BMW X6 Hood Sensor Triggers Dual Warning Lights

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2012 BMW X5 35i last month. The acceleration sensor was acting up, triggering both the active hood and airbag warnings, they're connected to the same safety system. Had it checked at my garage and turns out the sensor was totally defective, not just loose wiring as I'd hoped. This isn't something you want to ignore since it affects both your pedestrian protection system and airbag functionality. I wouldn't call it a super complex repair, but it's definitely a critical safety component that needs proper attention. In my case, they had to replace the entire sensor unit and recalibrate the system. The whole job took about 3 hours. Make sure whoever works on it has experience with BMW safety systems, they need special diagnostic equipment to properly reset everything. Just keep in mind, if it's anything like what happened to mine, this isn't something you can put off for too long since it involves core safety features.

Thanks for sharing this, it's really helpful! I've got the same diagnosis for my X6, and your experience gives me a better idea of what I'm dealing with. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything been working smoothly since they fixed it?

Hey again! Absolutely happy to help! Yep, everything's been working perfectly since I had it fixed. The Active hood fault message disappeared completely after they replaced that faulty acceleration sensor, and I haven't seen any warning lights since. Honestly, such a relief! I actually kept the invoice, it set me back 315 € for the whole job, including parts and labor. Might sound a bit steep, but considering it's a critical safety component, I think it was worth every penny. These BMWs can be pricey to maintain, but at least when they're fixed properly, they stay fixed! Just make sure whoever works on yours knows their stuff with BMW systems. Mine's been running like a dream since the repair, and I'm sure yours will too once you get it sorted. Let me know how it goes!

Thanks so much for all the details! I went ahead and took your advice about finding a BMW-experienced mechanic. Got it fixed yesterday and you were spot on, it was the acceleration sensor. The repair cost was slightly higher than yours at 380 €, but I'm just glad it's done properly. The mechanic I found was actually great, nothing like my last experience. They took the time to explain everything and even showed me the faulty sensor. Took about 3.5 hours total, but they kept me updated throughout. The warning lights are gone now and everything's working perfectly. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it helped me avoid getting ripped off and gave me confidence in what needed to be done. These BMWs might be expensive to maintain, but at least now I know what to expect with these kinds of issues!