Airbag Light & Telltale Lamp Coming On (UPDATE)

[BigO1120]

What's up everyone!?!?

I've noticed that for the past couple of days now my Airbag indicator light and the Telltale lamp keep coming on. Sometimes the airbag indicator light remains on for the duration of my trip (regardless of how long it is) and other times it will come on and then go off automatically (duration varies). The same thing goes for the Telltale lamp. It will go on while I have someone sitting in the passenger seat, stay on, and then go off on it's own. The last thing I need is to have an accident with one of these lights on and the bags don't deploy.

I know I probably have to take it in to the dealership and get it fixed but I wanted to know if anyone has experienced this problem with their X3?

Thanks everyone!

[RastaGurl]

I've been having a similar problem. The dealer changed the seat sensor on Tuesday, and everything functioned as it should for 24 hours, but is now back to its malfunctioning ways. Someone on another board (that shall remain unnamed) had a similar problem, and their dealer eventually replaced the computer, but I'm not aware if that actually fixed the problem.

[hfd06X3]

Same Problem...very annoying. I have only had the car 4 weeks and it came on about 200 miles from the dealership. I took it into the dealer and they haven't been able to figure out a solution. I am waiting for him to call me back. When I hear something, I will post another reply...please do the same.

Rob

[BigO1120]

Originally Posted by hfd06X3

Same Problem...very annoying. I have only had the car 4 weeks and it came on about 200 miles from the dealership. I took it into the dealer and they haven't been able to figure out a solution. I am waiting for him to call me back. When I hear something, I will post another reply...please do the same.

Rob

Thanks! I just scheduled for a service with my dealer (JMK BMW) and they told me that I'm the first person at their dealership to report this problem. I'll let you all know what they find and what they did (if anything).

[BigO1120]

What’s up everyone!

This is to let you all know that I FINALLY got my X3 back from the dealership. That’s right!!! The dealership had my X3 for 1 FULL MONTH (31 DAYS). I dropped the car off on 5/22 and finally picked it up yesterday (6/22). The reason for the big delay…there was a part that was on back order…FROM GERMANY!!!

It was no problem for me. They gave me a 530i as a loaner…and I took it everywhere!!! I had it for the Memorial Day Weekend and went to the beach, to a lake, EVERYWHERE! Since the service was taking too long they told me that I could go to Florida with the loaner if I wanted to (I was really considering it).

When I finally got my X3 back I noticed that the airbag light was still coming on once I got on the highway. I got REALLY PISSED because after 1 month of having my X3 they still couldn’t resolve the issue. Luckily, when I brought the truck back, they told me that a wire just got disconnected when I adjusted my seat. After 15 minutes of waiting they finally got the job right.

When I checked the receipt they gave me it said that they needed to replace the entire airbag system and my battery needed to be changed because they needed to jump start my X3. Dealership told me that this was not a big deal and they just went ahead and gave me a new battery.

So far…no AIRBAG light. If it happens again I’m going to complain a little bit. But other then that I HAVE MY BABY BACK!!!!

[hfd06X3]

I just got mine back yesterday after waiting 6 weeks to get a call back from my dealer. I had to call the service manager and the GM to get them to jump on the issue. I am on day two and stil no more issue. I will try to remember to scan and post a copy of my receipt for the work just in case anyone else runs into the same problem. The light came on mine about 200 miles from the dealership and stayed on until yesterday...very annoying. Especially since it is a 24 month lease and I have already had it nearly 3 months...go figure. Thanks BMW!

[BigO1120]

Damn! So you dealership had your X3 longer then me. I don't feel so bad now. Does anyone think I should ask the dealership for a refund on my monthly payments considering the fact that I didn't have my car for 1 full month? Or should I just forget it?

[ljnlaw]

Do you know of any other 2004 X3's that have this same problem? My law firm filed a lawsuit against Hyundai because one of their models had an identical seat sensor problem that they didn't know how to resolve. Hyundai settled the class action lawsuit.

[sfhondapilot]

Our 2004 had the same sensor problem. Part was backordered for 2 months. Looking at the part #, it appears that the entire seat cushion is replaced. No loaner. We simply drove around with the red airbag light illuminated on the dashboard.

[BigO1120]

Got an update for all my fellow X3ers...

The passenger side airbag indicator continues to come back on. I brought the X3 back to the dealership and told them about it. They had me speak directly to the manager and he apologized for the situation. He told me that he contacted BMW North America about my problem and he told me that in order to fix the problem they would need to do something to the airbag sensors on the seat but they would need permission from BMW North America before the can do they work.

It seems that BMW North America is aware of this problem. The manager at the dealership asked me if my wife is a petit woman (and she is). It turns out that the sensors are not as sensitive when it comes to light weight women and children. As soon as the manager hears back from BMW North America he is going to contact me and have my X3 brought in for more service. The manager also told me that since I have been so patient with the situation he is going to hook me up with a little something-something for all the patience and understanding.

So as soon as I get this work done I’ll let all you guys know what went down.

Until then…PEACE!!!!