2006-2012 BMW 3 Series Recall 24V513: Air Bag Inflator

Recall 24V513 covers 394,029 2006-2012 BMW 3 Series vehicles with replacement steering-wheel air bag inflators that can explode. Free repair at any franchised BMW dealer.

What's wrong?

The driver air bag module in these 2006-2012 BMW 3 Series vehicles sits in the steering wheel. In a crash, its inflator is supposed to fill the driver air bag in a controlled burst so the bag cushions the driver. The module depends on the inflator staying sealed and stable until that deployment happens.

The problem is tied to sport or M-sport steering wheels installed outside BMW's approved replacement process. Some of those steering wheels contain a Takata PSDI-5 inflator instead of the original ammonium nitrate-free inflator. After years of high humidity, high temperatures, and temperature cycling, the inflator propellant and module conditions can make the inflator rupture during deployment. That means the air bag event itself can become the hazard.

There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is inside the driver air bag module, so an owner will not feel a change in steering, braking, or normal driving before the inflator deploys.

Who's affected?

Spans 10 BMW 3 Series variants across 7 model years, all tied to the driver front air bag module.

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?

If the driver's air bag inflator explodes, sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers, causing serious injury or death. Schedule the dealer inspection promptly and avoid delaying the repair. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2012 BMW 3 Series is included in this recall.
2. Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free driver's air bag module inspection and replacement if needed, which addresses the sport or M-sport steering-wheel inflator risk.
3. Bring BMW's owner letter if you have it, or reference recall number 24V513 when you call.
4. Limit driving until the dealer confirms the driver air bag module is not affected or completes the free repair.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the driver's air bag module and replaces it if the inspection shows the module is covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. If you've already paid out of pocket to replace the air bag module before the recall notice, BMW's standard reimbursement plan gives owners a path for documented expenses. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact BMW customer service for claim instructions.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCRIT
• Download Quarterly Report (PDF) · RCLQRT
• Download Misc. Document (PDF) · RMISC
• Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) · RCONL
• Download Owner Notice (PDF) · RCMN
• Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF) · RCAK
• Download Recall Report (PDF) · RCLRPT

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →