Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bags warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal chiming sound detected. Additionally, the digital screen was obstructed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed the sensor mat needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Airbag light is on for passenger and fuel injectors messed up. This is a 2008 and other ones had recalls. I don't understand why mine did not lights are flickering a little bit and before it was smoking really bad and I had to get that fixed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. While driving 40 MPH, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the wall of a church. The frontal air bags did not deploy. The driver was sore, but there were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to peake BMW (2630 veterans memorial blvd, kenner, la 70062, [phone]), but the parts were not available for the air bag repair initially. A few months later, the dealer called the contact back to schedule an appointment to replace the air bags per an unknown recall, but the parts were not available again. The manufacturer was contacted by letter and they stated that the crash was not serious enough for the air bags to deploy. The failure mileage was 102,000. . Consumer stated car remote key malfunctioned.
Traveling on expressway at approx 60 MPH collided with a vehicle hitting him on rear. I sustained injury to my chest as a result of impact against the steering wheel because the airbag didn't deploy. I learned that BMW has recalled airbags on several models and believe the 2008 x5s should be included in the recall. My vehicle is at a collision center but I can make it available in case NHTSA experts would like to investigate if airbag sensors are working properly on this model. If indeed the airbags on the 2008 BMW x 5s are not working properly, I'd like for the manufacturer to create public awareness to prevent any serious injuries and/or fatalities from happening.
BMW passenger seat airbag/seat restraint system has a malfunction. The system says there is a problem with the passenger seat and/or airbag restraint system or seatbelt or belt tensioners. There is a red light on the dash indicating failure of the system. This light comes and goes. Sometimes the light comes on even when no one is in the seat. I've googled this and it seems a lot of people are having the same issue with this. I'm not sure if the airbag is really effected or if it is a sensor malfunction. I see there are similar complaints listed here for this same issue.
Brought my 2008 X5 in for the crankcase (pcv) recall. The dealer (the BMW store in cincinnati) told me the serpentine belt had to be removed for the repair and while removing the belt, the tensioner pully fell off. This was described as "due to an existing broken bolt" in the engine block. The dealer said I would either have to pay to repair or they would put the car back as found and can not be held if the car broke down. Is the dealer liable to repair this since the car was fully operational when it was brought in for the recall?
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated for the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger occupant detection mat was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Bww has an ongoing problem with its seat sensor mat. These sensors are critical to the safety of the front passenger in the event of an accident. BMW has only issued recalls for select model of its vehicle on this particular issue. It has failed to acknowledge that it is a widespread problem affecting all of its vehicles across years and models. I believe that the government should act to force BMW to take responsibility for its defective product. Human lives are being put in danger. Thank you.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated there was a fuel odor in the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags) and 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part for the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall! My airbag seat keep on ringing to put seatbelt on when no one is sitting there, and the restraint warning on my tv screen won't go away. I'm afraid my seat will explode on us when we are on the road. They need to check it out, dangerous its better to save lives, then sorry.
Related recalls
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 › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until this remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag, free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles and 2009-2013 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module, free of charge.
Show 3 more recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles, 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama,…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge.
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.
Airbag complaints in other X5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 BMW X5?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 BMW X5, 31% of the model year's 235 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 BMW X5 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 20V-016 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020); NHTSA recall 19V-017 (inflator module, Jan 14, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW X5 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.