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2005 BMW X3 airbags problems

30 complaints (29% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 78,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
30
of this car's complaints
29%
typical mileage
78,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    7

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 X3 airbags problems in other years

20042010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 BMW X3 airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 24

Related recalls

Air bags: frontalReported August 5, 2008 · 200,000 vehicles affected
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 illuminationOpened January 4, 2008, closed December 31, 2008

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 illuminationOpened September 4, 2007, closed January 4, 2008

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 2005 BMW X3 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 9, 2019 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · CO

All other 2005 bmw x3 have a recall except for mine. I have had my airbag light come on twice. I have had my seat sensor on my passenger side replaced once. I feel like the recall should cover my vehicle.

Filed Jan 23, 2018 · Airbags, Brakes · 144,000 miles · PA

The car is having a triad of lights with no problem found. Keep getting 4x4, ABS, brake, and now my passenger seat airbag warning lights. And researching online I found that smiliar year models were recalled for the airbag sensor.

Filed May 2, 2017 · Airbags, Seats · 107,000 miles · PA

Passenger air says off when a passenger is in seat ## VIN passed ## bmw x3 2005 ##

Filed Jul 6, 2016 · Airbags · MD · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. While driving on loose gravel at approximately 50 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle rolled over and the driver's side window shattered. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the left hand, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unavailable.

Filed Mar 28, 2016 · Airbags · 149,000 miles · PA

According to your bulletin there are problems with the passenger airbag ( which I am having) but there is no recall by bmw. Airbag light goes on and off.

Filed Mar 21, 2016 · Airbags · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated for an extended period of time. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v384000 (air bags). The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available. Updated 05/20/16*lj updated 11/21/2017

Filed Jan 30, 2016 · Airbags · 107,000 miles · CA

My wife has a 2005 bmw x3 with an airbag warning indicator light illuminated on the dash. The problem/symptom is that there is a little red light in the instrument cluster that looks like an airbag is deployed along with a yellow light above your head that says "passenger airbag off". So in the event of an accident the passenger airbag would not deploy. There is a sensor under the passenger seat that is basically there so that if a person that does not weigh a certain amount, like a child for example, is sitting there the bag will not deploy because it has been known to cause problems for smaller individuals. However, since the sensor becomes defective, the system defaults to airbag off mode and therefore you never have an airbag regardless of who is in the passenger seat. The dealer told me they could do nothing for us because the VIN number did not match the recall, but bmwusa is the one that indicated that there is an extended warranty specifically for this problem with the airbag light and that it would be covered regardless of the VIN matching the recall. Riverside bmw has refused to help us with this matter but stated that if bmw of north america authorized the fix, they would repair the seat sensor mat. Can you please help us resolve this issue with bmw. Thank you, mark sullivan

Filed Oct 30, 2015 · Airbags · SC

The issue began with the passenger airbag warning light turning off and on randomly. The issue has escalated into the driver airbag light on permanently. The dealer and bmw of na claimed there were no service bulletins for 2005 bmw x3 e83s. I was actually able to find it, however they claim the VIN does not show up. Bmw of na and dealers refuse to repair under the sb. Bmw tsb b72 200 05 bmw tsb b72 207 04 bmw tsb si b65 19 08

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 30 miles · AL

Air bags started blinking last week and now it just stays on. Bmw website states my car is not cover in recent takata air bags recall. Also, yesterday when I was driving in rain car's windshield wipers started getting jerky, sticky and not working properly creating a dangerous driving. The cabin lights also started to go on & off during my drive home... When I reach home the radio stayed on when the car ignition was off and only turned off when I turn-off the radio. Check fuse and air bag wiring but so signs of loose wires and bad fuse. Cause of problems unknown. Problems remains unchanged today.

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Airbags · 85,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. The contact started the vehicle and the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Questions about the 2005 BMW X3 airbags

Does the 2005 BMW X3 have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 30 complaints about the airbags of the 2005 BMW X3, 29% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2005 BMW X3 airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 78,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 BMW X3 airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 08V384000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW X3 have bad airbags?

The BMW X3 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (76 complaints), 2007 (37 complaints) and 2004 (32 complaints).

Other 2005 BMW X3 problems

Seats 48Electrical 18Engine 8Body 7Transmission 4Seat belts 3Acceleration 2Brakes 2Driver assistance 2Fuel system 2Steering 2Visibility 2Lights 1Locks 1Suspension 1Tires 1

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