2019 BMW X5 Airbags Problems

My daughter was driving my BMW X5, it went to neutral and not moving, she was panicked and stopped the car and ignition. After restarting the car, it worked for a day, then it happened again, also, I see notifications on dashboard for restraint warning, saying, airbag, and seat belt tension are reduced. I took to Fairfax BMW in VA, BMW quoted $2662, informed that my BMW went out of extended warranty over a month, I asked Goodwill request to BMW, still declined.

NHTSA ID

11733217

Incident

Apr 14, 2026

Frequent Passenger Restraint System Issue

NHTSA ID

11689071

Incident

Sep 23, 2025

Passenger seatbelt restraint

NHTSA ID

11640033

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Passenger Restraint warning light kept coming on. Dealer was able to reset twice and now they are telling me I need a new pad sensor under the seat and estimate is $1800.00 Reading BMW blogs this is an ongoing problem that BMW is aware of but will not recall.

NHTSA ID

11639021

Incident

Jun 28, 2023

Driver Restraint Malfunction warning light turned on while driving and stated dangerous driving conditions and to see a Dealer immediately. The Dealer diagnosis was a faulty airbag wire harness due to rubbing against the metal which caused the airbag light to malfunction. Car had 47500 miles but BMW did not cover this faulty wiring under warranty. Should be a recall on faulty wiring.

NHTSA ID

11571073

Incident

Dec 2, 2023

This vehicle has only 36,000 miles, and there is a known issue with the knee airbags. See attached notice. My driver's side knee airbag warning light recently went on, but BMW refuses to remedy the problem. They should be required to recall and cover the cost of the repair.

NHTSA ID

11558575

Incident

Nov 28, 2023

Vehicle is out of warranty. Car only has 36K miles and passengers restraint system malfunction appeared. It basically says that the passenger airbag won't deploy due to this malfunction. Union diagnosis ilthe culprit is a defective seat occupancy mat sensor module and the seat mat. Both parts should be recalled as this failure occured without outside influence. This is a extremely important component that can fail at any moment in the 2019 X5 Xdrive50i.

NHTSA ID

11547190

Incident

Sep 26, 2023

passenger restraint system failed message states bring to dealer ASAP dealer states there will be a charge seems to be a common problem recall???

NHTSA ID

11541146

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

Vehicle airbag/seatbelt warning light on 9/2022. Airbag (seatbelt) module replaced. Caused by condensation or leak due to BMW not sealing cupholders and placing KEY SAFETY EQUIPMENT directly under unsealed cupholders. I was told other modules likely damaged but airbags and seatbelt were first to go out. 2023 April/May - steering issues. Windshield wipers run continuously and cannot be turned off. Horn and turn signal also stopped working. Need steering column replaced. BMW said possibly also related to cupholder defect. I am concerned the unsealed cupholders are going to kill someone if airbags deploy unnecessarily or seatbelt/airbags fail. BMW should have not placed KEY safety equipment under unsealed drink holders.

NHTSA ID

11528927

Incident

Jun 26, 2023

I received notification that my passenger restraint system has a malfunction. The car threw up a code, I received a phone call and text message from the dealer. I thought this was important so I took the car to the dealer. They said the detection mat needs replace and the cost would be $1811.00. The dealer asked me if something spilled on it? The answer was no. I believe this is a safety defect an a recall should be initiated!

NHTSA ID

11494544

Incident

Nov 22, 2022

About a year ago, coffee began leaking from below from a paper cup in the plastic cupholder of my x5. I immediately noticed it and cleaned it up. Approximately 1-2 ounces of liquid leaked into the plastic cupholder. On May 11, 2022, the Passenger Restraint System faulted and the light came on. The vehicle was inspected by BMW of Austin and stated that liquid seeped onto the Airbag Control Module and some of the pins were corroded. This would not be covered by the Warranty as it was deemed an "external" factor that caused the failure. The estimate to fix this issue and get the airbag functioning again is $2,005.00. BMW placed the Airbag Control Module right under the plastic cupholder, and does not seal the plastic cupholder or the important Airbag Control Module right under the plastic cupholder. Luckily, the airbag system did not automatically stop the vehicle as has been the case with other vehicles- X7 and X5. This is a design failure that BMW is aware of that leaves its customers at risk of injury due to the airbag system faulting. This issue is ongoing and affects all X5 and X7 models. BMW needs to provide a remedy to this design and safety flaw. Owners should not have to pay $2,000 to remedy. There is a class action lawsuit filed in December 2021 for this exact issue.

NHTSA ID

11466767

Incident

May 11, 2022

Driving my vehicle and on my screen popped up driver seat restraint malfunction, also rear seat restraint malfunction please go to closest dealership. I bring my vehicle to BMW dealership in my town and rep calls me and advise that the cup holders sit above the srs wiring and that liquid gets thru the cup holders and dripped on to the wires causing them to no longer work. This is a design flaw i have never spilled a drink in my cup holder and even if someone did on accident why is the AIRBAG wires not covered in plastic if going below cup holders that leak any type of liquid. I am unable to afford, I do have warranty however BMW stating that this is an outside interferance and will not be covered under warranty, so I am having to drive with no airbags. I researched and many others are having same issue with this same year and make different models. This is something that definatly needs to be recalled as it is a design flaw and a safety hazard.

NHTSA ID

11428651

Incident

Jul 30, 2021