Problems · by component

2011 BMW 1 Series air bags problems

41 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 1 Series cite air bags, 33% of all 123 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
41
33% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated while entering the vehicle she noticed that the passenger’s seat occupancy sensor light was illuminated however, there was no one occupying the seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a faulty memory SRS light and sensor. The contact was informed that to repair the failure the passenger’s seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2021Air bagsODI 11422305
“I JUST HAD THE BOLTS ON BOTH THE (INTAKE AND EXHAUST REPLACED) THIS IS LISTED IN THE UNSPECIFIED RECALL AND NO ONE NOTIFIED ME ON THIS RECALL I DRIVE THE 2011 128I SERIES COUPE AND THIS COST ME OUT OF POCKET $1,800 DOLLARS TO REPLACE, WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND ALSO I HAVE 2 OTHER RECALL ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR THE AIR BAG THE SIGNAL KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND ALSO THE PCV VALVE OFF AND ON I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING I DO HOPE SOMEONE CAN CONTACT ME SO I CAN GET THESE RECALLS FIX NOW I AM REALLY SCARED THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. I HAVE MY RECEIPT OF ME GETTING THE BOLTS ISSUE FIXED AND REQUESTING A REFUND”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2019Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11204967
“TAKATA RECALL THE TAKATA AIRBAGS ON MY CAR WERE RECALLED IN FEB 2016. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE STILL ON A "NATIONAL BACKORDER." THIS HAS ALMOST BEEN 2 YEARS WITHOUT A RESOLUTION - THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2017Air bagsODI 11054214
“TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL DATED SEPT 2017 FROM BMW USA STATING THAT THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A FREE REPAIR. WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER (STEVENS CREEK BMW USA IN SANTA CLARA, CA) THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PARTS ARE ACTUALLY NOT AVAILABLE, THEY HAVE THEM ON ORDER, AND IT WOULD TAKE ANYWHERE FROM 3-5 MONTHS FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY GET THEM. SINCE THIS IS OCTOBER 2017, THIS WOULD BE MEAN AN ESTIMATED REPAIR DATE IN JAN-MARCH 2019!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2017Air bagsODI 11040740
“TAKATA RECALL BRAMAN BMW KEEP SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 2 YEARS, AND EVERY TIME I CALLED THEY GIVE ME THE SAME "SCRIPTED ANSWER". I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 2 YEARS TO GET THIS PART REPLACED AND THEY JUST KEEP GETTING MY NAME ON A WAITING LIST, THAT IS NOT REAL. I GOT A LETTER FROM BMW SAYING THE PART IS AVAILABLE AND THEY KEEP SAYING TO ME THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2017Air bagsODI 11035852
“TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED BY BMW REGARDING THIS RECALL. I HAVE NO IDEA IF MY AIRBAGS ARE FAULTY OR NOT. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A LETTER IF/WHEN THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE AIRBAGS. HAVE NEVER HEARD FROM THEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2017Air bagsODI 11018738

Showing 6 of 41 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

BMW 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, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 15, 2020NHTSA 20V017000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported Feb 5, 2016NHTSA 16V071000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2011 1 Series problem areas