The 2008 BMW 330i has 3 recalls, the most serious being two airbag inflator defects where the driver's frontal airbag can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Both airbag recalls center on the driver's side inflator. One affects vehicles as originally built, while the other involves cars where the steering wheel was replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel fitted with a defective inflator. In either case, the risk during a crash is the same: instead of inflating normally, the airbag inflator can rupture violently and scatter metal fragments toward the driver and other occupants. The third recall involves the wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow through the heating and air conditioning system. That wiring can overheat, melt the surrounding connectors, and create 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 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.
