The 2002 BMW 325xi has 4 recalls, the most serious being Takata airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death.
The airbag concern covers both frontal inflators: the driver-side and passenger-side units contain propellant that can explode with excessive force, scattering metal shrapnel rather than inflating the bag safely. Prior repair attempts may not have fully resolved the issue, as multiple rounds of remedies have addressed these inflators across the affected model range.
On the brake side, the rear brake rotors can develop cracks where the brake disc meets the parking brake drum. Under normal braking, that crack can grow until the drum separates entirely from the disc. When that happens, the wheel keeps spinning while the disc stops turning, leaving that corner of the car with no braking ability and raising the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown of the propellant inside, which happens after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The dual-stage driver front air bag can allow moisture inside. Over time, moisture can cause the inflator to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front driver air bag module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger-side front air bag inflator may build up excessive internal pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
BMW will replace the passenger air bag at no cost once replacement parts become available in July.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing defect in the rear brake rotors created cracks where the brake disc and parking brake drum connect. Braking forces can cause further cracking, potentially separating the brake drum from the disc.
What the fix does
Both rear brake rotors will be replaced by a dealer at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
