FaultScore

BMW 325I airbag problems

529 of the 1,808 complaints filed about the BMW 325I are about the airbag system — 29% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

529

Complaints

29%

Share of all complaints

26

Crashes

6

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

1990 325I 1 0.2%

Median failure at 165,200 miles

1991 325I 1 0.2%

Median failure at 160,550 miles

1992 325I 2 0.4%
1994 325I 2 0.4%
1995 325I 3 0.6%

Median failure at 196,061 miles

2000 325I 1 0.2%

Median failure at 180,000 miles

2001 325I 51 9.6%

Median failure at 98,000 miles

2002 325I 53 10.0%

Median failure at 125,000 miles

2003 325I 62 11.7%

Median failure at 92,300 miles

2004 325I 62 11.7%

Median failure at 114,000 miles

2005 325I 33 6.2%

Median failure at 99,500 miles

2006 325I 257 48.6%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

2011 325I 1 0.2%

Median failure at 30,142 miles

What owners said

2001 BMW 325I Sacramento, CA

AIR BAGS

Steering wheel angle sensor internal abc-dsc issues, yellow light is on.. Is there a recall for this issue!? Also front door passenger side air bag is not working, I have used OBD reader to confirm all the above...

NHTSA complaint #11684118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I San Diego, CA

AIR BAGS

The passenger seat occupancy sensor (OC3 mat) on my 2006 BMW 3 Series (VIN: [XXX] ) has failed. As a result, the front passenger airbag is disabled, which poses a serious safety risk. BMW issued a 15-year warranty extension for this issue, acknowledging it as a common failure, but my vehicle is now slightly outside the coverage period. This part is vital for detecting front-seat occupants and enabling the airbag during a crash. I believe BMW should still be required to fix this safety-critical defect, especially in vehicles where the issue was never repaired while under the extended coverage window. This should be reclassified as a full safety recall, not just an expired service campaign. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11669664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I at 130,000 miles Austell, GA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer offered an inspection but declined to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11634322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 BMW 325I Saint Petersburg, FL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V047000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer Ferman BMW (31400 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11622909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I Rocklin, CA

AIR BAGS

There is a recall 17v-428 for the seat mat, and i went to my local BMW dealer and said this car was not on the list, but they acknowledge it’s the same issue but because this VIN was not included they can’t fix it at no charge . They want $2100 to repair. Can you help me ? Thanks

NHTSA complaint #11616440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 BMW 325I at 195,000 miles Redwood City, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned using a hand-held diagnostic machine. The DTC code 02: Ignition Decay 1/Belt Tensioner Driver was retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.

NHTSA complaint #11609803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 BMW 325I at 132,000 miles El Segundo, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and related the failure to the recall. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #11545504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I Tallahassee, FL

AIR BAGS

Put a box of moderate weight into the passenger seat (hard drives) - probably 40 lbs. After driving for a few minutes and over a few bumps, the seat belt warning light came on because the seat sensor was tripped by the weight. Put the seat belt on to silence the warning. Shortly thereafter, both the seatbelt and passenger airbag warning lights showed on the dash, regardless of occupancy. Hooked up to scanning tool and cleared the codes but they always return. This is not a rare event from reading the online forums - it is likely due to the sensor mat in the seat for occupancy being defective, or a combination of that and the seat belt pre-tensioner being defective, for the passenger side only. The vehicle operates normally other than the warning lights. Obviously have not tested the airbag, but that is highly unlikely to be the actual problem from my investigation of the symptoms.

NHTSA complaint #11530296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I Rochester Hills, MI

AIR BAGS

Existing vehicle recall excludes this particular VIN among the same MY and model even though this VIN is affected. Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC SUMMARY: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, [shortened]. 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: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

NHTSA complaint #11504177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I Ft Worth, TX

AIR BAGS

After recall done pvc valve and blower heat a/c now not working the car engine light come up abs /brake and more

NHTSA complaint #11503057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I at 130,000 miles Denville, NJ

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the passenger's side front seat air bag sensor and steering wheel air bag sensor; however, the failure recurred while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, with the air bag warning light being illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11482599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I Atlanta, GA

AIR BAGS

Component failed: passenger seat occupancy sensor (BMW error code: 0x93C3) Implication: passenger airbag will not deploy in case of accident if the occupancy sensor is defective. Similar problems: similar recalls were issued by BMW for the same model and year but with only sports seat; regular seats were not recalled. Previous inspections: this issue has not been previously inspected, but personal inspection leads to faulty seat occupancy sensor. Prior warnings: dashboard shows seatbelt and airbag lights; roof indicator lamp shows passenger airbag off.

NHTSA complaint #11480697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I Atlanta, GA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Component failed: passenger seat occupancy sensor (BMW error code: 0x93C3) Implication: passenger airbag will not deploy in case of accident if the occupancy sensor is defective. Similar problems: similar recalls were issued by BMW for the same model and year but with only sports seat; regular seats were not recalled. Previous inspections: this issue has not been previously inspected, but personal inspection leads to faulty seat occupancy sensor. Prior warnings: dashboard shows seatbelt and airbag lights; roof indicator lamp shows passenger airbag off.

NHTSA complaint #11480697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I at 150,000 miles Spring Lake, NC

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the front air bag and seat belt passenger sensor functionality were defective. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no cause for the failure was determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags). The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11475308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I at 150,000 miles Spring Lake, NC

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the front air bag and seat belt passenger sensor functionality were defective. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no cause for the failure was determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags). The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11475308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 BMW 325I Long Beach, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2004 BMW 325i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list as she no longer own the vehicle. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA complaint #11469025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 BMW 325I Hayward, CA

AIR BAGS

I got a notice in the mail for an airbag recall. I called the number (877-225-0472) in early December. I was told to call Fremont BMW (510-360-5902) The first question they asked was: Did you buy your vehicle from us? I told them that the car is not currently registered. They told me to schedule a tow on my mobile phone. I don't have a mobile phone. The notice said that some of the dealers have mobile service where they come to your house. They said they would get back to me. That was over a month ago. I don't think BMW is taking this recall seriously.

NHTSA complaint #11447327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I at 180,000 miles Temecula, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the seat mat sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11442860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I at 180,000 miles Temecula, CA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the seat mat sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11442860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 325I Holly Springs, NC

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

The passenger seat mat sensor stopped working and that disabled the airbag. I called BMW and they told me this part has already been replaced once in 2016 on my car during a recall, which happened before I purchased the car. I asked them to replace it again since this is a safety issue and they told me BMW would only replace this part for cars with less than 15 years, which in my case expired on January 2021. This is a very costly repair and in my view is caused by a poorly designed part, considering that there has already been 3 recalls on it and it keeps breaking after a some use. So for now, until this case is settled, I will be driving a car with the passenger airbag deactivated by the board computer, what is a very serious safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11433678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other BMW 325I problems