Vehicle recall R/2013/071

BMW 3 Series recall: Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly

DVSA recall R/2013/071 names the BMW 3 Series. It was launched 26 July 2013. It covers vehicles built 1 May 1999 to 31 August 2006.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2013/071
Launched: 26 July 2013
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0072330100 & 0072410100
Vehicles: 316,043 across the lines below

What can go wrong

The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash. This could result in increased risk of injury to the occupant and the possibility of a fire.

The fix

Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module.

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 May 1999 to 31 August 2006	316,043

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/2013/080 Loss of drive 5 July 2013, BMW Z4, BMW X1, BMW 1 Series and others
R/2013/024 Engine may cut out 4 April 2013, BMW 1 Series, BMW Z4, BMW X1 and others
R/2012/149 Rear window may detach 11 December 2012, BMW 3 Series
R/2012/081 EPS may not perform as specified 30 July 2012, BMW 3 Series, BMW Z4, BMW 1 Series and others
R/2014/068 Engine emergency mode may be activated during driving 28 July 2014, BMW 3 Series, BMW Z4, BMW X1 and others
R/2014/188 Seat belt may malfunction 6 January 2015, BMW 2 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW M3 and others

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