Recall 19V016 affects 12,880 2015 BMW X1 Sav vehicles for driver air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 12,880 2015 X1 Sav vehicles because the driver frontal air bag inflator can explode after long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers and cause serious injury or death; BMW dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag inflator in the 2015 BMW X1 Sav sits inside the steering-wheel air bag module. In a crash, the inflator burns a small propellant charge to create gas, which fills the air bag fast enough to cushion the driver.
On affected vehicles, the Takata PSDI-5 inflator uses non-desiccated ammonium nitrate, a propellant without a drying agent to control moisture. After years of high humidity, heat, and temperature cycling, the propellant wafers change. If the air bag deploys, that changed propellant can burn too aggressively, building pressure faster than the inflator housing is designed to contain. The inflator can rupture instead of filling the air bag normally.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the sealed inflator, so the driver will not feel, hear, or see a clear symptom before an air bag deployment.
Who's affected?
| 2015 BMW X1 Sav | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12,880 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2015 BMW X1 Sav is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
The driver's frontal air bag inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon and treat the air bag module as unrepaired until the dealer replaces it. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015 BMW X1 Sav is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free driver's frontal air bag module replacement for the defective inflator.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one, or reference recall number 19V016 when you call.
- Schedule the repair promptly after your VIN is confirmed; parts and labor are covered.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the driver's frontal air bag module, including the inflator assembly covered by recall 19V016. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now. If you already paid out of pocket to replace the air bag module before the recall notice, BMW Group's standard reimbursement plan provides the claim path for documented expenses. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 14, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 14, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| January 14, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 4, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 14, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V016?
Recall 19V016 covers 12,880 2015 BMW X1 Sav vehicles with driver frontal air bag inflators that can explode after long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature cycling. BMW dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2015 BMW X1 Sav is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V016. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule replacement of the driver's frontal air bag module. Reference recall number 19V016 when you call. The 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 driver's frontal air bag module free of charge. The recall repair is available through franchised BMW dealers.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is an inflator explosion inside the driver frontal air bag module. If that happens, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. BMW's free repair replaces the affected driver's frontal air bag module.
What if I bought this BMW X1 Sav used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether this 2015 BMW X1 Sav is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall 19V016.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V016000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V016 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V016000 |
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 →