bag modules free of charge. You can also contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with the recall number.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that a seat-mounted side air bag will not deploy during a crash if the inflator initiator fails to ignite. That raises injury risk for an occupant who needs that side air bag protection. The fix is a free replacement of the affected air bag modules.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V115000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V115 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V115000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →