Front passenger seat occupancy detection mat had to be replaced as it was defective. Though not in previous recalls in similar bmws and similar years, the error presented a safety issue that would disable the front passenger air bags and increase the risk of injury during a crash. With this error, I was forced to repair the seat mat and expended $1.5k to remedy this safety issue. This seat mat issue is a known bmw problem that bmw and the federal safety agency have not addressed. Vin: [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2006 BMW 5 Series airbags problems
36 complaints (42% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 36
- of this car's complaints
- 42%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal13
- Frontal: sensor/control module3
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 2006 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
Bmw airbag light illumination
In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series and x3, the my 2004 through 2006z-4 series and my 2006 3-series, 6-series and x5 vehicles.an improved seat mat sensor was introduced in december 2005 for the mid-my 2006 production.in response to odi's information request letter, bmw provided 1,172 owner reports and 28,238 warranty claims.initial review of the data indicate that 280 non-duplicating owner reports and 13,051 non-duplicating warranty claims may be related the subject defect issue on the subject vehiclesthis preliminary evaluation is being upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea08-001).
PE07045
What 2006 BMW 5 Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The passenger seat airbag malfunctioned casing the seat to have to be removed and sensor replaced. There was a recall on this but my car, and 2 of my friends cars were not included on the recall, my friends were charged by the dealership. My engine leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold causing smoke in the cab and potential fire hazard. On every bm I have ever owned the radiator leaks fluid which is environmentally hazardous and should have been recalled.
My passenger air bag warning light came on about a month ago for apparent reason and stay on ever since. I contacted the local bmw dealer and was told my VIN was not on the recall list. I was very disappointed and dont understand why some cars were on the recall and some were not. Apparently this is a common problem with all bmws and a very serious safety issue. This safety issue should be taken care of by the manufacture.
My car is not on the airbag recall list but I have had this error for awhile now & it appears to be related to the airbag issue (not sure if my car has a tekata.) the message comes up on the screen- pass. Restraint system- fault in passenger-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt force limiter. Continue to wear the safety belt. I also have a picture of the error.
I bought the car it had an oil leak, radiator leak, developed an air bag malfunction, the engine stopped running, tar is accumulating on top of the sunroof every time I open it, the heater fan makes noise, the transmission makes noise after four attempts it is still leaking oil. All of my friends who own bmw's have also had air bag malfunctions. None were part of the recall, all paid $1,300.00 to have it fixed. Bmw should have recalled all of them. The purpose of recalling some is to avoid a total recall. They are building their cars with inferior parts so that they do not last for more than 60,0000 before major problems occur. One of my friends has spent over $10,000 on repairs to his 2004 x3.
I bought a used bmw from long island auto find. Before picking it up I told nick certain things needed to be done there was a drafty sound coming from the moon roof the center rims were corroded, bolts were missing from the valve cover. I was called three days in a row by nick who claimed everything was done and the car was ready to be picked up. When I got the re not only was the battery dead, nothing on my list was done! I have since had the car 5 month and I has been in the shop 5 weeks so far. Passenger side air bag malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. There was an oil leak that caused my eyes to water and leaves a funny taste in my mouth. This took three different attempts to fix. The car moves from side to side at 65 MPH. The car just died while taking my wife to work. I brought it to the shop it did it on the mechanic but he could not determine the cause. He said it was safe to take to florida which is the reason I bought it. It stalled in florida while entering an intersection then again in delaware at 3:30 in the morning and 13 degrees! And again on the bqe as three lanes of traffic merged into one.I have 2 friends with the same car they were charged $1300 to fix the "air bag malfunction"everyone should be reimbursed. I am told the gaskets become brittle and leak. All of these issue's should be part of a recall.
One day while driving, my car had an alert come on the I drive saying the passenger restraint system was malfunctioning. It stayed on a few months and then went away for a few months. Now the problem is occurring again.
I own bmw 530xi ,I have problem with the passenger air bag , light still on all time . I checked in the web side bmw have recall for this issue ,but I contact bmw ask me for the VIN # ,I giving all number, but later they said to me my car not qualify for this issue I don't know why my car not qualify for this issue, I do not paid $ 1000, for this.... Let's bmw do this... Thanks...
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw m5. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v384000. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
My bmw 525i just received a passenger restraint failure error. I saw online where there is an active recall for this matter. Yet, when I contacted the dealer and bmw USA, I was told the vehicle wasn't covered based on the VIN number.this is not acceptable! My family is at stake here! The lives of myself and anyone I carry as a passenger risk harm. I ask that this be reviewed for it is a known flaw with this vehicle. Please contact me at [xxx] or phone at [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Questions about the 2006 BMW 5 Series airbags
Does the 2006 BMW 5 Series have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the airbags of the 2006 BMW 5 Series, 42% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 5 Series airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 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 2006 BMW 5 Series problems
Electrical 19Engine 8Transmission 8Brakes 7Lights 7Visibility 7Tires 4Wheels 4Body 3Driver assistance 3Locks 3Seats 3Suspension 3Acceleration 2Steering 2Seat belts 1
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