Passenger side seat belt and airbag light stays on.
2004 BMW 5 Series airbags problems
29 complaints (45% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 81,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 29
- of this car's complaints
- 45%
- typical mileage
- 81,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal6
- Sensor: occupant classification1
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 5 Series airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 BMW 5 Series airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 x3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated.
- Risk
- In this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible.
- Remedy
- Dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall began on november 6, 2008. Bmw will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 08V384000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Bmw airbag light illumination
Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v‑384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.
EA08001
What 2004 BMW 5 Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Passenger seat/airbag warning malfunction. This warning has been on since I purchased vehicle. It is obviously the common seat mat sensor failure. And it would appear that either my VIN isn't on the previous recall or it has expired for my year and model. But my wife sits in that seat and if we have an accident and her airbags do not deploy whose fault will that be?
While traveling and slowing down to make a turn into a business, the car beside me (left of me) makes a quick fast u turn and ends up hitting my car. Airbags deployed, hitting me into my face/head very hard. I have been in treatment since. I have had to have major surgery on my neck, still have problems and may need more surgery. My neck will not be the same and always in pain. I have loud ringing in my ears that is permanent. I have headaches with sinus problems. I believe I would have been fine with my seat belt on. I feel like the airbags should have not deployed under these conditions. I now suffer from depression, can't work doing what I have done for over 20 years now and anything else very long with out being in pain in my neck. I am very upset over this.
Bmw recalled 2004 bmw 525i and others for the seat mat sensor. I had called them (2012-13) and they told me that my vehicle (based on VIN) wasn't part of the recall. I informed them that my vehicle's mat sensor was also defective and should be replaced by them. They, bmw USA told me that mine was not defective. I still cant understand if the rest are defective, how come mine is considered not defective when its inoperative and same problem as thousands of other 2004 525i.
Deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.
The following message came on the screen of the idrive of the car when my 76 year old mother was placed in the passenger seat after returning to the parking lot after her doctor visit: "passenger restraint system malfunction". It has been on since.
In march passenger side seat belt air bag light turn on for no reason. I have searched on the internet and come to know that there was a recall on this issue from bmw for 2004 525i series. I call local dealership bmw of plano texas and provide them my VIN number and other information and they said it is not covered. Even though it is noted on the federal safety agency site that 100k or 10 yrs this recall is covered. Not sure what can I do as this is real serious issue where air bag will not be enabled even if a passenger sit in the seat
I own a 2004 bmw 530i. As I was pulling out of my drive-way, the passenger restraint malfunction light appeared and has not gone off. I took it to the dealer, before I became aware of the recall, and he told me it was because I placed my purse in the passenger seat. After searching his database, he told me it was not under warranty and therefore, I would have to pay the total cost to repair it. I would believe this if my vehicle wasn't a 2004 and I have been placing my purse in the passenger seat since I first purchased it brand new in 2004!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 5 series. The contact stated that the air bag and passenger restraint lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger seat occupant detection map needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v384000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 79,000.
My front passenger seat occupant detection mat has cracks in it and does not function properly. My front airbag may not deploy in case of an accident. There has been a recall for that part for my make model and year but bmw north america claims that my VIN number is not on the list even thought my make model and year is a part of the recall. There are also several other recalls for this particular car and again my VIN is not on the list but I have the issues listed in the recall.
Questions about the 2004 BMW 5 Series airbags
Does the 2004 BMW 5 Series have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 29 complaints about the airbags of the 2004 BMW 5 Series, 45% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2004 BMW 5 Series airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 81,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 BMW 5 Series airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 08V384000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 5 Series have bad airbags?
The BMW 5 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (36 complaints), 2004 (29 complaints) and 2005 (10 complaints).
Other 2004 BMW 5 Series problems
Seats 11Electrical 9Seat belts 7Lights 6Transmission 6Steering 5Brakes 3Tires 3Engine 2Body 1Driver assistance 1Locks 1Visibility 1
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