Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | 8% | 18,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2013 | 14 | 19% | 75,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% | 47,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% | 78,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 11% | 68,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% | 55,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 12% | 90,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 17% | 133,000 miles |
| 1999 | 9 | 20% | 137,000 miles |
| 1998 | 6 | 18% | 80,000 miles |
| 1997 | 5 | 12% | 142,000 miles |
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 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact received a message displaying a hazard symbol for the driver restraint system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the fault for the driver's side air bag Intel Stage 2. The dealer confirmed that there was an internal disconnect with the air bag that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the repair was not included in the recall or covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 17,700. …
The driver restraint system malfunctioned out of the blue. It's still at the dealership where I'm paying to have it diagnosed. This problem is so common it is a running joke on Twitter, yet there's no recall on my car that is only 8 years old.
Recently, in the last 30 days multiple critical safety components of my BMW vehicle have malfunctioned without warning, posing significant risks to my safety and that of other road users 1. **Horn System Failure**: The horn system of my BMW has ceased to function across all driving conditions, including park, reverse, drive, and when the vehicle is stationary. This abrupt failure indicates a potential electrical and mechanical malfunction, as there have been NO accidents and airbag deployments. This is very alarming and confusing how does a the horn on my vehicle just STOP working. 2. **Risk to Safety**: The failure of the horn system poses a serious hazard in emergency situations where signaling warnings or alerts to other road users is crucial. This not only jeopardizes my safety but also endangers the safety of others on the road. 3. …
A vehicle(SUV) ended my car in the rear in a pretty good speed when I was in the slow traffic almost stationary(5 MPH). Crash impact was high. Had to call in an ambulance as my friend sitting in passenger seat was hurt badly. As we realize after the crash, engine got stopped & airbags failed to deploy due to fault in airbag. Engine did not start later & the car was towed to a facility in prospects heights. This happened on a city highway when driving in a straight lane. Very light snow showers at that time around 6 pm on 02/26.
I had been having problems with my seatbelt alarm coming on for a while with nothing in the seat of the passenger and then as I was trying to turn in to park I heard a click from my steering wheel as if it didn't want to turn and the driver seat restraint malfunction error popped up . Now my horn will not work as well . I'm told that the dealership is the only place it can be repaired. I'm worried that it will deploy on me while driving . I'm sure this is an issue others have experienced as well .
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 528i. Whenever the front passenger seat was occupied, the air bag and seat belt warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (center BMW, 5201 van nuys blvd, sherman oaks, ca 91401) where it was diagnosed that the seat sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty or recall; therefore, the contact would be responsible for repairs. The failure mileage was 47,000.
I noticed all of a sudden when I would turn my steering wheel it would make a clicking sound. Then none of my controls were working on the steering wheel. The horn wouldnt work none of the buttons and the air bag malfunction light was on. I researched and quite a few people had the same problem and I found out it was the ribbon wire inside the steering wheel had snapped and broke. The clock spring i guess might have failed or something. So now i have no horn or airbag and it's very dangerous. To ha e it replaced will be a few hundred dollars. This car just keeps having one problem after another. This seems like a really bad design and it is easily broken. I think they should recall this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 528i. When the vehicle was turned on, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the driver restraint system malfunction warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to produce a fault code or duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Related recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe…
Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 528i years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (14), 2013 (14), 1999 (9), 2000 (7) and 2010 (7) model years. Airbag complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for BMW 528i airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 24V-527 (inflator module, Jul 11, 2024); 16V-914 (air bags, Dec 20, 2016); 16V-832 (sensor/control module-inactive, Nov 17, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW 528i airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 15% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the side/window (8 mentions), followed by the sensor › occupant classification (7).
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.