BMW 3 Series Recall R/2008/026: Door Pressure Sensors May Delay Side Airbag Deployment Following An Impact, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 14 Feb 2008
- Launched
- 7,703
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2008/026
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 3 Series vehicles built between 20 November 2006 and 11 January 2008. The connections for the left and right hand door pressure sensors have been reversed at their connection with the airbag control unit. The dealer will correct the pin assignment of the airbag control unit. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The connections for the left and right hand door pressure sensors have been reversed at their connection with the airbag control unit. This would have the effect of delaying the detection of a side impact thus causing the airbag to be deployed too late. It should be noted that the fault would not be indicted by the illumination of the airbag system warning lamp.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: DOOR PRESSURE SENSORS MAY DELAY SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT FOLLOWING AN IMPACT. Defect: It has been identified that the connections for the left and right hand door pressure sensors have been reversed at their connection with the airbag control unit. This would have the effect of delaying the detection of a side impact thus causing the airbag to be deployed too late. It should be noted that the fault would not be indicted by the illumination of the airbag system warning lamp. Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the pin assignment of the airbag control unit corrected.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause the airbag to be deployed too late.
The Fix
The dealer will correct the pin assignment of the airbag control unit.
Are You Affected?
3 Series built between 20 November 2006 and 11 January 2008 may be included. BMW estimates 7,703 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/2008/026. 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/2008/011 on 6 Feb 2008, for directional control could be lost. The one launched after it was R/2008/100 on 15 Jul 2008, for rear axle carrier may fail. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2008 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2008/026, launched 14 February 2008. 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.