According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code "930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code "930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault(moisture)" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 BMW 550i airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2011 BMW 550i have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 4 airbags complaints filed for the 2011 BMW 550i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 4) replaces SI B51 30 16 dated March 2018. Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked Trunk/tailgate may open while the vehicle is in motion usually after stopping such as a traffic light etc. Vehicle key trunk/tailgate button may be accidentally pressed thus opening the tailgate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT: ACSM FC 930A60 OR 930A1C SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION. According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be on when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code ""930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code ""930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault (moisture)"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. The front passenger seat occupancy mat consists of a seat occupancy mat with a capacitive sensor system. This means a front passenger is detected by measuring the resistance of the human body. T
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Airbag Warning Light: ACSM FC 930A60 or 930A1C Seat Occupancy Detection. According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be on when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code ""930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code ""930A1C - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. CAUSE The front passenger seat occupancy mat consists of a seat occupancy mat with a capacitive sensor system. This means a front passenger is detected by measuring the resistance of the human body. The fault i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Airbag Warning Light: ACSM FC 930A60 Seat Occupancy Detection. According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be on when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. ACSM fault code ""930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction"" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. CAUSE The front passenger seat occupancy mat consists of a seat occupancy mat with a capacitive sensor system. This means a front passenger is detected by measuring the resistance of the human body. The fault is set when moisture is detected on the mat itself."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I was rear ended on the left side exiting the freeway when my car spun to the right into a guardrail head on and continued into a 360 degree motion. The roads were clear and normal weather conditions. After my vehicle stopped spinning my vehicle had a message stating restraint system failure and the airbags never deployed. The impact of hitting the guard rail with tremendous force should've…
Comes up days driver restraint malfuntion
Had airbags trouble with your 2011 BMW 550i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 BMW 550i?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 65,167 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/BMW/550i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.