The 2012 BMW 325xi has 2 recalls, both involving the driver's side airbag inflator, which can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death.
Both recalls address the same hazard: a faulty airbag inflator in the steering wheel. One applies broadly to certain 3 Series vehicles of this era, while the other specifically covers vehicles where the original steering wheel was replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel carrying the same defective inflator. Prior repair attempts may not have fully resolved the issue, which is why multiple filings exist for this generation.
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.
