332 of the
2,799 complaints filed about the BMW X3
are about the airbag system —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The message “Fuel Supply Malfunction” was displayed. Additionally, the contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V527000 (Air Bags) and stated that the passenger’s side air bag was not replaced. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11752985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. The front passenger airbag light is continuously on. 2. Fasten seat belt audible alarm, and fasten seat belt dash light are continuously on when front passenger seat is NOT occupied.
NHTSA complaint #11740974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The heated seat element had a runway incident that caused the seat to smoke and burn a hole through multiple layers and ultimately damaging the airbag sensor mat disabling the passenger airbag system
NHTSA complaint #11732108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Front Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor Mat (CIS) in my 2018 BMW X3 failed at 56,000 miles. This failure is confirmed by the specific BMW fault code 930A1C (Seat Occupancy Detector Malfunction) stored in the Advanced Crash Safety Module (ACSM). The component is currently installed in the vehicle and available for inspection. This defect poses a severe safety risk: the system fails to consistently detect a seated front passenger. As a result, the passenger airbag may be disabled and fail to deploy in a collision, significantly increasing the risk of injury or death. The dashboard displays a "Passenger Restraint System" malfunction warning, accompanied by an airbag light and chime. The issue is intermittent and load-dependent. It triggers specifically when an adult passenger occupies the seat for extended periods (e.g., highway driving), indicating a physical fatigue failure of the sensor mat grid under compression. I diagnosed the fault using BMW factory-level diagnostics. However, both the local BMW dealership and BMW North America have refused to cover the diagnosis or repair under the existing warranty extension (SIB 72 01 25) for this exact component, stating my specific VIN is excluded despite the vehicle exhibiting the known safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11706711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1- Passenger Restraint System Malfunction error codes- related to wiring or front passenger seat- long timeframe and expense to diagnose 2- Engine mounts broken Oct 2023 and again Aug 2025- known issue by BMW service- high repair cost & repeat failure 3- Front crash assist will brake for shadows caused by trees or adjacent trucks and has nearly caused accidents
NHTSA complaint #11689994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I’m writing to escalate an unresolved issue following a recent airbag takata recall repair performed at BMW of Manhattan on my 2007 BMW X3 VIN [XXX] ) , license [XXX] Prior to the recall service, there were no airbag or SRS warning lights on my dashboard. Immediately after the repair, however, the airbag light appeared, and I have since been informed by the dealership that it is unrelated to their work and my responsibility to address — despite this issue arising only after their service. This raises serious safety and liability concerns, especially considering the recall involved the airbag system. I respectfully request: A formal investigation into the cause of the warning light A no-cost diagnostic scan by the dealer to confirm or rule out installation error Assistance in resolving the issue promptly under BMW’s recall and warranty obligations. I have documentation from the service visit and can provide photos or service reports upon request. I was never given a document when I first picked up my car and would like to know what was exactly done to my vehicle since your service advisor strongly believes INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11677422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed while the front passenger’s side seat was being occupied, the message "Front Passenger’s Restraint System Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front passenger’s side seat mat detection sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,500.
NHTSA complaint #11672529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2021 BMW X3
at 57,303 milesLafayette, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated while parked and occupied in the vehicle, while shifting the gear shift into park, the vehicle accelerated independently and collided with a Tesla occupied by a mom and daughter, which was in front of her. The contact mentioned that the Tesla collided with another vehicle. The vehicle then reversed independently at a high speed and then accelerated again, and collided a second time with the Tesla and then into a BMW several times. The contact, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. After accelerating independently, the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed was B&D Towing, and the vehicle was then towed to Copart. The contact sustained an injury in her lower back. The contact mentioned the doctor informed her that she sustained whiplash as well. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact mentioned that the seat belt had retracted during the impact. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed her that they would send someone from BMW to inspect the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 57,303.
NHTSA complaint #11671969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2024 BMW X3
at 17,000 milesGranite Falls, NCCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2024 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH and turning right, the vehicle unintentionally continued accelerating and veering to the right. The contact stated that she had depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes did not respond. The contact stated that the vehicle jumped the curb, the contact was not able to steer the vehicle back onto the roadway because the steering wheel was seized. The contact stated that the vehicle hit a traffic sign and side-swiped a street light pole. The contact stated that the vehicle then crashed into a parked vehicle head-on and stopped. The contact stated that the air bags had not deployed during the front-end collision. The contact stated that the police and emergency services had arrived. The contact was transported to a hospital, and the police issued a report. The contact stated that she had bruises on her chest, ribs, both arms, and wrists. The contact also had a whiplash injury to her neck. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, and a total loss was declared. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
NHTSA complaint #11659896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I don't know what happen, but Friday March 28, 2024 after getting gas and I started my vehicle a noticed appeared "Passenger Restraint System Malfunctioned. This is related to my Air Bag, and I am told this is not covered under my extended warranty. This is something should be Bmw responsibility.
NHTSA complaint #11651829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
For about 1 year now when there is someone in the passenger seat the car will randomly stop recognizing the seat is occupied and deactivate the air bags on the passenger side front. I took the car to bmw where it was diagnosed as a faulty seat mat. I called bmw corporate to try to get this issue resolved and they were unable to cover it under any warranty. After the battery replacement the car has lost all communication with the passenger seat safety restraints and now has a permanent air bag light
NHTSA complaint #11648941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger Seat Occupancy mat in the seat failed which disabled the passenger airbags. So it is very unsafe to drive the car now. This problem applies to many other BMW cars for which the warranty was extended. Unfortunately my car is not included in the warranty extension and out of pocket cost to repair it is $2500. I can’t afford to fix it. I believe that many other owners experience the same problem leading them to drive unsafe cars or disabling the system using aftermarket solutions. I truly believe that for the safety reasons BMW should extend the warranty for the model of my car.
NHTSA complaint #11645117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front passenger seat occupancy mat defect causes disabling of passenger airbag. Recalls have been issued for the same issue in other models. Issue confirmed by dealership. Persistent warning lamp alert.
NHTSA complaint #11631946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In May 2022, BMW of Bellevue performed recall service on my BMW X3 with a car wash. Within miles of leaving the dealership, the car displayed a warning "Passenger restraint system: malfunction. Continue wearing safety belt. Consult nearest service center." My understanding is that the airbag will no longer deploy in an accident, posing a serious risk to my family. Both BMW of Bellevue and Eastside Bavarian have confirmed the issue. Eastside Bavarian confirmed that the defect could have been triggered by the dealership's service. BMW of Bellevue denies responsibility, and has quoted $3k to repair the airbag. Based on internet searches, this error message is a frequent defect in BMWs. Attached is a photo of the error message and two invoices from BMW of Bellevue: the first is for the recall and the second is for their inspection of the fault.
NHTSA complaint #11628874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (OC3) mat. The air bag is on for a while "passenger restrain system", nothing really happened it appear one day and never left.
NHTSA complaint #11611345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Intermittent, but frequent failure of seat occupancy sensor on front passenger seat. Appears to be related to occupancy weight sensor. As sensor is not functioning properly, passenger airbag is being unsafely deactivated, leading to lack of airbag deployment if a front end collision were to occur. Problem is reproducible, but has not been taken to dealer, nor has it been inspected. Warning alert displays, then turns off, then returns frequently while the front passenger seat is occupied.
NHTSA complaint #11610935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.