BMW 5 Series, 7 Series Recall R/2016/265: Front Airbags And Seat Belt Tensioners May Fail To Deploy When Needed, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 16 Nov 2016
- Launched
- 1,047
- vehicles in the UK
- 0065940200
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled 5 Series, 7 Series vehicles built between 2 December 2011 and 28 June 2012. The airbag/SRS central sensor has been programmed with faulty software. The recall notice describes the fix as: the replacement of the airbag/SRS central sensor. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The airbag/SRS central sensor has been programmed with faulty software. If the vehicle is involved in a frontal or rearward collision then the airbag and seat belt tensioners may not be triggered which could lead to an increased risk of injury to the occupants.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: FRONT AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED Defect: It has been identified that the airbag/SRS central sensor has been programmed with faulty software. If the vehicle is involved in a frontal or rearward collision then the airbag and seat belt tensioners may not be triggered which could lead to an increased risk of injury to the occupants. Remedy: Recall all affected vehicles for the replacement of the airbag/SRS central sensor.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could lead to an increased risk of injury to the occupants.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: the replacement of the airbag/SRS central sensor.
Are You Affected?
5 Series, 7 Series built between 2 December 2011 and 28 June 2012 may be included. BMW estimates 1,047 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 0065940200 or the DVSA reference R/2016/265. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series, 5 Series Touring, 7 Series, 7 Series - High Security and 2 moreChecking and re-securing the air-conditioning wiring harness | Urgent | R/2026/092 | |
| 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, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
| 5 SeriesProgram control units (CoC documents) | Low | R/2026/075 | |
| 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/2016/252 on 1 Nov 2016, for drivers airbag may deploy incorrectly. The one launched after it was R/2016/300 on 21 Dec 2016, for power steering may not perform correctly. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2016 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/265, launched 16 November 2016. 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.