← New search

2005 BMW X3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 BMW X3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

93 reports with mileage · 10 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.

  • Seats. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports18 fire reports17 injury reports

Seats complaints

48 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Feb 3, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsInjury

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT. I TURNED IT ON TO THE FIRST SETTING WHICH IS THE HIGHEST. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I ALSO FELT MY LEG BURNING. THE HEATED SEAT HAD HEATED UP SO MUCH THAT IT MELTED A SMALL HOLE IN THE LEATHER WHERE MY LEFT OUTSIDE T…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT. I TURNED IT ON TO THE FIRST SETTING WHICH IS THE HIGHEST. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I ALSO FELT MY LEG BURNING. THE HEATED SEAT HAD HEATED UP SO MUCH THAT IT MELTED A SMALL HOLE IN THE LEATHER WHERE MY LEFT OUTSIDE THIGH WOULD TOUCH THE SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO USE THE HEATED SEAT ANYMORE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF GETTING BURNED WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496267

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2013
Seats

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 2012, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE STARTED THE CAR, ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMER, AND WE IMMEDIATELY DETECTED A BURNING ODOR IN THE CAR. WE DROVE LESS THAN APPROX. 1/2 BLOCK AND PULLED OVER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT WARMER WAS SO HOT THAT IT HAD BEGUN TO BURN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSH…

Read full complaint

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 2012, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE STARTED THE CAR, ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMER, AND WE IMMEDIATELY DETECTED A BURNING ODOR IN THE CAR. WE DROVE LESS THAN APPROX. 1/2 BLOCK AND PULLED OVER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT WARMER WAS SO HOT THAT IT HAD BEGUN TO BURN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION. THE BURN HOLE STOPPED BECAUSE WE IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT QUICKLY AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE WARMER. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECTIVE SEAT WARMER TO BMW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496075

95,680 miles · Jan 23, 2013
SeatsFireInjury

THE DRIVERS SEAT WARMER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER WIRES WERE EXPOSED AND BURNED THE SEAT AND THROUGH MY PANTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494425

55,000 miles · Jan 7, 2013
Seats

I USED THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT IN MY 2005 BMW X3 AND IT RAPIDLY HEATED UP BECOMING UNBEARABLE TO SIT ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS TOO HOT TO SIT ON AND BECAUSE THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. AFTER A WHILE THE SMELL DISSIPATED A…

Read full complaint

I USED THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT IN MY 2005 BMW X3 AND IT RAPIDLY HEATED UP BECOMING UNBEARABLE TO SIT ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS TOO HOT TO SIT ON AND BECAUSE THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. AFTER A WHILE THE SMELL DISSIPATED AND THE SEAT WAS COOL ENOUGH TO USE. I HAVE NOT USED THE HEAT FUNCTION SINCE AND AM WAITING FOR MY BMW DEALER TO CHECK IT AND GET BACK TO ME.

NHTSA ODI #10492462

83,000 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE HEATED SEAT WARMER IN ACTIVATION WHEN SUDDENLY THE HEATING ELEMENT BEGAN TO PENETRATE THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF HEAT. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE HEATED SEAT WARMER IN ACTIVATION WHEN SUDDENLY THE HEATING ELEMENT BEGAN TO PENETRATE THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF HEAT. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE HEATED SEAT WARMER TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10477035

83,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Seats

DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND INTO COAT OF DRIVER, LEAVING DIME-SIZED BURN HOLE APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES UP ON THE LEFT "WING" OF THE SEAT BACK. CAN NO LONGER USE HEATED SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE, AS THE SAME SPOT BEGINS TO SMOLDER WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON, EVEN ON LOW. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452326

75,000 miles · Feb 8, 2012
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. THE SEAT BECAME SEVERELY HOT AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS AS WELL AS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. THE SEAT BECAME SEVERELY HOT AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS AS WELL AS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12

NHTSA ODI #10447192

85,000 miles · Dec 29, 2011
Seats

MY WIFE'S HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE VINYL SEAT COVER AND THROUGH HER SWEATER. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE X3. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. ADDITIONALLY, A RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE BMW 5 AND 3 SERIES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THE…

Read full complaint

MY WIFE'S HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE VINYL SEAT COVER AND THROUGH HER SWEATER. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE X3. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. ADDITIONALLY, A RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE BMW 5 AND 3 SERIES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THE NTSB CONDUCTS A QUICK RESPONSE. THANKS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10441618

78,000 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Seats

A DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED THE SEAT AND BURNED THROUGH LEAVING A HOLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CAUSED ME TO STEP ACCELERATOR MISTAKENLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW NEEDS TO RECALL ALL DEFECTED PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441427

70,500 miles · Dec 11, 2011
SeatsFire

I HAVE A 2005 X3! THIS MORNING MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT NEARLY WENT UP IN FLAMES!! SO SCARY!! LUCKY I WASN'T IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL NUMBER FOR THE HEATED SEATS YET? I HAVE SEEN ALLOT OF ISSUES WITH THE BMW 04-08 X3 HEATED SEATS. MOST PEOPLE ARE GETTING BURNT AND…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 X3! THIS MORNING MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT NEARLY WENT UP IN FLAMES!! SO SCARY!! LUCKY I WASN'T IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL NUMBER FOR THE HEATED SEATS YET? I HAVE SEEN ALLOT OF ISSUES WITH THE BMW 04-08 X3 HEATED SEATS. MOST PEOPLE ARE GETTING BURNT AND THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR US OWNER WHILE DRIVING. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE, LUCKY IT WAS ME DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439333

Official recalls

1

08V384000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 5, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08001 · 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.

PE07045 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination

Opened Sep 4, 2007 · Closed Jan 4, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).

Air Bags:frontal

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

IN CERTAIN MY 2005 THROUGH MY 2006 BMW VEHICLES, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) FOR THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY MALFUNCTION AND RENDER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INOPERATIVE.IN JUNE 2006, BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B 72 02 06) REGARDING THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP.ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS WARN THAT AN OPEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY BE PRESENT WITHIN THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR.WHEN BOTH OF THE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CONTAIN THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR.THESE ARE THE MY 2004 5-SERIES, 7-SERIES AND X3, THE MY 2004 THROUGH 2006Z-4 SERIES AND MY 2006 3-SERIES, 6-SERIES AND X5 VEHICLES.AN IMPROVED SEAT MAT SENSOR WAS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 2005 FOR THE MID-MY 2006 PRODUCTION.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, BMW PROVIDED 1,172 OWNER REPORTS AND 28,238 WARRANTY CLAIMS.INITIAL REVIEW OF THE DATA INDICATE THAT 280 NON-DUPLICATING OWNER REPORTS AND 13,051 NON-DUPLICATING WARRANTY CLAIMS MAY BE RELATED THE SUBJECT DEFECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLESTHIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-001).