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
Driving approximately 50 MPH an accident occurred where there was oil in road. My car lost control and veered into a guard rail on the highway. My car was subsequently totaled and none of my air bags deployed in the crash.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 BMW 545i. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger side air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the sensor, but the failure recurred after two weeks. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who informed the contact about an air bag recall and referred the contact to NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
Low speed crash in febuary 2015 airbag malfunction light came on but didn't deploy. This item had been replaced due to recall in 2011 and BMW said I had to pay for seat mat that malfunctioned and to be put in. No passenger in car during impact I was alone. I don't feel that this should be my problem or that I should have to pay for said problem. I believe this is a faulty part and should be covered by BMW and recall didn't fix problem.
I came back from my summer holiday, and restarted my car. A lot of warnings appears on the odometer. About engine, airbags, steering, tire pressure, and seat belt. (I have checked the tire pressure, it is normal. And I always lock the seat belt before driving). In addition, the navigation screen and radio died. Furthermore, the car lose electricity after it shuts down. After more than 3 hours of shut down, it won't have enough power to re-ignite. I check on NHTSA website that there are three recall issues that my car was included, and related to the issues I am reporting right now. About air bags (08V384000), engine (12e029000), and electrical system (12V126000). But I cannot find out any information by my VIN number on NHTSA. It is a used car, I am not sure whether the former user responded the recall before. …
NHTSA investigations
BMW airbag light illumination
In certain my 2005 through my 2006 BMW vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag May malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in June 2006, BMW issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit May be…
BMW airbag light illumination
BMW is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 545i years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (34) and 2004 (18) model years. Airbag complaints make up 44% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for BMW 545i airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for any BMW 545i model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do BMW 545i airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles; 5% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (6 mentions), followed by the sensor › occupant classification (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.