BMW X5 Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification
  18
• Frontal
  12
• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  7
• Side/window
  4
• Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
  2
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  2

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2410%
• 25k–50k
  3213%
• 50k–75k
  6125%
• 75k–100k
  4820%
• 100k–150k
  5422%
• 150k+
  2410%

What owners report

The contact owned a 2024 BMW X5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH through an intersection, another vehicle ran a red light and t-boned the contact's vehicle on the front passenger side to the partial front rear door. The vehicle spun and crashed into a medium, causing the vehicle to come to a stop. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. A police report was not filed. The contact received a concussion and injuries to their left arm that required medical attention. The contact was unsure if the other driver received any injuries or medical attention. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

Car's information system was giving error stating: "Urgent interior functionality check up. The driver restraint system of your vehicle is malfunctioning. There is an increased risk of injury in case of a collision." Took it to the BMW dealer, they shared this info: Cause: Read out faults found fault 930949 knee air bag drivers short to negative need to replace harnesses as per SIB 65-27-24. Correction: Replace harness for knee air bags. The estimate for this is $2,013.72 which breaks down to parts at $288.96 and 7 hours worth of labor costing $1,724.76. This car is two years old. I would assume this is a manufacturing defect happening at only two years of age.

The contact owns a 2021 BMW X5. The contact stated while his wife was reversing the vehicle into the main road when shifting gears into drive, the vehicle began to reverse independently while still depressing on the brake pedal. The contact stated the vehicle ran into two different trees and slashed the front driver's side tire. The contact stated the Park Distance Control (PDC) malfunction warning light was illuminated. No air bags were deployed. The driver did not have any injuries or seek medical attention. A police report was not filed. The contact was able to park the vehicle back into his residence. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer, who called the manufacturer. The manufacturer sent their engineers to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer called the contact and was informed it was a human error. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

2021 X5 M50i: The driver's knee airbag deployed in a crash and lacerated my left lower leg down to the muscle and abraded most of the layers of skin on my right shin. I was taken to the ER by ambulance. The laceration could only be partially sutured together. There was no shrapnel in the wounds. I have to go to a wound care center to treat the mentioned injuries. Everything else on me was fine, just some bruises and sore muscles; my car saved my life. I was not at fault. All airbags, except the vacant front passenger, were deployed. I was the only occupant of the vehicle. The airbags have not been inspected by the dealer or anyone else as it was a total loss and taken away to a salvage lot to be sold at auction. The insurance company went by the photos that I sent in. I have a lot of photos. …

The contact owned a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated while the contact's mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle attempted to make a left turn and crashed head-on into the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The driver's air bag did not deploy. During the impact, the driver's head hit the windshield causing it to crack. The police and paramedics arrived on the scene. The contact and the contact's mother were transported to the local medical center. The contact's mother was treated for a severe concussion and severe cuts and bruises. In addition, the contact's mother had broken glass in her hands which was removed. The contact sustained cuts and bruises. The contact's mother received additional testing because of the impact of the steering wheel on the chest, however the test results were negative. …

The contact owns a 2020 BMW X5. The contact stated that the message "Driver Restraint System Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side knee air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 39,500.

About a year ago, coffee began leaking from below from a paper cup in the plastic cupholder of my x5. I immediately noticed it and cleaned it up. Approximately 1-2 ounces of liquid leaked into the plastic cupholder. On May 11, 2022, the Passenger Restraint System faulted and the light came on. The vehicle was inspected by BMW of Austin and stated that liquid seeped onto the Airbag Control Module and some of the pins were corroded. This would not be covered by the Warranty as it was deemed an "external" factor that caused the failure. The estimate to fix this issue and get the airbag functioning again is $2,005.00. BMW placed the Airbag Control Module right under the plastic cupholder, and does not seal the plastic cupholder or the important Airbag Control Module right under the plastic cupholder. …

Driving my vehicle and on my screen popped up driver seat restraint malfunction, also rear seat restraint malfunction please go to closest dealership. I bring my vehicle to BMW dealership in my town and rep calls me and advise that the cup holders sit above the srs wiring and that liquid gets thru the cup holders and dripped on to the wires causing them to no longer work. This is a design flaw i have never spilled a drink in my cup holder and even if someone did on accident why is the AIRBAG wires not covered in plastic if going below cup holders that leak any type of liquid. I am unable to afford, I do have warranty however BMW stating that this is an outside interferance and will not be covered under warranty, so I am having to drive with no airbags. I researched and many others are having same issue with this same year and make different models. …

Related recalls (21)

NHTSA investigations