Recall 19V853 covers 74,185 1999-2001 BMW vehicles with Takata replacement driver air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 74,185 1999-2001 323I, 325I, 328I, 330I, 323CI, 325CI, 328CI, 330CI, 323IT, and 325IT vehicles with replacement Takata NADI driver air bag inflators that can rupture or underinflate after absorbing moisture. In a crash, metal fragments or an underinflated air bag can raise the risk of serious injury or death, and the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
A driver front air bag inflator is the metal device inside the air bag module that fills the air bag cushion during a crash. In these 1999-2001 BMW vehicles, the recalled part is a Takata single-stage NADI inflator used in certain replacement driver air bag modules.
The problem is moisture getting into the inflator because of a manufacturing and sealing issue. Once moisture is inside, the inflator can deploy abnormally. Instead of filling the air bag cushion correctly, the inflator can rupture or leave the cushion underinflated. BMW and Joyson Safety Systems also identified manufacturing variation, climate, vibration, vehicle application, and other factors as part of the abnormal deployment risk.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag can look normal from the driver seat, so the VIN and BMW service inspection decide whether this driver air bag module is included.
Who's affected?
Spans 10 BMW model variants across the 1999, 2000, and 2001 model years, with sedan, wagon, and coupe body styles all tied to the front air bag.
| 2000 BMW 330I | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2001 BMW 325IT | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 323IT | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 323IT | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 323I | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 330I | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 325I | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 323I | front air bag |
| 1999 BMW 328I | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 330CI | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 328CI | front air bag |
| 1999 BMW 330I | front air bag |
| 1999 BMW 325I | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 325CI | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 325IT | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 330CI | front air bag |
| 1999 BMW 323I | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 325I | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 328I | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 328I | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 323CI | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 323CI | front air bag |
| 2000 BMW 325CI | front air bag |
| 2001 BMW 328CI | front air bag |
| Units affected | 74,185 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
The year, model, and body style narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
During a crash that requires air bag deployment, the driver air bag inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or passengers. The air bag can also underinflate and fail to protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1999-2001 BMW 330I, 325IT, 323IT, 323I, 325I, 328I, 330CI, 328CI, 325CI, or 323CI is included in this recall.
- Watch for BMW's owner notice before scheduling the final driver-air-bag-inflator replacement.
- Call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 and reference recall number 19V853 when you ask about repair timing.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer once the repair is open to replace the driver air bag inflator that can rupture or underinflate in a crash.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW has mailed one, and keep any dealer paperwork for your records.
What happens at the repair
BMW has not opened the final dealer remedy for NHTSA campaign 19V853 yet. Once it is available, a BMW technician will replace the driver air bag inflator covered by the recall, and parts and labor will be free. The recall involves replacement Takata NADI driver air bag inflators that can absorb moisture and either rupture or leave the air bag cushion underinflated. BMW used its general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign. If you already paid for a related driver air bag inflator repair before the recall notice, contact BMW customer service with repair documentation and ask how to file under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 26, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 2, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| December 2, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 17, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 10, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V853?
Recall 19V853 covers 74,185 1999-2001 BMW 323I, 325I, 328I, 330I, 323CI, 325CI, 328CI, 330CI, 323IT, and 325IT vehicles with Takata NADI replacement driver air bag inflators. Moisture can make the inflator rupture or leave the air bag underinflated during a crash.
What should I do if my 1999-2001 BMW 323I, 325I, 328I, 330I, 323CI, 325CI, 328CI, 330CI, 323IT, or 325IT is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 19V853. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule driver air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 19V853 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 says dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is serious injury or death during a crash that requires driver air bag deployment. The inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or passengers, or the air bag can underinflate and fail to protect the occupant properly.
What if I bought this BMW used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall number 19V853.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V853000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V853 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V853000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →