FOR OVER A YEAR NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF. ORIGINALLY, IT WAS ONLY TURNING ON WHEN I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. NOW IT TURNS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PERSON SO I'M STARTING TO THINK THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE IS MALFUNCTIONING TOO. IN ADDITIONAL THE SEATBELT LIGHT IS TURNING ON TOO NOW. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT IS THE AIRBAG AND SEAT SENSORS THAT HAVE MALFUNCTIONED. EACH TO FIX IS OVER $500. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS AND TO WAIT FOR A SUPPOSABLY RECALL LETTER. HOWEVER, THAT WAS A YEAR AGO AND I NOW HAVE THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT GOING OFF. I'VE ALSO COME ACROSS MANY BMW FORUMS (OWNERS) TALKING ABOUT THEIR FRUSTRATION WITH THESE SAME ISSUES. IT'S SURPRISING THAT THE DEALERSHIPS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT YET NOTHING IS BEING RESOLVED. THERE HAS TO BE A REMEDY FOR THIS ANNOYANCE AND LACK OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY BMW. IF ANYTHING THERE HAS TO BE SOME REPERCUSSIONS ON BMW'S PART SINCE THE CONSUMERS ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEM FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE YEARS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11098714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HELLO, MY 2009 BMW E92 328I IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TO NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT WITH THE SAME DESIGN AND PARTS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. (HTTPS://BRANDILAW.COM/2013/12/26/BMW-RECALLS-76565-VEHICLES-DUE-TO-A-FRONT-PASSENGER-SEAT-ELECTRONIC-SENSING-MAT-FAILURE/) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE CARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE RECALL DATE. I AM TRYING MY BEST TO DO DUE DILIGENCE AND INFORM THE NTSB TO REVIEW THIS INCIDENT WITHIN OTHER BMW MODELS AND TO HOPEFULLY REMEDY ANY AFFECTED CARS. THE DESIGN OF THE SENSOR IS VERY POORLY CONSTRUCTED AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, LEAVING MANY OWNERS TO SIMPLY FOREGO MAKING THE NECESSARY FIXES. IN FACT, SEVERAL MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT CUSTOMERS TYPICALLY AVOID MAKING THE FIX DUE TO HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS, RUNNING THE RISK OF THEIR PASSENGER NOT BEING PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. I HOPE THE NTSB CAN LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT [XXX] FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11092723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DISABLES PASSENGER AIRBAG CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANCY. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT EXPERIENCED BY PREVIOUS MODELS. COST OF REPAIR IS EXCESSIVE..
NHTSA complaint #11048471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL- MY AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 2X(1X UNDER WARRANTY) 1X I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AND NOW A 3RD TIME (OUT OF POCKET) IT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY PART AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME THIS HAS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #11023662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GETTING A HARD WARNING FOR "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". APPARENTLY THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT GOING BAD. THIS CAN CAUSE INJURY OR FATALITY AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #11023483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION FOR FRONT PASSENGER CODE 93C3. MY VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL BUT THE PARTICULAR MODEL HAS RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE CODE IS FOR THE AIRBAG WHICH WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #11016351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH PRODUCES A FAULT IN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM PREVENTING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET, ON A HIGHWAY, AND WHEN TURNING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE OR EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS USED NORMALLY AND AS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I BELIEVE THE SEAT MAT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND NORMAL USAGE OF PEOPLE SITTING ON IT. OVER TIME THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT FAILED AND POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGER SINCE THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #11000535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT FAILED. AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AIR BAG FAULTS WERE SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD AND INFORMATION CENTER. RECALL CAMPAIGN - 08V384000 WAS ISSUED BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. RECALL CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER MODELS IN THIS YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10943913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. MY 2007 BMW 328XI AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY MODEL CAR FROM 2006 UP, BUT THAT MY VIN# IS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL EVEN THOUGH ALL SYMPTOM AND ISSUE WAS THE SAME. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS THE SENSOR MAT IS THE SAME ISSUE AS NOTED IN THIS RECALL US NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID:13V564000
NHTSA complaint #10818819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE ONE DAY AND A MESSAGE SAYING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. CONTINUE TO WEAR SEATBELT. BRING TO LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP." THE DAY BEFORE NOTHING HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DALLAS TO HOUSTON. OCCASIONALLY AS I DRIVE WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING GOES AWAY BUT THEN THE CHIME GOES OFF AND THE MESSAGE REAPPEARS. THIS HAPPEN ALL IN JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST. NOW EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE WARNING COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE SEATBELT AS WELL SEEMS TO HAVE NO RESTRAINT AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF I WAS EVER IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SEATBELT WON'T HOLD THE PASSENGER BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10765127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT IN THE 2007 BMW 328XI IS DISPLAYED ON MY DASH INSTRUMENTATION FOR OVER A YEAR.IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD BE DEACTIVATED RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY. I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT INDICATED THAT THE MODEL WAS RECALLED. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT NUMEROUS BMW OWNERS HAVE MADE A SIMILAR COMPLAINT ABOUT THEIR VEHICLE AND RECALLS ARE USUALLY INITIATED IN THIS MANNER. REGARDLESS OF THE PRODUCTION TIME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MADE, MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECT AS THE OTHER VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY BMW.
NHTSA complaint #10724520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BLACK MOLD FORMED ON REAR SEATS, DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY WORKED (1/2 OF DASHBOARD ACTIVE, 1 FUSE POWERS THE DASH), 6" OF WATER POOLED IN REAR BACK PASSENGER FOOTWELL (LOCATION OF MAIN ELECTRICAL UNIT); WATER WAS DRIPPING ON MY FOOT WHEN RESTING ON PETAL OF MY 42000 MILE, $50,000, 2008 BMW 328XI COUPE. I CONTACTED BMW OF NA WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO USE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS DANGEROUS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WORK WITH BMW OF NA & BMW DEALERSHIP (PLACE OF PURCHASE) A VAPOR BARRIER LEAK WAS FOUND BUT MORE WAS BELIEVED TO BE AT CAUSE. THE DASH NEEDED TO BE REMOVED, FOR $1800. I REFUSED TO PAY; REQUESTED BMW OF NA TO PAY. REQUEST DENIED. THE DEALER SAID BMW OF NA WOULD ONLY PAY VAPOR BARRIER REPAIR COSTS. I ASKED FOR NO REPAIRS; TOWED THE CAR HOME. FINALLY REACHING LINDA VITALE, EXEC. CUSTOMER SERVICES OF BMW NA, NJ, SHE TOLD ME THE DEALER DID DO THE REPAIRS. THIS WAS AGAINST MY EXPRESSED WISHES. I WANTED THE CAR INVESTIGATED ELSEWHERE TOO. IN A LATER CONVERSATION, [XXX] CLAIMED THE REASON FOR THE WATER WAS FROM A LEAK FROM A 3RD PARTY WINDSHIELD INSTILLATION. NOTE: MOLD, WATER, AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EXISTED PREVIOUS TO 3RD PARTY WINDSHIELD INSTALLMENT. [XXX] , PROVEN WRONG, DUE TO DATES, STATED, IN A SUBSEQUENT RECORDED CONVERSATION, PER THE DEALER, THE WATER ENTERED THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE DISMANTLED AND INCORRECTLY PUT BACK. NOTE:[XXX] HAS PROOF THAT THE DOORS WERE NEVER REMOVED. [XXX] TOTALED THE CAR DUE TO BLACK MOLD CONTAMINATION, HEALTH RISKS; RISK OF INJURY TO ME AND OTHERS DUE TO MOLD, THE ELECTRICAL COMPROMISED, AND POSSIBLE POWER CUT TO ENGINE WHILE IN MOTION. A PAID LOAN BUT HAVING NO CAR, BMW OF NA WISHED ONLY TO COMPENSATE ME WITH $1000 TOWARDS A NEW BMW. I FOUND MANY FORUMS, ON THE INTERNET, REGARDING 2002-2015 BMW'S W/THE SAME PROBLEMS & OWNERS SUSTAINING SAME LOSS OF PROPERTY WITH NO ETHICAL OR SUSTAINABLE COMPENSATION FROM BMW OF NA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #10679453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON A VERY COLD DAY, I GOT INTO MY CAR, AND TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY X3. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THE SIDE OF MY WAIST FELT HOT AS IF I WAS ON FIRE. I REALIZED THAT IT MUST BE THE SEAT HEATER SO I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF. I STOPPED MY CAR, GOT OUT AND NOTICED MY COAT HAD BEEN BURNT. I NOTICED A BURNED HOLE ON THE SIDE OF MY SEAT, IN WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF MY COAT CATCHING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10678990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATING ELEMENT ON MY 2004 BMW X3 CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DON'T USE IT OFTEN, BUT HAD NOTICED A HOT SMELL WHEN I DID USE IT AND THAT IT WOULD BE TOO WARM IN THE LUMBAR AND HIP REGION. THE FIRE ACTUALLY BURNED ABOUT A DIME SIZE HOLE IN THE DRIVER SIDE LEFT SEAT PANEL (UNDER THE THIGH). AFTER READING OF MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME OR WORSE EXPERIENCES, I AM GLAD I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IF OFF, ALTHOUGH IT STILL BURNED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LEATHER. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF NEXT STEPS I SHOULD TAKE. I HAVE SHUT OFF THE HEATER AND WILL NO LONGER USE IT. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS, I WOULD THINK THIS WOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10652062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW IN JANUARY 2014 (RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V-564: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT). THE RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT IN THE CURRENT CONDITION, THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR ARE SCHEDULED TO BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH 2014. IT IS NOW MAY 6, 2014 AND BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAS INDICATED THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE ON WHEN THEY WILL BE. IT HAS NOW BEEN NEARLY 5 MONTHS SINCE RECEIVING THE ORIGINAL RECALL NOTICE. DURING THIS TIME I ESSENTIALLY HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. BMW DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE TAKING THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AND PROVIDING A PROMPT RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE PLACED REPEATED CALLS INTO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND CONTINUE TO BE INFORMED THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL THE REQUIRED PARTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10586838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A BMW 3 SERIES 2007 THAT I PURCHASED 3 YEARS AGO WITH A DEALER. SIX WEEKS AGO A DASH BOARD LIGHT CAME ON WITH A MESSAGE "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". A DETAILED MESSAGE SAYS "FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY THE NEAREST BMW CENTER". I HAVE SEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND IT SEEMS BMW 3 AND 5 SERIES CARDS MANUFACTURED IN 2003 - 2008 HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE THAT BMW SHOULD RECALL AND FIX IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA complaint #10558234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY HEATER SETTING ON WARM, SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM CENTER CONSOLE AND LEFT SIDE OF GLOVE BOX FROM UNDERNEATH. HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND ESCAPE THE SMOKE FILLED CABIN THE SMOKE TURN TO A FLAME FROM UNDER THE GLOVE BOX. THE CAR PROCEEDED TO TOTALLY BURN FROM THIS INCIDENT. I REVIEWED THE SCHEMATICS TO IDENTIFY THE ONLY HEATING DISSIPATING ELEMENT LOCATED UNDER THERE IS THE FSR BLOWER MOTOR CONTROL SMOKE APPEARED SUDDENLY.
NHTSA complaint #10542017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.