The 2008 BMW 325xi 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, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Two separate circumstances can put the driver's airbag inflator at risk of this kind of explosive failure: one affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel was replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel carrying a defective inflator, and the other covers a broader population of vehicles where the inflator itself is prone to rupture. Both carry the same consequence, so any affected vehicle warrants attention regardless of which steering wheel is installed. There is also a fire risk unrelated to the airbag: the wiring and electrical connectors controlling airflow for the heating and air conditioning system can overheat, melt the connectors, and potentially ignite a fire even while 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.
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.
