I own a 2006 bmw 330xi. While driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminates. The failure recurs constantly. Also, when seated in the passenger seat, the vehicle does not register anyone in the seat. I have taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that the seat occupancy sensor mat failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and I was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The vehicle experiences the exact same failure listed in the recall but my VIN is not included. The approximate failure mileage when the failure started was 53,200. The vehicle now has approximately 110,000 miles and the failure continues to happen.
BMW 330XI airbag light comes on
28 of the 193 owner complaints about the BMW 330XI describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 28
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 96,000
By model year
- 200626
- 20032
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. While driving at unknown speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the seat alarm independently sounded when there was no passenger present. Also, when seated in the passenger seat, the vehicle did not register anyone in the seat. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,300.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure recurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. While driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the seat occupancy sensor mat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000.
From the time I bought the car new in early 2003, the air bag sensor light remained on indefinitely. The bmw dealer turned the alert light off several times, and did not fix the underlying problem, indicating that it was only the sensor and that the airbag was working. The light continues to remain on. After several visits to murray bmw in denver the problem was not fixed and the dealership merely turned the alert light off indicating there was nothing wrong, and not repairing the problem. At that time the warranty expired and the repair was never made. Now the air bag light is still on and the dealership will not take care of the issue with the sensor. When the airbag recall was performed, the air bag light still remained on, and the dealership indicated that the replacement of the airbag was not related to the air bag sensor. This is not acceptable when purchasing a brand new vehicle!
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. While driving 10 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, the passenger restraint system, fault in passenger restraint system, affecting air bag belt tensioner or belt force limiter was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and unknown repairs were performed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic for additional unknown repairs. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light continuously illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the front passenger air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger air bag needed to be replaced. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v428000 (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 notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the air bag indicator illuminated continuously. The failure occurred on a daily basis. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering wheel air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330xi. The contact stated that the front passenger side seat belt sensor and air bag warning indicator illuminated, which indicated that the front passenger side air bag system was faulty. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect, but no remedy was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags), although the vehicle experienced the same defect listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that were previously inspected, but not replaced under recall numbers 19V‑851, 19V852, or 19V‑853. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to explode or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
- Risk
- The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 21V401000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- 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 module
- 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
- 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 classification
- 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 module
- 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 classification
- 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 bags
- 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 330XI airbag light
Why does the airbag light come on in the BMW 330XI?
Owners who report it most often also describe seat belt won't latch or retract.
Which BMW 330XI years have airbag warning light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (26 complaints) and 2003 (2 complaints).
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