NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
138 reports82,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NOT MOVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WITHOUT WARNING, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND HOPPED FORWARD, ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO PRESS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED UP OR SQUEALED, LASTING FOR ABOUT FORTY SECONDS. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED IT 'UNINTENDED ACCELE…
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I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NOT MOVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WITHOUT WARNING, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND HOPPED FORWARD, ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO PRESS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED UP OR SQUEALED, LASTING FOR ABOUT FORTY SECONDS. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED IT 'UNINTENDED ACCELERATION' AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10306418
40,000 miles · Dec 23, 2009
Air Bags
I HAVE A 2004 BMW X3. THERE IS A RECALL ON MY YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE FOR FAULTY AIRBAG SENSORS THAT CAUSE THE AIRBAGS NOT TO FUNCTION IN A CRASH. MY CAR IS DISPLAYING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. BMW IS NOT INCLUDING MY PARTICULAR CAR IN THE RECALL. THIS DEFECT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MY WIFE…
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I HAVE A 2004 BMW X3. THERE IS A RECALL ON MY YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE FOR FAULTY AIRBAG SENSORS THAT CAUSE THE AIRBAGS NOT TO FUNCTION IN A CRASH. MY CAR IS DISPLAYING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. BMW IS NOT INCLUDING MY PARTICULAR CAR IN THE RECALL. THIS DEFECT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MY WIFE AND I. IT IS MY WISH THAT BMW WILL EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296813
57,000 miles · Aug 24, 2009
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. SHE STATES THAT SHE NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. SHE STATES THAT SHE NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE 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. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE HER VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE VIN RANGE FOR RECALL #08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. BL
NHTSA ODI #10281527
74,568 miles · Aug 1, 2009
Air BagsElectrical System
STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THE AIRBAG HAS NOT BEEN DEPLOYED AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP IS ALSO ON ALL THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING. THE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279035
90,000 miles · Jul 9, 2009
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHENEVER A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHENEVER A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEING EXCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA ODI #10276184
45,960 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Air Bags
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND MY HUSBAND IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. CALLED LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND 800 NUMBER- AS AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT IS A RECALL. THEY SAID IT DIDN'T PERTAIN TO MY…
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THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND MY HUSBAND IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. CALLED LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND 800 NUMBER- AS AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT IS A RECALL. THEY SAID IT DIDN'T PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL STATES FOR MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2006 BMW X3. I HAVE A 2004 BMW X3 AND AM WONDERING HOW IT DOESN'T PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263766
42,000 miles · Oct 22, 2008
Power TrainSuspension
MY TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE AT 40MPH ON FLAT OR SLIGHT DECENT WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. BMW HAS REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION, TRACTION UNIT, ABS SENSOR UNIT, TO SAY THIS IS NORMAL WITH THE 2.5 ENGINE. I FIND IT SURPRISING THAT THIS IS THE CASE. NOW, SINCE THE REPAIR MY RE…
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MY TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE AT 40MPH ON FLAT OR SLIGHT DECENT WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. BMW HAS REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION, TRACTION UNIT, ABS SENSOR UNIT, TO SAY THIS IS NORMAL WITH THE 2.5 ENGINE. I FIND IT SURPRISING THAT THIS IS THE CASE. NOW, SINCE THE REPAIR MY REAR SUSPENSION MAKES NOISES, LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY HAVE TIGHTENED IT UP, BUT IT IS BACK TO THE SAME PROBLEM. I SEE THERE IS PENDING LAWSUITS OVER THE REAR SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, NOTHING IS FIXED AND NOW NEW PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED. THE LOCAL BMW DEALER HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD ABOUT THIS, IT SEEMS THEY ARE UNDER ADVICE FROM BMW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246384
20,347 miles · Oct 14, 2008
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME FAILURE REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO. THE CUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME FAILURE REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,347. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10245384
68,000 miles · Sep 4, 2008
Air BagsVisibilityCrashInjury
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AND THE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DRIVER SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD AND UPPER BACK. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE IS 68000. JP UP…
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AND THE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DRIVER SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD AND UPPER BACK. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE IS 68000. JP UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE RIGHT REAR POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP. UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10240874
65,000 miles · Aug 13, 2008
Air Bags
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WITH SEATBELT BOTH ON OR OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238012
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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