BMW 3 Series Recall R/2021/430: Excessive Increase Of Cooling System Temperature Could Lead To A Bursting Of The Heater…, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Low
- How serious
- 13 Dec 2021
- Launched
- 66
- vehicles in the UK
- 0017010300
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
BMW recalled 3 Series vehicles built between 1 March 1987 and 1 May 1992. Excessive increase of cooling system temperature could (in a worst case) lead to a bursting of the heater matrix radiator. The dealer will fitting an additional thermostat and modified hoses into the heating system to bypass the heat exchanger if overheating was to occur. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Excessive increase of cooling system temperature could (in a worst case) lead to a bursting of the heater matrix radiator.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: EXCESSIVE INCREASE OF COOLING SYSTEM TEMPERATURE COULD LEAD TO A BURSTING OF THE HEATER MATRIX RADIATOR Defect: Excessive increase of cooling system temperature could (in a worst case) lead to a bursting of the heater matrix radiator. Remedy: Fitting an additional thermostat and modified hoses into the heating system to bypass the heat exchanger if overheating was to occur.
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 a BURSTING OF THE HEATER MATRIX RADIATOR.
The Fix
The dealer will fitting an additional thermostat and modified hoses into the heating system to bypass the heat exchanger if overheating was to occur.
Are You Affected?
3 Series built between 1 March 1987 and 1 May 1992 may be included. BMW estimates 66 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 0017010300 or the DVSA reference R/2021/430. 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/2021/428 on 13 Dec 2021, for the holding force for the tailgate may be too low to hold the tailgate up. The one launched after it was R/2021/442 on 29 Dec 2021, for the material quality of the screws used for seat belts and rear seats may not be to…. You can also see every BMW recall and all recalls launched in 2021.
Source: DVSA recall R/2021/430, launched 13 December 2021. 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.