10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,615 miles

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problem #39

Dec 122013

530 6-cyl

  • 119,843 miles
Upon starting the vehicle the air bag and seat belt indicator lamp illuminated and the computer indicated a fault in the air bag system.

- York, SC, USA

problem #38

Apr 182013

530

  • 86,000 miles
In March passenger side seat belt air bag light turn on for no reason. I have searched on the internet and come to know that there was a recall on this issue from BMW for 2004 525I series. I call local dealership BMW of plano Texas and provide them my VIN number and other information and they said it is not covered. Even though it is noted on NHTSA site that 100K or 10 yrs this recall is covered. Not sure what can I do as this is real serious issue where air bag will not be enabled even if a passenger sit in the seat

- Murphy, TX, USA

problem #37

May 152013

530

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Saratoga, CA, USA

problem #36

May 062013

530 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
I own a 2004 BMW 530I. As I was pulling out of my drive-way, the passenger restraint malfunction light appeared and has not gone off. I took it to the dealer, before I became aware of the recall, and he told me it was because I placed my purse in the passenger seat. After searching his database, he told me it was not under warranty and therefore, I would have to pay the total cost to repair it. I would believe this if my vehicle wasn't a 2004 and I have been placing my purse in the passenger seat since I first purchased it brand new in 2004!

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #35

Jan 012013

530

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the passenger's side front air bag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer advised that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer's seat mat sensor extended warranty repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 111,000 and the current mileage was 123,000....updated 07-24-13

- Atlanta , GA, USA

problem #34

May 272013

530 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 5 series. The contact stated that the air bag and passenger restraint lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger seat occupant detection map needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V384000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 79,000.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

problem #33

May 132013

530 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
Turn on car and was warming up when airbag light when on and a error code said faulty passenger airbag restraints.

- Fresno , CA, USA

problem #32

Jan 072013

530

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the mat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #31

Jan 172007

530

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the passenger air bag and seat belt warning lights illuminated while there was no passenger present. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the passenger front seat sensor mat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 08V384000 (air bags:frontal). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Lauder Hill, FL, USA

problem #30

Nov 022009

530 6-cyl

  • miles
Approximately three years ago, the warning light came on indicating that the passenger side airbag was not functioning. I have attempted to have this repaired under the recall notice id# 73368 - airbags: Frontal, but have been refused by the local dealer and by the phone support at BMW. This is a safety hazard and should be repaired by BMW.

- Monterey, CA, USA

problem #29

Sep 192007

530 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
My front passenger seat occupant detection mat has cracks in it and does not function properly. My front airbag may not deploy in case of an accident. There has been a recall for that part for my make model and year but BMW North America claims that my VIN number is not on the list even thought my make model and year is a part of the recall. There are also several other recalls for this particular car and again my VIN is not on the list but I have the issues listed in the recall.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #28

Sep 012011

530 6-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Sensors in front bumper both went out, disabling the passenger airbag. Module in steering column goes out causing driver airbag to become disabled. Module in steering column also disabled horn. In summary, driver and passenger airbags are disabled as well as the horn. How can I drive my car like this??

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #27

Jun 192012

530

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. While parked, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technician stated that the air bag mat sensor would have to be replaced. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 08V384000 (air bags:frontal) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #26

Jul 042012

530 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
The front passenger air bags is deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp is illuminated. This issue is the same as the 2004 BMW 5 series frontal airbag recall ( #08V384000), but for some reason when I contacted BMW at 1-800-525-7417 and provided them my VIN number they said it wasn't covered under the recall. Please review and reconsider as this is a serious defect that needs to be addressed.

- Riverview, FL, USA

problem #25

Jun 062012

530 6-cyl

  • 111,000 miles
Passenger seat occupancy sensor failure. This failure has disabled the airbags on the passenger side of the vehicle. In the event of an accident, any passenger in the vehicle would not be protected by the airbags. There was a recall on MY2004-2006 BMW 5-series models (along with numerous other models) for the passenger seat occupancy sensor. BMW of North America has advised me that my vehicle (per VIN) is not a part of the recall. However, I am experiencing the same fault as outlined in the recall issued by BMW na. Neither my local dealership, or BMW na is willing to cover this failure. This is a significant safety issue for any passengers in the vehicle.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #24

Jan 162012

530 6-cyl

  • 105,102 miles
A warning light for the airbag system in my vehicle came on so I took the car to an authorized BMW repair shop to have problem fixed. They told me that there was a recall on this item and to contact the local BMW dealership to have them address the issue. When I contacted the local BMW dealer and explained the problem, they checked my VIN and said it wasn't affected. I subsequently looked up safety recall info on this site and viewed EA08-001 along with PE07-045 and the associated letter from BMW North America dated July 18, 2008 I called my local BMW dealer once more and provided them this new information where I feel my car is applicable under this recall. Once again, they said that my car was not affected and I should contact BMW North America, which I did. The customer service rep for BMW checked my VIN and said, sorry but my vehicle wasn't affected. I disagreed with her and asked to speak to a manager regarding this recall. I spoke to the manager and explained that I was having trouble understanding why my vehicle was not affected, especially since my vehicle clearly is experiencing the failure and falls with the inclusive dom for the subject vehicles regardless of VIN. She explained the process and stated the that she was sorry but my car wasn't affected, the recall was closed and there was nothing that could be done about it anyway. She suggested that if still have an issue to contact your office and file a complaint. I would like have someone look into this complaint and consider reopening it based upon the above. I feel that there are perhaps other owners who may be experiencing the problem as well, especially since the BMW letter states in para. 4 "the % of vehicles est. To actually be affected by this issue is unknown" this is a safety issue identified by BMW and I feel that they should be responsible for repairing the airbag issue on my vehicle.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

problem #23

Apr 142012

530 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
My car has the passenger restraint system malfunction message on the navigation screen and also the seatbelt light and the airbag light are illuminated on the dashboard. There is a recall for seat occupancy sensor below and as you can see my car falls within the criteria as the cars affected by the recall but a visit to my local BMW dealer revealed that there was no active recalls under my VIN number. This is an obvious safety issue as airbags will not deploy and the risk of being seriously hurt or killed. This is something that BMW should replace in my car under the recall as it has the same malfunctioning part such as the cars listed below. Recall id # 57362 - air bags:frontal recall date Aug 05, 2008 recall date: Aug 05, 2008 model affected: 2006 BMW 3-series summary: BMW is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 X3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated. Consequences: In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible. Remedy: Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall began on November 6, 2008. BMW will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417. Potential units affected: 200000 notes: BMW of North America, llc

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #22

Sep 122011

530

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer replaced the mat and passenger side seat belt buckle, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified, but the NHTSA campaign id number 08V384000 (air bags:frontal), did not include the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 160,000.

- Wilson, NC, USA

problem #21

Feb 222012

530 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
Restraint system fault.

- St.Louis, MO, USA

problem #20

Jan 162012

530 6-cyl

  • miles
The front passenger seat sensor triggers the safety warning light on all the time. It may affect the airbag operable. This is a known issue and was subject of a voluntary recall program in 2008 by BMW. Despite many other car owners (as evidenced by complaints to NHTSA and online car forums), including myself, having this issue as described within the recall program for cars of the make and year of the production, only 200K within a specific VIN range were recalled.

- Irvine, CA, USA

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