The problem
On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, May have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of these components.
The risk
Unexpected deployment of the air bag(s) could cause serious injury if an occupant is too close to the deploying air bag(s). In addition, the battery safety terminal May also be activated. If that happens, the starter cable would become disconnected from the battery, and the engine could not be restarted.
The fix
Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began november10, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-421 (03V421000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Component | Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive |
| Report date | October 24, 2003 |
| Owners notified | November 10, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 23,000 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Plus 5 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the air bags
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-421 repair free?
Yes. BMW dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began november10, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 23,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.