The 2009 BMW 330i has 3 recalls, the most serious being two separate airbag inflator defects where the driver's frontal airbag can explode during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death.
One of these inflator concerns applies to vehicles with the original steering wheel, while the other covers cases where the original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel carrying a defective inflator. Both defects carry the same consequence: an explosive deployment that turns the inflator housing into shrapnel directed at the driver and anyone nearby. There is also a fire risk unrelated to the airbags: the wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow through the heating and air conditioning system can overheat, melt, and start a fire even when the car is parked and turned off.
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.
