Recall 19V698 covers 3,924 2000-2002 BMW 323, 325, and 330 vehicles with explosive driver air bag inflators. Do not drive. Free repair at any BMW dealer.
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive this BMW, even for short trips. Arrange towing if the vehicle must move, then have the dealer inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as needed. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 3,924 2000-2002 330, 325, and 323 vehicles with certain replacement driver-side air bag modules because the frontal inflator can explode after long-term propellant degradation. Do not drive an included vehicle until a BMW dealer completes the free repair, because sharp metal fragments can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death.
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What's wrong?
The driver-side frontal air bag module in these 2000-2002 BMW 330, 325, and 323 vehicles sits in the steering wheel. In a crash, the module is supposed to inflate the air bag in front of the driver by using an inflator, a metal canister that burns propellant to make gas quickly and fill the bag.
Recall 19V698 concerns replacement Takata driver air bag modules that were installed after a crash or during an earlier recall repair. The affected PSDI-4 inflator uses propellant that breaks down after long exposure to high absolute humidity, heat, and repeated temperature changes. If the weakened inflator deploys, the canister can rupture instead of sending gas only into the air bag, sending metal fragments into the cabin.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag warning light is not listed as an advance symptom for this defect, so the VIN and inspection decide whether the module needs replacement.
Who's affected?
Spans the 323, 325, and 330 across the 2000, 2001, and 2002 model years, all tied to the driver-side front air bag inflator.
| 2001 BMW 330 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2002 BMW 325 | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 323 | front air bag |
| 2002 BMW 323 | front air bag |
| 2002 BMW 330 | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 325 | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 323 | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 325 | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 330 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 3,924 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car 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 this BMW, even for short trips. Arrange towing if the vehicle must move, then have the dealer inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as needed. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2000-2002 BMW 330, 325, or 323 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until BMW completes the driver's air bag module repair.
- Arrange towing if the vehicle has to be moved to a franchised BMW dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free driver's air bag module inspection and replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V698 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 inspects the driver's air bag module and replaces it if the recalled module is installed. The inspection, replacement module, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid to replace the driver's air bag module before the recall notice, BMW's standard reimbursement plan addresses eligible documented costs. Bring prior repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how BMW handles the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 2, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 4, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| October 4, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 7, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 25, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V698?
Recall 19V698 covers 3,924 2000-2002 BMW 330, 325, and 323 vehicles with driver-side air bag modules that require inspection. The inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments toward occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer completes the repair.
What should I do if my 2000-2002 BMW 330, 325, or 323 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 19V698. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Call a franchised BMW dealer, reference recall 19V698, and ask about towing for the free driver-side air bag module inspection and replacement.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as needed for free. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 19V698.
What does do not drive mean for this BMW recall?
Do not drive the vehicle for any trip until the recall repair is complete. BMW's remedy instructs owners to leave affected vehicles parked until a dealer inspects the driver-side air bag module and replaces it if needed. Ask the BMW dealer about towing if the vehicle has to move.
What if I bought this BMW used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner, so a used 2000-2002 BMW 330, 325, or 323 still qualifies if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a franchised BMW dealer with recall 19V698.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V698000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V698 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V698000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →