FaultScore

BMW X5 SAV airbag problems

57 of the 293 complaints filed about the BMW X5 SAV are about the airbag system — 19% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

57

Complaints

19%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2003 X5 SAV 1 1.8%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

2006 X5 SAV 18 31.6%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2007 X5 SAV 7 12.3%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2008 X5 SAV 9 15.8%

Median failure at 72,155 miles

2009 X5 SAV 7 12.3%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

2010 X5 SAV 4 7.0%

Median failure at 117,500 miles

2011 X5 SAV 3 5.3%

Median failure at 78,240 miles

2012 X5 SAV 3 5.3%

Median failure at 28,895 miles

2013 X5 SAV 5 8.8%

Median failure at 7,000 miles

What owners said

2003 BMW X5 SAV at 130,000 miles Amarillo, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INFORMING ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG FOR MY 2003 BMW X5. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN AMARILLO TEXAS, AUTOPLEX BMW, WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER KENDRA THAT WE ARE WELCOME TO BUY NEW CARS FROM THEM BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER HONOR WARRANTY OR RECALL. WORK FOR ANYONE WITH THE LAST NAME (XXXX) OR WHO IS RELATED TO OR AFFILIATED WITH DR. (XXXX). IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE WITH THIS MATTER?3 THE RECALL STATES THAT THE INFLATOR COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF UN RESOLVED, DOES THE BMW DEALER HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PERFORM THE RECALL, JEPRODIZING MY SAFETY FOR WHATEVER PERSONAL VENDETTA THEY HAVE AGAINST DR. (XXXX), MY SON? (XXXX) (BEST PERSON TO CONTACT) (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11206991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 BMW X5 SAV at 61,250 miles Marietta, GA

AIR BAGS

BWW HAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ITS SEAT SENSOR MAT. THESE SENSORS ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BMW HAS ONLY ISSUED RECALLS FOR SELECT MODEL OF ITS VEHICLE ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. IT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL OF ITS VEHICLES ACROSS YEARS AND MODELS. I BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT TO FORCE BMW TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. HUMAN LIVES ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11183395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW X5 SAV at 136,000 miles Lincoln, CA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR FAILURE AFTER RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-605 COMPLETED. THE SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF THE REPAIR WHICH MEANS THE PARTS USED FOR THE CAMPAIGN ARE FAULTY AS WELL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY AS SO STATED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA complaint #11161120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW X5 SAV at 136,000 miles Lincoln, CA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR FAILURE AFTER RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-605 COMPLETED. THE SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF THE REPAIR WHICH MEANS THE PARTS USED FOR THE CAMPAIGN ARE FAULTY AS WELL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY AS SO STATED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA complaint #11161120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW X5 SAV at 136,000 miles Lincoln, CA

AIR BAGS

OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR FAILURE AFTER RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-605 COMPLETED. THE SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHIN 16 MONTHS OF THE REPAIR WHICH MEANS THE PARTS USED FOR THE CAMPAIGN ARE FAULTY AS WELL. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY AS SO STATED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.

NHTSA complaint #11161120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW X5 SAV at 130,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

AIR BAGS

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAT SENSOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEFECTIVE MAT SESNOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SERVICE AT BMW OF LAS VEGAS ON 2 SEPARATE OCASSIONS AT 44,794 AND 67845 MILES 6-15-2011 AND 5-14-2014 RESPECTIVELY UNDER WARRANTY AND AT OWNERS COST. THIS VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED ON 8-22-2006 BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 130,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11123493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 BMW X5 SAV at 130,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MAT SENSOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DEFECTIVE MAT SESNOR HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SERVICE AT BMW OF LAS VEGAS ON 2 SEPARATE OCASSIONS AT 44,794 AND 67845 MILES 6-15-2011 AND 5-14-2014 RESPECTIVELY UNDER WARRANTY AND AT OWNERS COST. THIS VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED ON 8-22-2006 BUT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 130,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11123493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 BMW X5 SAV Laguna Niguel, CA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LAST YEAR TO COMPLAIN ABOUT NOT RECEIVING A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG FOR MY 2008 BMW X5 3.0 SI. THEY TOLD ME IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF SUMMER 2016. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION OF ITS AVAILABILITY UP TO NOW (LATE FALL 2017). I THINK THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED MY COMPLAINT. THE CATASTROPHIC RISK STILL EXISTS WITH MY CAR. I NEED NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE FOR BMW TO ACT ON THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE WAITED FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND STILL NO ACTION FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11044739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW X5 SAV at 40 miles Wellington, FL

AIR BAGS

MY WIFE & I PURCHASED THIS 2012X5 2 YEARS AGO,LAST YEAR THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OFF THE DRIVEWAY WHERE THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP&BAN. THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. WE CALLED A TOW AND HAD IT BROUGHT TO JUPITER BMW FL .WE FOUND OUT THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT SNAPPED. MILEAGE WAS 45-48K MILES. WE CALLED BMW NA IT WAS A WARRANTY RECALL PART AND THE DEALER STATED IT WAS REPLACED. AFTER THAT IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY STRANGE MOVEMENTS IN THE REAR AND IN TURNS. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO A TECH WHERE THEY STATED IT WAS TIRES IN THE REAR. WE RECENTLY REPLACED THE TIRES & IT REMAINED TO BE THERE WHERE IT WAS MILD BUT THERE. DURING THIS TIME PERIOD WE HAD MANY SERIOUS OBSTACLES WITH CANCER & FAMILY IN PR DEVASTATED. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AIRBAG, WE CALLED THE DEALER TO REPLACE IT. WHILE THERE WE FAILED TO MENTION IT BEING IN A RUSH & STILL ONLY ONE OF THE TWO AIRBAGS STILL UNAVAILABLE. AFTER WE LEFT DURING THE MONTH WE FELT IT MORE SO, AT THAT TIME I TRY TO REACH THE SERVICE ADVISOR & FAILED TO REACH HER IN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. AFTER DRIVING THIS WEEK IT GOT SERIOUSLY WORSE WHILE MY FAMILY LITTLE CHILDREN IN CAR, WE PULLED OVER CALLED OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID BRING IT IF POSSIBLE OR TOW.SO WE DID! AT THAT TIME WE NEVER DISCUSSED WE REPLACED ANY RECALL DRIVE SHAFT (MAKE NOTE). THE MECHANIC CALLED US IN SHOP SAID THE SHAFT IS BROKE AND LEAKING GREASE HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN IT, ALSO DO TO THAT IS DIRECTLY RELATED & CAUSE TO BE A ISSUE WITH TRANSFER CASE!!!. WE TOOK A VIDEO OF IT AND THE MECHANIC & US CALLED BMW NA DISCUSSED IT & THEY RECOMMEND TO TAKE TO BMW UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. UPON ARRIVAL WE PROVIDED THE SERVICE TECH A VIDEO OF THE DISCOVERY .6 HOURS LATER THEY CLAIM THE SHAFT IS FINE & VIDEO & INSPECTION WAS NOT ISSUE, &TRANSFER CASE HAVING ISSUES. THEY SAID OUR BILL 9000$.THERE IS OVER 300 CLAIMS EXACT ISSUE #17V138000SEE ATTACHED PIC & COMPL

NHTSA complaint #11039973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW X5 SAV Carrollton, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - TAKATA RECALL CONTINUES TO GO UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE IN QUESTION IN PRIMARY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MY SPOUSE AND NINE-YEAR OLD SON. BMW SHARED THIS WEEK ONLY DUE TO MY CONTACT THEM THAT THE AIRBAG FOR THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN ONE MONTH. I HAVE NO FAITH AND AM SEEKING INJUNCTION BY NHTSA TO RESOLVE THIS DELINQUENT RESOLUTION IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #11024216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW X5 SAV OAK Brook, IL

AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL, FEB 05,2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERNA NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V071 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE SUMMARY DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG: DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE MAY PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE THAT COULD CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE.

NHTSA complaint #11016453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW X5 SAV Kingsland, GA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (CRITZ BMW OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/11/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL THROTTLE ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. UPDATED 08/23/2017

NHTSA complaint #11006077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW X5 SAV LOS Angeles, CA

AIR BAGS

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE OPEN RECALLS FOR EXTENSIVE PERIODS OF TIME, THERE IS NO END DATE TO WHEN BMW IS PROMISING TO COMPLETE THE WORK BY, AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSELLABLE AS A RESULT. FOR OVER 18 MONTHS, THERE HAS BEEN A DRIVE AIR BAG RECALL OPEN AND OUTSTANDING WITH NO END DATE. A SECOND AIR BAG RECALL HAS BEEN OPEN FOR AROUND A YEAR, AGAIN WITH NO END DATE. A THIRD RECALL RELATES TO THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND AGAIN THERE IS NO END DATE PROVIDED BY BMW. I HAVE RAISED A COMPLAINT BEFORE WITH NHSTA AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. WE ARE STUCK WITH OUR VEHICLE; NO ONE WANTS TO BUY A CAR WITH OPEN RECALLS AND NO END IN SIGHT. BMW DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BMW NOT TO PURCHASE THESE VEHICLES. THEREFORE WE CANNOT EVEN SELL THE CAR BACK TO BMW FRANCHISES. THIS IS INCREDIBLY UNFAIR, ESPECIALLY SINCE BMW HAS BEEN AWARDED A LARGE SETTLEMENT FROM ITS AIR BAG MANUFACTURER BUT TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING THE VEHICLES AT ALL. WHY IS NHTSA NOT HELPING CONSUMERS SUFFERING LOSSES AT THE HANDS OF THIS TERRIBLE CAR MANUFACTURER?

NHTSA complaint #10991295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 BMW X5 SAV at 46 miles Virginia Beach, VA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE GOING DOWNWARD ON THE RAMP WITH MY 2007 X5. MY TIRE BLEW OFF THE RIM CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND EVENTUALLY STRIKE THE SIDE WALL. WAS WEARING SEAT BELT DURING ACCIDENT,SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME AND HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. DEBRIS FROM AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL CUT ME IN VARIOUS PLACES. NOT ALL OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, ONLY STEERING WHEEL AND CURTAIN. SECOND ACCIDENT WITH A BMW TRUCK WHERE EITHER ONLY A FEW DEPLOYED OR NONE AT ALL. THIS ISSUE REALLY CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN WITH ME BECAUSE I WAS PREGNANT AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT AND WASN'T FULLY PROTECTED AT ALL. BMW ARE TOO GOOD OF CARS FOR THIS MAJOR FLAW. ALSO, I CONTACTED BMW AROUND DECEMBER 2015 IN REFERENCE TO RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CALL WHEN THE PART CAME IN. CONTACTED THEM MULTIPLE TIMES AFTERWARDS AND WAS TOLD BMW STILL HASN'T SENT PART OUT. ...UPDATED 06/13/17 *BF UPDATED 09/19/217

NHTSA complaint #10990820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW X5 SAV at 63,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA Fire

AIR BAGS

THIS SUV HAS 3 SAFETY RECALLS. BOTH THE AIRBAGS ARE IN THE TAKATA AND THE FUEL PUMP CREATES AND EXTREME RISK TO ME AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY BMW IS AS A COMPANY IS KEEPING THESE FAULTY CARS ON THE ROAD. EVERY TIME I GET IN IT I AM NERVOUS AND AFRAID FOR MY LIFE. NOW MY WIFE AND KIDS DO NOT DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR. IT HAS BECOME A HUGE BURDEN. IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT BMW BUT EVEN MORE SO THAT OUR GOVERNMENT WILL ALLOW THESE UNSAFE CARS ON THE ROADS. EVERY TIME I TALKED TO BMW THEY TRY TO DOWN PLAY THE ISSUE. BUT I SIMPLY CAN'T CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND IT'S UNFAIR TO ME BECAUSE DEALERSHIPS WON'T EVEN TAKE IT DUE TO THE SAFETY RECALLS. I KEEP SMELLING FUMES FROM THE CAR AND I BELIEVE THESE CARS ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL DEFECTS WITH THE RADIATOR TO ADD TO THE ISSUES ALREADY EXPLAINED ABOVE. TODAY THE CAR STALLED AND I SAW SMOKE FROM THE HOOD. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP SITUATION BUT IT'S SO ANNOYING AND FRUSTRATING THAT BMW IS WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY DIE BEFORE THEY WILL ADDRESS THESE DEFECTS IN THEIR CARS!!!! UNREAL!

NHTSA complaint #10990827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW X5 SAV Purcellville, VA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW X5 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10967712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 BMW X5 SAV Hampton Bays, NY

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED OVER A YEAR AGO, SINCE HAVE BROUGHT IN MY CAR TWICE FOR SERVICE. DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ME YET. I AM CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10966098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW X5 SAV at 78,240 miles Dillsburg, PA

AIR BAGS

WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED: RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. ALSO DRIVER'S ELECTRIC SEAT CONTROL NOT WORKING.

NHTSA complaint #10960363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW X5 SAV Katy, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - IT HAS BEEN OVER ONE YEAR SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS IDENTIFIED UNDER THIS RECALL AND I LIVE IN A ZONE A WHICH IS THE HIGHEST RISK AREA. THE LOCAL BMW DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GIVE ME ANY IDEA OF WHEN MY CAR WILL BE REPAIRED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM THIS DEFECT AND I AM AT RISK EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10960299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 BMW X5 SAV Kapolei, HI

AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" AIRBAGS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED NOR SERVICED. RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-045: INSPECT BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE. INVOLVES THE E70 (X5) WITH THE N62TU ENGINE PRODUCED FROM SEPTEMBER 2006 TO MARCH 2010. SI B34 04 13 (LABOR OPERATION 00 61 028)- BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY LINE WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2013 AT BMW HAWAI'I ... REQUESTING SAFETY RECALL REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR LABOR OPERATIONS 00 61 029 AND SUBLET CODE 4. DUE TO BRAKE BOOSTER 'TOTAL FAILURE'. VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO SLIGHTLY MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED. VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH BRAKE PEDDLE FULLY PRESSED WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN DRIVE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL UPHILL OR DOWN HILL BECAUSE VEHICLE WILL NOT REMAIN STATIONARY WITH BRAKE FULLY PRESSED. OWNER UNAWARE OF BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE DUE TO HAVING NO KNOWLEDGE OF BRAKE MECHANICS. ANNOTATED TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER AND POSSIBLE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. SI B34 04 13 - IF A PRIOR REPAIR WAS PERFORMED- APPLICABLE RECALL PROCEDURESMUST BE STILL PERFORMED. THE REPAIR DESCRIBED IN THIS BULLETIN IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY REGARDLESS OF TIME OR MILEAGE (P. 4-5).

NHTSA complaint #10958745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other BMW X5 SAV problems