The 2008 BMW 325i has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the driver's airbag inflator, which can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Two separate issues involve the driver's airbag inflator. In one case, the inflator module itself is defective and can rupture on deployment. In the other, some vehicles may have had their original steering wheel replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel fitted with an incompatible inflator that carries the same explosive failure risk. Both result in the same danger to anyone in the front of the vehicle. There is also an electrical concern: the wiring and connectors that control airflow through the heating and air conditioning system can overheat, causing the connectors to melt and raising the risk of a fire even while the car is parked and unattended.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator in certain replacement sport or M-sport steering wheels can explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow in the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
