The 2011 BMW 325i has 3 recalls, the most serious being two separate airbag inflator defects where the driver's airbag can explode during deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin and potentially causing serious injury or death.
Both airbag concerns involve the driver-side frontal inflator. One affects vehicles with their original steering wheel installed; the other affects vehicles where the original steering wheel was swapped for a sport or M-sport wheel, which may have been fitted with an inflator prone to the same explosive failure. Because either steering wheel configuration can be affected, owners should confirm which wheel is currently installed.
The third recall involves the wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow through the heating and air conditioning system. That wiring can overheat, melting the connectors and creating a fire risk even when the vehicle 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.
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Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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.
