FaultScore

BMW 128I airbag problems

90 of the 237 complaints filed about the BMW 128I are about the airbag system — 38% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.

90

Complaints

38%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

1

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2008 128I 7 7.8%

Median failure at 77,250 miles

2009 128I 11 12.2%

Median failure at 77,694 miles

2010 128I 10 11.1%

Median failure at 115,057 miles

2011 128I 15 16.7%

Median failure at 42,000 miles

2012 128I 23 25.6%

Median failure at 30,500 miles

2013 128I 24 26.7%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

What owners said

2013 BMW 128I Baton Rouge, LA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was a recurring failure, and the vehicle was parked and no longer driven due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11696560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 128I at 82,000 miles Minneapolis, MN

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 128I. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while his wife was seated in the front passenger’s seat, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the front passenger’s side seat occupancy mat had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the part was no longer being manufactured. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA complaint #11679043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 128I Sherman Oaks, CA

AIR BAGS

Front passenger air bag seat occupancy sensor (OC3) mat warning "Passenger restraint system. Fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag" BMW has an extended warranty for this exact issue on several other models, but not the 1 series which should be included. This is a huge safety issue and shouldn't be the customer's responsibility.

NHTSA complaint #11614818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW 128I Brecksville, OH

AIR BAGS

Passenger restraint system malfunction. An independent repair shop tested and found the passenger seat sensor pad is bad. From my research, BMW has a problem with this part.

NHTSA complaint #11498654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 BMW 128I at 77,250 miles Lincoln, MA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 128I. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local BMW dealer. The dealer diagnosed the root cause of the warning light to be a failure of the passenger seat occupancy detection mat. When this part fails the passenger side air bags will be permanently deactivated. This will increase the risk of personal injury for any passenger in the event of a crash. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags), 17V428000 (Air Bags), and 17V605000 (Air Bags). However, these NHTSA campaigns, for the exact same issue, only cover various other BMW models, but not any BMW 1 series cars. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the very high dealer estimate of over $3,300 for the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 77,250.

NHTSA complaint #11457813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW 128I Bluefield, VA

AIR BAGS

I have contacted BMW multiple times to come out and perform all 3 recalls. They said they would call back for details specific date to send out a certified mechanic to remedy the recalls. My wife never got a call back. I live over a hundred miles from any dealer on the VA and WV state lines. I can't afford to take time off to bring the car to them.

NHTSA complaint #11427958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 128I at 42,000 miles Washignton, DC

AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated while entering the vehicle she noticed that the passenger’s seat occupancy sensor light was illuminated however, there was no one occupying the seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a faulty memory SRS light and sensor. The contact was informed that to repair the failure the passenger’s seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

NHTSA complaint #11422305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW 128I at 90,000 miles Poca Raton, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (VISTA BMW (4401 W. SAMPLE RD. COCONUT CREEK, FL.) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11302844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW 128I Carneys Point, NJ

AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG ON MY VEHICLE WAS REPLACED DURING THE FIRST AIRBAG RECALL. DOES THE AIRBAG NEED TO REPLACED AGAIN?

NHTSA complaint #11300096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW 128I at 140,115 miles Meridian, ID

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

MY 2010 BMW 128I HAS TWO AIRBAG LIGHTS AND ONE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY "PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SENSOR" UNDER DIAGNOSTIC CODE 93D2. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW 1 SERIES AND 3 SERIES CARS THE FAULTY SENSOR RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BEING DEACTIVATED. IN FACT, THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT AFTERMARKET COMPANIES HAVE DEVELOPED A "BYPASS" TO=HAT PLUGS IN TO THE SEAT TO REACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS WITHOUT REPLACING THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THIS CREATES ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN, BECAUSE THE BYPASS ACTIVATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER (OR LACK OF A PASSENGER), WHICH COULD RESULT IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN A REAR FACING CARSEAT OR OTHER UNDERWEIGHT PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WITH A QUOTE OF $1,291.05 TO REPAIR THE FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR, I FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND PREVENT FURTHER INJURIES BY RECALLING THE SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #11290306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW 128I at 140,115 miles Meridian, ID

AIR BAGS

MY 2010 BMW 128I HAS TWO AIRBAG LIGHTS AND ONE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY "PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SENSOR" UNDER DIAGNOSTIC CODE 93D2. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW 1 SERIES AND 3 SERIES CARS THE FAULTY SENSOR RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG BEING DEACTIVATED. IN FACT, THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON THAT AFTERMARKET COMPANIES HAVE DEVELOPED A "BYPASS" TO=HAT PLUGS IN TO THE SEAT TO REACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS WITHOUT REPLACING THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THIS CREATES ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN, BECAUSE THE BYPASS ACTIVATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER (OR LACK OF A PASSENGER), WHICH COULD RESULT IN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN A REAR FACING CARSEAT OR OTHER UNDERWEIGHT PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WITH A QUOTE OF $1,291.05 TO REPAIR THE FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR, I FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND PREVENT FURTHER INJURIES BY RECALLING THE SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #11290306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW 128I at 77,694 miles Hayward, CA

AIR BAGS

DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF. IF THE ELECTRONIC SENSING MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILS, THIS WILL DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11196725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW 128I at 77,694 miles Hayward, CA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF. IF THE ELECTRONIC SENSING MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILS, THIS WILL DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11196725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 128I Oviedo, FL

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11091442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 BMW 128I Pensacola, FL Fire

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER (BMW OF FORT WALTON BEACH, 1000 N. BEAL PARKWAY, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32547, (850) 863-2167) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES THAT PROGRESSED WHILE WAITING TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REMEDY, SUCH AS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE DEALER COMPLETED AN AIR BAG RECALL REPAIR AND THE DEALER WAS SERVICING THE COMPUTER TO DETERMINE IF A SENSOR OR THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11079742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 128I at 31,150 miles Greensboro, NC

AIR BAGS

CPSC:WORKING WITH MY MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED OVER THE COURSE OF 2 MONTHS, THAT THE FRONT SEATBELTS AND SEVERAL OF THE AIRBAGS HAD EITHER BEEN DISABLED OR REMOVED. *DT *JS*DT

NHTSA complaint #11074783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW 128I Kennesaw, GA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TRADING IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE, SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW (500 INTERSTATE N PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30339, (800) 294-1853) AND UNITED BMW (1501 ALPHARETTA HWY, ALPHARETTA, GA 30009, (678) 430-3775) WERE BEEN UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #11054903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 128I Collingswood, NJ

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL THE TAKATA AIRBAGS ON MY CAR WERE RECALLED IN FEB 2016. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE STILL ON A "NATIONAL BACKORDER." THIS HAS ALMOST BEEN 2 YEARS WITHOUT A RESOLUTION - THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11054214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 128I Atlanta, GA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL BMW HAS FAILED TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG THAT WAS RECALLED ON 2/5/2016 AFTER MANY SERVICES THEY HAVE NOT TO DATE REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG

NHTSA complaint #11044935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 128I Monroe, GA

AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE CALLED TWO DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE MY AIRBAG REPLACE AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON AND THEY SAY THE PART WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND IT WOULD BE 2 WEEKS (UNITED BMW GWINNETT) AND I ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER AND I LEFT A MESSAGE AND IT HAS BEEN A WEEK WITH NO RESPONSE. THIS A DANGEROUS CAR AT THIS POINT TO DRIVE BUT BMW DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING SERIOUS LY. I THEN CALLED NALLEY BMW AND THE SAID IT WOULD TAKE TWO WEEKS TO GET THE PART IN. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE IF THIS AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE IN THE CAR. HOW CAN WE EXPIDITE THIS SERVICE TO GET MY CAR FIXED OR DO THEY WANT TO PAY FOR ME TO GET A RENTAL, OR DO THEY WANT TO TAKE THE RISK OF THE AIRBAG HURTING ME OR MY GRANDCHILDREN?

NHTSA complaint #11043596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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