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RollyVogel

BMW X4 Hood Fault & Airbag Warning: Fix Costs & Solutions

Airbag warning light

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Message "Active hood fault" in the on-board computer

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Fault stored

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Pedestrian protection hood has been triggered

Hey everyone! Need your advice regarding my 2018 BMW X4 (gas engine, 171k km). My onboard computer shows "Active hood fault" and the airbag warning light is on. The error memory shows related issues, and I've noticed the spring actuators have been triggered. Had some questionable service at my last mechanic visit, so I'm hesitant to return there. Has anyone experienced similar problems with their X4? What was the actual issue and how much did the repairs cost? Thanks in advance for your help!

4 comment(s)


LukasKrug19

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2015 BMW X3 last year. The active hood sensor and airbag warning came up after a faulty Acceleration sensor was triggering false signals. It's actually a safety feature that deploys when the car thinks it's detecting an imminent collision. In my case, the mechanic found that the front crash sensors had corroded connections, and one of the hood actuators was partially deployed. They had to replace both actuators and the main acceleration sensor unit. Definitely not a DIY job since it's connected to the airbag system. This isn't something you want to ignore, it's a critical safety system. Mine was fixed at a certified shop because the whole airbag system needed recalibration after the repair. Just make sure you go to someone who really knows BMW safety systems, as it requires specific diagnostic tools. If you're not comfortable with your current mechanic, I'd suggest finding a certified BMW specialist. These systems are pretty complex and you want someone who knows what they're doing. Hope this helps!

RollyVogel (Author)

Hey thanks for sharing your experience! Really helpful information about those sensors and actuators. Would you mind telling me roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also curious if you've had any other issues pop up since getting it fixed? I definitely agree about finding a specialist, don't want to mess around with safety systems. Just trying to get an idea of what I might be looking at cost-wise before I take it in.

LukasKrug19

Hey again! Just to update you, I took your advice and went to a certified BMW specialist. Good news, they got the Active hood fault completely sorted! Turned out it was exactly what happened with my car last year, the Acceleration sensor was acting up. The fix was straightforward and cost me 315€, which honestly wasn't as bad as I feared. Haven't had a single warning light or issue since they fixed it a few months ago. The airbag warning light disappeared right after they did the repair and recalibration. Really glad I went with a proper specialist, they knew exactly what they were doing and explained everything clearly. It's such a relief not seeing that warning message every time I start the car! If you're still looking to get yours fixed, I'd say that's roughly what you should expect to pay, give or take a bit depending on labor rates. Just make sure whoever does the work knows their way around BMW safety systems. Let us know how you get on with yours!

RollyVogel (Author)

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Just wanted to update you on what happened with my BMW. Finally got it checked out at a specialist shop yesterday. You were spot on about the sensor issue, turns out mine needed both the acceleration sensor and one actuator replaced. The mechanic I found was really thorough and professional. They detected some corrosion in the wiring that was causing the false signals. Took them about 3 hours to fix everything including the recalibration. Bill came to roughly 400 bucks total, a bit more than expected but worth it for the peace of mind. Took it for a test drive today and everything's working perfectly, no more warning lights or error messages. Such a relief to have this sorted properly! Really glad I didn't go back to my old mechanic. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay a bit more for someone who knows what they're doing. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with this. Definitely keeping this specialist's number for future repairs!

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