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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
83,000 miles · Nov 6, 2013
SeatsInjury

I TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER MY LEG STARTED TO GET VERY HOT. I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND AND IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNT MY HAND. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND QUICKLY TURNED OFF MY HEATED SEAT. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED ON MY DRIVER SEAT AND NOTICED A SMALL BROWN BURNT SPOT ON…

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I TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER MY LEG STARTED TO GET VERY HOT. I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND AND IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNT MY HAND. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND QUICKLY TURNED OFF MY HEATED SEAT. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED ON MY DRIVER SEAT AND NOTICED A SMALL BROWN BURNT SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE CUSHION OF MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THANKFULLY I NOTICED IT RIGHT AWAY, IF IT WAS ON ANY LONGER I'M NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY BURNT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551082

90,000 miles · Sep 12, 2013
Air Bags

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH ALONG WITH THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT OVERHEAD, EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED AND BUCKLED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR MODEL AND YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SUMMARY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V384000), ACCORDING TO THEM IT WAS NOT AFFECT…

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MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH ALONG WITH THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT OVERHEAD, EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED AND BUCKLED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR MODEL AND YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SUMMARY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V384000), ACCORDING TO THEM IT WAS NOT AFFECTED AND WILL NOT BE PAID FOR--EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS IS DETAILED IN THE SUMMARY. READING THROUGH OTHER FORUMS AND THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT MORE VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED THAN WHAT WAS INITIALLY COVERED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543340

78,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Air Bags

THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BMW 2005 X3 PASSENGER AIRBAG. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT, HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE CARS WITH THE RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON, IT GOES OFF, IT GOES ON, IT GOES OFF AND THEN FINALLY IT STAYS ON SO THE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED IT IS THE SENS…

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THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BMW 2005 X3 PASSENGER AIRBAG. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT, HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE CARS WITH THE RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON, IT GOES OFF, IT GOES ON, IT GOES OFF AND THEN FINALLY IT STAYS ON SO THE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED IT IS THE SENSOR MAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515527

79,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Seats

WHEN I USE THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THERE IS A HOT SPOT THAT GETS SO HOT IF YOU DON'T ROLL ONTO YOUR RIGHT HIP YOU WILL GET A SERIOUS BURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515512

105,000 miles · May 23, 2013
SteeringStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

OUR VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BEHIND A SINGLE VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE. AFTER STRIKING THE VEHICLE, OUR CAR THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE MOVING LEGALLY WITH A GREEN LIGHT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. …

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OUR VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BEHIND A SINGLE VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE. AFTER STRIKING THE VEHICLE, OUR CAR THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE MOVING LEGALLY WITH A GREEN LIGHT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. OUR VEHICLE WENT TO THE CURB WHERE IT ACCELERATED ONCE AGAIN WHICH CAUSED IT TO JUMP THE CURB AND CRASH THROUGH A STEEL FENCE AND INTO A LIGHT POLE WHERE IT FINALLY CAME TO REST. THERE WERE THREE ACCELERATION EVENTS WITH THE DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURER, GEICO AND WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513250

148,500 miles · Mar 31, 2013
Seats

WHILE USING THE HEATING DEVICE FOR THE SEATS I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND FELT HEAT ON MY PANTS. I TURNED THE HEATING DEVICE OFF. THERE WAS A SMALL BURN STAIN LEFT ON THE SEAT, WHICH HAS TURNED INTO A SMALL HOLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505123

92,245 miles · Mar 17, 2013
SeatsInjury

UPON DRIVING MY X3 I TURNED ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED GETTING SO HOT THAT IT BEGAN TO BURN THE TOP PART OF MY LEFT LEG. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND LIFT MY LEG OFF THE SURFACE OF THE SEAT A BIT UNTIL IT COOLED OFF. IT APPEARS THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT (BOLSTER). IT HAP…

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UPON DRIVING MY X3 I TURNED ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED GETTING SO HOT THAT IT BEGAN TO BURN THE TOP PART OF MY LEFT LEG. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND LIFT MY LEG OFF THE SURFACE OF THE SEAT A BIT UNTIL IT COOLED OFF. IT APPEARS THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT (BOLSTER). IT HAPPENS NOW EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO USE IT...I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FROM DAY ONE AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I HAVE NOT SMELLED ANY BURNING ODORS YET BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. MY WIFE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING !...THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BMW AND CORRECTED BEFORE THERE IS A FIRE OR BODILY INJURY. SO FOR SAFETY REASONS AND PREVENTING BURNS I AM UNABLE TO USE THIS FEATURE I PAID SO DEARLY FOR...I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503317

16,500 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 0…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

NHTSA ODI #10500809

99,000 miles · Feb 3, 2013
Air BagsSeats

I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. FROM THAT TIME ON BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PASSENGER AIRBAG. I'M GUESSING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT SENSOR THAT TELLS IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE …

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I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. FROM THAT TIME ON BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PASSENGER AIRBAG. I'M GUESSING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT SENSOR THAT TELLS IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496268

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…

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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

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).