The 2008 BMW 335xi 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 recalls involve the driver's side frontal inflator. One affects vehicles with their original steering wheel, while the other involves vehicles where the original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel carrying a defective inflator. In either case, the danger is the same: a crash that triggers airbag deployment can cause the inflator to rupture rather than inflate properly, turning the module into a source of metal 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 the connectors, and start 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.
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.
