Recall 20V016 covers 4,007 2007-2012 BMW X5, X6, and X6 Activehybrid Sac vehicles for passenger air bag inflators. Do not drive. Free dealer repair.
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, including short trips. Call the dealer before moving it and ask how to complete the passenger front air bag replacement. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 4,007 2007-2012 X5, X6, and X6 Activehybrid Sac vehicles because interim Takata passenger air bag inflators can explode after propellant degradation. Do not drive until a BMW dealer replaces the inflator free of charge; sharp metal fragments from an explosion can strike occupants and cause serious injury or death.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The passenger front air bag inflator in 2007-2012 BMW X5, X6, and X6 Activehybrid Sac vehicles is the metal canister inside the dashboard air bag module. In a crash, the inflator burns propellant to make gas quickly, which fills the passenger air bag so it can cushion the occupant.
This recall involves Takata PSPI-2 inflators that were installed as interim replacement parts in earlier Takata recalls. These inflators use non-desiccated ammonium nitrate propellant, meaning the propellant lacks a drying agent to control moisture. After long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and repeated temperature changes, the propellant wafers can change over time. If the air bag deploys, that altered propellant can burn too aggressively and cause the inflator to explode instead of releasing gas in a controlled way.
There is no warning sign before failure. The air bag light, normal driving feel, and passenger seat area will not tell you whether this specific inflator is installed.
Who's affected?
Spans the X5, X6, and X6 Activehybrid Sac across 2007-2012, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2011 BMW X5 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2011 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2012 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2010 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2010 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2007 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2008 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2011 BMW X6 Activehybrid Sac | front air bag |
| 2010 BMW X6 Activehybrid Sac | front air bag |
| 2009 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2009 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| 2008 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| 2012 BMW X6 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 4,007 |
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 passengers, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, including short trips. Call the dealer before moving it and ask how to complete the passenger front air bag replacement. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2012 BMW X5, X6, or X6 Activehybrid Sac is included in this recall.
- Do not drive your BMW until the passenger front air bag replacement 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 replacement, which removes the inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V016 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 assembly that contains the recalled interim Takata inflator. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. BMW uses its standard reimbursement plan for this campaign. If you already paid for a passenger front air bag repair tied to this defect before the recall notice, bring documentation to the service desk or contact BMW customer service to ask how to claim reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 15, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 16, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| January 16, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 6, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 11, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V016?
Recall 20V016 covers 4,007 2007-2012 BMW X5, X6, and X6 Activehybrid Sac vehicles with interim Takata passenger air bag inflators. The inflator can explode after propellant degradation, sending sharp metal fragments toward occupants. BMW dealers replace the passenger front air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2012 BMW X5, X6, or X6 Activehybrid Sac is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 20V016. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Call a franchised BMW dealer or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 to arrange the free passenger front air bag replacement.
What does "do not drive" mean for this BMW recall?
Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer completes the recall repair. The recall involves a passenger frontal air bag inflator that can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. If the vehicle must move, ask the BMW dealer about the safest transport option.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and BMW dealers replace the passenger front air bag free of charge. The recall repair began March 11, 2020, so the dealer repair path is available.
What if I bought this BMW used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific X5, X6, or X6 Activehybrid Sac is included, then reference recall 20V016 when you call a franchised BMW dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V016000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V016 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V016000 |
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 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →