Check a VIN

BMW 325XI airbag light comes on

25 of the 306 owner complaints about the BMW 325XI describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
25
worst model year
2006
typical repair cost reported
$1,100
typical mileage
73,690
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2006
    21
  • 2004
    1
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    2

Often reported together

What owners say

Filed Jul 26, 2022 · Airbags · 44,743 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325XI. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that approximately 7-months after the repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer where a diagnostic test showed that a wire from the A-pillar connector to side air bags had high resistance. The dealer stated that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact stated that several days later the air bag warning light disappeared without the repair being performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the federal safety agency for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 44,743.

Filed Jul 13, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · 89,000 miles · NJ

The contact’s girlfriend owns a 2004 BMW 325XI. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20V018000 (Air Bags). The contact’s girlfriend took the vehicle to the local dealer for the recall repair. After the vehicle was repaired and the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The driver took the vehicle back to the local dealer for the warning light. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the battery cable needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2018 · Airbags · 152,000 miles · NC

Takata air bags my air bag light keeps coming on, my car is effected by the recall but when I run the VIN # it's not showing up. It's a safety problem and I'm afraid the air bags will deploy while driving.

Filed Jul 11, 2017 · Airbags · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325xi. The contact stated that the passenger air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit. The contact called bmw of lynchburg (located at 2643 lakeside dr lynchburg, va 24501) who stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not covered per the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

Filed Apr 15, 2016 · Airbags · 56,000 miles · NJ

My airbag warning light is on. The bmw dealership will not provide me any information as to the maker of the airbag other than telling me it's not one of the recalled tanaka airbags. Many other bmw models of the same year have been recalled for defective tanaka airbags, so I'm not reassured by their response . A friend with same year, make and model of bmw suffered permanent eye damage when his airbag deployed unexpectedly in slow moving collision. I am afraid of the same consequences. Bmw, as well as other manufacturers, should be able to provide customers proof that a tanaka, or similar defective airbag, was not used.

Filed Mar 8, 2016 · Airbags · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v428000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 4, 2015 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, the passenger side air bag would not activate when the passenger seat was occupied. The dealer advised that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The contact was concerned that, in the event of a crash, the air bags would possibly not deploy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · 139,000 miles · DC

Passenger sat in passenger seat and airbag light went off. Was told by dealer it was because of a bad sensor mat for my make and model but not my car specific.

Filed Aug 12, 2014 · Airbags · 40,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that the weight sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.....updated 09-09-14 *bf updated 11/18/14

Filed Jul 14, 2014 · Airbags · 76,800 miles · CA

The air bag light / occupant detect sensor needed to be replaced because it was defective. I paid over $1000 to repair. My mechanic told me there is a safety recall of the air bag frontal sensor control module for my vehicle year, make and model. I never received the recall notice and bmw claims the recall is VIN specific. This seems unsafe and unfair as this is the very problem that I repaired. I have traveled thousands of miles transporting my family in the front passenger seat without knowing that they were not protected by the air bags.

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported July 3, 2024 · 394,029 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 24V513000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 15, 2020 · 292,948 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant 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 passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 20V018000 · Recall details

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 bagsReported June 11, 2018 · 574,007 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Recall number 14V428000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported July 6, 2017 · 2,158 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Risk
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 17V428000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 419,235 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could 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
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V‑348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

Recall number 15V318000 · Recall details

Air bags: sensor: occupant classificationReported November 12, 2013 · 76,565 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Risk
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Recall number 13V564000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported May 2, 2013 · 43,204 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Recall number 13V172000 · Recall details

Questions about the BMW 325XI airbag light

Why does the airbag light come on in the BMW 325XI?

Owners who report it most often also describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

Which BMW 325XI years have airbag warning light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (21 complaints), 2002 (2 complaints) and 2003 (1 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the BMW 325XI?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,100 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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