2005 BMW 3 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 64%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 BMW 3 Series, 64% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Received front airbag recall notice in mid-september 2014 and was told I would be contacted about replacement. It has now been 4 months since notice and the car still has not been fixed and I have been without use of car for 4 months. This is unacceptable!”
NHTSA complaint #10671328, filed 2015-01, 75,000 miles“I received a printed notification from Bmw of north america, llc dated july 2015 under the subject matter: recall campaign no. 15v-318: driver-side front air bag module. Since I received the notification, 13 months have passed and still I have not received any letter from catonsville Bmw in maryland regarding replacement of the airbag. Since I am the original owner of the car and still owns it, I am driving it risking my life and limb for myself and other members of my family. …”
NHTSA complaint #10909350, filed 2016-09, 70,000 miles“Bmw recalled this car for the airbag many moths ago. Bmw advised us the air bag replacement parts would be available by the end of december 2014. I have contacted Bmw and they advised me they have no dates when they would be available. My local dealer states I am on a list and 40 people are in front of me and it can take in excess of three months to schedule the repair if they get the parts. Bmw has been unresponsive and can not provide any information other than the parts are on back order.”
NHTSA complaint #10672734, filed 2015-01, 67,000 miles“I was driving northbound on sepulveda blvd in los angeles on july 29th,2013 around 10:00 pm with my brother, suddenly the passenger side airbag deployed for no reason and bruised my brother's right arm my car stopped operating and we called payless tow to tow my vehicle to rusnak Bmw in westlake village were I purchased the vehicle from. I talked to the service dept in regards to my car airbag incident, they told me that the warranty was expired and I have to pay out of pocket. …”
NHTSA complaint #10538022, filed 2013-08, 110,543 miles“Takata recall. The dealer, life quality motor sales inc of brooklyn new york and Bmw of north america llc refuse to complete this takata passenger airbag recall on my vehicle”
NHTSA complaint #10837142, filed 2016-02, 53,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10056098Jun 1, 2014Bmw: some airbags, driver and front passenger, are improperly deploying due to a possible inflator not produced to specifications. Model 2001-2006 e46 (3 series). *pe updated…
- 10029605Aug 1, 2011Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. The airbag warning lamp (awl) is illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem…
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
- 10025849Jun 1, 2008Bmw: airbag warning lamp, fc93eb or fc 55. Model e90, e91 (3 series) and e83 (x3) vehicles produced between 8/31/05 and 4/26/06. Red airbag warning lamp (awl) in the instrument…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 14% |
| 2012 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 33% |
| 2009 | 15 | 28% |
| 2008 | 10 | 15% |
| 2007 | 35 | 30% |
| 2006 | 101 | 50% |
| 2005 | 16 | 64% |
| 2004 | 15 | 19% |
| 2003 | 21 | 29% |
| 2002 | 6 | 23% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 13% |
| 1999 | 3 | 50% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2005 BMW 3 Series
4 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology