NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Seats complaints
25 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · May 15, 2015
Seats
THE HEATERS IN BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS OVERHEATED TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND MELTED THE LEATHER SEATS. WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE HEATERS WERE EVEN ENGAGED AT THE TIME. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WERE DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE OR WARRANTY COVERAGE. WE THEN CALLED TH…
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THE HEATERS IN BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS OVERHEATED TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND MELTED THE LEATHER SEATS. WE ARE NOT SURE IF THE HEATERS WERE EVEN ENGAGED AT THE TIME. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WERE DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE OR WARRANTY COVERAGE. WE THEN CALLED THE NATIONAL BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND WERE ALSO TURNED DOWN. THE COSTS TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE WOULD BE CLOSE TO THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. WE ARE STILL PURSUING THIS WITH LOCAL MANAGEMENT BUT AT THIS TIME, DESPITE RECALLS IN PREVIOUS YEARS FOR THIS SAME SAFETY PROBLEM, WE HAVE BEEN DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE OR RELIEF.
NHTSA ODI #10716597
87,131 miles · Feb 18, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsInjury
DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT BURNED THROUGH LEATHER SEATS ON RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT AT RIB CAGE. SLIGHTLY BURNED DRIVER. HAD A ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. LEFT ABOUT A 6 INCH BURN LINE IN THE SEAT. VERY UNATTRACTIVE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564755
123,469 miles · Jan 29, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsFireInjury
STARTED X5 UP AND TURNED ON DRIVER 'S SEAT WARMER. LET CAR WARM UP FOR 5 MINUTES AND COMMENCED TO DRIVE AWAY. ONE MINUTE DOWN THE ROAD I SMELL SMOKE LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I FEEL MY LEFT HIP GETTING HOT AT THE SAME TIME. I STOP CAR AND LOOK DOWN AND SEE A DULL RED GLOW FROM THE SEAT. IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF HEATER AND GET OUT OF …
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STARTED X5 UP AND TURNED ON DRIVER 'S SEAT WARMER. LET CAR WARM UP FOR 5 MINUTES AND COMMENCED TO DRIVE AWAY. ONE MINUTE DOWN THE ROAD I SMELL SMOKE LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I FEEL MY LEFT HIP GETTING HOT AT THE SAME TIME. I STOP CAR AND LOOK DOWN AND SEE A DULL RED GLOW FROM THE SEAT. IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF HEATER AND GET OUT OF CAR. THE DRIVER SEAT WARMER HAD SHORTED AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. HOW HOT WAS IT! MY PANTS HAD BEEN BURNT AND HAD A SMALL RED MARK ON MY SKIN. THINK GOODNESS I WAS NOT SEVERELY BURNED DUE TO THE AREA OF MY PANTS THAT WAS BURNT WAS ALSO THE LEFT BACK POCKET AREA SO THE INTERIOR POCKET FABRIC HELP PROTECT ME. WOW! WILL BMW FIX THIS????? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562057
82,000 miles · Dec 29, 2013
Electrical SystemSeats
DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT TURNED ON AND THEREAFTER BECAME DANGEROUSLY HOT AND BURNED THROUGH THE DRIVER'S COAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557605
99,000 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats
PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILS, CAUSING AIR BAG TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND AIRBAG LIGHT TO APPEAR ON DASH. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WANTS NEARLY 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX, THOUGH THEY SAY IT HAD "ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED IN 2008" WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TWO YEARS OLD; DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THEY HEAR THIS CO…
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PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILS, CAUSING AIR BAG TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND AIRBAG LIGHT TO APPEAR ON DASH. IN CASE OF ACCIDENT, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. DEALER WANTS NEARLY 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX, THOUGH THEY SAY IT HAD "ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED IN 2008" WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TWO YEARS OLD; DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THEY HEAR THIS COMPLAINT ALL OF THE TIME. RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V384000 ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE FOR SOME BMW MODELS/SEATS, BUT DOES NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS ALL MODELS AND YEARS THAT HAVE THE PROBLEM. FOR THE X5 MODEL, FOR EXAMPLE, THE "COMFORT SEAT" IS COVERED, BUT THE STANDARD SEAT, WHICH HAS THE VERY SAME PROBLEM (NOT RELATED TO THE COMFORT SYSTEM) IS NOT. PLEASE WIDEN THE COVERAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE ALL MODELS AND YEARS AFFECTED BY THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555944
49,000 miles · Oct 24, 2013
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats
AFTER EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE FOR WHICH BMW ISSUED THIS RECALL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 I LEARNED THAT BECAUSE MY 2006 X5 WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER NOVEMBER 30, 2005, BMW IS NOT COVERING UNDER WARRANTY THE VERY SAME DEFECT THAT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 30, 2005 ARE UNDER WARRANTY FOR (EXTENDED TO 10 YEA…
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AFTER EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE FOR WHICH BMW ISSUED THIS RECALL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 I LEARNED THAT BECAUSE MY 2006 X5 WAS MANUFACTURED AFTER NOVEMBER 30, 2005, BMW IS NOT COVERING UNDER WARRANTY THE VERY SAME DEFECT THAT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 30, 2005 ARE UNDER WARRANTY FOR (EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS WITH NO MILEAGE RESTRICTIONS). THE EXPLANATION IS "THAT IS THE RECALL POLICY. WE MANAGE THIS VIA VIN NUMBERS". *TR
NHTSA ODI #10549432
93,000 miles · Mar 23, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT SHORTED WHILE DRIVING. IT CAUSED A SMALL FIRE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT WHEN HEATED SEAT WAS TURNED ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504270
30,010 miles · Nov 10, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats
JUST PURCHASED THE CERTIFIED PRE OWNED BMW X5. 2006 MODEL AND HAD IT 1 DAY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. RETURNED CAR TO BMW OF DALLAS TO HAVE REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 40000 MILES LATER AT 68000 MILES SAME LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483919
65,300 miles · Feb 16, 2011
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
HEATED SEATS WERE GETTING HOTTER THE PAST COUPLE OF USES...UNTIL TODAY WHEN I WARMED UP THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES). I WAS PUTTING MY DAUGHTER IN HER SAFETY SEAT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH THICK WHITE SMOKE. I REMOVED MY DAUGHTER AND PROCEED TO ASCERTAIN WHE…
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HEATED SEATS WERE GETTING HOTTER THE PAST COUPLE OF USES...UNTIL TODAY WHEN I WARMED UP THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES). I WAS PUTTING MY DAUGHTER IN HER SAFETY SEAT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH THICK WHITE SMOKE. I REMOVED MY DAUGHTER AND PROCEED TO ASCERTAIN WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. THERE WAS A SWIRLING FUNNEL OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. I OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND OBSERVED THE DRIVER SEAT LEATHER BURNING (FIZZLING AMBER FIRE). I LOOKED OVER TO THE SEAT WARMER LIGHT AND IT WAS ON. I TURNED IT OFF AND HAD TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BY BATTING MY HANDS AGAINST THE FIRE WHILE HOLDING MY DAUGHTER IN THE OTHER. THE FIRE LEFT MY HANDS CHARRED AND THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE CAR SMELLING LIKE SMOKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10382976
67,000 miles · Feb 4, 2011
Seats
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT ELECTRICAL SHORT, BURNED HOLE THROUGH LEATHER SEAT WHEN HEATED SEAT IS TURNED ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380224
Official recalls
2Nov 12, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. 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 with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Nov 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-332-4269.
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
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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