Seat Belt complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% | 5,000 miles |
| 2020 | 3 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2019 | 7 | 4% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 7% | — |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% | 3,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | 58,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% | 155,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% | 64,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% | 36,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% | 77,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 5% | 63,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | 135,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 4% | 89,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% | 50,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Described by BMW as a "malfunctioning passenger restraint system", the sensor detecting weight in the seats is faulty without any external factors. The safety of both minors and adults is placed at risk when a system like this malfunctions, either keeping the airbag on or off. The automatically-adjusting seatbelt is also affected by this. There was a warning message for this displayed.
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. …
Purchased the car Feb 2020. Over 6 months ago, back seat belts (middle and left side) stopped working. Seat belt will not click. Brand new car with nonfunctioning seat belts. Been trying to get hold of the dealer to fix and did not get anywhere. After months of hassle, they ordered the seat belts to be replaced. After dropping off the car, I get an email asking me to approve the fix for a cost of $1,100. Want to report malfunctioning unsafe car with nonworking seat belts (brand new car, a little over 1 year old) and a dealer that want to charge me for their malfunctioning seat belts. anyone that get in the car in the back is not safe. cannot use the car due to safety issues.
Vehicle airbag/seatbelt warning light on 9/2022. Airbag (seatbelt) module replaced. Caused by condensation or leak due to BMW not sealing cupholders and placing KEY SAFETY EQUIPMENT directly under unsealed cupholders. I was told other modules likely damaged but airbags and seatbelt were first to go out. 2023 April/May - steering issues. Windshield wipers run continuously and cannot be turned off. Horn and turn signal also stopped working. Need steering column replaced. BMW said possibly also related to cupholder defect. I am concerned the unsealed cupholders are going to kill someone if airbags deploy unnecessarily or seatbelt/airbags fail. BMW should have not placed KEY safety equipment under unsealed drink holders.
I recently acquired a 2019 BMW X5. When I requested seat belt extenders as your web site suggests, "If you need a roomier belt, contact your vehicle manufacturer to obtain seat belt extenders." my dealer told me that they "cannot get them." I contacted BMW corporate customer services and while the gentleman I have been dealing with is trying and is very courteous, he can't seem to find any information. I regularly transport two people who cannot use the seatbelt and I am concerned for their safety.
I was driving approximately 30 mph. As I continued to accelerate the fuel system light came on and the car shut off in the road. I had to have it towed to the dealership as it would not start. Gas fumes could also be smelled coming from the car. Once looked at by BMW service center I was told " EKPS and the fuel pump are intermittently failing. I was able to able to verify the concern briefly. Vehicle may lose fuel pressure randomly. Upon removing rear seats and inspecting harness, I found the wires going into the EKPS to be burnt. The wires from the EKPS to the low pressure fuel pump will also need to be replaced." I did research and saw that this was recall on other years of this model. Also the middle back seatbelt does not work. Also even after multiple alignments my car still pulls aggressively to the right causing near collisions and off roaring.
Restraint System Notification message: Fault in Airbag, belt tensioner or belt force limiter. Service center advised air bag might not deploy if not fixed. This could result in death or injury during a car accident. They provided an estimate with the description of cabling correction and the service advisor also told it has to do with a resistor and low voltage in the unit. This notification message first appeared when the car was under the warranty and they fixed it but then it happens again, showing that this is a recurring problem of this unit.
The car currently has 28,899 miles to date. Mid November 2023, the dashboard indicated that there was a default with the safety system. I took the car to the authorized service center and their diagnostics indicated as follows: Faulty crash safety module. The recommendation was to replace and program ACSM control unit. Since this was a matter of my personal safety I had to pay $2100 to fix it. The second issue was the sunroof not closing. The diagnostic found the following problems: excessive corrosion on sunroof cassette it to fail ( water entering the sunroof).
Related recalls (4)
Seat belts › Front
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 XM, 2025 BMW X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M60i, X5 M, X5 xDrive50e, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M60i, X6 M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M60i, and Alpina XB7 vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat lower seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Seat belts
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 X5 xDrive40i and xDrive50i vehicles. The attachment bolts for the driver's seat and/or seat belt may not have been properly tightened.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the attachment bolts for the driver's seat and seat belt, and torque them to the correct specifications, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019.
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
On certain passenger vehicles, the connection of the safety belt buckle to the steel rope of the tensioner does not meet BMW specifications. In severe frontal crashes, this connection can detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front safety belt tensioner and buckle assemblies, and if necessary, replace these parts. Owner notification began March 19, 2003.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The safety belt lower outboard anchorage bolt on the driver's and front passenger's seats May not have been secured properly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the bolts and correct the torque if necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW X5 years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (9), 2008 (8), 2019 (7), 2015 (6) and 2011 (5) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for BMW X5 seat belt problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 24V-345 (front, May 15, 2024); 19V-096 (seat belts, Feb 13, 2019); 03V-032 (buckle assembly, Feb 4, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW X5 seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › retractor (1 mentions), followed by the front › buckle assembly (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.