10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,663 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #20

May 232024

528

  • miles
My BMW i528 was parked on May 23, 2024, and the driver airbag deflated without being tampered with. The incident is on surveillance camera. Since the car was manufactured in 2008, the insurance company will not cover the cost of the incident because it was not the result of a collision. There was no light that came on prior to the incident. A diagnostic check was performed and there was no indication of a problem with the airbag.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #19

Jan 012020

528 6-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle front passenger seat sensor mat (SRS) failure. 2nd time this safety related sensor has failed. First time dealership replaced under warranty. Dealership wants to charge for replacement now. This is a safety related item and it has failed for the second time. I have researched and found that same item has been recalled for prior models and years. I believe this item shall be recalled.

- Pacifica, CA, USA

problem #18

Jul 102019

528

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the instrument panel indicated, that the passenger restrain system was deactivated and to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The contact stated that the front passenger seat occupancy sensor mat was deactivated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #17

Dec 312018

528

  • miles
Fault in passenger-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. This started happening a year ago after visiting dealership for oil change. I cannot have passenger next to me because we are afraid of malfunction in airbag system.

- San Mateo, CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 012019

528

  • miles
Seat airbag sensor malfunctioning

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #15

Jun 012018

528

  • miles
Air bag sensor for front passenger seat not working. Replaced once while vehicle under warranty. Same sensor malfunction again. BMW will not replace unless I pay, cost of replacing sensor over $4,000. I believe it should be covered by BMW since same part is again not working.

- Pacifica, CA, USA

problem #14

Oct 282017

528

  • 3 miles
I was driving and bumped up against a sidewalk curve and my airbags deployed as well as my car shut off. It will not start another more and the hood underneath was on fire. (smoke was present).

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

problem #13

Apr 052017

528

  • 176,000 miles
Error code 93C8 - driver side front air bag sensor malfunction

- Batesville, MS, USA

problem #12

Apr 012010

528

  • 90,000 miles
Car has passenger restraint system malfuction since fabrication.was never handled. I am new owner and trying to get to the bottom of this.many people have this issue with this modell and apparently there was a recall for it but my VIN doesnt fall under it. Very frustrating and dangerous.

- Hallandale, FL, USA

problem #11

Jan 202017

528 6-cyl

  • 136,298 miles
I was driving my car and suddenly the restraint system malfunction light turned on and the seatbelt light turned on. I did not hit a bump or anything. There was no passenger currently sitting on the passenger seat when the light came on. I have tried sitting down on the passenger seat and put on my seat belt to see if it will go away but no luck. Also, the seat belt light will not go away even if I buckle the drivers seat and passenger seat belt.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 012016

528 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
I have a 2008 528I and I got an error message saying the passenger restraint system, or air bag had an error regardless of a passenger present or not any time that car is turned on. I researched it and it seems that this problem is quite common on bmws and I feel as its an issue with the production of the car and the repair should not be at the owner's expense.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #9

Mar 012016

528

  • miles
Takata recall. BMW is not doing enough to rectify the situation. I received a notice in March & 5 months later BMW dealers still do not have the parts to repair the airbags. How is it that this is acceptable?

- Roslyn Heights, NY, USA

problem #8

Nov 292015

528

  • 102,000 miles
Car hit another vehicle at 80mph, airbags failed to deploy and car immediately went up in flames in the engine department.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #7

Jun 292015

528

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528xi. While driving at 40 mph, the passenger restraint system, fault in passenger restraint system affecting air bag and belt pre-tensioner warning was displayed across the message board. The air bag and seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #6

May 052015

528

  • 40,000 miles
Passenger side airbag/ seatbelt lite on dealer said that the bsd cable going to the airbag is detached...but it must be replaced at a cost of about close to $900....not repaired as of yet

- West New York, NJ, USA

problem #5

Apr 192015

528

  • 100,200 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the air bag and the restraint system warning lights illuminated while a passenger was occupying the front passenger side seat. The interior warning lights started to flicker and the chime sounded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the padded sensor in the passenger side seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 100,200.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 102012

528

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the contact crashed into a parking barrier on the left side of the vehicle and the driver side air bag deployed. As a result of the impact from the air bag, the contact sustained a broken left arm. The contact was not aware if a police report was filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of his defect. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Baton Rouge , LA, USA

problem #3

Jun 062013

528 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
During an automated car wash, the following warning displays: "fault in passenger restrain system affecting airbag, belt tensioner, or belt force limiter". the airbag and seat belt light become activated when this happens as well. The warning message will stay on for hours after the car gets moderately wet, either in a rain storm or a car wash. Even if the car is turned off and then turned back on the message and errors will persist. It takes about 8-10 hours for the error to go away. This happens consistently and is easily repeatable. The most recent occurrence was April 13, 2014, while driving through a rain storm.

- Liberty, MO, USA

problem #2

Jul 222013

528

  • 79,700 miles
Restraint system malfunction warning periodically comes on while driving under normal driving conditions. This default deactivates airbags. Have taken to dealer to fix 4 times, and today they decided to charge a fee. This is an ongoing issue with my car and many others with recalls of the exact same model but 2 years older.

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #1

Mar 072012

528

  • 73,067 miles
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528xi. The contact stated that the passenger restraint warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they advised the contact that the crash safety module needed to be replaced. If not, the airbags would not deploy in the event of a crash nor would the front passenger seat belt operate properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,067.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA