What the Airbag Light on a BMW E38 Means

The airbag light in a BMW E38 indicates a fault within the airbag system, which is a dangerous problem to have.
Written by Kathryn Mae Kurlychek
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If the airbag light comes on in your BMW E38 7 Series, it means there’s a problem with the airbag or supplemental restraint system (SRS) that requires immediate attention. 
We’ve all been there. A red or yellow light appears on the dashboard, and you don’t know what it means, so you make it a point to figure it out—later. Maybe you go days, weeks, or even months with that pesky dash light illuminated, promising yourself you’ll get around to it when you have the time. And in the case of something simple, maybe it’s no big deal. 
But your vehicle’s airbag light is one you won’t want to ignore. Your airbags play an essential role in the day-to-day safety of your vehicle—and the airbag light indicates a fault with that safety system. Here’s what you need to know when your BMW E38 airbag light comes on. 

What does the airbag light mean on a BMW E38?

Your BMW E38 is equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS) that includes your vehicle’s airbags. Any time a fault is detected in the system—whether it’s as simple as a loose connection or as serious as a malfunctioning airbag module—the airbag light on your instrument panel will turn on or begin to blink.
An illuminated airbag light is certainly cause for concern, as it indicates your airbag system is not functioning as intended and may not deploy properly in the event of an accident. The following are some of the most common causes for an airbag warning light to turn on: 
  • Faulty sensors: Crash sensors tell your
    airbag control module
    when to deploy the front and side airbags, and passenger occupancy sensors in the front seats tell the system when there are people sitting on them. If these sensors burn out or malfunction, the airbag light will illuminate. 
  • Blown fuses: Many important components of your airbag system (such as the crash and seat sensors) are connected to your car’s SRS via wiring—but if a fuse is blown (as they sometimes are), it could cause your airbag light to turn on. 
  • Loose connections: Similarly to blown fuses, a loose wire or connection could trigger your airbag light to illuminate. Since E38s are prone to electrical problems, it’s a good idea to check out your car’s fuse box, specifically for any wires connected to the SRS system. 
  • Malfunctioning airbag module: If your airbag control module gets wet or damaged, it can short out, causing the system to fail and the airbag light to illuminate. Your
    owner’s manual
    can tell you where the airbag module is located. 
These are some of the most common reasons your BMW E38’s airbag light will turn on, but they’re not the only ones. If you’re having trouble locating the source of the problem and resetting the light doesn’t work, you may need to bring your vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis. 

Are there any airbag recalls for a BMW E38? 

Thankfully, there are currently no existing airbag recalls for any BMW E38 models. Yay! 
To check for any other recalls, or airbag recalls that could occur in the future, you can visit the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website
.
MORE: The Takata airbag recall: Everything you need to know
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How to reset the airbag warning light on a BMW E38 

In some cases, you may be able to reset the airbag warning light without bringing your car to a mechanic. But in order to do so, you’ll need a specialized code reader compatible with BMW 7-series vehicles. Thankfully, these types of tools are relatively inexpensive.
Once you’ve got one, here’s what to do:
  1. First, disconnect your car’s battery by removing the negative battery terminal. This will enable you to reset your airbag light without affecting other vehicle systems.
  2. Next, locate your connector port inside the engine compartment on the passenger’s side (your owner’s manual will include specific instructions to help you find it). 
  3. Connect your code reader to the vehicle to scan for trouble codes. Your scan tool should return a more specific source of the problem—and reset your airbag light in the process. 
If the light remains on after completing these steps, you may need to bring your BMW to a shop for further inspection. The average cost to fix an E38’s airbag light is between $150 and $300
MORE: Are BMWs expensive to maintain?

Is it OK to drive with the BMW E38 airbag light on?

Technically, it’s OK to drive while your BMW E38’s airbag light is illuminated. But it’s not the best idea—and here’s why. 
Although the airbag light won’t impact your vehicle’s performance on the road, it can have serious consequences in the event of an accident. Failed deployment of the airbag system can result in serious injuries or even death during a car crash—so it’s best to have your BMW checked out as soon as you notice the warning light come on. 
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