RoadVitals

2002 BMW X5 Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jan 18, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 102 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 BMW X5 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed Jan 18, 2025

Bmw has failed on several occasions to address this issue or service vehicle. I have made them aware of the situation but continue to receive letters that indicate I could die of the airbag.

NHTSA ID
11636800
Incident
Jan 18, 2025
AirbagsEngine
Filed Oct 23, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT VEHICLE START-UP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MOSS MOTORS BMW (1401 SURREY ST, LAFAYETTE, LA 70501) WHERE THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ID
11365964
Incident
Aug 1, 2020
Mileage
153,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2020

WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF MY AND PULLED THE KEYS OUT MY LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT STAYED ON THE NEXT MORNING MY BATTERY WAS DEAD. SO I PULLED THE BATTERY AND CHARGED IT NOW WHEN I CONNECT THE BATTERY ALL MY LIGHTS FLASH RANDOMLY WITH NO KEY IN IT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS IT IS NOT SAFE AND THE NEAREST BMW SERVIES IS 40 MILES AWAY . I HAVE A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG , BUT NOT TAKING A CHANCE ON DRIVING IT TO GET FIXED

NHTSA ID
11320264
Incident
Nov 5, 2019
Mileage
179,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 4, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS), THE HORN ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FIVE TIMES TO BMW OF MURRAY (LOCATED AT 4735 STATE ST, MURRAY, UT 84107, (801) 262-2479) FOR REPAIRS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION. ALSO, THE VOLUME CONTROL BUTTON AND HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,368.

NHTSA ID
11266415
Incident
Mar 29, 2017
Mileage
150,368 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2019

RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM DMV OF VIRGINIA THAT THE AIR BAG IS RECALLED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UPON CALLING THE BMW RECALL LINE, THEY SAID THE RECALL IS NEW AND IS DATED JANUARY 2019. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BAG REPLACED AT FLOW BMW IN WINSTON-SALEM, NC ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2019, THEY INFORMED THE BAG HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AND THAT NO REPAIR WAS NECESSARY. I CHECKED MY RECORDS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. HOW DOES THIS MAKE SENSE WHEN THE RECALL IS DATED JANUARY 2019 AND MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED DURING 2019 BY A BMW DEALER.

NHTSA ID
11257323
Incident
Sep 13, 2019
Mileage
150,705 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 19, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V015000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THEY REQUESTED A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE THE MANUFACTURER RECEIVED THE PHOTOGRAPH, THEY SENT AN E-MAIL TO THE CONTACT STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO CONFIRM IF THE E-MAIL WAS RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: LP48169. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11256713
Incident
Sep 17, 2019
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Feb 25, 2019

TAKATA INFLATOR REPLACES ON DRIVERS AIRBAG REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO. THEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWED DEFECTIVE SENSOR. BMW SAID THE WOULD EXTEND WARRANTY 15 YEARS BUT CAR IS NOW 17 YEARS OLD. HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE GENERAL MODULE FOR REMOTE OPENING OF AND LOCKING DOORS.

NHTSA ID
11182412
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Mileage
170,517 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 29, 2018
Fire reported

VEHICLE FIRE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND OWNER WENT TO CAR AND NOTICE THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE HAD A PAST TENSE FIRE. THE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED EXPECT FOR THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE NOTED TO THE VEHICLE OR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE ORIGIN WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND AIRBAG, PLEASE CONTACT SIOUX CITY FIRE RESCUE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA ID
11082006
Incident
Mar 28, 2018
Mileage
142,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Mar 10, 2017

TAKATA RECALL AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE, PURCHASED FROM HOMELAND SECURITY AUCTION, HAD A LOT OF DAMAGE TO FRONT SECTION AND INTERIOR WAS TORN APART BY HOME LAND SECURITY. I SAW PICTURES OF IT ON THE INTERNET BUT THEY ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE

NHTSA ID
10959966
Incident
Jun 6, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 15, 2017

CAR CAN NOT BE INSPECTED BECAUSE OF AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

NHTSA ID
10954802
Incident
Feb 14, 2017
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 22, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL FAILED DUE TO A THERMAL EVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,003.

NHTSA ID
10735800
Incident
Jun 19, 2015
Mileage
155,003 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 22, 2015

DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL 70 MPH AND WE HEARD A BIT BAMMMMMM AND SMOKED COMING OUT OF THE CRACK OF THE DOOR . IT TOOK A MINUTE TO REALIZE THAT THE AIR BAGS HAS JUST WENT OFF FOR NOT APPARENT REASON. SCARE THE [XXX] OUT OFF ME!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10689794
Incident
Feb 22, 2015
Mileage
144,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,700.

NHTSA ID
10440015
Incident
Dec 15, 2011
Mileage
184,700 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2010
Fire reported

BMW X5 2002. CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT ACTIVATED 5 OF 6 AIRBAGS. WINDSHIELD BROKE AND DASHBOARD SHOW FIRE DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID
10372464
Incident
Dec 26, 2010
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 2, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW X5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED REPEATEDLY AND THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE DEALER MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DO SO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE PARTS. SHE HAD TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE LABOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ID
10353513
Incident
Aug 4, 2010
Mileage
63,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 23, 2009
Crash reported

I GOT INTO A AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT ON MONDAY OCT 19, 2009. I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X5. SOMEONE DRIVING AROUND 50MPH HIT MY X5 REAR IMPACT TO DRIVERS SIDE. THEN I BELIEVE IT DRAGGED ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE AXLES BROKE, TIRE WENT TO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WAS BENT IN A WAY THAT THE ROOF WAS POINTING UPWARDS IN THE MIDDLE. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT THAT MY CAR (X5) IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH MANY AIRBAGS. HOWEVER, NON OF THE AIRBAGS OPENED TO PROTECT ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289636
Incident
Oct 19, 2009
Mileage
72,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 1, 2008

WE WERE BACKING UP THE CAR FROM THE RESTAURANT AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG AND CURTAIN AIR BAG POPPED OPEN BUT NOT DEPLOYED WITH AIR FOR NO REASON. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER THEY SAID SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE CAR INITIATED, AND TO REPAIR COSTS WILL BE $4,000.00. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THE CAR AND THEY RELEASED THE CAR TO ME. THE BAGS ARE NOT DEPLOYED AND AFRAID OF DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10240515
Incident
Aug 26, 2008
Mileage
82,944 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2003

CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAGS TO BE INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ID
10003620
Incident
Jan 8, 2003
Airbags
Filed Oct 1, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT HAD ORDER VEHICLE WITH BACK AND SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE AIR BAGS CAME DISCONNECTED. NLM

NHTSA ID
8019991

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .