IllustrationFAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER
2006 BMW 530XI
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →91Owner complaints
Model-year median: 79
3Recall campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
2006 BMW 530XI
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 91 owner complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Air Bags: 48 reports
- Electrical System: 19 reports
- Seat Belts: 9 reports
- Engine: 8 reports
- Exterior Lighting: 8 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 19V273000 — Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
- 17V428000 — Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
- 13V564000 — Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 530XI years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
425–50K
1350–75K
2375–100K
27100–150K
10150K+
78 reports with mileage · 13 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports6 fire reports1 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
9 reportsTAKATA SEAT BELTS ISSUE WITH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.
GOT SRS LIGHT ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK IT THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO CHANGE THE DSC AND IT COST 5300.00 BECAUSE IT IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE AIR BAG ?? THE CAR HAVE ONLY 51000.00 MILES??
MY COMPUTER IS SHOWING : PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. I CALLED THE BMW RECALL SYSTEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED, HOWEVER, I FOUND BMW RECALL OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR E60 (MY MODEL CAR) CAN YOU HELP AND CONTACT THE BMW RECALL CENTER. THEY NEED TO EXPAND THEIR RECALL. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A C…
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MY COMPUTER IS SHOWING : PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. I CALLED THE BMW RECALL SYSTEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED, HOWEVER, I FOUND BMW RECALL OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR E60 (MY MODEL CAR) CAN YOU HELP AND CONTACT THE BMW RECALL CENTER. THEY NEED TO EXPAND THEIR RECALL. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A CAR WITH FAILED PASSENGER RESTRAINED SYSTEM. I DID SUBMIT THE INFORMATION REGARDING CURRENT RECALL IN ATTACHMENT
WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, DURING STARTUP THE CAR CHIMES WITH AN ERROR "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM" "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" "CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT" (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ODDLY MY VIN IS NOT …
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WHEN MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED, DURING STARTUP THE CAR CHIMES WITH AN ERROR "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM" "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" "CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT" (VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ODDLY MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THE GROUP INCLUDED.
CAR SCREEN SHOWS DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAGS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. THE OTHER BMW 2001 BMW 325I/[XXX] WAS SENT A LETTER OF RECALL THIS PAST SUMMER BUT BMW HAS NOT TOLD US WHAT TO DO ABOUT HAVING THE DEFECT CORRECTED.CAN YOU HELP? INFORMATION REDAC…
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CAR SCREEN SHOWS DEFECTIVE PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIRBAGS FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. THE OTHER BMW 2001 BMW 325I/[XXX] WAS SENT A LETTER OF RECALL THIS PAST SUMMER BUT BMW HAS NOT TOLD US WHAT TO DO ABOUT HAVING THE DEFECT CORRECTED.CAN YOU HELP? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS CAME AND STAYED ON. WARNING MESSAGE ON SCREEN "MALFUNCTION RESTRAINT SYSTEM -- AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY SEAT BELT TENSIONER NOT ACTIVATED" *JS
MY GIRLFRIEND GOT INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY BMW AND AS I TOOK OFF, A WARNING CODE CAME OVER MY IDRIVE SCREEN STATING THAT MY PASSENGER RESTRAINT WAS CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO MALFUNCTION. I NOTICED AT THAT SAME TIME THAT MY AIRBAG AND RESTRAINT LIGHT WERE ON IN THE DASH BOARD. *TR
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE, FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THE RECALL. DEALER SAYS IT…
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PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE, FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THE RECALL. DEALER SAYS ITS EXACTLY THE SAME PART BUT I AM NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL WARRANTY. THIS IS A HUGH SAFETY ISSUE... *TR
Recall campaigns
319V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Apr 4, 2019
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.
17V428000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Jul 6, 2017
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Nov 12, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.