2009 Bmw X3 Airbags Problems
31 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Airbags Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Fix: 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.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. 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.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. A second notification letter will be sent when parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Owner Complaints (31)
Your front passenger airbag occupancy sensor has failed, which means the airbag system may not deploy properly in a crash. Even though BMW recalled and fixed this in 2018, the problem has returned. Your dashboard warning light is on, and diagnostic codes confirm the sensor failure, putting front passenger safety at serious risk.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
You received a safety recall notice in October 2017 for your air bags and seats, but BMW has not yet provided a fix or solution more than 6 months later. This extended delay to address a safety-related recall is unreasonable. The resolution will require BMW to provide the recalled parts and install them at an authorized dealership.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
You received a recall notice for your 2009 BMW X3 regarding airbags (NHTSA Campaign 17V605000), but BMW of Tucson confirmed that replacement parts are not currently available to complete the repair. While you haven't experienced an airbag failure yet, the dealer has been unable to fix the issue due to parts shortages. The repair will require the airbag system components to be replaced once they become available.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
You received a recall notice (NHTSA Campaign 17V605000) for your 2009 BMW X3's airbags, but the dealer confirmed that replacement parts are not currently available to complete the repair. Your airbags are currently functioning normally, but you'll need to wait until parts become available before the recall work can be performed.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
HELLO, MY 2009 BMW E92 328I IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TO NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT WITH THE SAME DESIGN AND PARTS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. (HTTPS://BRANDILAW.COM/2013/12/26/BMW-RECALLS-76565-VEHICLES-DUE-TO-A-FRONT-PASSENGER-SEAT-ELECTRONIC-SENSING-MAT-FAILURE/) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE CARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE RECALL DATE. I AM TRYING MY BEST TO DO DUE DILIGENCE AND INFORM THE NTSB TO REVIEW THIS INCIDENT WITHIN OTHER BMW MODELS AND TO HOPEFULLY REMEDY ANY AFFECTED CARS. THE DESIGN OF THE SENSOR IS VERY POORLY CONSTRUCTED AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, LEAVING MANY OWNERS TO SIMPLY FOREGO MAKING THE NECESSARY FIXES. IN FACT, SEVERAL MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT CUSTOMERS TYPICALLY AVOID MAKING THE FIX DUE TO HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS, RUNNING THE RISK OF THEIR PASSENGER NOT BEING PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. I HOPE THE NTSB CAN LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT [XXX] FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V605000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. BMW OF ROCKVILLE (1300 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852, (301) 476-0126) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DISABLES PASSENGER AIRBAG CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANCY. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT EXPERIENCED BY PREVIOUS MODELS. COST OF REPAIR IS EXCESSIVE..
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (PARK AVE BMW, 530 HUYLER ST, SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606, (201) 843-4999) DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (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. RICK HILL IMPORTS OF KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. INITIALLY, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN 7-10 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF AUGUST 4, 2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL IN 2016 AND BMW STILL HAS NOT CONTACTED ME TO SERVICE THE RECALL
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE TWO VEHICLES IN RECALL. IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS SINCE DISCOVERED. BMW HAS DONE NOTHING. CALLS TO DEALER SAY "NO PARTS"' SO MY WIFE AND I MUST DRIVE THESE VEHICLES THAT MAY BE DANGEROUS WITH NO IDEA WHEN THE CONDITION WILL BE CORRECTED. OTHER COMPANIES MADE QUICK UPDATES. WHY NOT BMW?
TAKATA RECALL -- I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION MARCH, 2016, AND HAVE YET TO HAVE MY AIR BAG REPLACED. WHEN WILL THIS BE RESOLVED?
2009 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER AIRBAG MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *LD UPDATED 07/13/2017*JS
TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE VIA MAIL 07-03-2017 THAT NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL WERE AVAILABLE BUT BMW DEALERSHIP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WHEN I CALLED TO MAKE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE BMW REP TOLD ME TO CALL BACK IN A FEW WEEKS - PARTS MIGHT BE AVAILABLE. I'M CONFUSED AS TO WHY I WOULD RECEIVE THIS NOTICE IF PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
THE AIR BAG HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR OVER A YEAR AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE MATTER. WHEN THE RECALL FIRST HAPPENED I WAS VERY PREGNANT AND I CALLED BMW TELLING THEM I WAS CONCERNED. THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED BY 9/16 AND I AM STILL WAITING AND MY BABY WILL TURN 1 ON JULY 1,2017. WHEN WILL MY AIR BAGS BE FIXED? THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS MATTER.
BMW SENT LETTER 3/2016 ABOUT RECALL AND CONTINUE TO TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR MY CARS RECALL.I HAVE CHECK SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE LAST YEAR LOCALLY AND THEN ANOTHER NEARBY DEALERSHIP CLOSE BY IN ANOTHER TOWN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD PLACE ME ON A CALL LIST AND THAT HAS BEEN 7 MTHS AGO. I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WAITING FOR ME TO GET RID OF THE CAR, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM AT RISK IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. WHAT DO I DO? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ADVICE
TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN OVER 1Y. SINCE OFFICIALLY NOTIFIED OF RECALL. DEALER HAS NOT CONTACTED ME ON REPAIR.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW X3 SAV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL. I LIVE IN A HIGH HUMIDITY AREA 5 MILES FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO IN NORTH WEST FLORIDA. BECAUSE OF THE HIGH HUMIDITY I FEEL I AM AT HIGH RISK OF A TAKATA AIRBAG RUPTURE. IN MARCH OF 2016 I RECEIVED MY INITIAL LETTER FROM BMW USA INFORMING ME OF THE POTENTIAL DANGEROUS TAKATA AIRBAG MODULE IN MY 2009 BMW 328I. I AM REQUESTING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG MODULE IN MY CAR.
RECALL ON FEBRUARY 5, 2016, BMW HAS FAILED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG IN ALMOST NINE MONTHS! WHAT GOOD IS A POSSIBLE DEATH RECALL IF THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT REPLACE THE AIRBAG?
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- COPY OF A LETTER TO PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LUDWIG WEILLISCH REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAFETY PARTS NEEDED FOR THE AIRBAGS ON HIS VEHICLES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS FAMILY OWN THREE BMW'S THAT ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. *JB
SPOKE TO BMW TODAY THEY ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT THE PARTS NOT COMING IN UNTIL 2017. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MONTH SO I COULD STILL BE OVER A YEAR AWAY FROM RESOLVING THIS. I CANT EVEN SELL THE CAR OR TRADE IT IN BECAUSE THEY CANT RESALE IT WITHOUT CORRECTING THE RECALL. ACURA WAS PAYING FOR A LOANER CAR UNTIL THE RECALL WAS CORRECTED I GUESS BMW FEELS ITS OWNERS ARE MORE EXPENDABLE??
TAKATA RECALL: MY LOCAL DEALER STILL SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO SERVICE MY CAR. I WAS NOTIFIED LAST WINTER THAT MY CAR WAS UNSAFE, AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE THE AIRBAG FIXED. I CHECKED THE RECALL SITE AND IT SAYS INTERIM PARTS ARE AVAILABLE BUT THE DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL THEM! WHEN WILL THIS BE COMPLETE. AM I DRIVING A TIME BOMB?
2009 BMW X3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER FRONT AIR BAG MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 2-3 YEARS. *JB
TAKATA RECALL BMW NOT OFFERING LOANER PROGRAM AND ALSO NO DATE AVAILABLE FOR DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG PARTS EVEN THOUGH ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE WAS MARCH 2016.
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. HOWEVER, FIVE MONTHS LATER BMW HAS NOT REPLACED THE AIR BAG. THIS IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY PASSENGERS. WHAT IS NHTSA DOING ABOUT THIS?
TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW, CALL THE LOCAL DEALER, HAVE BEEN PLACED ON A WAITING LIST BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. I AM CONCERN THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATES THERE IS A RISK OF DEATH BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPEN WITH OTHER VEHICLES EFFECT BY THIS RECALL.
THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V-384 FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE ACTIVE RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH IS EXTENDED FOR 10 YEARS ONLY COVERS MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 OF THE BMW X3 DESPITE THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE VEHICLE BEING PRODUCED FROM 2003 - 2010 AND VEHICLES FROM ALL OTHER YEARS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. FOR INSTANCE MY OWN VEHICLE IS MODEL YEAR 2009 AND EXHIBITS ALL SYMPTOMS OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE HOWEVER I HAVE NO MATTER OF RECOURSE AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PETITION THE DEALERSHIP OR BMW NORTH AMERICA LLC TO REMEDY THE ISSUE AS THEY HAVE REFUSED CITING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN MAKES THEM LIABLE ONLY FOR THOSE SPECIFIC MODEL YEARS WHICH IS RIDICULOUS SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT RECEIVING AS MUCH ATTENTION DUE TO THE MASSIVE TAKATA RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO PETITION THE NHTSA TO HAVE BMW EXPAND THE AIRBAG RECALL CAMPAIGN TO COVER ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS OF THE SAME PRODUCTION GENERATION OF THE X3.
I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE ONE DAY AND A MESSAGE SAYING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. CONTINUE TO WEAR SEATBELT. BRING TO LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP." THE DAY BEFORE NOTHING HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DALLAS TO HOUSTON. OCCASIONALLY AS I DRIVE WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING GOES AWAY BUT THEN THE CHIME GOES OFF AND THE MESSAGE REAPPEARS. THIS HAPPEN ALL IN JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST. NOW EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE WARNING COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE SEATBELT AS WELL SEEMS TO HAVE NO RESTRAINT AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF I WAS EVER IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SEATBELT WON'T HOLD THE PASSENGER BACK.
THE CAR WAS STORED OUTSIDE IN EXTREME HEAT DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL - 90+ DEGREES FOR OVER 3 WEEKS. (IN FLORIDA) AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSOR ON PASSENGER SIDE, INCORRECTLY ALERTING, WHEN SOMEONE OR NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT. NOW THE SENSOR IS ON ALL THE TIME. ALSO THE FAN WHICH COOLS THE ENGINE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND ON EVERY MORNING WHEN CAR WAS STARTED.
NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN OUR CAR ACCIDENT. WE WERE AT A STAND STILL, OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY AND ANOTHER CAR HIT US IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PANEL NEAR THE TIRE, AT HIGH IMPACT. *TR