Vehicle recall R/1999/047

BMW 3 Series recall: Possible unscheduled deployment of side airbags and activation of battery isolator switch

DVSA recall R/1999/047 names the BMW 3 Series. It was launched 25 May 1999. It covers vehicles built 1 September 1998 to 14 April 1999.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/1999/047
Launched: 25 May 1999
Issued by: BMW
Vehicles: 16,646 across the lines below

What can go wrong

In certain driving conditions it is possible for the side airbags and the battery terminal (safety isolation switch) to trigger when this is not necessary ie when no accident has occurred.

The fix

Recall the affected vehicles and recode the airbag control unit.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW 3 Series	1 September 1998 to 14 April 1999	16,646

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/1999/104 Brake lights may fail to operate remain on or flicker 15 December 1999, BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 7 Series
R/2000/135 Lower steering shaft may fail 26 February 2001, BMW 3 Series
R/1997/005 Corrosion on lower steering shaft 27 May 1997, BMW 3 Series
R/2001/146 Tyres may have cuts in side walls. 9 November 2001, BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series
R/2002/025 Possible detachment of ball bearing from front suspension strut top mounting 22 February 2002, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series
R/1996/037 Security of stub axle mountings 23 February 1996, BMW 3 Series

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources