Illustration"TAKATA RECALL" AIR BAG LIGHT ONLY COMES OFF WHEN ENGINE IS OFF. OTHERWISE IT STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION ON STREET OR HIGHWAY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME OF A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL.
2006 BMW X3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 BMW X3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all X3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
1525–50K
3550–75K
2975–100K
22100–150K
6150K+
110 reports with mileage · 33 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports16 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
143 reportsAS I DROVE HOME FROM A LONG FLIGHT HOME AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A FROZEN CRANK CASE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED OIL TO SPRAY OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW OUT THE FIRE. TEMPERATURES…
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AS I DROVE HOME FROM A LONG FLIGHT HOME AFTER THE HOLIDAYS, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO A FROZEN CRANK CASE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED OIL TO SPRAY OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I PULLED OVER WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW OUT THE FIRE. TEMPERATURES WERE 5 DEGREES F THAT NIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A "MORE ROBUST CRANK CASE VENTILATION SYSTEM" THAT THEY WOULD INSTALL AT MY COST. AFTER THE WEEK LONG REPAIR, THE DEALER BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE FRONT AND TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS. I DROVE ABOUT 5 MILES BEFORE NOTING A PINCHING/PAINFUL SENSATION ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. I PULLED OVER TO FIND A BURN MARK ON THE LEATHER SEAT AND A BURN ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. IT APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE SEAT HEATER.
DRIVER SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE THIS MORNING DEALERSHIP SAID NO RECALL YET MILLION MSG BOARDS CLEARLY SHOW FAULTY ISSUE I HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER 30 SEPARATE CASES ALREADY SINCE 2009! SMOKE FILLED CAR BURN SMELL BURNED HOLE RIGHT THRU SEAT HAPPENED IN MINUTES SAFETY ISSUE 100% BMWGALLERYNORWOOD SAID NOT COVERED TO FIX?!?! HAVE O…
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DRIVER SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE THIS MORNING DEALERSHIP SAID NO RECALL YET MILLION MSG BOARDS CLEARLY SHOW FAULTY ISSUE I HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER 30 SEPARATE CASES ALREADY SINCE 2009! SMOKE FILLED CAR BURN SMELL BURNED HOLE RIGHT THRU SEAT HAPPENED IN MINUTES SAFETY ISSUE 100% BMWGALLERYNORWOOD SAID NOT COVERED TO FIX?!?! HAVE ON VIDEO&PICS GLAD MY 16 YEAR OLD SON WAS ONLY IN DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED HIS SWEATSHIRT RUINED WITH BURN MARKS IMAGINE IF HE WAS ON MAIN RD!!
HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED WHEN TURNED ON THE SEAT GOT SO HOT IT BURNED THE BACK OF MY THIGH, STRONG SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING. TURNED IT OFF RIGHT AWAY. I HAD JUST TURNED TH CAR ON IT HAPPENED WITHIN SECONDS OF TURNING THE HEATED SEAT BUTTON ON.
DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ELEMENT OVERHEATING. TURNED ON SEAT DEC 2015, GOT TOO HOT. USED DIAPER TO INSULATE LEG. SEAT HEATER MELTED DIAPER TO LEATHER. I HAVE NOT USED IT SINCE. AN INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER CARS OF THIS MODEL.
HAD BEEN ONGOING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS THE HEATED SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. YOU WOULD TURN IT ON AND THE DRIVER SEAT IN THE LEFT SIDE WOULD START TO HEAT UP BEGINNING FROM THE BUTT AREA ENDING BY THE KNEE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS STARTING TO STING AND MAKING IT REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT. JUST RECENTLY THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY…
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HAD BEEN ONGOING FOR A COUPLE MONTHS THE HEATED SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. YOU WOULD TURN IT ON AND THE DRIVER SEAT IN THE LEFT SIDE WOULD START TO HEAT UP BEGINNING FROM THE BUTT AREA ENDING BY THE KNEE TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS STARTING TO STING AND MAKING IT REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO SIT. JUST RECENTLY THE SEAT HEATER GOT REALLY HOT TO THE POINT IT BURNED THE LEATHER AND BURNED MY WIFES BUTT. GO TO INSPECT IT WHILE IT WAS ON AND WHILE PUSHING DOWN SLIGHTLY WHERE THE BURNT HOLE WAS, SPARKS BEGAN COMING OUT
ON 8/4/2016 AROUND 7:20AM. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND WAS A COMPLETE STOP. SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE CAR EXCELERATED THROWING ME BACK INTO MY SEAT. I KEPT PUSHING THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE CAR WENT AIRBORNE AND EXCELERATED A SECOND TIME. I HIT A FIRE HYDRANT AND LAN…
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ON 8/4/2016 AROUND 7:20AM. I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND WAS A COMPLETE STOP. SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE CAR EXCELERATED THROWING ME BACK INTO MY SEAT. I KEPT PUSHING THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE CAR WENT AIRBORNE AND EXCELERATED A SECOND TIME. I HIT A FIRE HYDRANT AND LANDED IN THE STREET. I WAS THEN ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. THE DISTANCE FROM THE PARKING STOP TO THE ROAD WAS ABOUT 20 FEET. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER. BMW HAD MY CAR FOR 8 WEEKS. THEY HAD 2 DIFFERENT TECHS COME IN TO LOOK AT THE CAR. THE OUT COME WAS THAT THE BRAKES ARE FINE AND IT DID NOT HAVE ANY CODES. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD THEM THAT I DIDN'T WANT THE CAR BACK. SINCE THEY DIDN'T SEE AN ISSUE I TOLD THEM I WOULD TRADE IT IN AND THEY COULD BE LIABLE FOR SOMEONE ELSE GETTING HURT. FUNNY HOW ALL OF THE SUDDEN THEY TOTALED OUT THE CAR. I ENDED UP GETTING A CONCUSSION AND WHIPLASH AND WILL BE DOCTORING FOR A WHILE. THE PERSON AT BMW THAT WAS TAKING CARE OF THIS IS MICHAEL AND HIS PHONE NUMBER IS 201-571-5820. WE WERE TOLD BY AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE PERSON THAT GOING AFTER BMW TO GET THE REPORTS FROM THE TECHS WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT. WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE REPORTS SAY. I FEEL LIKE WE WERE GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. I WANT BMW TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH SUDDEN EXCELERATION. I AM VERY ANGRY ON HOW I WAS TREATED. THEY GAVE US NO INFORMATION AND WE WERE WITHOUT A CAR FOR 7 WEEKS. THE LAST WEEK THEY FINALLY GAVE US A RENTAL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FOR ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW X3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS) THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ
IN 2008 BMW RECALLED 200,000 VEHICLES BECAUSE OF FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSORS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000) INCLUDING MY VEHICLE, 2006 BMW X3. BMW CLAIMED THAT THE FAULTY PART WOULD BE RECTIFIED BY THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, THE EXACT SAME FAULTY SENSOR HAS AGAIN FAILED IN MY 2006 BMW X3 AND I HAVE A ?AIR BAG WARNING? LI…
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IN 2008 BMW RECALLED 200,000 VEHICLES BECAUSE OF FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSORS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000) INCLUDING MY VEHICLE, 2006 BMW X3. BMW CLAIMED THAT THE FAULTY PART WOULD BE RECTIFIED BY THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, THE EXACT SAME FAULTY SENSOR HAS AGAIN FAILED IN MY 2006 BMW X3 AND I HAVE A ?AIR BAG WARNING? LIGHT ON MY DASH AND THE ?PASSENGER AIR-BAG-OFF? ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THE FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR REQUIRES REPLACEMENT AT $1800 BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER REPLACE UNDER THE RECALL. WHY SHOULD I PAY $1800 FOR AN ITEM THAT HAS FAILED AGAIN FROM AN EARLIER RECALL ISSUE? SHOULD NOT BMW TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPLACE IT AGAIN? *JS
MY SON WAS DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC (CITY STREET) BARELY GOING 5 MILES PER HOUR. HE STEPS ON THE BRAKES AND HIS AIRBAGS DEPLOY. NO COLLISION WAS MADE BETWEEN HIS CAR AND THE CAR IN FRONT HIM. ALL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT PASSENGER SIDE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AT 10MPH OR GREATER AND A COLLISION. NO…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC (CITY STREET) BARELY GOING 5 MILES PER HOUR. HE STEPS ON THE BRAKES AND HIS AIRBAGS DEPLOY. NO COLLISION WAS MADE BETWEEN HIS CAR AND THE CAR IN FRONT HIM. ALL THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT PASSENGER SIDE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AT 10MPH OR GREATER AND A COLLISION. NO COLLISION GOING AROUND 5MPH. HARD TO JUSTIFY. MY SON WAS VERY SHAKEN BY THIS INCIDENT WHERE IS ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, I PLACED A CALL TO BMW NORTH AMERICA. THEY ARE SENDING A INVESTIGATOR OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. SINCE THER WAS NO COLLISION INSURANCE ISN'T GOING TO COVER ANY REPAIRS AND BMW NA ISN'T ACTING AS IF THEY WILL DO ANYTHING. I HAVE READ SEVERAL BLOGS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT RECALLS ON THE BMW AIRBAGS FROM ALL MAKES AND MODELS. THE CAR 135,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN A GREAT FIRST CAR FOR MY SON. THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND I'M HOPING, PRAYING THEY CAN OR WILL FIX IT.
Official recalls
217V605000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Sep 28, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 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.
08V384000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 5, 2008
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination
Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
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.
Air Bags:frontal
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.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
PE07045 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination
Opened Sep 4, 2007 · Closed Jan 4, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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).
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
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).
Air Bags:frontal
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).
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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).