Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

7 reports

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101,000 miles · Mar 19, 2017

EnginePower TrainService Brakes

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VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DSC AND AWD AND 4X4 MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE ERROR OCCURS WITH GAS PEDAL DEPRESSED, CAR WILL HESITATE BY GOING INTO NEUTRAL AND JUMPING BACK INTO DRIVE ACCOMPANIED BY ENGINE REVVING UP TO ABOVE 3000 RPM. WHEN THE ERROR OCCURS AND THE GAS IS NOT DEPRESSED, CAR WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL AND COAST, UNTIL I ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE CAR IS TRAVELING LESS THAN 5 MPH AND THE ERROR OCCURS, THEN THE CAR JERKS TO A HALT AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SWITCHED INTO PARK AUTOMATICALLY. THIS TYPICALLY HAPPENED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. HAD DEALER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, PRESUMED IT WAS DUE TO STEERING ANGLE SENSOR NEEDING TO BE REINITIALIZED, BUT THE ERROR STILL OCCURRED. OFTEN TIMES, WHEN I START MY CAR AND THE ERROR OCCURS PRIOR TO BE EVEN SELECTING A GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10967064

133,562 miles · Nov 9, 2014

Power Train

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IT WAS 9:57A.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH 2014, STARTED DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN WOULD SLIGHTLY JERK WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING 15-25% OF LOAD, (I BOUGHT A VEHICLE TWO MONTHS AGO, AND FROM THE FIRST DAY - ON COLD - IT WOULD MAKE THE SAME SYMPTOM FOR COUPLE OF FIRST 500-700 YARDS, AFTER COUPLE OF STOPS AND GOES, VEHICLE HEATS UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY.) AT 10:20A.M, SAME SATURDAY, I MADE A FULL STOP ON A STOP SIGN TURNING RIGHT TO A MAIN STREET. AS MOST OF THE TRAFFIC WAS DRIVING ON THE MAIN STREET, I WAITED FOR THE FAST PAS PACED TRAFFIC TO PASS BY, I TRIED TO ENTER THE MAIN STREET BY ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE. SO I APPLIED APPROX. 20-25% LOAD, IT WAS 5MPH WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO ALIGN STEERING WHEEL TO ZERO DEGREES CENTER, I HEARD AND FELT REAR SUSPENSION FREEZING UP, CLICKING AND CHATTERING WITH LOUD GRINDING SOUND (SOUNDED LIKE THE AXLE FELL OUT) ENGINE RPM WOULD INCREASE TO 3,000RPM BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, AND SOMETHING IN THE REAR WAS STILL GRINDING WHEN TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE CURB, BLOCKING RIGHT LANE. VEHICLE HAD NO TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS OR ERROR MESSAGES ON CLUSTER. I DID TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY BMW TECHNICIAN, AND HE TOLD ME THAT I NEED REAR DIFFERENTIAL, REASON INTERNAL FAILURE, I TOLD TECHNICIAN TO MAKE NOTES OF ANYTHING UNUSUAL WHILE TAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS RIGHT AT ITS LEVEL AND NO LEAKS OR EVEN SEEPAGE WAS NOT NOTICEABLE (I OWNED MANY BMWS WELL OVER 200K MILES ON THE CLUSTER, AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH REAR DIFFERENTIALS.) LINK TO ONE OF THE YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT E70 X5 REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURES HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=AF_7IANXMSI IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653661

23,000 miles · Feb 11, 2012

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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THE TRANSMISSION MECHATRONIC SEALING SLEEVE LEAKED FLUID AND LEFT PUDDLE OF OIL/FLUID ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS SHOWED ENGINE OIL LEAK AND EVENTUALLY CONCLUDED IT WAS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK RECENTLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE LEAKED THE FLUID DURING A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THAT WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT LEAKED ALREADY. THE TRANSMISSION IS A SEALED UNIT AND OWNER HAS NO WAY TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL VIA A DIPSTICK OR ANY MEAN. THE AUTOMATIC SENSOR SYSTEM ONLY CHECKS ENGINE OIL, BRAKE FLUID, POWER STEERING FLUID, ETC BUT NOT REPORTS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SO, THERE IS NO WAY ANY BMW OWNER WOULD KNOW IF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LOW OR TOTALLY EMPTY. THIS WOULD POST SAFETY ISSUE IF A VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN IN A MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN. FURTHERMORE, BMW HAS PUBLISHED A TECHNICAL SERVICE INFORMATION "SI B 24 08 06" DATED MARCH 2010 FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. BMW DID NOT NOTIFY OWNER TO CHECK THE VEHICLE FOR SIGN OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK, NOR ASKED DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE DURING SERVICE VISITS. AS A MATTER OF FACT, MY 2007 X5 HAS NEVER BEEN INSPECTED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT CLEARLY HAD THIS PROBLEM! CONSIDERING IT IS A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE, THIS PROBLEM SHOULD NOT EXIST NORMALLY. THUS, THE WORKMANSHIP OR MATERIAL BMW USED IN THE (TRANSMISSION) ASSEMBLY FACTORY HAS POOR QUALITY AND CAUSES THIS SAFETY CONCERN. THERE WAS A SAYING IF A VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TOO MUCH, OR A VEHICLE WAS SITTING THERE OR NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, IT WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM. SUCH A SAYING SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR OF DESIGN OR QUALITY CONTROL OF BMW (OR ANY) VEHICLE AND I URGE BMW RECALLS ALL VEHICLE TO CHECK FOR TRANSMISSION LEAK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND PAYS FOR ALL NECESSARY REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447469

56,201 miles · Sep 16, 2011

Electrical SystemPower Train

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ON 13 JULY, 2011, WITH ONLY 56,201 MILES, OUR BMW X5 SUFFERED WHAT AN INDEPENDENT BMW AUTO REPAIR SHOP LATER DIAGNOSED AS A "TOTAL ELECTRICAL MELTDOWN INVOLVING ALMOST ALL POWERTRAIN COMPONENTS AND DATA BUS SYSTEM." *TT SYMPTOMS UPON STARTUP THAT MORNING INCLUDED A LEVEL CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT, A TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING, A PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION WARNING, A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING, AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, DSC, ABS, AND EMERGENCY ABV MALFUNCTION WARNING, AS WELL AS RAPID WINDSHIELD WIPER MOVEMENT AND AN INTERMITTENT ENGINE START BUTTON. I AM AN OFFICER IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY, ON ACTIVE DUTY, AND I DEPLOYED THAT MORNING FOR ALMOST SIX WEEKS; I HAVE RECENTLY RETURNED. THE BURDEN OF COORDINATING AN AUTOMOBILE TOW AND REPAIR THAT DAY WAS LEFT TO MY WIFE, THE MOTHER OF OUR TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. TO SAY THAT THIS WAS AN INCONVENIENCE TO HER IS A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT. WE PURCHASED THE BMW BASED ON ITS PREVIOUS REPUTATION FOR QUALITY, AND WE PAID MUCH MORE FOR THIS VEHICLE THAN WE WOULD HAVE FOR SOMETHING LIKE A HONDA ODYSSEY OR A TOYOTA SIENNA. WE WERE WILLING TO PAY MORE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT, DURING MY LONG AND FREQUENT ABSENCES IN THE SERVICE OF OUR COUNTRY, MY WIFE AND FAMILY WOULD HAVE A RELIABLE AND SAFE VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS DECISION TO PURCHASE THIS BMW PRODUCT WAS A MISTAKE, AND ONE I NEVER INTEND TO REPEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 6,000 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY, AND YET NONE OF THE $1,781.31 INVOICE WAS COVERED BY BMW; IT WAS COVERED SOLELY BY MY SAVINGS. I CAN NOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE RECOMMEND ANY BMW PRODUCT TO ANY OF MY FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES.

NHTSA ODI #10425761

93,000 miles · Dec 9, 2010

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE, REAR DIFFERENTIAL WERE DEFECTIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLU…

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NHTSA ODI #10369744

10 miles · Oct 4, 2010

Power Train

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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP, THE CAR DOES NOTHING WHEN YOU STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THEN LUNGES FORWARD. THE SUDDEN BUCKING AND HESITATION MAKES HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR ESPECIALLY IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. I LIVE IN A SUBURB OF NEW YORK CITY AND I DRIVE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT 5 TIMES EVERY WEEK. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME YOU ACCELERATE, BUT MOSTLY WHEN THE CAR IS HOT, LIKE IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR PERFORMS FINE WHEN IT IS COLD. THE DEALER HAS EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM, AND THE CAR HAS IMPROVED, BUT IT IS STILL BAD WHEN IT GETS HOT. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE REFUSE TO DO MORE THAN DRIVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND THE LAST TIME IT WAS THERE THEY DROVE IT WHILE IT WAS COLD AND IT WAS OK. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THEM SIX (6) TIMES AND THEY STILL CAN NOT FIX THIS. I THINK THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL IN TRAFFIC AND I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEDAY I MIGHT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN TRAFFIC. MY FIRST COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER WAS MARCH 30, 2009 AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359149

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2010

Power Train

HAVE THEIR BEEN OTHER ENGINE/CAMSHAFT DEFECT COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2007 BMW X5 VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SENSORS ON MY X5 BMW ARE IDENTIFYING THIS AS A POTENTIAL REPAIR JOB AND THE BMW DEALER HAS CONFIRMED.

NHTSA ODI #10322844

Official recalls

22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Mar 2, 2022

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

16V071000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V045000 · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Feb 7, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 X5 SAV vehicles, manufactured September 12, 2006, through March 18, 2010 and equipped with an 8-cylinder engine. The brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil into the hose. The contamination could result in a loss of power assist braking.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes

Consequence: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake vacuum line with one that contains a check valve, free of charge. The recall began during March 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

Consequence: The loss of power assist in braking could increase stopping distance and lead to a vehicle crash.

07V479000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 12, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES, IN CONDITIONS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TO OCCUR AT THE FUEL RAILS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) COULD BE AFFECTED SO THAT ENGINE STALLING COULD RESULT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND THE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO GROUND CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

07V391000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Aug 29, 2007

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE CAP OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN ORDERTO RECOGNIZE A LOW FLUID LEVEL OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM BY TRIGGERING A RED WARNING LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. A SWITCH THAT IS ATTACHED TO THIS CAP COULD MALFUNCTION AT HIGH TEMPERATURES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENED, THE RED WARNING LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT BE ACTIVATED. LOSS OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM MAY CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR CAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

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

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module