2009 BMW X5 Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification
  3
• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  633%
• 75k–100k
  633%
• 100k–150k
  633%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 BMW X5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

This SUV has 3 safety recalls. Both the airbags are in the Takata and the fuel pump creates and extreme risk to me and my family's life. I do not understand why BMW is as a company is keeping these faulty cars on the road. Every time I get in it I am nervous and afraid for my life. Now my wife and kids do not drive with me in the car. It has become a huge burden. It is shameful that BMW but even more so that our government will allow these unsafe cars on the roads. Every time I talked to BMW they try to down play the issue. But I simply can't continue to drive this car and it's unfair to me because dealerships won't even take it due to the safety recalls. I keep smelling fumes from the car and I believe these cars also have additional defects with the radiator to add to the issues already explained above. Today the car stalled and I saw smoke from the hood. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. While driving 40 MPH, the contact was involved in a multiple vehicle collision. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back, neck, and pelvis injuries that did not require medical attention. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

I received a recall notice about air bags in August. I have still not received notification of parts. My BMW X5 is now having another very debilitating problem. It shuts off, stalls, won't start, emits very toxic and strong fumes of burning gas when I start my car and when im idling. The engine light up then , it shakes, it has no punch. I felt as though it was part of the other recall with the fuel pump and I took it to my local BMW dealership for diagnostics and they dismissed me, told me I had to pay more for more tests and that it absolutely was not the fuel pump recall. In the meantime I asked about the air bag recall and they said no they couldn't help. I complained and [redacted] of parts and service said fine, they would fix the airbags right then, but couldn't offer me a rental. …

I did received a recall letter about my front driver airbag module in March 2016 and immediately contacted BMW of cape cod mass and as a answer they said that the part is not available in the moment and I will get second letter when it is available and ready for replacement. It has been almost a year and there is still no answer. Now I get second recall letter about the fuel pump in my fuel tank. I do travel every week from cape cod mass to new york and there is strong smell of gasoline in my car on long distance travel, but according to BMW cape cod I will have to wait for the part to be available and just need to get used to the smell. …

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact stated that the check engine and small vacuum system leak warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was leaking fumes and needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags), 16V364000 (air bags), and 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called two local dealers. One dealer informed the contact that the recall was too new and they would call the contact back. The other dealer informed the contact they would not service the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. …

I stopped at a drive thru window and the vehicle shut off without warning. I couldn't get it started and the police tried to put in neutral to move it out of the way. No lights or anything indicated that something was wrong. I have only had the vehicle for 4 days.the airbag restraint light is on and waiting for the sensor. Not sure if this is a recall. It was towed to a shop and then it started when getting it off the tow truck. I don't trust driving it now because it can go out while I'm on the freeway or highway and cause a major accident. There are no reports because I was at a drive thru and just tried to get it out of the way. We had the latest recall done on 08/31/2018.

My vehicle is BMW X5 30i 2009 model year. I suddenly had an error message on the dashboard screen saying "pass restraint system faulty". Dealer checked the problem and stated that this will not engage front passenger airbag and seatbelt restraint system if not fixed. Asked price was $1800 and paid $1500. Absurd price and should be covered by warranty -- its a safety system! I found out that there was an identical NHTSA recall on the same issue with other BMW vehicles just one or two years before this model year. The NHTSA recall code of that recall is 08V384000. I usually ride the car alone and have occasional passenger and never had any heavy load on the seat.

Sudden failure of water pump at 72K miles without warning while driving at 35 MPH. Vehicle lost power steering, became impossible to drive. Pulled over. BMW said well known issue but BMW not willing to provide any assistance. Very dangerous defect. Takata air bag recall - listed on bmws website as available but BMW service center said still not available. Want to sell the car but cannot because buyers are aware of the recall and do not wish to purchase the vehicle. BMW also refuses to purchase the vehicle as a trade in. Will owners be compensated? Rear air springs failed at 72K miles. BMW said known issue but not willing to provide any assistance.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 BMW X5. The contact was unable to sell the vehicle because the manufacturer had not supplied the remedy and parts for NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags), 16V364000 (air bags), and 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The dealer was not contacted because the interim notice did not specify when the remedy and parts would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer stated brake failure due to marter cylinder leak.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmx X5. The contact noticed that the air bag warning indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to BMW of monterey (1 geary plaza, seaside, ca 93955, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the passenger seat mat sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 95,116.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other X5 years