BMW Recall - Information & Updates

All of the latest BMW recall information in one place. Find out what models are affected & what to do if your vehicle has been recalled? BMW recall updates straight from the manufacturer.

Browse by

Show all

Are there any problems associated with the 2002 BMW 318ti?
Answered by David Morley · 09 Oct 2024

The engine in the car you’re looking at has the codename N42. It has a timing chain rather than a rubber timing belt, so that should not need to be changed for the life of the car. However, life is not always that simple and the N42 has a bit of a reputation for developing wear in the tensioners that keep the timing chain taut. If that happens, you could have a chain loose enough to jump a few teeth on the timing gears and destroy the engine in the process. So a service record and close inspection of the engine is called for before any purchase.

This model BMW was also caught up in the Takata airbag recall debacle. As a result, many BMWs of this era were actually bought back by BMW and scrapped as the cost of fixing the airbag woes was greater than the value of the cars themselves. Make sure any car like this has had the airbags replaced and is not a candidate to be crushed rather than fixed. Quoting the car’s VIN to a BMW dealership should reveal all.

ACCC considers compulsory Takata airbag recall
By Neil Dowling · 22 Sep 2017
Car manufacturers have been slammed by the federal government’s small business minister for not doing enough to accelerate the replacement of almost 2.49 million defective Takata airbags.
Read the article
More than 26,000 cars caught up in urgent recall
By Samuel Irvine · 23 Aug 2024
BMW, Mini and BMW-tuner Alpina have been hit by a wide-ranging recall. According to a federal government recall notice, 26,491 BMW, Mini and Alpina vehicles sold between 2022 and 2024 have a manufacturing defect that may cause signal interference in the electronic braking systems, impacting a driver’s capacity to fully administer their brakes. 
Read the article
Takata airbag recall: how do I find out if my car is affected?
By Matt Campbell · 17 Nov 2017
What do you do if your car is part of the Takata airbag recall? We're here to help you figure it out.
Read the article
Is your car safe? BMW orders more than 12,000 owners to "stop driving immediately" following new airbag fatality
By Andrew Chesterton · 07 Nov 2019
BMW has today asked more than 10,000 owners to stop driving immediately following a Takata airbag fatality and another serious injury in Australia.According to the ACCC, the recall impacts around 12,000 BMW E46 3 Series cars, all built between November 19
Read the article
BMW Australia issues urgent airbag recall affecting more than 60,000 cars including 3 Series, X1 and X3
By Laura Berry · 29 Jul 2024
Another Takata airbag recall has been issued, this time by BMW Australia with more than 60,000 vehicles affected from the 1 Series to X5 SUV.
Read the article
STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY: Australian car owners in danger!
By Tom White · 12 May 2020
If you own one of these popular late '90s models, stop driving immediately!
Read the article
BMW recalls almost 3000 more cars in Australia due to faulty Takata airbags, owners told to stop driving immediately
By Jack Quick · 02 Jun 2025
BMW Australia is currently recalling 2947 examples of the E9x-generation 3 Series as they are fitted with defective Takata airbags.
Read the article
Defective Takata airbags trigger mandatory recall of 2.3 million vehicles
By Ron Hammerton · 28 Feb 2018
The Australian government has issued a compulsory recall of 2.3 million vehicles affected by faulty Takata airbags based on information provided from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
Read the article
Ford, Mazda lead latest safety recalls
By Spencer Leech · 27 Jun 2018
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published its latest round of safety recalls, with models from Ford, Mazda, BMW, Kia, Audi, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini affected.
Read the article
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
Have a new question for the CarsGuide team?
More than 9,000 questions asked and answered.
Complete guide to BMW
Complete guide to BMW CarsGuide Logo
Reviews, price, specs and more