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2006 BMW X3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 BMW X3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales 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

110 reports with mileage · 33 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 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports16 fire reports17 injury reports

Seats complaints

42 reports
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100,000 miles · Jan 19, 2018
SeatsFire

MY HEATED DRIVER SIDE SEAT SHORTED OUT AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT, AND LUCKILY BEING IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND HAVING A KNOWLEDGE OF SEAT CONSTRUCTION I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS., INCLUDING FIRES! I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT BMW S…

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MY HEATED DRIVER SIDE SEAT SHORTED OUT AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT, AND LUCKILY BEING IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND HAVING A KNOWLEDGE OF SEAT CONSTRUCTION I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS., INCLUDING FIRES! I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX AND REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11063767

105,000 miles · Jan 8, 2018
Air BagsSeats

HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP ILLUMINATED AS WELL. AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS NO ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS AND THEN ABOUT 2 YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, BOTH LAMPS ILLUMINATED WHEN MY SON AND I WERE HEADING TO THE STORE. I CAL…

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HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP ILLUMINATED AS WELL. AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS NO ILLUMINATION OF THESE LIGHTS AND THEN ABOUT 2 YEARS LATER WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, BOTH LAMPS ILLUMINATED WHEN MY SON AND I WERE HEADING TO THE STORE. I CALLED BMW AND THEY TOLD ME THEN THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO A CRACKED SEAT MAT SENSOR AND A RECALL ON THOSE SENSORS WAS BEING EXTENDED FOR 2006 X3 MODELS. I CALLED OUR LOCAL BMW TODAY TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR OF THE SEAT AND HAVE THE CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE SINCE AUGUST 2017 DUE TO A POSSIBLE VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH A SYSTEM FAILURE OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. MY SON HAS BEEN UNABLE TO USE THE CAR FOR COLLEGE WHICH IS 4 HOURS AWAY. NOW I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY THIS VEHICLE IS NOT CONSIDERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICES OF 08V384000 OR 17V605000.

NHTSA ODI #11061218

122,000 miles · Jan 30, 2017
EngineSeatsFireInjury

AS I DROVE HOME FROM A LONG FLIGHT HOME AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A FROZEN CRANK CASE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED OIL TO SPRAY OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW OUT THE FIRE. TEMPERATURES…

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AS I DROVE HOME FROM A LONG FLIGHT HOME AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A FROZEN CRANK CASE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED OIL TO SPRAY OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW OUT THE FIRE. TEMPERATURES WERE 5 DEGREES F THAT NIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A "MORE ROBUST CRANK CASE VENTILATION SYSTEM" THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL AT MY COST. AFTER THE WEEK LONG REPAIR, THE DEALER BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE FRONT AND TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS. I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES BEFORE NOTING A PINCHING/PAINFUL SENSATION ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. I PULLED OVER TO FIND A BURN MARK ON THE LEATHER SEAT AND A BURN ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. IT APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEAT HEATER.

NHTSA ODI #10948378

172,800 miles · Jan 27, 2017
SeatsFire

DRIVER SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE THIS MORNING DEALERSHIP SAID NO RECALL YET MILLION MSG BOARDS CLEARLY SHOW FAULTY ISSUE I HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER 30 SEPARATE CASES ALREADY SINCE 2009! SMOKE FILLED CAR BURN SMELL BURNED HOLE RIGHT THRU SEAT HAPPENED IN MINUTES SAFETY ISSUE 100% BMWGALLERYNORWOOD SAID NOT COVERED TO FIX?!?! HAVE O…

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DRIVER SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE THIS MORNING DEALERSHIP SAID NO RECALL YET MILLION MSG BOARDS CLEARLY SHOW FAULTY ISSUE I HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER 30 SEPARATE CASES ALREADY SINCE 2009! SMOKE FILLED CAR BURN SMELL BURNED HOLE RIGHT THRU SEAT HAPPENED IN MINUTES SAFETY ISSUE 100% BMWGALLERYNORWOOD SAID NOT COVERED TO FIX?!?! HAVE ON VIDEO&PICS GLAD MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS ONLY IN DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED HIS SWEATSHIRT RUINED WITH BURN MARKS IMAGINE IF HE WAS ON MAIN RD!!

NHTSA ODI #10947937

78,000 miles · Jan 12, 2017
SeatsInjury

HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED WHEN TURNED ON THE SEAT GOT SO HOT IT BURNED THE BACK OF MY THIGH, STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. TURNED IT OFF RIGHT AWAY. I HAD JUST TURNED TH CAR ON IT HAPPENED WITHIN SECONDS OF TURNING THE HEATED SEAT BUTTON ON.

NHTSA ODI #10944491

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2016
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ELEMENT OVERHEATING. TURNED ON SEAT DEC 2015, GOT TOO HOT. USED DIAPER TO INSULATE LEG. SEAT HEATER MELTED DIAPER TO LEATHER. I HAVE NOT USED IT SINCE. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER CARS OF THIS MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #10935658

106,000 miles · Nov 25, 2016
Seats

HAD BEEN ONGOING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS THE HEATED SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. YOU WOULD TURN IT ON AND THE DRIVER SEAT IN THE LEFT SIDE WOULD START TO HEAT UP BEGINNING FROM THE BUTT AREA ENDING BY THE KNEE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS STARTING TO STING AND MAKING IT REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT. JUST RECENTLY THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY…

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HAD BEEN ONGOING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS THE HEATED SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. YOU WOULD TURN IT ON AND THE DRIVER SEAT IN THE LEFT SIDE WOULD START TO HEAT UP BEGINNING FROM THE BUTT AREA ENDING BY THE KNEE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS STARTING TO STING AND MAKING IT REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT. JUST RECENTLY THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY HOT TO THE POINT IT BURNED THE LEATHER AND BURNED MY WIFES BUTT. GO TO INSPECT IT WHILE IT WAS ON AND WHILE PUSHING DOWN SLIGHTLY WHERE THE BURNT HOLE WAS, SPARKS BEGAN COMING OUT

NHTSA ODI #10927844

71,000 miles · Feb 29, 2016
SeatsFire

WAS DRIVING DOWN MY BMW X3 DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY SEAT WARMERS ON AND THE INSIDE OF MY CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING I FIGURED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY SEAT WARMER SO I TURNED IT OFF A LITTLE WAYS DOWN THE ROAD I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE MY SEAT WAS OKAY AND NOTICED A SMALL BURN ON THE BOTTOM LEFT …

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WAS DRIVING DOWN MY BMW X3 DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY SEAT WARMERS ON AND THE INSIDE OF MY CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING I FIGURED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MY SEAT WARMER SO I TURNED IT OFF A LITTLE WAYS DOWN THE ROAD I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE MY SEAT WAS OKAY AND NOTICED A SMALL BURN ON THE BOTTOM LEFT ON THE BACK OF MY SEAT AND I CHECKED MY SWEATER AND THERE WAS A BURN MARK ON IT TOO

NHTSA ODI #10838870

80,000 miles · Jan 20, 2016
Seats

I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY WIFE. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY UTILIZING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE TODAY WHEN SHE SMELLED BURNING AND THE SEAT BECAME DANGEROUSLY HOT. SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE HEATING FUNCTION OFF WHICH TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE THE PROBLEM. A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET R…

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I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY WIFE. SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY UTILIZING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION OF THE VEHICLE TODAY WHEN SHE SMELLED BURNING AND THE SEAT BECAME DANGEROUSLY HOT. SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE HEATING FUNCTION OFF WHICH TEMPORARILY RESOLVED THE THE PROBLEM. A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2006 MODEL BMW X3S. SOME CASES BEING SO SEVERE THAT PEOPLE'S SEATS HAVE BURNED THEM AND EVEN CAUGHT FIRE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10821346

115,967 miles · Jan 19, 2016
SeatsFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SEAT WARMER BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND BURNED THE PASSENGER'S LEG. THE WIRING BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE CONTACT OBERVED A SPARK. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SEAT WARMER BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND BURNED THE PASSENGER'S LEG. THE WIRING BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THE CONTACT OBERVED A SPARK. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,967.

NHTSA ODI #10820968

Official recalls

2

17V605000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Sep 28, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. 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 replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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).