2006 BMW 530xi Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  2
• Sensor › Occupant classification
  2

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  12%
• 25k–50k
  12%
• 50k–75k
  819%
• 75k–100k
  1331%
• 100k–150k
  1740%
• 150k+
  25%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 BMW 530xi owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530XI. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light had remained illuminated for a month. The contact stated that two years ago he had a recall completed on the passenger's side air bag. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 224,500.

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 BMW 530xi. While driving approximately 25 to 30 MPH, the vehicle had an abnormal odor. The contact pulled the vehicle over at a fuel station, opened the trunk, and noticed flames. The fire was extinguished by a patron. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V126000 (electrical system) and 08V384000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Updated 11/02/16

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 530xi. While the contact was having the battery changed at the local dealer, the front passenger air bag warning indicator illuminated. The local dealer (east bay BMW, 4350 rosewood drive, pleasanton, ca 94588) diagnosed that the front seat occupant detection mat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V428000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 530xi. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the passenger air bag mat replaced. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, the air bag warning light illuminated when someone sat in the passenger seat. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 02/12/16; updated 04/30/18

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 530xi. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer (BMW of brooklyn, 622 2nd ave, brooklyn, ny 11220) to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17v4728000 (air bags). The contact was informed that the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was inspected and the software was updated; however, due to dealer error, the air bags were disabled. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to call another dealer. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.

My vehicle's passenger seat occupancy sensor mat has failed, likely from a crack, and has resulted in the passenger airbags being completely disabled. This intermittently started happening around 2014 but has since completely broken. There is an open recall for this (see: 13V564000) however BMW states that my particular VIN is not covered and is refusing to cover the repair. BMW is obviously aware of the issue and the life threatening risks it poses to front passengers but cannot be bothered to address the issue.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 530xi. The contact stated that after the vehicle was started, the front passenger side restraint system malfunction error message displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat occupation mat was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 140,000.

The car suffered a failure of the "front passenger seat occupancy sensor mat". A recall(13v-564:) was issued for this model beginning with car manufactured after dec 1, 2005. My car was manufactured before this date, on 9/3/200, and therefore was not included in the recall. The issue I am having is the exact issue in the recall. Have any other owners of pre-dec 1, 2005, manufacture cars reported similar issues? Other recalls of the same issue are 17v-428 and 08v-384

The airbag light has been on in my vehicle since I bought it in November 2016. During my state inspection in October 2017, my mechanic told me that the operation of the airbag system is broken and it cannot tell when to deploy airbags in the event of an accident. I believe this problem has already been identified in a a recall applicable to the same make, model, and year as my vehicle (recall 17v-428) but my VIN is not showing up as one of the vehicles detected.

My front passenger seat airbag fault light went on. Thr dealer , BMW of charlottesville replaced the faulty passebger seat occupancy detection mat at a cost of $867.05. I have received a recall notice from you and yet my VIN number does not show up. Can you explain this to me? It looks like I should be coverd given the model year and given that my car clearly had the defect. It appears my vehicle should be covered and thst BMW should reimburde me.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other 530xi years