2009 BMW X5 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 30%of 138 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,050miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 BMW X5, 30% of the 138 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,050 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 6 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 front passenger seat has a permanent malfunction of occupancy detection. The airbag off light is illuminated while a passenger is occupying the seat. This is an obvious safety fault, and fails to meet current DOT regulations. I do not feel comfortable putting my passengers at risk while they sit there!”
NHTSA complaint #11012607, filed 2017-08, 140,000 miles“While driving on a freeway more than a week ago suddenly the airbag and restraint malfunction appeared for no valid reason.the next day my wife heard a loud metallic rub sound and park brake malfunction appeared. Searched online but no recall for this kind of problems for my X5 but it looks like its very common for bmws.need help!pls!thank you and more power!”
NHTSA complaint #10760238, filed 2015-08, 78,000 miles“I stopped at a drive thru window and the vehicle shut off without warning. I couldn't get it started and the police tried to put in neutral to move it out of the way. No lights or anything indicated that something was wrong. I have only had the vehicle for 4 days.the airbag restraint light is on and waiting for the sensor. Not sure if this is a recall. It was towed to a shop and then it started when getting it off the tow truck. I don't trust driving it now because it can go out while I'm on the freeway or highway and cause a major accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11124148, filed 2018-09, 85,630 miles“The vehicle computer system shows a malfunction of the passenger safety system on the vehicle and states that the airbag will not deploy and seatbelts should always be fastened. This is an item that I should not have to pay for addressing, especially in light of related recalls of this specific system on other Bmw models. I took the vehicle to circle Bmw on hwy 36, west long branch, nj and they wanted $1500 to address the issue and replace the bad sensor after charging me $150 to detect the reason for the malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #10520252, filed 2013-06, 90,000 miles“I received a recall notice about air bags in august. I have still not received notification of parts. My Bmw X5 is now having another very debilitating problem. It shuts off, stalls, won't start, emits very toxic and strong fumes of burning gas when I start my car and when im idling. The engine light up then , it shakes, it has no punch. I felt as though it was part of the other recall with the fuel pump and I took it to my local Bmw dealership for diagnostics and they dismissed me, told me I had to pay more for more tests and that it absolutely was not the fuel pump recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10935541, filed 2016-12, 87,050 milesRelated recalls
- 20V016000Jan 15, 2020DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009-2012 X5 xDrive35d, 2008-2012 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2007-2012 X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2012, X6 2008–2012, X6 Activehybrid SAC 2010–2011
- 19V017000Jan 14, 2019DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2013, X6 2008–2014
- 18V030000Jan 9, 2018DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, 2009-2010 X5 xDrive35d vehicles…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2013, X6 2009–2013
- 17V020000Jan 10, 2017DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2009, 2012, X6 2008–2009, 2012
- 16V364000May 25, 2016DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles, 2009-2011…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2011, X6 2008–2011, X6 Activehybrid SAC 2010–2011
- 20V017000Jan 15, 2020BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i…Covers: BMW X5 2007–2013, 328I 2006–2013, 335I 2006–2013 +16 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…
- 10200481May 1, 2021SURFACE RUST ON NEW AIR BAG INFLATORS: The technician finds that the new air bag inflator (aka: gas generator) may have surface rust on the metalhousing .
- 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.
- 10149558Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with passenger?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 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.
- 10149597May 1, 2013DSC Warning Light is On. The warning lamps for DSC, ABS and brake warning are illuminated. There may also be a warning in the control display for 'Chassis Control System failure'…
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 2009 BMW X5
42 complaintsEngine
30 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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