The 2010 BMW 328XI has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the driver's airbag inflator, which can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Two separate circumstances can produce this airbag hazard. In one case, the inflator in the original steering wheel is prone to explosion during deployment. In the other, certain vehicles that had their original steering wheel replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel may have received an inflator with the same explosive failure risk. Both defects carry the same real-world consequence: metal shards propelled toward the driver and other occupants in a crash. There is also a fire risk unrelated to the airbag system: the wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow through the heating and air conditioning system can overheat, causing the connectors to melt and potentially starting a fire, 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.
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Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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.
