The contact owns a 2006 BMW 550I. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V428000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 184,000.
2006 BMW 550I airbags problems
13 complaints (57% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 57%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Frontal2
- Frontal: sensor/control module1
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 550I airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 BMW 550I airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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: 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
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 2006 BMW 550I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 550i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to bmw of las vegas (6900 w sahara ave, nv 89117, (702) 570-0279), but the part was not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Front passenger air bag light warming on I-drive and air bad light lit on dash. Passenger restraint failure. Fault in passenger restraint system affecting air bag,belt tensioner or belt-force limiter.fasten and continue to wear belts. On 24-7. From the moment you start the car till the moment you shut it off.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 bmw 550i. While driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting avoid crashing into an animal, the vehicle was maneuvered to the right and crashed into a tree. The front driver side air bag deployed. As a result, the contact sustained burns to the right wrist, forehead, and the left side of the neck which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate the failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 550i. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH attempting to avoid crashing into an animal, the contact swerved to the right and crashed into a tree. The air bag deployed but the contact sustained burns on the neck and right wrist from the air bag chemicals. The contact also required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Passenger restraint system belt tensioner or belt force limiter fault. Airbag light on.
Steering malfunction issue and restraint system malfunction message. I'm aware that bmw had recalls on these issues that I am having however I called bmw USA and my VIN number they say wasn't involved in the recall. However I'm having the same issue.
Air bag light came on and won't go out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 550i. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag failed and the warning light was illuminated continuously. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number 13v564000(air bags) however, the dealer indicated that the parts were not available. The contact stated that the recall repair was not taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
There is a recall involving the front passenger seat sensor mat, which cause the airbag not to work in some models. The federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 however, since my vehicle's prod. Date was 01/2006 it is not covered. There is many vehicles up to 2007 I've heard, with the same issue. It would be fair to revisit the recall and do the needed changes in order to cover these vehicles. It is not safe to drive around with a front airbag not working. And unfair that because of three months difference in the production dates, someone has to pay anywhere around $1800 out of pocket for the same issue that other owners are getting fixed free of charge.
Questions about the 2006 BMW 550I airbags
Does the 2006 BMW 550I have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the airbags of the 2006 BMW 550I, 57% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2006 BMW 550I airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 BMW 550I airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 17V428000, 13V564000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2006 BMW 550I problems
Electrical 3Engine 3Brakes 2Steering 2Wheels 2Fuel system 1Lights 1Suspension 1Tires 1
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