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 ↗2013 BMW 335i airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 BMW 335i have filed 11 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
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 335i | 43 |
| 2012 335i | 15 |
| 2013 335i (this page) | 11 |
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 ↗SIDE PANEL REAR LIGHT HOUSINGS: LTD WTY EXT TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMIT: The rear light housing(s) can loosen/detach at the mounting tabs this can cause a clacking sound in the rear of the vehicle while driving. The plastic mounting tabs for the rear tail light assembly housing(s) may become too brittle and crack to the point where the hold down nut(s) can no longer keep the housing(s) in place.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2013 BMW 335i models consistently report two distinct airbag system problems. The first is passenger seat occupancy sensor mat failure, which triggers the passenger restraint malfunction warning light unpredictably during driving—sometimes when the seat is empty, sometimes when occupied, sometimes disappearing on restart. One owner received diagnostic code 930A1C pointing to sensor failure related to wetness, despite living in a dry desert climate. BMW dealerships quote $1,600 out of pocket to replace the passenger seat mat, with inspection alone costing $175. The parts are unavailable through independent mechanics or online retailers, locking owners into dealership repair or leaving the warning unresolved.
The second major issue is the Takata airbag inflator recall (NHTSA 16V071000). Multiple owners received recall notices but could not complete repairs because BMW had no replacement parts available—some waited 10 months after recall notification, others 15 months from purchase. This outstanding recall blocks vehicle trades and refinancing at dealerships. One owner was prevented from refinancing at a better rate until the recall was completed; another cannot sell the car at market value because dealers will not accept vehicles with pending recalls. Owners express frustration that BMW exceeded reasonable timelines for parts availability with no resolution or alternative options offered.
Same BMW 335i airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor Mat Malfunction
Passenger restraint system warning light illuminates intermittently or persistently, often triggered by passenger movement or seat occupancy changes. Owners report the sensor fails to correctly detect passenger presence or absence. Diagnostic code 930A1C indicates seat occupancy sensor sending sensor failure related to wetness, though owners dispute moisture exposure. The mat is a critical safety component that enables airbag deployment logic.
When: 6000–70000 miles; occurs at random during driving
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger restraint malfunction warning light flashing or illuminated on dashboard; Warning appears intermittently or persists while driving; Light may clear and reappear unpredictably; Light triggers when passenger moves in seat or enters/exits vehicle; Light remains on even with no passenger seated
Codes mentioned: 930A1C-ODS-SYSTEM: SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR PASSENGER: SENDING SENSOR FAILURE BECAUSE OF WETNESS
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $1,600 out of pocket for passenger mat replacement. BMW parts are not available through independent suppliers or online retailers; repair limited to BMW dealerships. Inspection costs $175. Owners report difficulty finding independent repair options.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: BMW issued a recall for 2006–2007 models (325i, 328i, 330i, 335i, 525i, 530i, 550i, 750i, 760i, X5) due to defective front passenger seat occupant detection mat. 2013 models appear to share the same defect but not explicitly listed in recalled model years. No warranty coverage reported by dealerships. Owners report BMW has not proactively addressed the issue for 2013 models despite similar failures.
Takata Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 16V071000)
Owners received recall notifications for defective Takata airbag inflators but repair parts remained unavailable for extended periods—some over 15 months from purchase or 10+ months from recall notice. Owners cannot complete recall work and are unable to trade or refinance the vehicle while the recall is unresolved.
When: Recalls issued; parts unavailable 10–15 months or longer after notification
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received from BMW or finance company; Unable to schedule repair due to parts unavailability; Unable to trade vehicle at dealership with pending recall; Unable to refinance vehicle due to unresolved recall; Vehicle considered unsafe to drive or sell at market value
Repairs/costs cited: Parts for NHTSA Campaign 16V071000 repair were unavailable as of early 2017. Owners waited 10–15+ months with no resolution. One owner called in March 2017 and was told replacement parts were still not available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: BMW issued NHTSA Campaign 16V071000 for Takata airbag inflator recall affecting 2013 BMW 335i. Manufacturer did not meet reasonable timelines for parts availability. Finance company and dealerships blocked trade-ins and refinancing until recall completion. No alternative resolution or loaner program reported.
Intermittent Airbag System Warning Light (Miscellaneous)
Passenger restraint system warning light illuminates briefly during vehicle startup or random times while driving, then clears on restart. Owners report the light appears without any known cause or prior accident damage. This may be a separate sensor or wiring issue distinct from the occupancy mat malfunction.
When: Random occurrences during startup or driving
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger restraint system malfunction light appears during startup; Light remains on briefly while driving then clears after restart; No accident or flood damage preceding the event; Light appears intermittently on different occasions
Repairs/costs cited: Owners did not provide specific repair quotes or parts information for these intermittent faults. Dealership code-clearing mentioned but no permanent fix described.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 BMW 335i. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
Takata recall. 8 months ago, I was planning to refinance my vehicle & lower my interest rate. As I called, the BMW finance company, told me I will not be able to do anything with my vehicle until the recall is done. That's when I was brought aware to the recall, if I was not told, I wouldn't have known. I called to the dealer, north hollywood BMW &a south bay dealer, but neither have taken…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 BMW 335i?
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 2013 BMW 335i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 55,691 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/2013/BMW/335i.
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.