Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while his wife was seated in the front passenger's seat, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the front passenger's side seat occupancy mat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part was no longer being manufactured. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was a recurring failure, and the vehicle was parked and no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 BMW 128i. While driving approximately 30 MPH and making a left turn into traffic, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed. As a result, metal fragments struck the contact's face and chest that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local towing company. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Takata recall -- after months of waiting for a replacement airbag, I received a notice from BMW in late September that the replacement part is available and that I should get my car in. I scheduled an appointment with kuni BMW on October 17, 2017 but they called that morning and said that they didn't have the parts but would call me when they do to reschedule. I followed up on October 30 and the service department said that they still can't help me but that I am on their priority list when the part comes in. So -- in spite of the fact that BMW has notified me that my car needs to be fixed, my local dealer can't do the job. It's been a month and there are no replacement airbags available!
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated while entering the vehicle she noticed that the passenger's seat occupancy sensor light was illuminated however, there was no one occupying the seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a faulty memory SRS light and sensor. The contact was informed that to repair the failure the passenger's seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i convertible. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact was made aware of the recall when the vehicle was purchased in July of 2017 from a third party. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated once for an entire day and then turned off. The local dealer (BMW of escondido, 1557 auto park way, escondido, ca, 92029) stated that parts were unavailable for the repair. The manufacturer confirmed that the parts were unavailable for the repair, but stated that the parts should be available in one month. The manufacturer stated that they would expedite the contact's request. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I have contacted BMW multiple times to come out and perform all 3 recalls. They said they would call back for details specific date to send out a certified mechanic to remedy the recalls. My wife never got a call back. I live over a hundred miles from any dealer on the VA and WV state lines. I can't afford to take time off to bring the car to them.
I called BMW beverly hills several times since I owning the car. I have taken it in because I received a recall letter and it seemed to have an electrical shortage. I told them I did not feel safe driving the car with a potential electrical issue and air bag defect. I dropped off my car 2 times. Never got an update. No one went over what was done to to the car. They wanted me to buy an extended warranty. After expressing several times and dropping off my car 2-3 times, they never called me back or responded... I had a car accident in late November or early December. Thank god my airbag did not deploy but I feel completely unsafe driving my car because I do not believe the electrical issue I complained about and the airbag I am waiting to be replaced. Electrical: when it is stationary it is having electrical issues. Turning it on is an issue. …
Related recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 128i years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (24), 2012 (23), 2011 (15), 2009 (10) and 2010 (9) model years. Airbag complaints make up 67% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for BMW 128i airbag problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); 16V-071 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW 128i airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the sensor › occupant classification (2 mentions), followed by the srs malfunction warning lamp/light (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.