BMW 328xi Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification
  10
• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  4
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  512%
• 25k–50k
  1126%
• 50k–75k
  37%
• 75k–100k
  819%
• 100k–150k
  1126%
• 150k+
  410%

What owners report

On December 1st I was rearended at interstate speed (65 miles per hour) just prior to impact I had turned my steering wheel to the right to lessen the impact to the vehicle in front of me. However it is clear from the damage to my vehicle that my car made contact on the driver side corner with the bridge as well as the entire passenger side of the vehicle made significant contact with the car in front of me. My car had been at a complete stop. No airbags went off causing me to suffer serious head injuries and scull fractures. In addition, upon impact, my car burst into flames. I was pulled unconscious from my burning car by bystanders with only moments to spare

Takata inflators BMW service center say they don't have the parts available and don't know when. Isn't this dangerous that they don't quickly act on it and replace our parts? What if we get into an accident/ I would like to file a compliant on their inefficiency in trying to resolve this issue and request for them to get the parts asap.

I was driving at a slow speed during heavy traffic in town at 4 pm on a sunny day. The car ahead of me slowed down even more and when I was trying to slow my car too, it did not slow down at all. I did hit the car ahead of me at a slow speed and the air bag deployed causing severe injury to my right wrist and to the left wrist. It caused profuse bleeding because the air bag caused cuts in my wrist area, very close to a vein. A five inch hematoma appeared within minutes in the right wrist and the skin was scraped off both wrists. Several burn marks are also visible all the way up to the bend of my arms. The police came within minutes and they bandaged my wrists to try to stop the bleeding. An ambulance was called and the emt wanted to transport me to a hospital.

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 328xi. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate independently and crashed into some stone/brick stairs, upon enetering a short driveway. The vehicle was not destroyed but the driver sustained a bruise to the ribs and face. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they could not determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000. Updated 04/04/14 the consumer stated the front suspension subframe and body shell attachment was ruined. The vehicle was a total loss. The side driver's side air bag did not deploy. The passenger's side air bag did deploy without a passenger. Updated 04/11/2014

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 BMW 328xi. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the seat belt chime on the front passenger side sounded and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. There was no passenger occupying the seat. After the last incident on September 24, 2018, the failure occurred every day. The only way to stop the chime was by engaging the latch on the seat belt buckle. The vehicle was taken to winslow BMW of colorado springs (5845 n nevada avenue, colorado springs, co 80918) where it was diagnosed that the sensor mat on the front passenger side was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

Takata recall. Rec'd recall notice in 3/2016, talked w/dealer shortly after and they said they didn't have the parts, then again 6/29/2016 still no parts, had service done in early 2017 and asked again, was told they expect shipment in next couple months--"likely Takata but not sure". Called 6/29/2017 expect parts end of summer; BMW will send letter & then I to call for service. Last called dealer 8/23/2017 and still no parts and no estimate of when they might get them, told me to wait for letter from BMW. I think of this potential hazard every time I drive. Can be distracting as I'm driving and am planning what to do in case I expect deployment of the airbag--hold up my arms or what? Please help!

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag deployed unintendedly. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated prior to the air bag deployment. The air bag deployed, and there was no occupant inside the vehicle. The contact stated that after the air bag had deployed, the air bag warning light was illuminated after the air bag had deployed. The vehicle was recently taken to the dealer and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Car caught on fire for unknown reasons. When the car was turned on smoke came out from the air conditioning vents and all doors locked from inside. There were 2 occupants inside that needed assistance to get out while the car was catching fire. The vehicle was parked.

Related recalls (3)

NHTSA investigations