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2011 BMW 128I airbags problems

15 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car).

owner complaints
15
of this car's complaints
30%
crashes
0
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • SRS malfunction warning lamp/light
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

BMW 128I airbags problems in other years

200820092010201120122013

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 20V017000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 5, 2016 · 840,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 16V071000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

What 2011 BMW 128I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 25, 2021 · Airbags · 42,000 miles · DC

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated while entering the vehicle she noticed that the passenger’s seat occupancy sensor light was illuminated however, there was no one occupying the seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a faulty memory SRS light and sensor. The contact was informed that to repair the failure the passenger’s seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2017 · Airbags · NJ

Takata recall the takata airbags on my car were recalled in feb 2016. I have spoken to my local bmw dealership multiple times and the replacement parts are still on a "national backorder." this has almost been 2 years without a resolution - this is completely unacceptable.

Filed Nov 9, 2017 · Airbags · GA

Takata recall bmw has failed to replace the air bag that was recalled on 2/5/2016 after many services they have not to date replaced the driver side air bag

Filed Aug 18, 2017 · Airbags · CA

I have called my local bmw dealership on 4 occasions and have received no help. They keep telling me they don't know when it will be done. I feel nervous every time I drive my car.

Filed Aug 9, 2017 · Airbags · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i convertible. The contact stated that the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The contact was made aware of the recall when the vehicle was purchased in july of 2017 from a third party. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated once for an entire day and then turned off. The local dealer (bmw of escondido, 1557 auto park way, escondido, ca, 92029) stated that parts were unavailable for the repair. The manufacturer confirmed that the parts were unavailable for the repair, but stated that the parts should be available in one month. The manufacturer stated that they would expedite the contact's request. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Feb 23, 2017 · Airbags · NJ

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) in mid march of 2016 and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer indicated that the parts may become available in mid september of 2016. The parts had not become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 18, 2017 · Airbags · VA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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. ..updated 03/29/17 *bf

Filed Dec 8, 2016 · Airbags · FL

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). However, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Airbags · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i. The contact recieved notification of the federal safety agency campaign number; 16v071000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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.

Filed Sep 21, 2016 · Airbags · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The VIN was invalid. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Questions about the 2011 BMW 128I airbags

Does the 2011 BMW 128I have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the airbags of the 2011 BMW 128I, 30% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2011 BMW 128I airbags problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2011 BMW 128I airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 20V017000, 16V071000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 128I have bad airbags?

The BMW 128I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (24 complaints), 2012 (23 complaints) and 2011 (15 complaints).

Other 2011 BMW 128I problems

Engine 25Electrical 7Brakes 3Acceleration 2Driver assistance 2Lights 2Transmission 2Tires 1

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