The 2009 BMW 330XI 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.
Both airbag concerns involve the driver's side inflator. One affects vehicles that may have had the original steering wheel swapped for a sport or M-sport steering wheel carrying a defective inflator. The other is a broader inflator defect affecting a wide range of 3 Series vehicles from this era. Either way, the consequence is the same: in a crash, the airbag inflator can rupture violently rather than inflate normally. The wiring and electrical connectors for the climate control system can also overheat, melt, and start a fire, even with the car parked and the engine 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.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
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.
