FaultScore

BMW 535I airbag problems

51 of the 722 complaints filed about the BMW 535I are about the airbag system — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2012.

51

Complaints

7%

Share of all complaints

7

Crashes

0

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

1990 535I 1 2.0%
1991 535I 1 2.0%
1992 535I 2 3.9%
2008 535I 7 13.7%

Median failure at 94,900 miles

2009 535I 5 9.8%

Median failure at 115,600 miles

2010 535I 5 9.8%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

2011 535I 5 9.8%

Median failure at 61,700 miles

2012 535I 8 15.7%

Median failure at 70,500 miles

2013 535I 5 9.8%

Median failure at 34,000 miles

2014 535I 1 2.0%

Median failure at 129,000 miles

2015 535I 4 7.8%

Median failure at 132,000 miles

2016 535I 7 13.7%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

What owners said

2014 BMW 535I at 129,000 miles Shreveport, LA Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while driving in stop-and-go traffic, she depressed the brake pedal, however crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that all three air bags deployed; however, the front driver-side air bag failed to deploy properly. The contact stated that smoke came out from the air bag and failed to fully inflate, not protect the contact. Neither the contact nor the driver of the other vehicle sustained any injuries. A police report was filed. Due to the accident, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the damage to the vehicle from the accident was repaired, and all air bags were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA complaint #11710365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 535I at 132,000 miles Boston, MA 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated that when pressing the accelerator pedal to drive from being idle at a red light, the driver's side air bag deployed out of the steering wheel without impact. The contact sustained burns to the left arm, right cheek, and chest area. The contact had suffered stomach issues due to inhaling the dust and fumes from the air bag. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed by AAA to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the horn module needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, where the vehicle remained for a month, and Liberty Mutual was to retrieve the vehicle and investigate the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not investigated to her knowledge, and the vehicle was returned without being repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #11682140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 535I Springfield, OR

AIR BAGS

Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle. Cause for concern due to airbag malfunction and is no longer connected properly!!!I’ve been hearing a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days. Then, suddenly, the horn stopped working, and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working as well. Since I’m a mechanic, I disassembled the clock spring and the steering wheel compartment to find that all the wires were broken and extremely brittle. This is concerning because it could cause an airbag malfunction, and the wires are no longer connected properly.

NHTSA complaint #11675261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 535I Bellevue, WA

AIR BAGS

UNKNOWN passenger restraint system malfunction message started coming.

NHTSA complaint #11637534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 BMW 535I Stockton, CA

AIR BAGS

Seatbelt light on, restraint System warning indicator on.

NHTSA complaint #11629139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 BMW 535I Naples, FL

AIR BAGS

Passenger restraint system malfunction, available for inspection. Passenger side air bag will not work if in an accident Problem has been confirmed by dealer Warning lamp appeared approximately 4-5 weeks ago, prior to that no symptoms. Just happened all of a sudden.

NHTSA complaint #11616563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 BMW 535I Santa Barbara, CA

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER RESTRAIN MALFUNCTION

NHTSA complaint #11582126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 BMW 535I at 132,000 miles Alexandria, VA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Passenger Restraint Air Bag Malfunction" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #11573365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 BMW 535I at 132,000 miles Alexandria, VA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Passenger Restraint Air Bag Malfunction" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

NHTSA complaint #11573365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 BMW 535I Lake Elsinore, CA

AIR BAGS

The passenger air bag signal flashes on and off even when someone is seating on the passenger seat.

NHTSA complaint #11570431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 BMW 535I Port Charlotte, FL

AIR BAGS

Air Bag warning light stays on.

NHTSA complaint #11569571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 BMW 535I Port Charlotte, FL

AIR BAGS

The driver's side supplemental restraint warning light has come on and stays on. I have an appointment with my service center.

NHTSA complaint #11506240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW 535I at 115,600 miles Camden, NJ

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 535i. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for servicing, he was informed that the vehicle was leaking oil. The oil filter housing and the valve cover gaskets were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs and the coil pack needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the coil pack needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the turn signals and the horn were no longer operatives. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering column had failed. The contact also stated that the rear passenger's side and the rear driver's side windows were no longer operating as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,600. The consumer stated there is a recall for this vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11464833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW 535I Brooklyn, NY

AIR BAGS

Passenger side safety restraint malfunction. Passenger airbag no longer enabled because seat occupancy sensor is faulty. Passenger is at risk as airbag no longer working. This problem was confirmed and diagnosed by an independent auto technician. BMW fault code 93c3 The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer as BMW wants $2,500 to make the repair. Warning lights on dash say Passenger Restraint System malfunction. Passenger Airbag no longer enabled. Issues started occurring two weeks ago.

NHTSA complaint #11459041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW 535I Brooklyn, NY

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Passenger side safety restraint malfunction. Passenger airbag no longer enabled because seat occupancy sensor is faulty. Passenger is at risk as airbag no longer working. This problem was confirmed and diagnosed by an independent auto technician. BMW fault code 93c3 The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer as BMW wants $2,500 to make the repair. Warning lights on dash say Passenger Restraint System malfunction. Passenger Airbag no longer enabled. Issues started occurring two weeks ago.

NHTSA complaint #11459041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 535I Milton, GA

AIR BAGS

Based on research it appears BMW has a long history of issues and even a recall on select years around the passenger seat sensor detector becoming faulty and impacting the ability of the air bags to deploy in a collision. This seems to a critical issue since it could result in serious injury to the passenger in the event of a collision.

NHTSA complaint #11438883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 BMW 535I West Bloomfield, MI

AIR BAGS

The vehicle front passenger seat sensor MAT (SRS) failure. This is a safety-related issue. The same item was recalled for prior years' models. A recall should issued be for this model and and year.

NHTSA complaint #11435208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 535I New Port Richey, FL

AIR BAGS

Seat belt my driver restraint light has come on on my car there is a known safety recall on BMW takeda airbags second issue my horn has suddenly stopped working is this related to my airbag as they are in the same area of components basically I don't know if my airbag will work in a collision and I am no longer able to honk my horn

NHTSA complaint #11429530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 BMW 535I at 59,160 miles Chicago, IL Crash

AIR BAGS

DECEMBER 29TH 2020, MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING MALL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SHE PLOWED INTO THE CAR PARKED IN THE SPACE ON THE RIGHT AND PUSHED THAT CAR INTO THE CAR TO ITS RIGHT. THE AIR BAGS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AND DRIVER'S KNEE BAG ALL DEPLOYED. STATE FARM HAS JUST DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #11387251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 535I at 90 miles NEW Orleans, LA

AIR BAGS

MY DRIVER AIRBAG HAS A MALFUNCTION BUT NO RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A DEFORMED BAG THAT MEANS MAYBE SOMEONE HIT THE COVER / HORN WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. I'M OVER 60 YEARS OLD AND COULDN'T HIT A FLY THAT HARD.

NHTSA complaint #11386653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other BMW 535I problems