TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED BY A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS LOCATED 70 MILES AWAY. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10277635
75,740 miles · Mar 5, 2009
Air BagsInjury
WE WERE DRIVING MY 2001 BMW 330I THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70 MPH) IN MISSOURI ON HWY 57 NORTHBOUND IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, AT MILE MARKER 19, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAGS HITTING HIM ON THE SIDE OF THE FACE, …
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WE WERE DRIVING MY 2001 BMW 330I THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70 MPH) IN MISSOURI ON HWY 57 NORTHBOUND IN THE RIGHT-HAND LANE WHEN SUDDENLY, AT MILE MARKER 19, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAGS HITTING HIM ON THE SIDE OF THE FACE, UP AGAINST HIS RIGHT ARM AND ELBOW, AND COVERING HIM WITH A LIGHT, WHITE POWDER. HE QUICKLY REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR AND MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ON TO THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER, HITTING SEVERAL POTHOLES, SLICING INTO THE BOTH PASSENGER SIDE TIRES (SLICING THE SIDEWALLS) , DAMAGING THE RIMS AND DAMAGING THE ALIGNMENT ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD AND AVOID HAVING THE CAR CAREEN DOWN THE EMBANKMENT INTO THE RAVINE AND OFF INTO THE WOODS. UPON INSPECTION BY US AND BY TROOPER SPAIN FROM THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL IT BECAME CLEAR THAT NO COLLISION OR ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED. MEANING, NONE OF US COULD LOCATE ANY EXTERIOR DAMAGE ON THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY DUE TO FLYING DEBRIS OR HITTING ANOTHER CAR, NOR COULD WE FIND ANY ROAD HAZARDS LIKE POTHOLES IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD. APPARENTLY BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED (WITHOUT CAUSE) BREAKING THE WINDOW, HITTING THE DRIVER AND DESTROYING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR PANELING AND RESULTING IN OTHER DAMAGE AS HE TRIED TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. WITH SOME DIRECTION FROM THE STATE TROOPER, WE TOOK PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE ON ALL SIDES; THE TIRE MARKS ON THE ROAD; THE GLASS ON THE ROAD WHERE THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED (IN THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY SHOWING NO POTHOLES) AND ALL THE INTERIOR DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS JUST SERVICED BY PERILLO BMW IN CHICAGO IN PREPARATION FOR THIS ROADTRIP - WHERE THE OIL AND BELTS WERE CHANGED. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WAS NOT ON AND DID NOT COME ON DURING OUR TRIP. I HAVE THE ACCIDENT REPORT; PHOTOS; AND CAR RECORDS DATING BACK TO 2001 INCLUDING WORK FROM ALL PREVIOUS OWNERS PROVING NO PRIOR ACCIDENTS OR POSSIBLE CAUSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260826
45,139 miles · Jun 15, 2006
Air Bags
IN JANUARY 2006, THE TROUBLE LIGHT IN OUR 2001 BMW 330I, SIGNALED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT ACTIVATES THE AIR BAGS HAD FAILED. THE LOCAL DEALER INDICATES THAT HE HAS 3 OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT TO THIS DATE HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SECURE THE PROPER REPLACEMENT PARTS IN THE U.S AND IS ON BACK ORDER TO THE FACTO…
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IN JANUARY 2006, THE TROUBLE LIGHT IN OUR 2001 BMW 330I, SIGNALED THAT THE COMPUTER THAT ACTIVATES THE AIR BAGS HAD FAILED. THE LOCAL DEALER INDICATES THAT HE HAS 3 OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT TO THIS DATE HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SECURE THE PROPER REPLACEMENT PARTS IN THE U.S AND IS ON BACK ORDER TO THE FACTORY IN GERMANY. DURING THE PAST 4 MONTHS WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT AIR BAGS IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF THE PROPER REPLACEMENT PARTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10159940
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2006
Air Bags
THE CAR HIT A POTHOLE AND THE AIRBAG THAT RUNS ALONGSIDE THE ROOFLINE OF THE PASSENGER'S SEAT DEPLOYED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10148195
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2005
Air Bags
HITTING A POTHOLE CAUSED AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10143459
69,895 miles · May 29, 2005
Air Bags
MY DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND DOOR AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER HITTING A POT HOLE. THERE IS NO DAMEGE TO ANY SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THEY DEPLOYED, THE CAR CUT OFF, AND I AM STILL ROLLING. HAZZARD LIGHTS DID COME ON. AND NOW, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10122408
72,000 miles · Apr 2, 2004
Air Bags
I HIT A POTHOLE IN MY 2001 BMW 330I AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND MY TIRE RUPTURED. MY PASSENGER SIDE HEAD RESTRAINT AIRBAG DEPLOYED ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TENSIONERS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10064427
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2003
Air Bags
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER AND THEY WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001853
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2002
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A SMOOTH ROAD, THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS INADVERTANTLY DEPLOYED. *JG
NHTSA ODI #564274
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS TO CLOSE TO THE MEDIAN AND DAMAGED THE TIRES, AS A RESULT BOTH DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED PREMATURELY (CLAIM#43-R604-736). *YD
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V-851, 19V852, or 19V-853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE MACHINE USED TO MOUNT AND INFLATE THE TIRES ON THE WHEELS AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE INNER RIM FLANGE OF THE WHEELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR FROM THE TIRE AFFECTING HANDLING AND VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FIVE WHEELS FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE. IF DAMAGE FROM THE MOUNTING MACHINE IS FOUND ON ANY WHEEL, ALL FIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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