2018 BMW 530I

25 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Aug 20, 2025Failure Dec 14, 2024Phenix City, ALEngine

   The oil filter housing has a plastic coolant passage that cracked. That lead to a complete loss of coolant, leaving my teenage daughter stranded. The problem seems pretty wide spread on these cars and happens right around the end of the warranty period. It could have been a more than $2500 repair. I ended up fixing it myself for a little less.

   NHTSA complaint 11682017
2. Filed Jun 25, 2025Failure Jun 11, 2024Chubbuck, IDAir bags

   It keeps coming up with the error message passenger restraint system malfunction

   NHTSA complaint 11669239
3. Filed Jun 17, 2025Failure Jun 11, 2025Anaheim, CAEngine

   I was driving home after picking my son up from school and out of no where the vehicle temperature was in the red and a message popped up stating that vehicle coolant needed to be replenished but that continued driving of the vehicle was ok. It was not ok at all! The car started smoking and we were left stranded on the side of the road. I’ve read numerous blogs showing that the same thing has happened to other people and that there have even been recalls on other bmw’s in regards to the engine coolant system.

   NHTSA complaint 11667326
4. Filed Jan 24, 2025Failure Jan 10, 2025105,000 milesSmyrna, TNEngine and engine cooling

   The contact's wife owns a 2018 BMW 530I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir, and the warning light turned off; however, the check engine light soon returned. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test discovered that coolant and freon had leaked from the turbo lines, causing damages to the oil housing and water pump. The dealer provided the contact with an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11638278
5. Filed Jan 2, 2025Failure Aug 1, 202464,000 milesBaton Rouge, LAEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2018 BMW 530I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a coolant-level message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where a diagnostic test determined that there was a coolant leak inside the engine. The contact was informed that the vehicle was covered under warranty and that an undisclosed part inside the coolant system was replaced. The contact stated that one week after the repair, the message returned, and the contact was informed that the upper coolant hose was defective. The contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty and the contact paid for the repair. After the second repair, the contact stated that the failure returned and there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11633671
6. Filed Jul 31, 2024Failure Jul 14, 2024Middlefield, CTAir bags

   Passenger restraint system Malfunction. L

   NHTSA complaint 11605584
7. Filed Jul 26, 2024Failure Jul 21, 2024Columbia, SCAir bags

   I parked my car and there were not any lights on the showing. When I returned to my car about an hour later 2 lights were shown (1) 4 wheel drive and (2) Passenger restraint system. I am concerned about the passenger restraint system because until I can get this repaired, no one can use the passenger seat because of this safety issue.

   NHTSA complaint 11604742
8. Filed Jul 21, 2024Failure Mar 14, 2024North Lauderdale, FLAir bags

   The car is reporting that there is a passenger restraint system malfunction. When there is a passenger in the front seat, the airbag is disable.

   NHTSA complaint 11603633
9. Filed Jun 21, 2024Failure Jun 21, 2024The Woodlands, TXAir bags, Seat belts, Seats

   Car randomly shows “Passenger restraint system malfunction”. I have read multiple complaints from other BMW owners about this issue that is not covered under BMW warranty.

   NHTSA complaint 11595827
10. Filed May 4, 2024Failure May 3, 2024Red Bank, NJAir bags, Seat belts, Unknown or other

    My car is producing a warning light for "Passenger restraint system malfunction". This is a safety hazard and it is not covered by warranty. I believe this should be investigated and a recall should be mandated as many people have this issue. The cost to fix is over $2,500 and BMW should bear the cost of this safety issue.

    NHTSA complaint 11586947
11. Filed Mar 9, 2024Failure Dec 10, 2023Stevensville, MDSeat belts, Seats

    Passenger Restraint system malfunction warning keeps appearing. This car has never been in an accident or had any moisture, spills etc. that would cause that to happen. I'm reporting it as an issue due to the many complaints by BMW customers with the same issue. BMW charges $2500 to fix for this very common problem.

    NHTSA complaint 11576351
12. Filed Sep 26, 2023Failure Sep 25, 2023San Antonio, TXAir bags, Seat belts, Seats

    I recently took my vehicle in for a service due to "passenger system restraint" error code. Upon dealer inspection it would cost upwards of 4,000$ to fix this issue. I called my warranty company and they do not warranty any repairs that have to do with restraint systems. This seems to be a widespread issue from what I have read. This can really cause a major issue if the seatbelt for the passenger side does not work upon a collision. This has to be putting people in a serious situation and should be investigated. Thanks for your time.

    NHTSA complaint 11546552
13. Filed Aug 21, 2023Failure Aug 16, 2023Memphis, TNSeats

    Passenger restraint system warning is appearing frequently. The dealer service department said the front passenger seat mat needs to be replaced due to faulty front passenger seat occupancy detection. This is a known and common problem impacting front passenger seats but bmw is not recalling even though it impacts air bag deployment. The cost of the repair is estimated to be $2030 at Roadshow BMW in Cordova, TN.

    NHTSA complaint 11539754
14. Filed Jul 14, 2023Failure Jul 6, 2023Bartlett, ILAir bags

    There is a sensor that has malfunctioned under the passenger seat. This passenger restraint sensor is meant to detect a person in the seat so the airbag can deploy. The problem is that I’m Oder to fix this send the cost is over $2,000. It’s not concerned by BMW although it’s part of their safety design.

    NHTSA complaint 11532317
15. Filed Jul 12, 2023Failure Aug 17, 2019Port Saint Lucie, FLAir bags

    Passenger restraint warning light continues to illuminate intermittently after services were performed to remedy. Dealer diagnosis showed the seat module had moisture. Dried out. Worked ok for a few months then reoccurred. Next mechanic diagnosed faulty CIS seat box. Replaced the module. Worked ok for a few months then reoccurred.

    NHTSA complaint 11531783
16. Filed Jun 30, 2023Failure Jun 19, 2023North Las Vegas, NVEngine, Unknown or other

    I have been smelling a vinegar smell in my vehicle for 1 week upon turning on the air conditioner. At the end of one week I have been having several health issues and I am concerned that this is mold, mildew, or another toxic chemical. I live in Las Vegas where temperatures have reached 3 digits and I am unable to use my air conditioner due to this horrible smell. I ended up in the hospital this week and no one knows what the issue could be. I am concerned that it’s from breathing in toxins from my car

    NHTSA complaint 11529860
17. Filed Oct 18, 2022Failure Sep 1, 2022Redmond, WAEngine

    Engine suddenly lost most of power, causing risks of losing control. Diagnosis suggests a bug in Digital Motor Electronics (DME) unit. Per TSB SI B12 08 18, the correction is to update software. This should be a recall to make sure drivers don't experience sudden engine malfunction during driving.

    NHTSA complaint 11489856
18. Filed Aug 15, 2021Failure Jul 1, 2021Tucson, AZAir bags, Electrical system, Seat belts

    Passenger Restraint System Malfunction. This is what randomly and constantly pops up. The fasten seat alert goes off the whole time I’m riding, although no one is in the passenger seat. I took it to the BMW service center twice and each time they keep my vehicles for hours, just to say they couldn’t duplicate the issue.

    NHTSA complaint 11429174
19. Filed May 26, 2021Failure Apr 21, 2021Wethersfield, CTAir bags, Seats

    Passenger restrain system malfunction where airbags will not deploy if car is in accident. this seems as an issue with BMWs and they had recall before on certain models and years, dealers do not want to process claims under manufacturing warranty to fix an issue even the car is still under manufacturing warranty. claiming that water could have been spilled seems very convenient not to fix this issues. i took my car to dealer and they ran diagnostic test and charge me $200 to tell me to turn heat in the seat because moisture, sound unfair. week after that same message came on i am not sure how it is legal for BMW dealers to clear code and send people home and tell them to turn heat in the seat and hopefully problem goes away. which it did not and there should be recall for this issue especially if airbags are concern.

    NHTSA complaint 11418662
20. Filed Aug 23, 2020Failure Aug 11, 202017,000 milesAkron, OHUnknown or otherCrash2 injured

    MY CAR HAD UNDER 17,000 MILES AND HAD BEEN SERVICED ON SCHEDULE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I HAD BMW ANCHORED DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT IN PLACE. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW AND I WERE WEARING OUR SAFETY BELTS. WE WERE APPROACHING A FOUR-WAY INTERSECTION WITH A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE ROAD IS 35 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS DRIVING SLOWER THAN THAT SPEED. AS I WAS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WITH A RED LIGHT , I HAD TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS NOT ON ANY PEDAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I HIT THE BRAKES BUT I COULD NOT SLOW THE CAR. I WAS RAPIDLY APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION AND OTHER VEHICLES. TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD WAS A HOUSE. I STEERED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE FIELD ON THE LEFT. I AM CERTAIN THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE OF ITS POSITION AND RESISTANCE. THE CAR HAD ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY FOOT ON ANY PEDAL. DUE THE CAR'S SPEED AND AN INCLINE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE FIELD, THE CAR BECAME AIRBORNE FOR A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE LANDING HARD AND CONTINUING TOWARD A DUMPSTER. ALTHOUGH I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR, I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AWAY FROM THE DUMPSTER AND TOWARD A STEEP HILL AT THE END OF THE FIELD. THE CAR WAS SLOWED BY THE INCLINE AND CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I CALLED 911. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY HUSBAND AND THE POLICE OFFICER BOTH CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IMPINGING UPON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS ADMITTED FOR ACUTE LUMBAR SPINAL COMPRESSION FRACTURE. I WAS EVALUATED IN THE ED AND RELEASED. BMW IS TO SEND AN ENGINEER FROM BMW TO EVALUATE MY CAR. THE BODY SHOP TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT AN EMPLOYEE STARTED MY CAR WHICH INITIALLY REVVED AT A HIGH RATE. UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION

    NHTSA complaint 11350816