The BMW X3 airbag light turns on whenever someone sits in the front passenger seat. However, there might be a problem with your airbag system if it stays illuminated when there’s no front passenger.

If you want to stay on top of maintenance issues with your BMW X3, it’s a good idea to know what your vehicle’s airbag light means, and what you should do if it stays illuminated. Drivers who have experience with basic

car repair

can try resetting the airbag alert themselves—but most people should have their car checked out by a professional mechanic.

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What does the airbag light mean on a BMW X3?

In most BMW X3 models, the airbag alert will turn on whenever the seat sensor detects a passenger in the front seat. However, if the

airbag indicator light

remains on when no passenger is present, it could mean there’s a problem with your “supplemental restraint system,” or SRS.

If you’re not sure where to find your airbag alert, check the lower portion of your instrument panel for a symbol that looks like a person buckled into a seat with an inflated airbag in front of them.

Here are a few reasons why your BMW X3’s airbag light might get stuck on.

Defective sensors. Your X3 is equipped with

sensors

that tell your SRS when people are sitting in the driver and passenger seats, and activate your

airbag control module

during a crash. Faulty or worn-out sensors can cause the airbag alert to remain on.

Faulty airbag module. In some cases, your airbag light may stay on due to a short circuit or damage to your airbag control module. If you need help finding your X3 airbag module, check your car owner’s manual.

Wiring problems. If the wires that connect your SRS sensors to the airbag control module are damaged or defective, your airbag alert will remain on.

Drained battery. When your

car battery

is low on power, your car begins to “steal” electricity generated by your alternator to keep running. In turn, this can cause problems with your car’s other electrical systems, including the airbag sensors.

Broken airbag clock spring. The

airbag clock spring

is an important car component that allows you to turn the steering wheel and enables your driver’s side airbag. If it gets worn out, damaged, or begins malfunctioning, your airbag light will stay on.

An illuminated airbag light usually indicates trouble, so it’s a good idea to take your car to the mechanic as soon as possible. Keep in mind that driving a car with a faulty airbag system isn’t safe, since you risk sustaining major injuries in the event of an accident.

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What you need to know about BMW X3 airbag recalls

There have been three recalls issued for the BMW X3’s airbag system. If you drive an X3 from 2015, 2018, 2019, or 2020, contact your dealership service center and ask if your car qualifies for a free repair.

Here’s an overview of the BMW X3 airbag recalls.

Some X3s from the 2015 model year were recalled due to improper airbag welding. Because of this manufacturing error, the airbag inflators could detach during a crash, seriously injuring the occupants of the vehicle.

In 2020, a recall was issued for faulty airbag installation on certain X3 models manufactured between 2018 and 2020. This defect could cause the airbag to shatter the vehicle’s instrument panel casing during a crash.

Some 2020 X3s were recalled due to faulty airbag sensors, which could mistake a belted passenger for an unbelted, and cause the airbag to deploy improperly during an accident.

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How to reset the airbag warning light on a BMW X3

If your BMW X3 airbag warning light remains on after you’ve repaired your car, you can reset it with an OBD-II scanner or a

BMW SRS reset tool

. Simply plug your scanner or reset tool into the OBD port under your dashboard, and clear the error codes. Once you clear the codes, restart your vehicle and the airbag warning light should be gone!

Keep in mind that you should only reset the warning light yourself if you have a good understanding of car repair, and are sure that you’ve already resolved the issue with your vehicle’s airbag system.

If you don’t recognize the code displayed on your scanner, or your airbag light comes back on again after being reset, bring your vehicle to a trusted auto body shop for professional service.

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Is it OK to drive with the BMW X3 airbag light on?

While it’s possible to drive a BMW X3 with the airbag light on, doing so can be very dangerous! Because the airbag warning light usually indicates a faulty airbag system, your airbags may malfunction in the event of an accident—putting you at higher risk of injuries or even death.

If your airbag warning light is on, only drive your X3 if you’re headed directly to an auto repair shop to have the problem diagnosed. Drivers who are unable to get their car fixed right away can stay safe by borrowing or renting a car, or using public transportation.

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