2005 BMW 5 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 48%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,512miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 BMW 5 Series, 48% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,512 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Hello, I've got an airbag light on the dashboard about two months ago on my Bmw e60 530i 2005. The board computer it says: passenger restraint system malfunction. I went to the dealer in vegas and he took the light off, after one week it came out again. I'm wondering about myself safety and my passengers as well. I'm asking you to help me to fix that problem as sooner as possible. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10593897, filed 2014-05, 106,240 miles“On 12/5/2011 - when I started the car, I noticed the message on my dashboard indicating a fault on passenger restraint system. There was not any incident that I can recall that would result in the error message. After further research, I discovered that the error message was a common fault on these type of cars due to a faulty mat sensor located under the front passenger seat. I also found out that there was a recall for some Bmw cars of the same model (dependent of VIN). …”
NHTSA complaint #10474410, filed 2012-09, 65,007 miles“While driving with my family over the weekend, I noticed the passenger air bag and seat belt light illuminate on the dash. The idrive stated there was a malfunction in the pass air bag. I took my car to the nearest dealer the next morning after finding that this is an ongoing/ common issue with the 5 SERIES. But what I don't get is why is my vehicles VIN not included?? It's obvious this is a defect with the production of these vehicles so why should myself or any other owner be responsible for this expensive repair? Why are there only certain vehicles included? …”
NHTSA complaint #10461414, filed 2012-06, 100,000 miles“2005 Bmw 525i. Passenger seat air bag malfunction light illuminated. Took vehicle to independent mechanic for diagnosis. Conclusion from mechanic was that passenger air bag seat mat was broken per NHTSA action number ea08001. Took vehicle to irvine Bmw for repair under extended seat mat warranty. Irvine Bmw said that passenger seat mat did not cause malfunction. Repairs would cost $1,075. Repairs were declined because independent mechanic would charge $400. Irvine Bmw charged a $170 diagnosis fee.”
NHTSA complaint #10587630, filed 2014-05, 72,025 miles“On the morning of 3/18/2015 at 8 am. I started the car and received a passenger restraint system warning on the display. The car was parked in the garage.”
NHTSA complaint #10701763, filed 2015-03, 29,500 milesRelated recalls
- 08V384000Aug 5, 2008Bmw 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…Covers: BMW 5 Series 2004–2006, X3 2004–2006, 3 Series 2006
Related service bulletins
- 10043714Feb 1, 2012Bmw: steering column switch center contains one or more faults: internal control, steering wheel lock range exceeded, wiper angle defective. Various check control messages appear…
- 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…
- 10020293Jul 1, 2006Airbag warning lamp illuminated, fc 9404.
- 10012498Jan 1, 2006Airbag warning light is illuminated, and fault code 71 (seat occupancy detector) is stored in mrs4rd. Bmw e83 (x3). Model year unknown.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 10% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 46% |
| 2006 | 36 | 42% |
| 2005 | 10 | 48% |
| 2004 | 29 | 45% |
| 2003 | 4 | 27% |
Other parts of the 2005 BMW 5 Series
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 BMW 5 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