The 2009 BMW 328xi has 4 recalls, the most serious being two separate driver's airbag inflator defects where the inflator can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death.
Both airbag concerns involve the driver's side frontal inflator. One affects the original steering wheel's inflator module, while the other involves vehicles where the original steering wheel may have been swapped for a sport or M-sport wheel carrying a different inflator with the same explosive failure risk. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles, which is why both remain open.
On the electrical side, there are two separate concerns. The positive battery cable connection at the fuse box can corrode and degrade over time, causing intermittent loss of electrical power that can stall the engine without warning. The heating and air conditioning wiring and its electrical connectors can also overheat, melting the connectors and creating a fire risk even when the car 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 positive battery cable connection at the fuse box may degrade over time, causing the electrical system to intermittently lose power.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it properly at no cost to you.
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.
