BMW E53 Recall R/2018/263: Airbag Control Unit Fault Due To Inadequate Coding Data Which Could Lead To Activation, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 22 Oct 2018
- Launched
- 2,406
- vehicles in the UK
- 0065110300
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled E53 vehicles built between 1 March 2001 and 28 February 2002. Possible unintentional activation of the front airbags due to inadequate coding data. The recall notice describes the fix as: the airbag control unit will be encoded. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Possible unintentional activation of the front airbags due to inadequate coding data.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT FAULT DUE TO INADEQUATE CODING DATA WHICH COULD LEAD TO ACTIVATION Defect: Possible unintentional activation of the front airbags due to inadequate coding data. Remedy: On the affected vehicles the airbag control unit will be encoded.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: airbag control unit fault due to inadequate coding data which could lead to activation.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: the airbag control unit will be encoded.
Are You Affected?
E53 built between 1 March 2001 and 28 February 2002 may be included. BMW estimates 2,406 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 0065110300 or the DVSA reference R/2018/263. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, E46 and 5 moreThe bearings of the fuel injection pump may fail | Urgent | R/2005/022 | |
| IX3Check the head airbag threaded connection; rework if necessary | Urgent | R/2026/224 | |
| 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 | |
| 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/2018/260 on 15 Oct 2018, for software fault in crankshaft sensor. The one launched after it was R/2018/258 on 5 Nov 2018, for exhaust gas recirculation cooler could potentially leak over time. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2018 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2018/263, launched 22 October 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.