THANK YOU.
But since they list "driver side stage 1" and then "passenger side stage 1"
it must then mean something on the left OR as in your case the control unit is failing to read something on the drivers side?
I am thinking (mostly a guess) that drivers side would mean the airbag in the steering wheel and passenger on the dash and that Stage 1 or 2 means the amount of the impact and how big they deploy. I have read that we have a "two" stage system as to not cause harm on a smaller impact.

I am in no way disputing or any less grateful for you sharing your experience and solution.
I looked quickly on Ebay and if around $50 on a used control unit solves my problem I will be very happy.

To confuse me further after the second reset of the airbag light it did not return today......personally would prefer something failing than unresolved "why's"?....

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2004, X5, 3.0, 202k+