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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

What owners actually said

103 reports
80,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE KEY BECAME DIFFICULT TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE KEY BECAME DIFFICULT TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10690568

95,000 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Electrical SystemSeats

THE DRIVER'S SEAT (BOTTOM) CONTAINS A HEATING ELEMENT. WHEN ON, EVEN ON THE LOWEST SETTING, A HOT SPOT DEVELOPS NEAR THE LEFT REAR SIDE THAT IS SO HOT I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE HEATER OUT OF FEAR OF A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680933

182,400 miles · Jan 29, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainCrashInjury

URGENT URGENT URGENT - TOTAL LOSS ACCIDENT AND MAJOR INJURY SUSTAINED 2005 BMW X3 ? PICKED UP ON JANUARY 7, 2015, FROM TORONTO USED CAR DEALERSHIP MAJOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 8, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM. HAD NOT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 24 HOURS OR PUT MORE THAN 160 KM ON IT. THE UNINTENDED A…

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URGENT URGENT URGENT - TOTAL LOSS ACCIDENT AND MAJOR INJURY SUSTAINED 2005 BMW X3 ? PICKED UP ON JANUARY 7, 2015, FROM TORONTO USED CAR DEALERSHIP MAJOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 8, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM. HAD NOT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 24 HOURS OR PUT MORE THAN 160 KM ON IT. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT RESULTED IN MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. HORRIFIC RESIDUAL EFFECT. AT STOP POSITION THE VEHICLE REVVED LIKE AN F1 CAR COMING DOWN THE STRAIGHT AWAY. X3 BEGAN TO SHAKE AND A SPLIT SECOND LATER BOLTED/ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE FROM A FULL STOP I WENT CRASHING THROUGH A LARGE STEEL OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR, THROUGH A CONCRETE BARRICADE AND STEEL RAILING AND INTO A STEEL DUMPSTER. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. TRAPPED FOR OVER AN HOUR. EMS COULD NOT EXTRACT DUE TO POSITIONING OF VEHICLE BEING AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND COMPLETELY LODGED AGAINST THE DUMPSTER THAT WAS LOCATED IN A LOADING DOCK AREA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DRIVE. PRELIMINARY ONLINE INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME BMW HAS HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT. CONTACTED BMW TO RESPOND THEY ARE DENYING CULPABILITY. HAVE READ ABOUT SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. SUBMITTED REQUEST TO TRANSPORT CANADA FOR ACTION AND INVESTIGATION. NO REPLY AS OF JANUARY 29, 2015. ANY PEOPLE IN CANADA OR THE USA WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ARE ASKED TO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I BEG YOU. THIS WAS THE MOST HORRIFIC ACCIDENT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. I WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN ANOTHER BMW AS LONG AS I LIVE. THE NIGHTMARES ARE HORRIFIC AND CAUSING MENTAL TRAUMA. I AM STILL SORE AND DAMAGED PHYSICALLY. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH ASAP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679755

98,576 miles · Jan 28, 2015
SeatsFireInjury

THE HEATED SEAT WAS SO INTENSE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE AREA AFFECTED WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM A CIGARETTE, AFTERWARDS I REALIZED THAT THE BURN HOLE HAD BEEN CREATED BY AN HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS EXPOSED IN THAT AREA AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND THEN MY LEG. WE'VE BE…

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THE HEATED SEAT WAS SO INTENSE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE AREA AFFECTED WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM A CIGARETTE, AFTERWARDS I REALIZED THAT THE BURN HOLE HAD BEEN CREATED BY AN HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS EXPOSED IN THAT AREA AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND THEN MY LEG. WE'VE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ONE HAS HELPED ME TO THIS DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679400

183,700 miles · Jan 21, 2015
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

WAS DRIVING WITH SEAT HEATER ON. THE SEAT FELT VERY HOT ON MY LEGS AT IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND EXITED THE CAR. I NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. THERE IS A MATCHING BURN MARK ON THE WOOL COAT I WAS WEARING. THE COAT IS WHA…

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WAS DRIVING WITH SEAT HEATER ON. THE SEAT FELT VERY HOT ON MY LEGS AT IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND EXITED THE CAR. I NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. THERE IS A MATCHING BURN MARK ON THE WOOL COAT I WAS WEARING. THE COAT IS WHAT PREVENTED ME FROM BEING INJURED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE IF YOU NEED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10677119

68,611 miles · Dec 30, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FOLLOWING TWO NEED REPLACED 1) VALVE COVER GASKET TO FIX ENGINE OIL LEAK 2) DMTL PUMP I CANNOT COMPREHEND THESE FAILURES FROM A BRAND KNOWN FOR QUALITY AT SUCH LOW MILEGAE. GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS MANY BMWS HAVE HAD THESE FAILURES BUT SURPRISINGLY THERE ARE NO…

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THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FOLLOWING TWO NEED REPLACED 1) VALVE COVER GASKET TO FIX ENGINE OIL LEAK 2) DMTL PUMP I CANNOT COMPREHEND THESE FAILURES FROM A BRAND KNOWN FOR QUALITY AT SUCH LOW MILEGAE. GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS MANY BMWS HAVE HAD THESE FAILURES BUT SURPRISINGLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10668992

120,000 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Seats

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEATED SEAT GOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A HOLE IN THE SEAT. WHEN I FELT THE HOT SPOT I TURNED OFF THE HEATER AND THERE WAS NO FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS ISN'T THAT UNCOMMON AND I WAS HOPING THE NHTSA COULD WORK TOWARDS A RECALL SO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM COULD GET IT WARRAN…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEATED SEAT GOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A HOLE IN THE SEAT. WHEN I FELT THE HOT SPOT I TURNED OFF THE HEATER AND THERE WAS NO FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS ISN'T THAT UNCOMMON AND I WAS HOPING THE NHTSA COULD WORK TOWARDS A RECALL SO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM COULD GET IT WARRANTED AND BMW WOULD HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO MAKE SURE THEY IMPROVE ON THIS SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN A VOL. FIREFIGHTER AND I KNOW FIRST HAND HOW QUICKLY ( ALMOST INSTANTLY) A VEHICLE WILL BECOME FULLY ENGULFED. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664371

130,000 miles · Nov 29, 2014
SeatsFireInjury

WHILE DRIVING MY BMW X3 2005, I TURNED MY SEAT WARMER ON AND IT ENDED UP BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. MY PANTS WERE BURNED AND SO WAS I. LUCKILY I HAD TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OR SHOCK DURING MY DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661238

152,803 miles · Nov 28, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsFireInjury

THE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2005 BMW X3 CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WAS BURNED A LITTLE BUT I WAS OTHERWISE UNINJURED. I READ ONLINE THAT A TON OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME/SIMILAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR AS ME HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID IT…

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THE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2005 BMW X3 CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WAS BURNED A LITTLE BUT I WAS OTHERWISE UNINJURED. I READ ONLINE THAT A TON OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME/SIMILAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR AS ME HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT. THERE IS CLEARLY A MAJOR FLAW IN THE SEAT HEATER AND IT COULD POSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD A FIRE OCCUR AND THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE CAR RIGHT AWAY. BMW SHOULD RECALL AND/OR PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT/REPAIR OF THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10661214

102,500 miles · Nov 24, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure

I'D UNLOCKED MY DOOR AND WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE IT, IT WOULDN'T CLOSE LIKE IT SHOULD. IT'S LIKE THE ACTUATOR WAS STUCK & WOULDN'T CLOSE. IT DOES THIS FOR A FEW MINUTES OF ME CRANKING AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. FINALLY, AFTER I CRANK IT UP AGAIN, IT JUST CLOSES LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED! I WAS STUCK IN A PHARMACY PARKING LOT F…

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I'D UNLOCKED MY DOOR AND WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE IT, IT WOULDN'T CLOSE LIKE IT SHOULD. IT'S LIKE THE ACTUATOR WAS STUCK & WOULDN'T CLOSE. IT DOES THIS FOR A FEW MINUTES OF ME CRANKING AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. FINALLY, AFTER I CRANK IT UP AGAIN, IT JUST CLOSES LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED! I WAS STUCK IN A PHARMACY PARKING LOT FOR LIKE 15 MINUTES THINKING OF HOW I WAS GOING TO GET HOME BECAUSE MY DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE! VERY, VERY INCONVENIENT! I ALMOST HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK & WOULD'VE BEEN OUT OF A COUPLE HUNDRED OF DOLLARS FOR THIS!!! WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN!!!?! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660683

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).