Recall 18V533 affects 3 2019 BMW 430I and 440I vehicles for a passenger air bag inflator defect. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 3 2019 430I and 440I vehicles because the front passenger air bag inflator was incorrectly manufactured, which can affect air bag deployment in a crash. If the passenger air bag does not deploy properly, the occupant faces increased injury risk; BMW dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger front air bag inflator in a 2019 BMW 430I or 440I sits inside the air bag module behind the passenger side instrument panel. In a crash, the inflator produces gas that fills the air bag so it can cushion the front passenger. The module depends on the inflator being assembled to BMW and supplier specifications.
On the affected vehicles, the inflator was assembled incorrectly. A spring mechanism inside the inflator, which helps hold and compress the propellant, was not released properly, so the propellant is not held as designed. That changes how the inflator performs when the air bag is commanded to deploy in a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. A rattle from the passenger side instrument panel led BMW to investigate during testing, but owners should not rely on noise or a dashboard light to identify this defect.
Who's affected?
Both listed models share the same front air bag component, so the VIN check decides exact inclusion.
| 2019 BMW 430I | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2019 BMW 440I | front air bag |
| Units affected | 3 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2019 BMW 430I or 440I does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front passenger air bag fails to deploy properly in a crash, the passenger has a higher risk of injury. Because the problem affects crash protection, confirm whether the VIN is included and schedule the dealer repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 BMW 430I or 440I is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag module replacement that fixes the inflator issue affecting air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V533 when you call.
- Confirm the front passenger air bag module replacement is complete before taking delivery or putting a passenger in that seat.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the front passenger air bag module covered by recall 18V533. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. BMW reported that all affected vehicles were still in dealer inventory, so owner notification letters were not required before the repair. Because the vehicles had not been delivered to owners, BMW is not offering a separate reimbursement program for this campaign.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| August 15, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| August 15, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 16, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V533?
Recall 18V533 covers 3 2019 BMW 430I and 440I vehicles with a front passenger air bag inflator that was incorrectly manufactured. In a crash, the front passenger air bag can fail to deploy properly, increasing injury risk for the occupant.
What should I do if my 2019 BMW 430I or 440I is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V533. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall 18V533. The dealer will replace the front passenger air bag module for free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. BMW dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V533?
The risk is an increased chance of injury for the front passenger in a crash. The inflator problem affects how the passenger air bag deploys, so the air bag protection can be reduced when it is needed.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V533000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 18005257417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V533 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V533000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →