The 2011 BMW 325xi has 3 recalls, the most serious being two separate airbag inflator concerns where the driver's frontal airbag can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin.
The first airbag issue involves the original factory inflator, which can rupture and scatter metal shards toward the driver or other occupants. The second involves vehicles where the original steering wheel was replaced with a sport or M-sport unit equipped with a different inflator that carries the same risk of explosion during a crash. On the electrical side, the wiring and connectors controlling airflow to the heating and air conditioning system can overheat, melt the surrounding connectors, and potentially start a fire 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.
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.
