BMW 3 Series Recall R/2013/071: Passenger Side Airbag May Fail To Deploy Correctly, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 26 Jul 2013
- Launched
- 316,043
- vehicles in the UK
- 0072330100 & 0072410100
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled 3 Series vehicles built between 1 May 1999 and 31 August 2006. The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash. This could result in increased risk of injury to the occupant and the possibility of a fire.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY CORRECTLY Defect: The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators which could have been assembled with improperly manufactured propellant wafers. Improperly manufactured propellant wafers could cause the inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash. This could result in increased risk of injury to the occupant and the possibility of a fire. Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module.
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 inflator to rupture and the front passenger airbag to deploy abnormally in a crash.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected to inspect and where necessary replace the airbag inflator module.
Are You Affected?
3 Series built between 1 May 1999 and 31 August 2006 may be included. BMW estimates 316,043 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 campaign code 0072330100 & 0072410100 or the DVSA reference R/2013/071. 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/2013/080 on 5 Jul 2013, for loss of drive. The one launched after it was R/2013/095 on 10 Sep 2013, for possibility of fire. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2013 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2013/071, launched 26 July 2013. 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.