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Vehicle recall R/2023/016

BMW 4 Series and others recall: A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion

DVSA recall R/2023/016 names the BMW 4 Series, BMW 2 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 6 Series, BMW 1 Series, BMW X5 and 8 more BMW models. It was launched 24 January 2023. It covers vehicles built 23 February 2012 to 2 September 2017.

Recall data updated

Recall
R/2023/016
Launched
24 January 2023
Issued by
BMW
Manufacturer reference
0032390300 0032420300
Vehicles
333,284 across the lines below

What can go wrong

DVSA summary. A possible degradation of the propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.

A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.

The fix

On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
ModelBuiltVehicles
BMW 1 Series (1 SERIES 3 DOOR HATCH)28 February 2014 to 29 June 20178,996
BMW 1 Series (1 SERIES 5 DOOR HATCH)22 October 2013 to 30 June 201730,231
BMW 2 Series (2 SERIES ACTIVE TOURER)30 June 2014 to 20 June 201717,140
BMW 2 Series (2 SERIES CONVERTIBLE)11 November 2014 to 30 June 20175,009
BMW 2 Series (2 SERIES COUPE)12 September 2013 to 30 June 201714,210
BMW 2 Series (2 SERIES GRAN TOURER)7 November 2014 to 23 June 201710,251
BMW 3 Series (3 SERIES GT)20 March 2013 to 27 June 20177,391
BMW 3 Series (3 SERIES SALOON)13 June 2012 to 30 June 201757,025
BMW 3 Series (3 SERIES TOURING)27 June 2012 to 29 June 201727,632
BMW 4 Series (4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE)22 October 2013 to 29 June 201610,805
BMW 4 Series (4 SERIES COUPE)7 May 2013 to 18 December 201526,804
BMW 4 Series (4 SERIES GRAN COUPE)2 December 2013 to 29 June 201719,116
BMW 5 Series (5 SERIES GT)20 March 2013 to 2 February 20172,161
BMW 5 Series (5 SERIES SALOON)23 January 2013 to 27 October 201627,539
BMW 5 Series (5 SERIES TOURING)12 June 2013 to 23 February 20179,948
BMW 6 Series (6 SERIES CONVERTIBLE)23 February 2012 to 26 June 20171,615
BMW 6 Series (6 SERIES COUPE)14 May 2013 to 28 June 20172,276
BMW 6 Series (6 SERIES GRAN COUPE)13 November 2012 to 29 June 20174,952
BMW M21 December 2015 to 28 June 20171,509
BMW M310 March 2014 to 29 June 20172,486
BMW M4 (M4 CONVERTIBLE)1 July 2014 to 29 June 20172,083
BMW M4 (M4 COUPE)4 December 2013 to 29 June 20175,046
BMW X122 June 2016 to 12 April 20174
BMW X331 March 2016 to 22 August 20177,908
BMW X431 March 2016 to 30 August 20173,122
BMW X512 June 2013 to 2 September 201722,897
BMW X5 (X5M)25 August 2014 to 1 September 2017462
BMW X620 March 2014 to 2 September 20174,432
BMW X6 (X6M)26 September 2014 to 1 September 2017234
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/2023/071 On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it. 20 March 2023, BMW 3 Series, BMW 4 Series, BMW M4 and others
  • R/2022/340 One or both of the front panoramic sunroof drain tubes may be cracked this could result in water entering the interior of the vehicle. The wiring harness and body control unit (BCP) can be exposed to water and damaged. 28 November 2022, BMW X1
  • R/2022/323 It is possible that a damaged seat belt may have been installed into the vehicle during production. 9 November 2022, BMW M3, BMW 3 Series
  • R/2023/113 The affected vehicles possibly have an inadequate laser weld seam on the seat mechanism/frame of the driver s or front passenger seat. 17 April 2023, BMW X3
  • R/2023/127 In rare cases the lower section of the outer seat belts may have been trapped behind the lower part of the C-pillar interior trim panels. 1 May 2023, BMW X1, BMW 2 Series
  • R/2023/236 On affected vehicles due to an incorrect adjusted torque wrench the screw connection of the flange of the catalytic converter was fastened insufficiently. 2 May 2023, BMW X6

More on these models

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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