BMW 3 Series Saloon recalls

The Safety Recall relates to the engine starter motor. The fault relates to the RSW22 starter RWT (reinforced water tightness). It was found that with RWT starters an increased abrasion of the magnetic contact can cause the growth of deposits at the lowest point of the relay interior. This in turn may increase the relay contact resistance resulting in false starts or even causing short circuits and possibly a thermal reaction. In case of a short circuit the possibility of a thermal event cannot be excluded. This may happen while attempting to start the vehicle or while driving due to vibrations causing a short circuit due to moving deposits.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the starter motor will be replaced with a variant by another supplier with a different design. Until the repair has been completed it is recommended to not leave the vehicle running unattended after starting the engine.

9,574 vehicles · built 18 Sep 2020 to 1 Feb 2024

Affected vehicles may be fitted with a drivers airbag which may deploy with too much explosive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released into the cabin. It has the potential to fatally or seriously injure vehicle occupants.

Fix: Affected vehicles will have the airbag replaced.

66,463 vehicles · built 2 Jan 2006 to 28 Oct 2011

Affected vehicles are already included in Safety Recalls within the markets they have previously resided in. The vehicles may be fitted with a driver and/or passenger airbag/s which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury which could prove fatal to people in the vicinity.

Fix: Vehicles will have the affected airbags checked and if necessary replaced.

• 3 SERIES SALOON: 5,932 vehicles · built 9 Dec 2004 to 28 Oct 2011
• 3 SERIES SALOON: 4,663 vehicles · built 21 Oct 2011 to 8 Nov 2017

For affected vehicles there is a concern involving water ingress and corrosion to the starter motor for where a short circuit cannot be ruled out. It is strongly recommended to park the vehicle outdoors and not in the immediate vicinity of buildings until the repair has been carried out.

Fix: Replacement of the starter motor.

21,604 vehicles · built 20 Feb 2018 to 21 Jun 2021

Affected vehicles may have had a retrofit or conversion of the airbag using a previously recalled airbag variant which if deployed may do so with excessive force causing sharp metal fragments to be released this may cause serious injury possibly fatal to people in the vicinity. The original factory fitment airbag for the vehicle is not affected.

Fix: Vehicles will have the airbag checked and if necessary replaced.

• 3 SERIES SALOON: 79,568 vehicles · built 2 Nov 2011 to 8 Nov 2017
• 3 SERIES SALOON: 86,222 vehicles · built 15 Oct 2004 to 2 Nov 2011

On certain vehicles the passenger airbag may not have had the seam sewn according to the specifications.

Fix: Replacement of the passenger airbag

16 vehicles · built 16 Jul 2024 to 22 Jul 2024

On affected vehicles overtime the aluminium screws can loosen or break on the adjustable variable camshaft timing (VANOS) units potentially resulting in engine emergency mode being activated.

Fix: On affected vehicles the eight aluminium screws will be replaced if evidence of faulty screws is found then the VANOS adjustment unit will also be replaced.

8 vehicles

On affected vehicles a possible degradation due to age of the propellant tablets may lead to over aggressive combustion if the air bag is activated and cause the inflator body to rupture.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the drivers air bag will be replaced.

6,123 vehicles · built 7 Dec 2004 to 30 Dec 2005

On certain vehicles the Body Domain Controller (BDC) control unit may have an incorrect setting applied to it.

Fix: Conduct a check of the settings and if necessary perform a reset on the BDC control unit.

538 vehicles · built 4 Jul 2022 to 22 Oct 2022

A possible degradation of airbag propellant tablets could lead to an over-aggressive combustion in the event the airbag is activated which may cause the inflator body to rupture.

Fix: On affected vehicles the drivers airbag module will be replaced.

57,025 vehicles · built 13 Jun 2012 to 30 Jun 2017

The safety recall relates to a problem with a cell module within the high-voltage battery.

Fix: Replace the affected high-voltage cell module.

1 vehicle · built 11 Jan 2021 to 11 Jan 2021

In rare cases the starter motor can inadvertently be activated permanently presenting a risk of a thermal event.

Fix: Rework the starter motor assembly.

25,982 vehicles · built 15 Sep 2015 to 31 Jul 2018

Undetected EGR System leaks may cause thermal activity in the intake manifold.

Fix: The engine management control unit (DDE) will be programmed with improved software incorporating the latest OBD functionality.

• 3 SERIES SALOON: 322,745 vehicles · built 5 Jul 2018 to 12 Jul 2021
• 3 SERIES SALOON: 322,745 vehicles · built 3 Dec 2014 to 1 Mar 2018

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation cooler may leak over time and cause thermal incident.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the EGR cooler module will be replaced.

319,399 vehicles · built 9 Dec 2011 to 11 Oct 2018

The fault involves the tandem vacuum/oil pump fitted to the engine. On affected vehicles it is possible that the engine rotates in the opposite direction than it is meant to on start-up causing the tandem pump to fail.

Fix: On the affected vehicles the control unit (DME) will be programmed to prevent the failure from occuring.

1 vehicle · built 13 Apr 2019 to 13 Apr 2019

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Module could leak over time�and cause thermal incident.

Fix: The EGR cooler will be internally inspected with an endoscope and replaced if evidence of leaking is found.

18,330 vehicles · built 17 Mar 2017 to 28 Sep 2018