BMW X3 Recall R/2018/101: Inflator In Driver Airbag Module May Not Be Produced To Specification, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 16 Apr 2018
- Launched
- 32
- vehicles in the UK
- 0032710200
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled X3 vehicles built between 22 December 2017 and 12 March 2018. The driver airbag module may not have been produced to specification. The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected and replace the driver airbag module. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The driver airbag module may not have been produced to specification. This could lead to excessive pressure building up inside the inflator causing the inflator to rupture resulting in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material into the vehicle interior at high speed. This could lead to injury or death of the vehicle occupants.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: INFLATOR IN DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE MAY NOT BE PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATION Defect: The driver airbag module may not have been produced to specification. This could lead to excessive pressure building up inside the inflator causing the inflator to rupture resulting in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material into the vehicle interior at high speed. This could lead to injury or death of the vehicle occupants. Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the driver airbag 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 lead to excessive pressure building up inside the inflator causing the inflator to rupture resulting in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material into the vehicle interior at high speed.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: that are likely to be affected and replace the driver airbag module.
Are You Affected?
X3 built between 22 December 2017 and 12 March 2018 may be included. BMW estimates 32 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 0032710200 or the DVSA reference R/2018/101. 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/2018/099 on 16 Apr 2018, for restricted fuel supply could cause engine to stall. The one launched after it was R/2021/408 on 18 May 2018, for the blower-regulator wiring could be damaged and could lead to partial contact of…. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2018 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/101, launched 16 April 2018. 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.