2003 BMW 3 Series

Issue: 
This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. 

Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. 

Safety Risk: 
If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. 

Corrective Actions: 
Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the passenger-front airbag module. The passenger-front airbag module will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

Issue:  
2023 Update - BMW has updated this recall and issued a do not drive advisory for all vehicles that that not yet been repaired.  
  
Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function.  
Note: This recall supersedes special service campaign 2014-587. Correction: Dealers will replace the airbag module.
 
Safety Risk:  
If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury.  
 
Corrective Actions:  
BMW advises not to drive your vehicle unless this recall repair has been completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. The driver-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary.  
 
To learn if your vehicle requires repair, owners may:
• Visit https://www.bmw.ca/en/ssl/VehicleRecall.html
• Contact your preferred or local BMW Retailer
• Call BMW Customer Relations Recall Services at 1-855-217-3002

On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment.  Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury.  This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment during a crash where deployment is warranted, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger airbag. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2013148.

On certain vehicles, the passenger (frontal) airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment.  Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury.  This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment during a crash where deployment is warranted, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. The defect could also result in a fire causing personal injury and/or damage to property.  Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger airbag.

Certain vehicles may experience the loss of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn signal) on the portion of the rear lamp assemblies that are mounted in the body (the portion of the lamps mounted on the trunk are not affected).  Failure of any rear lamp function may result in the following road users being unaware of the driver's intentions, as well as reducing vehicle conspicuity during hours of darkness, which could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.  Correction: Dealers will install an additional electrical ground connection to the rear lamp circuitry.  Rear lamp function will be checked and, if necessary, further electrical repair may be necessary, including the replacement of the 8-pin connector housing.