BMW i3 Steering Wheel Airbag Replacement Parts

Yes, the BMW i3 is fitted with a steering wheel airbag as standard across all variants — it is a full passenger car with a conventional SRS airbag system despite its electric drivetrain. The airbag sits within the steering wheel hub and is present on both the standard i3 and the i3s performance variant. If yours has deployed, it will need replacing as airbags are single-use safety components.

The BMW i3 received a significant refresh around 2017, and while the fundamental platform carried over, interior component specifications can differ across this boundary — so a pre-2017 airbag may not be a straightforward swap into a post-2017 car. You should confirm with the breaker whether the airbag module from the earlier car is compatible with the SRS system in your specific registration, as this is something we cannot state as fact. Because airbags are safety-critical, professional fitting and system verification by a qualified technician are strongly recommended regardless of the parts source.

The i3 was sold in trim levels including SE, Sport, and later i3s, and while steering wheel style can vary between trims — for instance the i3s has a sportier steering wheel which may house a differently styled airbag module — the underlying airbag compatibility relative to your specific SRS system is something to confirm with the breaker against your registration. Always have a replacement airbag installed by a professional, as incorrect fitting of a safety-critical component can be dangerous.

The i3s, introduced in 2017, features a sport steering wheel that differs from the standard i3 item, so the airbag modules may not be interchangeable between the two variants. Confirm with the breaker whether the part they have is from an i3 or an i3s, and ask them to verify compatibility with your car's SRS system via your registration. As with all airbag replacements, professional fitting is essential — a used airbag must be undeplyed and in confirmed working condition before installation.

The i3 was available as a pure electric (BEV) and with an optional petrol range extender (REx), but the drivetrain does not affect the steering wheel airbag — this is an interior safety component tied to the car's generation and trim, not the engine or battery configuration. You do not need to seek out a REx or BEV-specific airbag; focus instead on matching the generation and trim of the donor car to yours. Always confirm SRS module compatibility with the breaker against your exact registration, and have the part professionally fitted.

UK breakers who dismantle BMW i3s are your best source for a used steering wheel airbag, and Findapart lets you get quotes from multiple dismantlers at once. When contacting a breaker, give them your registration and ask them to confirm the donor car's year and trim level, and to verify the airbag has not been deployed — a deployed airbag is a single-use item and cannot be reused. Because this is a safety-critical component, always have it fitted and the SRS system checked by a qualified professional rather than attempting a DIY installation.