Problems · by component

2013 BMW 328I Xdrive air bags problems

46 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 328I Xdrive cite air bags, 15% of all 316 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
46
15% of all complaints
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The drivetrain and passenger’s side air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH and the vehicle was shaking erratically. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 174,775.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2026Power train, Air bagsODI 11753235
“Passenger Restraint system malfunction for the front passenger seat. This may not trigger the airbag for a passenger sitting in the front if a collision occurs and can seriously injure someone. This problem appears to be very common with BMW models within this timeframe. All over car forums and youtube videos, some videos with over 100k views per video. I am not sure how BMW has not recalled this safety issue as it seems to linger throughout many of their models for many years. As soon as the malfuction occured\, the warning sign and lamp lights did flash on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2025Air bags, Seat belts, SeatsODI 11686437
“I along with many others are getting a passenger restraint sensor error which prevents the airbag from deploying. This is very dangerous and the repair cost is $2000. This sensor determines if there is an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat and if they meet the weight limit for the airbag to deploy. When it malfunctions, the airbag will not deploy even though a passenger may be seated there.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2024Air bagsODI 11610062
“Passenger-restraint system This light has turned on and I see that certain BMW’s had recalls on this exact issue. Not sure why my 2013 328i was not included in the recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2024Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11579079
“Something from the passenger front wheel side must have messed up since after I went over a small bump in the road I lost control of my vehicle that resulted in my crashing into a bobbed wire fence and a pole that was holding up the fence. My car was completely totaled and no airbags deployed from anywhere in the car. The steering wheel hit me so hard in the abdomen that it caused my T11 and T12 vertebrae in my spine to break from the doctors reports it was stated that the airbags have failed witch resulted in a direct impact to my abdomen by the steering wheel and instantly I knew I broke my lower back. My 4yr old son who was restrained in his car seat was passenger in the backseat during the accident but didn’t sustain injuries besides some whiplash and having nightmares. The car was towed by CHP to a local tow yard since I was taken to the hospital by first responders after I was discharged I regained possession of my vehicle that sits in my driveway considered to be un toweable by the tow company storeing my car and needed to pay extra to have them tow it to my house. Please investigate any defects of my vehicle since my son and I could have lost our lives…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2023Air bags, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11527691
“I stated on another form about my other safety issue. My son was in an accident in 2013 328I xdrive this website states this vehicle does not have an open recall or any recalls on it. I say bull crap not only did my son lose break, accessibility and crash into a tree doing 54 miles an hour. He also had the airbags deploy and burned him. Air bag dust literally ate right through his pants. I still have the severely burned up his hands We purchased this vehicle for Son last year, because BMWs are known to be safe. My 16-year-old son was almost killed in his car because of BMWs negligence.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2023Air bags, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11520872

Showing 6 of 46 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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