FaultScore

BMW 530I airbag problems

205 of the 808 complaints filed about the BMW 530I are about the airbag system — 25% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

205

Complaints

25%

Share of all complaints

10

Crashes

2

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

1995 530I 1 0.5%

Median failure at 119,000 miles

2001 530I 4 2.0%

Median failure at 57,095 miles

2002 530I 8 3.9%

Median failure at 48,300 miles

2003 530I 17 8.3%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2004 530I 50 24.4%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

2005 530I 40 19.5%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2006 530I 36 17.6%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

2007 530I 26 12.7%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2017 530I 4 2.0%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

2018 530I 13 6.3%

Median failure at 3,700 miles

2020 530I 2 1.0%
2021 530I 2 1.0%

Median failure at 18,000 miles

2022 530I 1 0.5%
2023 530I 1 0.5%

What owners said

2017 BMW 530I Dalton, GA

AIR BAGS

Seatbelt alarm goes off on passengers seat and no one is seated in the seat. Received a notification from BMW that the warranty was extended to cover this problem with this model but the BMW dealership says my VIN number is not covered. They confirmed that it did need replacing but They quoted me a price of more than $2500 to fix it and claimed nothing could be done about it unless it’s paid out of pocket.

NHTSA complaint #11749205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 BMW 530I Conroe, TX

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system might have been remotely hacked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an air bag failure. Additionally, the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); because the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection due to the open recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11731883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 BMW 530I Ferris, TX

AIR BAGS

I had a diagnostic done and it was discovered that the passenger seat airbag is defective and needs to be replaced

NHTSA complaint #11676327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I Chubbuck, ID

AIR BAGS

It keeps coming up with the error message passenger restraint system malfunction

NHTSA complaint #11669239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 BMW 530I Hawthorne, NY

AIR BAGS

I am unknown of what system has failed but the issue is that while the car is in motion, it will completely shut off. All Electrical will disengage and there have been times where a pop up has come on my screen stating that air bags and seat belts are non functioning to get to a service station as soon as possible. It has happened multiple times while driving on a large highway. This is a severe safety issue and I am so thankful I have not suffered serious injuries due to a major accident. The vehicle is unsafe and I do not feel comfortable driving it with myself nor guest in the car.

NHTSA complaint #11657485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 BMW 530I at 105,000 miles San Jose, CA Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2017 BMW 530i. The contact stated while the unknown driver was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a collision. The contact stated the vehicle was driven without the contact's authorization. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that the front driver's side door was severely damaged. In addition, the electrical system was disabled. The vehicle was taken to a tow yard. The insurance company inspected the vehicle and determined that the vehicle was being driven at the time of the failure. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. A Police report was filed, however the information was unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #11653952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 BMW 530I Spring, TX

AIR BAGS

I have a code Passanger restraint failure that will not come off unless I pay $2700 to fix. This coding came on after 3 months of getting the vehicle and I’m not the only with the same issue. This is a dangerous situation that Bmw is not recalling but putting this as the owners expense. If I were to get in an accident this will not deploy airbags or open the seat belt this can cause sever injuries or worst death.

NHTSA complaint #11643861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 BMW 530I Laurelton, NY

AIR BAGS

passenger restraint system malfunction goes off and on

NHTSA complaint #11632730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 BMW 530I at 18,000 miles Scarsdale, NY

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the edge of the air bag leather cover was folding in, which enlarged the split between the air bag cover and the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was inspected, and the dealer informed the contact that the air bag leather cover was of poor quality. The dealer recommended the air bag replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA complaint #11616620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I Middlefield, CT

AIR BAGS

Passenger restraint system Malfunction. L

NHTSA complaint #11605584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I Columbia, SC

AIR BAGS

I parked my car and there were not any lights on the showing. When I returned to my car about an hour later 2 lights were shown (1) 4 wheel drive and (2) Passenger restraint system. I am concerned about the passenger restraint system because until I can get this repaired, no one can use the passenger seat because of this safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11604742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I North Lauderdale, FL

AIR BAGS

The car is reporting that there is a passenger restraint system malfunction. When there is a passenger in the front seat, the airbag is disable.

NHTSA complaint #11603633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I The Woodlands, TX

AIR BAGS

Car randomly shows “Passenger restraint system malfunction”. I have read multiple complaints from other BMW owners about this issue that is not covered under BMW warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11595827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I Red Bank, NJ

AIR BAGS

My car is producing a warning light for "Passenger restraint system malfunction". This is a safety hazard and it is not covered by warranty. I believe this should be investigated and a recall should be mandated as many people have this issue. The cost to fix is over $2,500 and BMW should bear the cost of this safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11586947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I San Antonio, TX

AIR BAGS

I recently took my vehicle in for a service due to "passenger system restraint" error code. Upon dealer inspection it would cost upwards of 4,000$ to fix this issue. I called my warranty company and they do not warranty any repairs that have to do with restraint systems. This seems to be a widespread issue from what I have read. This can really cause a major issue if the seatbelt for the passenger side does not work upon a collision. This has to be putting people in a serious situation and should be investigated. Thanks for your time.

NHTSA complaint #11546552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I Bartlett, IL

AIR BAGS

There is a sensor that has malfunctioned under the passenger seat. This passenger restraint sensor is meant to detect a person in the seat so the airbag can deploy. The problem is that I’m Oder to fix this send the cost is over $2,000. It’s not concerned by BMW although it’s part of their safety design.

NHTSA complaint #11532317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 BMW 530I Port Saint Lucie, FL

AIR BAGS

Passenger restraint warning light continues to illuminate intermittently after services were performed to remedy. Dealer diagnosis showed the seat module had moisture. Dried out. Worked ok for a few months then reoccurred. Next mechanic diagnosed faulty CIS seat box. Replaced the module. Worked ok for a few months then reoccurred.

NHTSA complaint #11531783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 BMW 530I Cherokee, NC

AIR BAGS

Well was driving fine one day then the next it didn't do nothing an still hasn't done or moved since found that the module in the truck were the spare was got wet an melted then I got another put it in an still nothing changed starter still nothing an found out a recall was found called bmw but they wasn't willing to have it towed to a service provider

NHTSA complaint #11525149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 BMW 530I Matthews, NC Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

We were involved in a car accident. We were traveling through a traffic circle. The other car that was entering the circle failed to yield or even slow down and hit my car. The rear passenger side door was hit. I was driving and thrown into the driver door and my hip is injured. My son was riding in the back seat behind the driver and he was knocked into the window and was knocked unconscious. I was wondering why the side airbags did not deploy. I reported this to my local dealer who sent me an article about side airbags. There were no warnings or indications anything was wrong with any of the systems. It is a 2022 model car.

NHTSA complaint #11496099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW 530I at 100,000 miles Bakersfield, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that air bag and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that air bag and seat belt needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11466417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other BMW 530I problems