The vehicles affected may have been fitted with Takata non-azide driver inflator (NADI) gas generators in which inadequate sealing on the gas generator could allow the ingress of moisture and thus result in the degradation of the propellant.
If the airbag deploys, this could cause the gas generator to underinflate or to burst. In the case of under-inflation, the protective effect is not given. In case of overpressure deployment, metal parts can enter the vehicle interior, this could cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants of the vehicle.
The BMW 3 Series / E46 models affected by this recall were manufactured between 3 June 1997 and 30 June 2000.
BMW recall code: 0032960200, 0032970200, 0032980200, 0032200300
Types: 346L, 346X, 346K, 346C, 346R
Vehicle numbers (worldwide): 757,145
Source: Rapex Alert 40/2021 A12/01400/21
Source: Rapex Alert 24/2020 A12/00852/20