BMW X3 Recall R/2013/137: Front Passenger Airbag May Not Deploy Correctly, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 10 Dec 2013
- Launched
- 4
- vehicles in the UK
- 0051260300
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled X3 vehicles. The defect concerns the front passenger air bag. The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected to replace the instrument panel. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The defect concerns the front passenger air bag. The skin of certain instrument panels was not correctly scored. In case of accident with air bag deployment the predetermined breaking point will not tear open resulting in the air bag deploying in the instrument panel. This will lead to insufficient restraint effect and possibly release of parts of the air bag system into the passenger compartment.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY Defect: The defect concerns the front passenger air bag. The skin of certain instrument panels was not correctly scored. In case of accident with air bag deployment the predetermined breaking point will not tear open resulting in the air bag deploying in the instrument panel. This will lead to insufficient restraint effect and possibly release of parts of the air bag system into the passenger compartment. Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the instrument panel.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could result in the air bag deploying in the instrument panel.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected to replace the instrument panel.
Are You Affected?
X3 may be included. BMW estimates 4 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 0051260300 or the DVSA reference R/2013/137. 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 | |
| X3Programming control units (Steering gear) | Urgent | R/2025/535 | |
| 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 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/2013/095 on 10 Sep 2013, for possibility of fire. The one launched after it was R/2013/149 on 20 Dec 2013, for towing ball hitch may detach. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2013 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2013/137, launched 10 December 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.