BMW Issues Major Airbag Recall: Here’s What Vehicle Owners Need to Know

BMW has recently issued a safety recall affecting several of its vehicles due to a potentially defective airbag inflator that could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

This recall joins many others over a longstanding safety issue involving Takata-manufactured airbag components and highlights why owners need to act quickly to protect themselves and their passengers.

What Happened With BMW’s Airbags?

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall notice, BMW is recalling certain 2014–2015 model vehicles because the head airbag inflator may fail at the weld joint, potentially causing gas to leak or the inflator to rupture. A ruptured inflator could increase the risk of serious injury in a crash.

This recall is part of a broader issue affecting airbags supplied by Takata, a company whose products have been linked to one of the largest and most complex auto safety recalls in U.S. history. Takata airbag defects have been responsible for numerous injuries and deaths over the past decade, leading to widespread industry recalls across many manufacturers.

Which BMW Vehicles Are Affected by the Recall?

The 2026 recall specifically targets approximately 851 vehicles across several model lines. Affected models include some 2014 and 2015 BMW 2 Series, 3 Series, and 4 Series vehicles equipped with the potentially defective head airbag inflators. 

It’s important to note that this recall is separate from earlier Takata-related recalls involving older BMWs and other makes. Those recalls covered hundreds of thousands, and in some cases millions, of vehicles whose airbags contained volatile propellant chemicals that degrade over time.

What BMW Owners Should Do

Airbags are a critical safety feature in every vehicle, designed to protect drivers and passengers in the event of a collision. However, when an airbag component is defective, it can fail to deploy properly or, worse, rupture and release metal shrapnel inside the vehicle. This type of failure has led to serious injuries and even fatalities in past incidents tied to Takata airbags.

If you own one of the affected BMW vehicles, here’s what you need to know:

• Free Repair: BMW is offering free replacement of the defective head airbags at authorized dealerships.
• Owner Notification: Owners should receive recall notification letters in the mail starting February 6.
• Contact BMW: If you have questions, BMW customer service can be reached at 1-800-525-7417.
• Check Your Vehicle: You can also visit the NHTSA or BMW recall lookup tools and enter your VIN to see if your specific vehicle is affected.
  
   

Legal Options for BMW Drivers

Defective auto parts, especially safety equipment like airbags, can lead to devastating injuries. If a defective airbag causes or contributes to an accident, victims and their families may have legal rights to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and more. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we represent people harmed by defective products and help them pursue justice from manufacturers and suppliers responsible for the defect. In fact, we’ve been fighting For the People for over 35 years and have recovered over $30 billion in compensation in the process.

If you or a loved one has been injured because of a defective airbag or another automotive defect, we understand the hardships you may be facing, but you don’t have to face them alone. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.