NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
84 reports40,000 miles · Feb 5, 2014
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats
THERE IS A FAULTY RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AT ALL THE AIRBAG SIGN INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN OTHER BMW 5 SERIES AND THE DEALER SHIPS THAT I'VE WENT TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EVEN…
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THERE IS A FAULTY RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AT ALL THE AIRBAG SIGN INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND A MALFUNCTION IN OTHER BMW 5 SERIES AND THE DEALER SHIPS THAT I'VE WENT TO REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS EVEN THOUGH BMW HEADQUARTERS RELEASED A RECALL FOR SOME A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563165
70,000 miles · Jan 31, 2014
Air BagsExterior LightingSeat Belts
THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ARE ON IN CAR, BASED ON MY RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS MANUFACTURE FAULT, WHEN I CALLED BMW DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME MANUFACTURE FAULT. I THINK BMW MANUFACTURER IS AT LIBEL AT PRESENT, LET'S JUST HOPE NOTHING HAPPENED TO MYS…
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THE SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ARE ON IN CAR, BASED ON MY RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS MANUFACTURE FAULT, WHEN I CALLED BMW DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME MANUFACTURE FAULT. I THINK BMW MANUFACTURER IS AT LIBEL AT PRESENT, LET'S JUST HOPE NOTHING HAPPENED TO MYSELF AND FAMILY WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. I WANT BMW TO ADD MY CAR TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562431
111,219 miles · Jan 23, 2014
SeatsFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AS THE HEAT BECAME ABNORMALLY HOT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BURNS TO THE BACK AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS EMITTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AS THE HEAT BECAME ABNORMALLY HOT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BURNS TO THE BACK AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,219.
NHTSA ODI #10561253
99,700 miles · Dec 29, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts
OBD WARNING , FAULT WITH PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT , PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS OFF , POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH BELT TENSIONER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557588
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2013
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats
THE RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. I KNOW FOR A FACT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COVER OR SOMETHING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS STARTED AROUND 2010 OR 2011 NOT SURE. BUT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE UNDER A RECALL STATUS AS WELL BECAUSE T…
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THE RESTRAINT LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR AND FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON THE LIGHT WILL NOT RESET. I KNOW FOR A FACT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT COVER OR SOMETHING WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THIS STARTED AROUND 2010 OR 2011 NOT SURE. BUT JUST A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE UNDER A RECALL STATUS AS WELL BECAUSE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SERVICED. AND THE LIGHT SAYS *PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT. BUT MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM SO IS THIS A RECALL AND WHEN CAN IT BE FIXED, I PLAN ON KEEPING THIS CAR BUT REALLY DO NEED THE BMW COMPANY TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND BACK THEIR PRODUCT AS ONE OF THE BEST, THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10554625
109,000 miles · Nov 11, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts
PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551778
95,000 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10545324
97,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Electrical SystemStructureFire
THERE IS A COMPONENT CALLED MPM(MICRO POWER MODULE) BENEATH THE SPARE TIRE AND IS COMPLETELY BURNT DUE TO SOME WATER IN THE TRUNK. THE PLASTIC CASE WHICH COVERS THE COMPONENT IS BURNT AND THERE IS CLEAR INDICATION OF FIRE. SPOKE TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE . PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS ISSU…
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THERE IS A COMPONENT CALLED MPM(MICRO POWER MODULE) BENEATH THE SPARE TIRE AND IS COMPLETELY BURNT DUE TO SOME WATER IN THE TRUNK. THE PLASTIC CASE WHICH COVERS THE COMPONENT IS BURNT AND THERE IS CLEAR INDICATION OF FIRE. SPOKE TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY ADVISED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE . PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS ISSUE AS THIS MAY BE HAZARDOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534099
50,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAM…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO RUN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHICH WILL COST OVER $100 JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY STATED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS ONE OF THE CARS THAT WAS FIXED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I TOLD THEM I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG IT. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS AND SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY INJURED DO TO THIS ISSUE. THE WARNING NOTIFICATION ON THE DASH HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO YEARS. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 80,000. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENS FOR A PREVIOUS RECALL AND THEY CANNOT TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE RECALL. VERY DISAPPOINTED. THE CAR HAS A VERY HIGH PRICE TAG AND YOU WOULD EXPECT SOME SORT OF OWNERSHIP AND HONESTY FROM THE BMW CORPORATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501318
35,000 miles · Feb 12, 2013
SeatsFire
THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON AND IT BECAME VERY HOT, BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BEGAN TO SMOKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10497845
NHTSA investigations
1EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination
Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
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