BMW 3 Series Recall R/1999/047: Possible Unscheduled Deployment Of Side Airbags And Activation Of Battery Isolator Switch, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 25 May 1999
- Launched
- 16,646
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1999/047
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 3 Series vehicles built between 1 September 1998 and 14 April 1999. In certain driving conditions it is possible for the side airbags and the battery terminal (safety isolation switch) to trigger when this is not necessary ie when no accident has occurred. The recall notice describes the fix as: recode the airbag control unit. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
In certain driving conditions it is possible for the side airbags and the battery terminal (safety isolation switch) to trigger when this is not necessary ie when no accident has occurred.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: POSSIBLE UNSCHEDULED DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIRBAGS AND ACTIVATION OF BATTERY ISOLATOR SWITCH Defect: In certain driving conditions it is possible for the side airbags and the battery terminal (safety isolation switch) to trigger when this is not necessary ie when no accident has occurred. Remedy: Recall the affected vehicles and recode the airbag control unit.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: possible unscheduled deployment of side airbags and activation of battery isolator switch.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: recode the airbag control unit.
Are You Affected?
3 Series built between 1 September 1998 and 14 April 1999 may be included. BMW estimates 16,646 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1999/047. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, 4 Series and 7 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2026/054 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series and 3 moreReplace the driver’s airbag: takata PSDI-5 | Urgent | R/2025/327 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series, 3 Series PHEV and 14 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2025/405 | |
| 3 SeriesReplace the front passenger airbag takata PSPI | Urgent | R/2025/323 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/1997/005 on 27 May 1997, for corrosion on lower steering shaft. The one launched after it was R/1999/059 on 30 Jul 1999, for possibility that gearbox may lock up. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 1999 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1999/047, launched 25 May 1999. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.