2001 BMW X5 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 10%of 160 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,000miles
- 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 2001 BMW X5, 10% of the 160 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The airbag warning light on the instrument cluster turned on when I had a passenger in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. It would go off after a few start cycles with no passengers, but then come back on the next time a passenger was in the front passenger seat. I was able to read the codes which indirectly indicated a fault in the occupancy sensor mat in the front passenger seat. I replaced the sensor mat and related wiring interface and the warning light and errors have not returned. …”
NHTSA complaint #10597253, filed 2014-06, 138,000 miles“The consumer parked and turn the vehicle off. After exiting the vehicle the consumer turned around and noticed smoking coming from the steering wheel. The consumer then re-enter the vehicle and the driver's side air bag deployed. This resulted in the consumer having a contusion, eye abrasion and 2 disc in their neck.”
NHTSA complaint #10066641, filed 2004-04, 43,000 miles“Vehicle was totaled due to a collision, by another vehicle on passenger's side of consumer's car. Consumer's vehicle was traveling approximately 40-50mph at time of impact. Passenger side air bag did not deploy. However, the driver's front, side and passenger front air bags did deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10004745, filed 2003-01, 15,000 miles“My vehicle is DO NOT DRIVE condition. I have not been able to schedule air bag recall repair because the dealerships in my area will not tow to and from my home, and say no mobile service is available. WHAT ARE MY OPINIONS? PLEASE REPLY .....I currently can't drive my car because I have a unexploded claymore in my face!”
NHTSA complaint #11643454, filed 2025-02“Got airbag notice in mail 2019 took my car to world wide Bmw nanuet ny dealer march 23 2019 told me my airbag system was not on the list of being replaced mined you my airbag light was on well before taking it to Bmw dealer and today is still on I would like to know if this is true and what can I do to have it corrected they want to charge me over 2,000 to replace the airbag module”
NHTSA complaint #11364305, filed 2020-10Related recalls
- 25V748000Oct 31, 2025DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 X5 vehicles that may be equipped with a sport steering wheel containing a Takata PSDI-4 air bag…Covers: BMW X5 2000–2001
- 17V047000Jan 20, 2017DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT…Covers: BMW X5 2001–2003, 320 2000–2002, 325 2000–2002 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 10218382Jun 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 stored…
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support…
- 10057707Feb 1, 2015Bmw:some bmw models may or may not display airbag warning light.
- 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.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% |
| 2020 | 6 | 5% |
| 2019 | 12 | 6% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 7% |
| 2016 | 5 | 7% |
| 2015 | 14 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 6% |
| 2013 | 47 | 32% |
| 2012 | 83 | 31% |
| 2011 | 67 | 25% |
| 2010 | 35 | 28% |
| 2009 | 41 | 30% |
| 2008 | 65 | 30% |
| 2007 | 39 | 55% |
| 2006 | 83 | 49% |
| 2005 | 16 | 20% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 15 | 15% |
| 2002 | 19 | 19% |
| 2001 | 16 | 10% |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2001 BMW X5
31 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 BMW X5
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