Recall 25V748 affects 5,361 2000-2001 BMW X5 SUVs with Takata PSDI-4 driver air bag inflators. Do not drive. Free repair at a franchised BMW dealer.
An inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the air bag remedy is complete. Ask BMW about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 5,361 2000-2001 X5 SUVs because a sport steering wheel can contain a Takata PSDI-4 air bag inflator that can explode during deployment after long-term propellant degradation. Metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers and cause serious injury or death, so do not drive an affected X5 until a BMW dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The driver front air bag in the 2000-2001 BMW X5 sits inside the steering wheel and is meant to cushion the driver in a crash. Its inflator is the metal device that rapidly fills the air bag when the crash sensors command deployment.
This recall concerns X5 vehicles that received, or are able to receive, a sport steering wheel with a Takata PSDI-4 inflator. That inflator uses propellant that degrades after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat, and repeated temperature changes. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, the inflator can explode instead of filling the bag in a controlled way.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the driver front air bag module, so an owner should not expect a light, noise, smell, or change in steering feel before the inflator fails during deployment.
Who's affected?
VINs became searchable on December 23, 2025.
| 2001 BMW X5 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2000 BMW X5 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 5,361 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2000-2001 BMW X5 is on the list. 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 other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Do not drive the vehicle, even for short trips, until the air bag remedy is complete. Ask BMW about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2000-2001 BMW X5 is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the vehicle until the driver's front air bag repair 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 driver's front air bag inspection and replacement if needed; this repair addresses the Takata inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V748 when you call.
- Call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with questions about the repair path.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the vehicle until the recall remedy is complete. At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the driver's front air bag and replaces it if the recalled air bag is present or replacement is needed. The inspection, replacement parts, and labor are free under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for this air bag remedy before the recall notice, BMW's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk or contact BMW customer service for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 31, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 31, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| October 31, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 23, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 29, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V748?
Recall 25V748 covers 5,361 2000-2001 BMW X5 vehicles that have a sport steering wheel with a Takata PSDI-4 driver air bag inflator. The inflator can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments toward occupants. BMW dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag for free.
What should I do if my 2000-2001 BMW X5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific X5 is included in recall 25V748. If it is, do not drive the vehicle. Call a franchised BMW dealer or BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 and ask about towing while the driver's front air bag remedy is completed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. BMW dealers will inspect the driver's front air bag and replace it as needed free of charge, including parts and labor.
What does do not drive mean for recall 25V748?
Do not drive the vehicle until the dealer completes the remedy. This includes short trips. The risk is tied to the driver's front air bag inflator, which can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Ask the BMW dealer about towing.
What if I bought my BMW X5 used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2000-2001 BMW X5 is included, then reference recall 25V748 when you call a franchised BMW dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V748000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V748 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V748000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (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 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →