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2021 Bmw X5 Airbags Problems

5 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

5
Complaints
2
Crashes
Apr 2023Oct 2023
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (5)

criticalAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
Filed: Sep 2025

Your passenger restraint system isn't working correctly due to a faulty weight sensor in the seats, even though there's no obvious external damage. This malfunction can cause your airbags to stay on or off when they shouldn't, and it's also affecting your automatic seatbelt adjustment system. You'll see a warning message on your dashboard alerting you to this issue. BMW will need to diagnose and likely replace the faulty weight sensor and test the entire restraint system.

NHTSA #: 11688338
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Oct 2023

2021 X5 M50i: The driver's knee airbag deployed in a crash and lacerated my left lower leg down to the muscle and abraded most of the layers of skin on my right shin. I was taken to the ER by ambulance. The laceration could only be partially sutured together. There was no shrapnel in the wounds. I have to go to a wound care center to treat the mentioned injuries. Everything else on me was fine, just some bruises and sore muscles; my car saved my life. I was not at fault. All airbags, except the vacant front passenger, were deployed. I was the only occupant of the vehicle. The airbags have not been inspected by the dealer or anyone else as it was a total loss and taken away to a salvage lot to be sold at auction. The insurance company went by the photos that I sent in. I have a lot of photos. There are knee airbag recalls on other model years of this vehicle but none on mine, the subject VIN. It has had no recalls since I owned it and I bought it new in Sept 2020. There were no warning indicators of any potential problems prior to the crash. I suspect the edges may be sharp or it didn't deploy properly. I hope these airbags can be checked to see if they are defective as they can really hurt someone. (There is a lot of insurance claim communications that I haven't attached but I will if requested)

NHTSA #: 11551979
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2023

Vehicle is designed where ACSM control unit of the airbags is located directly under the cup holder where moisture and any small leak can short it out. This has happened many times and as BMW will acknowledge the problem, they will not do any repairs under warranty to correct the issue. There is a class action lawsuit pending.

NHTSA #: 11519913
mediumAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
CrashFiled: Apr 2023

In a parking garage I found a open space and slowly moving towards that to park, car was approaching space at about 10 ft from that, all of a sudden car accelerated and lurched forward and hit the parking structure wall. Airbags deployed for all three of us, one of my colleagues was in passenger seat, another in the back seat. There was no warning on no time to react, this happens in seconds.

NHTSA #: 11517231
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Aug 2021

SRS (airbag system) unit that is located underneath center console cupholder can be damaged by a small amount of liquid. Once SRS is damaged, a restraint system failure notification is alerted and the vehicle becomes immobile. Similar recall was issued in the past : Recall Number 96V107000 Manufacturer stated that neither the cupholder nor SRS unit is not watersealed. As the SRS unit seats directly underneath the non-watersealed cupholder it is not surprising to say that this may cause liquid damage while vehicle is in motion. Incident : Vehicle was purchased June 2021, a week later a restraint system failure notification was displayed. Towed the vehicle back to the deaelarship and found out that the SRS unit was damaged due to liquid. Dealer explains that liquid may leak through the cupholder and disable SRS unit. SRS unit was replaced with new, but no other prevention was made.

NHTSA #: 11429666

Other 2021 Bmw X5 Issues