Recall 18V030 affects 41,808 2007-2013 BMW X5 and X6 SUVs for passenger air bag inflator rupture. Do not drive. Free repair at franchised BMW dealers.
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the passenger front air bag module has been replaced. If the vehicle must move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 41,808 2007-2013 X5 and X6 vehicles under recall 18V030 because the passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment after propellant degradation. Do not drive an included vehicle until a BMW dealer completes the free repair; sharp metal fragments from an inflator explosion can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death.
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What's wrong?
The passenger front air bag inflator in the 2007-2013 BMW X5 and X6 is the metal canister inside the air bag module. In a crash, it is supposed to create gas quickly and inflate the passenger air bag in a controlled way. That controlled inflation depends on the inflator staying intact when pressure builds.
On affected vehicles, the Takata inflator uses propellant wafers that break down after years of exposure to high moisture in the air and repeated hot and cool temperature changes. When the passenger air bag deploys, the weakened propellant can burn too aggressively. That pressure can make the inflator explode instead of filling the air bag normally.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag warning light is not a reliable way to tell whether this inflator has degraded, so the VIN decides whether the vehicle is included.
Who's affected?
X5 coverage runs from 2007-2013, while X6 coverage starts at 2009; both use the same passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2007 BMW X5 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2013 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2013 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2009 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2009 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2008 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2010 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2010 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2011 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2011 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2012 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2012 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 41,808 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the passenger front air bag module has been replaced. If the vehicle must move, ask the dealer about towing. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2013 BMW X5 or X6 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the passenger front air bag module repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free passenger front air bag module replacement that removes the inflator at risk of exploding in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V030 when you call.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall repair is complete. At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the passenger front air bag module, which contains the affected inflator. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Because BMW lists the remedy as available, contact a BMW dealer to arrange the free module replacement and ask how the vehicle should be moved for service if it is parked now.
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 9, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| January 9, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 9, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V030?
Recall 18V030 covers 41,808 2007-2013 BMW X5 and X6 vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode during deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. BMW dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2013 BMW X5 or X6 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V030. If it is, do not drive it. Contact a franchised BMW dealer and ask how to arrange the free passenger front air bag module replacement, including towing if the vehicle needs to move.
Does the BMW recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. BMW dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module free of charge, regardless of where you bought the vehicle or whether you bought it new or used.
What does do not drive mean for this BMW recall?
Do not drive means the vehicle should stay parked until the recall repair is complete. This applies even for short trips because the passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode in a crash that triggers deployment. Ask the BMW dealer about towing instead of driving to the appointment.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V030000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V030 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V030000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →