Airbags deployed (exploded) on THEIR OWN

[carlos1212]

I posted this in the E39 section, but after searching more about it on the internet I found out that all series of BMW's have this problem, so I feel more people should know about this.

So yesterday I was driving on my way to the ATM, I pulled up to the drive thru, put the car on neutral, e-brake pulled up. while engine was still running.
I was pushing a few buttons on the ATM when out of nowhere the airbags (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1861538#) go off :mad
luckily they were the passanger[/URL] airbags, and no one was sitting there


It seems to be a common problem with BMW's after searching for about 5 minute I found these threads on Google

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/bmw_airbags.html (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1861538#)

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/...arked-t106356/ (http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f15/1998-e39-523i-se-touring-auto-airbag-deployment-when-parked-t106356/)

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/26415-...bag%20deployed (http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/26415-airbags-deployed-after-washing/page__hl__airbag%20deployed)

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1493494 (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1493494)

[URL]http://www.autobanter.com/showthread.php?p=12939

Who knows how many more I could of had found with more time.


Should I report this, or let it go? If I should, who do I contact?

anyways here's a couple pictures:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/carlos4548/IMG_0297.jpg?t=1341627451

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd399/carlos4548/IMG_0295.jpg?t=1341627402

[nike001]

Holy shit man, I never heard of this.

I'd report it to insurance, as airbags are a pretty penny to replace. But I suppose that you might also run the risk of them totaling your car if the costs are too high? But I don't know about you.. I wouldn't want someone as my passenger and if something should happen where there would be an accident they wouldn't have airbags.

[carlos1212]

Holy shit man, I never heard of this.

I'd report it to insurance, as airbags are a pretty penny to replace. But I suppose that you might also run the risk of them totaling your car if the costs are too high? But I don't know about you.. I wouldn't want someone as my passenger and if something should happen where there would be an accident they wouldn't have airbags.

insurance wont cover it because there was no damage to body.

I see your point, but I don't think I can spend all that money on new airbags and modules just to risk another self blow out on the highway:eek:
especially on an old car like that

[nike001]

True true.. hmm. Go to your local BMW service center and bitch up a storm.

[Cablekid]

Pretty sure i got Air Bags/Modules at my shop ill sell to you.

[e30ncsu]

Call your insurance company, they may have enrolled you in accidental deployment coverage.

[sjpgoalie]

That is absolutely not common..

[brokenbmx06]

Not common but I have seen a few stories of this happening from hitting pot holes and a few other random situations. I would contact BMW NA ASAP and go from there. I have seen a case where they replaced everything for free once inspected by a dealer.

[Critter7r]

insurance wont cover it because there was no damage to body.

I see your point, but I don't think I can spend all that money on new airbags and modules just to risk another self blow out on the highway:eek:
especially on an old car like that


Which is why your Comprehensive coverage should cover it: it's non-collision-related damage to your vehicle. Even if you don't have collision coverage, it should be covered.

Also - 5 similar threads (or even 50, 'if you had more time') in a Google search over many different models and situations (BMW has sold MILLIONS of cars just in the time since yours was built), doesn't make it a "common" problem. While I've heard and seen a few examples of airbags going off unnecessarily over RR tracks or potholes, I've NEVER heard of a situation where they've gone off while sitting still.

My first thought is that there's some sort of corrosion in the connector for the airbag control unit. As to how it got there, it's anyone's guess.

[ross1]

Complain to BMW HQ. I suspect the insurance company will view this as a mechanical failure and not a "casualty".
Replacement of the side airbag demands the entire dashboard must be removed for A pillar bag replacement. It's going to be expensive.

[e30ncsu]

Which is why your Comprehensive coverage should cover it: it's non-collision-related damage to your vehicle. Even if you don't have collision coverage, it should be covered.

Nope, unless your agent proactively enrolled you in airbag deployment protection this is not covered by a comprehensive claim. Your insurance company will tell you that this is a mechanical defect and that you should talk to the manufacturer.

[99M3Riverside]

I would go to a dealer and get BMW NA involved. Maybe ever write to NTSB. I would want to know the root cause and I am sure BMW would want to know as well. What we don't know is the history on your vehicle. Was it ever in an accident? Was it ever in a flood? Both of these may or may not be known to you are even show up in a carfax.

Unfortunately in your case replacement will probably cost more than the vehicle is worth unless you can BMW to pay for it. I am sure they have the same questions I have.

[montaillou]

Airbags aren't meant to last forever. If they were your original bags, I don't think BMW will do anything (though it can't hurt to ask - just don't get your hopes up or expect anything).

My car will be 10 years old this year, I'm thinking I should have the mechanic check them out next time I'm in for service to see if anything obvious is wrong.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-tips/how-long-do-airbags-last/article1210972/
"It is generally believed within the industry that airbags are good for 10-15 years without concern."

"Most manufacturers recommend having them serviced or checked after eight to 10 years, but since they are sealed, there is very little that can be done beyond replacing them."

[sjpgoalie]

Not common but I have seen a few stories of this happening from hitting pot holes and a few other random situations. I would contact BMW NA ASAP and go from there. I have seen a case where they replaced everything for free once inspected by a dealer.

The passengers bags detonating must have something to do with the passenger seat belt switch. Has to be a short.

[bmw325i4ever]

insurance wont cover it because there was no damage to body.

I see your point, but I don't think I can spend all that money on new airbags and modules just to risk another self blow out on the highway:eek:
especially on an old car like that

hmm cut down a tree and let it fall on it... problem solved LOL

[carlos1212]

Airbags aren't meant to last forever. If they were your original bags, I don't think BMW will do anything (though it can't hurt to ask - just don't get your hopes up or expect anything).

My car will be 10 years old this year, I'm thinking I should have the mechanic check them out next time I'm in for service to see if anything obvious is wrong.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-tips/how-long-do-airbags-last/article1210972/
"It is generally believed within the industry that airbags are good for 10-15 years without concern."

"Most manufacturers recommend having them serviced or checked after eight to 10 years, but since they are sealed, there is very little that can be done beyond replacing them."

I bet not a single bmw owner replaces their airbags after 10 years.




Ive had the car for 2 years and as far as I know the car has only had one accident in a mcdonalds parking lot at about 5 mph. it was in the drivers fender though barely did anything to it.
that's also the only accident that shows up on carfax

[Critter7r]

Nope, unless your agent proactively enrolled you in airbag deployment protection this is not covered by a comprehensive claim. Your insurance company will tell you that this is a mechanical defect and that you should talk to the manufacturer.


Must be an NC thing... here in MI, I've seen 2 cars that have had unexplained airbag deployment paid for by insurance.

[slocar]

Contact BMW North America. They are generally pretty good about handling stuff like this.

Either way, do that first before you go through your own insurance company ... 10 year old airbags or not, they should not be deploying on their own.

[montaillou]

I bet not a single bmw owner replaces their airbags after 10 years.

I hope you don't bet much because I plan on replacing mine at some point. Frankly an airbag comes into its own during a high speed crash and often makes the difference between life and death.

I'm willing to gamble a little money when it comes to my life.

[slocar]

I hope you don't bet much because I plan on replacing mine at some point. Frankly an airbag comes into its own during a high speed crash and often makes the difference between life and death.

I'm willing to gamble a little money when it comes to my life.

Seatbelts save lives. Airbags are (as their name says) just s supplemental restraint system.




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[Critter7r]

I hope you don't bet much because I plan on replacing mine at some point. Frankly an airbag comes into its own during a high speed crash and often makes the difference between life and death.

I'm willing to gamble a little money when it comes to my life.


I'm pretty sure I'm never going to spend $6,000 or more to preventatively replace the 6 airbags in my car. I'm guessing when it comes down to it, I'll be able to count, all the people across the country that do, on one hand.

[Timmyboy]

Holy Christ! good thing it didnt happen while driving i would have flipped out! or better yet good thing it didnt happen on your side of the car! i feel almost i bit more safe on my non-airbag car after hearing this hahahaha! but i hope you get this sorted out, it should only be fair they replace it for free since this was in no way it was your fault. Good Luck!

[stanley]

I bet if you pull up carpet on passanger side under seat you will find it wet. And if so thta is why they went off. I have see this many times.

[ross1]

I hope you don't bet much because I plan on replacing mine at some point. Frankly an airbag comes into its own during a high speed crash and often makes the difference between life and death.

I'm willing to gamble a little money when it comes to my life.

10 years is an arbitrary number, more indicative of the manufacturer wishing to be free of responsibility than the actual life of the component.
Much older airbags deploy all the time with reliability.
Before disposing of them I've deployed many very old ones and never had a dud.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Y2nAbmcaU

[inpayne]

Manufacturer are not liable for their product after it is 11 years old. And your's is well.... older.

At least in Indiana, I assume other states have similar laws.

[keeslinger31]

If they work without an accident than i'm sure they won't have any issue exploding when a real accident occurs. Maybe just a bit oversensitive.
Did you manage to hit the curb on your way through the atm? :stickoutt

[carlos1212]

If they work without an accident than i'm sure they won't have any issue exploding when a real accident occurs. Maybe just a bit oversensitive.
Did you manage to hit the curb on your way through the atm? :stickoutt

haha, No car was completely stopped and running. for a second I thought I had been hit by someone. it was really hard to breath I was coughing like non other. I was also trapped and couldn't get out because the atm was in the way. had to crawl out threw the window:stickoutt

called BMW NA and they said they would investigate and call me back with in 1-3 business days. Ill keep u guys updated

[notsoworried]

Manufacturer are not liable for their product after it is 11 years old. And your's is well.... older.

At least in Indiana, I assume other states have similar laws.


What about recalls that go that far back that were not done? Can you take your car and get them taken care of or is it too late?

[inpayne]

I'm not sure.

I Just know you can't sue if your car decides to kill you or something 11 years after the fact.

[stanley]

Did you ever check for water under the carpet on pass. side?

[trive2]

All Airbags have ever done for me is quadruple the cost of repairing my car when I bumped into a gutter. Absolutely no body intrusion, piece of shit. The sensors on these cars are over sensitive and prone to tripping.

[zeeguy]

Last month on the way to a Drs. Appointment, the ride/steering gradually became very thumpy and erratic in our 2003 Z4. I pulled off the road and the problem was the passenger side rear tire was totally flat. I jacked the passenger rear up slightly to take "pressure" off the flat and then plugged in my cigarette lighter air compressor and got about 25lbs in the tire.

On the way home the ride still felt "funny" and "thumpy" and got progressively worse, becoming a kind of “rocking” condition. In my mind, I thought this was due to the tire still having some "flatness". When I arrived home after traveling about 15 miles, I pulled the car into the workshop, shut it down, and removed the key. I proceeded to put a little more air (shop air, not from the cigarette lighter air compressor) into the tire to attempt to get @ 40lbs to temporarily try to get the tire more "round". While working on something else, I heard one heck of a POP!! I thought I had over inflated the tire, but then saw smoke inside the car from the steering wheel airbag that had just deployed!! The tire only had 33lbs in it.

I wiped the smoke residue down inside the car and then started it up with no problems.

A few days later, I crawled underneath the Z4 and quickly saw the reason for the "thumpy" and "rocking" ride. The inside surface of the tire that went flat had six, 5 inch long bulges that stood up 2 to 3 inches! The outside appearance looked very normal. It still did not explain why the airbag went off while the car was sitting shut down in the garage...although I am wondering if the extreme rocking/thump triggered the air bag sensor?? But again, the deployment occurred while the car was stationary. Later in the day, I took the old wheels/tires off and replaced them with my Z3 coupe wheels (same size as Z4 wheels). The car now drives and handles very well. I have attached a link showing just how bad that tire was. You can see how deceptive that tire was as it "looked" perfectly normal from the outside appearance.

This is my wife's car and is a totally stock vehicle with no modifications. It really is seldom driven. I did put a new battery in the car about two months ago, but it has been driven a few times since then with no issues. The car is not vigorously driven, and it does have an Allstate discount plug in device in the OBD II receptacle, but that has been in there for a year or so.