2020 BMW X3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 7%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,243miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 2020 BMW X3, 7% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,243 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Repeated passenger airbag/ restraint system malfunction. When this fault happens, the airbags on the passenger side will not inflate in the event of an accident, creating a serious safety hazard. First time the fault occurred at 1341 miles, when the vehicle was stationary and the passenger seat was not occupied. Dealer then replaced the occupancy sensor. The fault returned a month later at 2219 miles when a passenger was adjusting the seat during a trip. Dealer found no persistent fault and just secured the connectors.”
NHTSA complaint #11361557, filed 2020-09, 1,341 miles“The driver passenger restraint system light comes on which is a manufacturer defect that should be covered for the life of the vehicle (this is not a wear-and-tear) component. I called BMW and was told that the part is out of warranty. I would like an investigation of this part for all BMW X3 as the defect can result in fatalities.”
NHTSA complaint #11560429, filed 2023-12“This is the message I get: Driver restraint system malfunction. Passenger knee airbag rewired to control module . Carefully drive to the closest service center. Driver restraint system is reduced. Increased risk of injury in case of a collision. Continue wearing safety belt. Driver restraint system malfunction. I went to Cavender BMW and was told the problem is with the Passenger knee airbag rewired to control module. The cost would be $1,400. I have 24,122 miles on the car. My salesman said that there have been quite a few of these problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #11585521, filed 2024-04“While the car was still under warranty, I got an error message about passenger restraint malfunction. I took to the dealer and was told that it was caused by an iPad found under driver seat. They turned off the warning. Three months later, I get the same message again. The car is now out of warranty and I was told the error is for knee airbag wire that would take 10 hours to get to and repair, if that’s the problem. The cost will be $3800. I decided to wait. Car has 53,000 miles on it. First time I took to the dealer was on December 20,2022. Malfunction light came back on April 28,2023. …”
NHTSA complaint #11524847, filed 2023-06“Received warning on screen. “Driver restraint system malfunction carefully drive to the closest service center driver restraint system is reduced. Increased risk of injury in case of collision. Continue using safety belt.” I took the car in, and this was the diagnosis: “Driver restraint system malfunction. Passenger knee airbag rewired to control module” 24,122 miles on the car. $1400”
NHTSA complaint #11560653, filed 2023-12Related service bulletins
- 11013058Jan 6, 2025The limited warranty for the Knee Air Bag wire harness repair cable procedure for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as…
- 10246225Nov 28, 2023A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following…
- 10242529Aug 1, 2023A check control message (CCM) for the restraint system (Air bag) appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently.
- 10228440Nov 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is…
- 10218381Jun 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently. One of the following fault codes is…
- 10214266Apr 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently.
- 10212526Feb 1, 2022A check control message for the restraint system appears. In the instrument cluster, the red air bag warning light lights up permanently.
- 10205071Nov 1, 2021BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective October 15, 2021) on certain Model Year 2022 BMW vehicles that were produced between September 28, 2021 and October 8, 2021. The…
- 10190862Mar 1, 2021LED LIGHT CARPET IS DIM OR DISTORTED: The light carpet may appear dim or distorted on one or both sides. .
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 4 | 5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 7% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 10 | 10% |
| 2014 | 9 | 10% |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% |
| 2012 | 12 | 29% |
| 2011 | 5 | 4% |
| 2010 | 10 | 31% |
| 2009 | 9 | 47% |
| 2008 | 32 | 48% |
| 2007 | 37 | 38% |
| 2006 | 76 | 53% |
| 2005 | 30 | 29% |
| 2004 | 32 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2020 BMW X3
35 complaintsEngine
26 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 BMW X3
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