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Campaign 20V018 Posted January 15, 2020 292,948 units

2000-2006 BMW 323I-330CI/M3 Recall 20V018: Takata Air Bag

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 23, 2026

Recall 20V018 covers 292,948 2000-2006 BMW vehicles with Takata passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.

BMW is recalling 292,948 2000-2006 vehicles, including the 323IT, M3, and 330CI, because Takata frontal air bag inflators installed as interim repair parts can explode after propellant degradation. The explosion can send sharp metal fragments toward occupants, causing serious injury or death, and BMW dealers will complete the free repair.

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What's wrong?

The passenger frontal air bag inflator in these 2000-2006 BMW vehicles is the metal canister that fills the air bag during a crash. It uses propellant to create gas quickly, so the bag inflates between the passenger and the dashboard. In NHTSA campaign 20V018, the issue is with certain Takata inflators used as interim replacement parts.

Those inflators contain non-desiccated phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. Non-desiccated means the inflator lacks a drying agent that helps control moisture. After long exposure to high humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling, the propellant wafers change over time. During air bag deployment, that altered propellant creates overly aggressive combustion, and the inflator is at risk of rupturing instead of inflating the bag normally.

There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator sits inside the air bag module, so a driver or passenger will not hear, feel, or see the propellant degrading during normal driving.

Who's affected?

Spans sedan, coupe, wagon, all-wheel-drive wagon, and M3 variants across 2000-2006, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator.

2004 BMW 323IT front air bag
2002 BMW M3 front air bag
2000 BMW 323I front air bag
2003 BMW M3 front air bag
2004 BMW M3 front air bag
Units affected292,948
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

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?

A defective passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment, sending sharp metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants and causing serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2000-2006 BMW 323IT, M3, 323I, 330CI, 325CI, 323CI, 330XI, 330I, 325XI, 328I, 325I, 320I, 325XIT, 325IT, or 328CI is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free passenger front air bag replacement, which removes the Takata inflator that can explode.
  3. Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one; reference recall number 20V018 when you call.
  4. Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and keep passengers aware that the front passenger air bag inflator is the part being replaced.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the front passenger air bag covered by recall 20V018. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall, and the remedy is available now. If you have already paid out of pocket for a related passenger air bag repair, BMW's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact BMW customer service to ask how to submit the claim.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

January 15, 2020 NHTSA published the recall
January 16, 2020 Dealer notification began
January 16, 2020 Dealer notification ended
February 13, 2020 Owner notification mailed
March 6, 2020 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 20V018?

Recall 20V018 covers 292,948 2000-2006 BMW vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators installed as interim Takata remedy parts. These inflators can explode after propellant degradation, sending sharp metal fragments toward occupants. BMW dealers will replace the passenger front air bag for free.

What should I do if my 2000-2006 BMW 323IT, M3, 323I, 330CI, 325CI, 323CI, 330XI, 330I, 325XI, 328I, 325I, 320I, 325XIT, 325IT, or 328CI is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 20V018. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the passenger front air bag replacement. Reference recall number 20V018 when you call. The repair is free.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW dealers will replace the passenger front air bag free of charge. BMW's recall remedy began February 13, 2020, so the dealer repair is available.

What is the safety risk in recall 20V018?

The safety risk is metal-fragment injury from the passenger frontal air bag inflator. NHTSA campaign 20V018 says an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. The fix is the free air bag replacement at a BMW dealer.

What if I bought my BMW used?

The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN because the year and model list alone does not confirm inclusion. If your VIN is included, call a franchised BMW dealer and ask for recall 20V018.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V018000
BMW customer service1-800-525-7417
NHTSA recall #20V018
NHTSA recall # (full)20V018000

Source documents

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 →