Safety Recall NHTSA · 02V223000 Reported August 9, 2002

Bmw/side air bag system

Bmw Of North America, Llc · Air Bags · 20,500 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
02V223000
Manufacturer Campaign
E46
Component
Air Bags
Vehicles Affected
20,500
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
August 9, 2002

Defect Summary

On certain 4-door passenger vehicles, the side air bag system could deploy in certain non-crash impacts, such as when contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speeds.

Safety Consequence

This could cause the side air bag and head protection system to deploy without an actual side crash or impact severe enough to cause significant visible damage to the vehicle. unexpected deployment of the side air bag could cause serious injury if the occupant's head is resting near the side air bag.

Corrective Action

Dealers will recalibrate the central air bag control module to reduce the possibility of such a non-crash deployment. owner notification began october 25, 2002. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Bmw Of North America, Llc dealer and reference recall ID 02V223000 or campaign E46.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Bmw Of North America, Llc or involving Air Bags.

FAQ: Recall 02V223000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 02V223000?

NHTSA recall 02V223000 was issued by Bmw Of North America, Llc on August 9, 2002. It addresses: Bmw/side air bag system. The recall affects approximately 20,500 vehicles, with the defect involving the Air Bags component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Bmw Of North America, Llc dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 02V223000 or the manufacturer campaign number E46. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.