Air Bag Problems of BMW X5 - part 1

My daughter was driving my BMW X5, it went to neutral and not moving, she was panicked and stopped the car and ignition. After restarting the car, it worked for a day, then it happened again, also, I see notifications on dashboard for restraint warning, saying, airbag, and seat belt tension are reduced. I took to fairfax BMW in va, BMW quoted $2662, informed that my BMW went out of extended warranty over a month, I asked goodwill request to BMW, still declined.

See all problems of the 2019 BMW X5 🔎.

The seal on the sunroof of the car allows water into the car. My car will be available for inspection upon request. This issue allows water into the car around the b pillar airbag and the side window airbag which can damage the airbag and make it deploy without any accidents or make them not deploy in the case of a accident. BMW has an internal document in which acknowledging the issue with the seal but even though they recognize placing a defective part on the vehicle. They will not assume the cost of the repair if outside DE 50k miles warranty. In order for the dealership to take a look at the issue an 200 dollar diagnostic is required but I was informed that if they determined that the issue on hand is due to the defective part. I will still have to pay for the repairs. There weren’t any other signs before the incident.

See all problems of the 2023 BMW X5 🔎.

Car's information system was giving error stating: "urgent interior functionality check up. The driver restraint system of your vehicle is malfunctioning. There is an increased risk of injury in case of a collision. " took it to the BMW dealer, they shared this info: cause: read out faults found fault 930949 knee air bag drivers short to negative need to replace harnesses as per sib 65-27-24. Correction: replace harness for knee air bags. The estimate for this is $2,013. 72 which breaks down to parts at $288. 96 and 7 hours worth of labor costing $1,724. 76. This car is two years old. I would assume this is a manufacturing defect happening at only two years of age.

See all problems of the 2024 BMW X5 🔎.

During a recent auto collision my airbags did not deploy. I swerved to avoid another vehicle entering the intersection from my left, he hit my rear left driver's side quarter panel and I subsequently hit a tree. This was noted by the paramedics first on scene as well as by the firemen and police when they arrived. I have notified BMW of north America, usaa insurance (my insurance company), and now you. The vehicle is a total loss and was towed to leesburg virginia by roadrunner wrecker service. Com.

See all problems of the 2016 BMW X5 🔎.

The contact owns a 2025 BMW X5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, for an unknown reason, she lost control of the vehicle and hit a telephone pole, where the vehicle came to a stop. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The contact's wife was taken to the hospital by ambulance. The contact's wife did not suffer injuries. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard. The insurance company was notified. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer advised the contact that a field inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The field inspector inspected the vehicle. However, no information was provided regarding why the air bags did not deploy. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

See all problems of the 2025 BMW X5 🔎.

Frequent passenger restraint system issue.

Because of this water intrusion, the following safety systems have malfunctioned or failed: • abs and dsc (stability control) warnings • chassis stabilization warning • frontal collision and pedestrian warning malfunction • airbag system warning • loss of audible warning tones • most bus communication failure • electrical modules intermittently shutting down or throwing codes these failures affect braking, stability control, crash avoidance, and driver alerts, creating a significant safety risk while driving. This is not normal wear or maintenance. Many BMW owners have reported the same issue: clogged or poorly designed sunroof drains that route water directly into areas containing critical electronics. Once water reaches these modules, it causes electrical shorts and safety system failures that require expensive repairs. BMW dealerships typically diagnose this as “water damage,” but the location of the drains and the placement of the electronics indicate a design flaw that allows a simple drain issue to disable major safety systems. I am filing this complaint because the water intrusion should not be able to cause total failure of abs, dsc, collision warning, and airbag-related systems. This is a safety-related design defect, not wear and tear. I request NHTSA review and investigate BMW sunroof drain failures and their impact on essential vehicle safety functions.

Described by BMW as a "malfunctioning passenger restraint system", the sensor detecting weight in the seats is faulty without any external factors. The safety of both minors and adults is placed at risk when a system like this malfunctions, either keeping the airbag on or off. The automatically-adjusting seatbelt is also affected by this. There was a warning message for this displayed.

See all problems of the 2021 BMW X5 🔎.

On September 2, 2025, my 2025 BMW X5 xdrive50e was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Despite the severity of the impact, the following safety systems failed to deploy: front airbags driver seatbelt pretensioner BMW assist / automatic emergency notification witnesses reported that my vehicle briefly went airborne before landing with the rear wheels up on a curb. I suffered neck injuries, and my vehicle sustained significant frontal damage. BMW later downloaded the event data recorder (edr) and confirmed: a frontal non-deployment event three fault codes in the airbag control module (acsm) post-crash the crash algorithm activated and reset ?v reached approx. 12. 4 mph longitudinal forward collision mitigation system issued an acute warning 0. 5 seconds before impact BMW states the “impulse was not sufficient” to trigger restraint deployment BMW has refused to provide: the deployment thresholds (?v criteria) for airbags or pre-tensioners any engineering explanation for why restraint systems did not activate any technical rationale for the acsm fault codes any escalation beyond customer relations all I have been given is an unsigned summary letter and the raw edr file. BMW customer relations stated that engineering is “not customer-facing” and that no additional information will be provided. This leaves serious concerns that: the restraint systems did not function properly in a real-world impact. BMW is refusing to disclose the engineering basis for its conclusions. Consumers may be at risk if this is a repeatable failure mode. I am requesting NHTSA review this incident as a potential defect in the airbag, pretensioner, and/or crash-sensing system in the 2025 BMW X5. I can provide the edr report, photos, BMW’s letter, and full correspondence upon request. VIN: [xxx] mileage: ~10,700 crash date: 09/02/2025 BMW case #: xxx information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I received a message of restraint system malfunction and when I called the local dealer I was told the part is not availabel anywhere in the USA. What am I supposed to do with this. I was told the air bags and seatbelts may malfunction. The vehicle only has 85k miles. Its a 2012. At this point who will take the car as a trade? it's not safe and they don't have an answer except to say I'm [xxx] and I guess you need to get a new vehicle!! can you believe this? I have to get a whole new vehicle because they don't have a part! you can't make this stuff up. I spoke with BMW USA and was told they only honor 4yr and 50k miles and after 10years they are not responsible for parts to be made. The I was told to get it further diagnosed to the tune of 250. 00 so they can "maybe" have the parts manufactured. What the heck! this company is saying our cars are garbage after 10yrs! information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2012 BMW X5 🔎.

Airbag light is on for passenger and fuel injectors messed up. This is a 2008 and other ones had recalls. I don’t understand why mine did not lights are flickering a little bit and before it was smoking really bad and I had to get that fixed.

See all problems of the 2008 BMW X5 🔎.

I was making a left turn in stopped traffic. Lanes 1 and 2 yielded die to bumper to bumper traffic. . . As I crossed into lane 3 at 5 to 10 mph. . . Struck by a vehicle going 55 mph plus in opposite direction. My vehicle spun into 3rd vehicle. I hit my head 2 times on driver windows. No airbags deployed. I suffered a traumatic brain injury.

See all problems of the 2015 BMW X5 🔎.

The contact owns a 2024 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph when another vehicle ran a red light and t-boned their vehicle on the passenger side of the vehicle's front and rear end. The vehicle spun and crashed into a medium causing the vehicle to come to a stop. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was not filed. The contact received a concussion and injuries to their left arm. Medical attention was needed. The contact was unsure if the other driver received any injuries or medical attention. The other vehicle was damaged as well. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated while the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. The driver's air bag did not deploy. The police and paramedics arrived on the scene. The contact and the contact's mother were transported to the local medical center. The contact's mother was treated for a severe concussion and severe cuts and bruises. In addition, the contact's mother had broken glass in her hands which was removed. The contact sustained cuts and bruises. The contact's mother received additional testing because of the impact of the steering wheel on the chest, however the test results were negative. A police report was filed, however the information was unavailable. In addition, the police officer inspected the vehicle and noticed the driver's seat belt had alot of play, which could have contributed to the contact's mother's head injury. The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard where it was condemned total loss. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,327.

See all problems of the 2020 BMW X5 🔎.

My vehicle is do not drive condition. I have not been able to schedule air bag recall repair because the dealerships in my area will not tow to and from my home, and say no mobile service is available. What are my opinions? please reply . . . . . I currently can't drive my car because I have a unexploded claymore in my face!.

See all problems of the 2001 BMW X5 🔎.

Passenger seatbelt restraint.

BMW has failed on several occasions to address this issue or service vehicle. I have made them aware of the situation but continue to receive letters that indicate I could die of the airbag.

See all problems of the 2002 BMW X5 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that the message "driver restraint system malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side knee air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 39,500.

Due to a small coffee spill srs light for front and back were triggered, with the potential of having air bags deployed, this is a defect that needs to be addressed. There was a class acton lawsuit that has since been concluded, but how about for new owners of old vehicles. This should be a safety concern.

Passenger restraint system malfunction light comes on.

A red light came on in my vehicle that read restraint system. Does that mean the airbags are faulty or is it with the seatbelts.

See all problems of the 2017 BMW X5 🔎.

Front passenger occupant seat sensor failure warning code oc3.

See all problems of the 2009 BMW X5 🔎.

I was pulling into a parking spot. I was riding slowly into the correct position. Immediately the car went into full acceleration. Knocked the parked car in front about 8 feet, turned and knocked another car on the side. I stood on the breaks, it went another 10 feet and engine stopped. I never heard this level of acceleration of engine ever before. The airbags for me and my passenger did not open. I think this spurious acceleration is a control system defect.

See all problems of the 2022 BMW X5 🔎.

Driver restraint malfunction warning light turned on while driving and stated dangerous driving conditions and to see a dealer immediately. The dealer diagnosis was a faulty airbag wire harness due to rubbing against the metal which caused the airbag light to malfunction. Car had 47500 miles but BMW did not cover this faulty wiring under warranty. Should be a recall on faulty wiring.

We hit a deer while driving at 55 mph. We were wearing seatbelts and not injured, it was a major frontal impact, the car is probably totalled. When we stopped we noticed multiple warning messages on the display: * restraint system failure * passenger airbag failure * pre-tensioner failure it appears that the car detected the collision and tried to activate the restraint systems, but nothing activated. No air bags deployed, and we did not feel the pre-tensioners activate.

This vehicle has only 36,000 miles, and there is a known issue with the knee airbags. See attached notice. My driver's side knee airbag warning light recently went on, but BMW refuses to remedy the problem. They should be required to recall and cover the cost of the repair.

Water possibly from moonroof getting into the car and warning messages about passenger airbags. I discussed matter with dealer and they want me to pay for diagnostic. I think they reset computer after service.

Vehical randomly shuts off, it all safety systems warning lamps come on l, like abs, airbag, and traction control. Found wiring harness laying in a pool of water in the rear right cargo compartment. Rain water leaking from sunroof collected in compartment. The harness contains wires for the the vehicles can buss systems the water causes corrosion in the harness, which causes all sorts of problems that could happen at any time like the vehicle shutting off or the airbag or abs warning light coming on.

The car currently has 28,899 miles to date. Mid November 2023, the dashboard indicated that there was a default with the safety system. I took the car to the authorized service center and their diagnostics indicated as follows: faulty crash safety module. The recommendation was to replace and program acsm control unit. Since this was a matter of my personal safety I had to pay $2100 to fix it. The second issue was the sunroof not closing. The diagnostic found the following problems: excessive corrosion on sunroof cassette it to fail ( water entering the sunroof).

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated the air bag restraint malfunction message was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Rear restraint system malfunction. BMW states it’s a faulty airbag that is not under warranty. Car has never been in an accident and only 4 years old so there should not have been any issues. It is a safety issue for passengers.

2021 X5 m50i: the driver's knee airbag deployed in a crash and lacerated my left lower leg down to the muscle and abraded most of the layers of skin on my right shin. I was taken to the er by ambulance. The laceration could only be partially sutured together. There was no shrapnel in the wounds. I have to go to a wound care center to treat the mentioned injuries. Everything else on me was fine, just some bruises and sore muscles; my car saved my life. I was not at fault. All airbags, except the vacant front passenger, were deployed. I was the only occupant of the vehicle. The airbags have not been inspected by the dealer or anyone else as it was a total loss and taken away to a salvage lot to be sold at auction. The insurance company went by the photos that I sent in. I have a lot of photos. There are knee airbag recalls on other model years of this vehicle but none on mine, the subject VIN. It has had no recalls since I owned it and I bought it new in sept 2020. There were no warning indicators of any potential problems prior to the crash. I suspect the edges may be sharp or it didn't deploy properly. I hope these airbags can be checked to see if they are defective as they can really hurt someone. (there is a lot of insurance claim communications that I haven't attached but I will if requested).

Vehicle is out of warranty. Car only has 36k miles and passengers restraint system malfunction appeared. It basically says that the passenger airbag won't deploy due to this malfunction. Union diagnosis ilthe culprit is a defective seat occupancy mat sensor module and the seat mat. Both parts should be recalled as this failure occured without outside influence. This is a extremely important component that can fail at any moment in the 2019 X5 xdrive50i.

The contact owns a 2012 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "passenger restraint system malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the passenger restraint system had failed, and an unknown repair needed to be completed. The contact was charged a repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB number: 10056703-9690. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Passenger restraint system failed message states bring to dealer ASAP dealer states there will be a charge seems to be a common problem recall???.