The vehicle’s "Passenger Airbag Off" light and dashboard SRS warning lamp are illuminated. A diagnostic scan using a BMW-specific tool confirms manufacturer Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occupancy Detector). This indicates a hardware failure of the OC3 internal seat sensor mat. Safety Risk: The failure of this sensor prevents the vehicle from correctly identifying if an adult is in the passenger seat. This compromises the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and may result in the passenger airbag failing to deploy during a collision, posing a significant risk of injury or death to the occupant. Confirmation of Problem: The fault was confirmed via a digital diagnostic system (Foxwell NT510) which identified the specific "Open Circuit" within the seat mat. The component is currently installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. Connection to Existing Recalls: This failure is identical in symptoms and fault code to those described in NHTSA Safety Recall 17V-428. Although this vehicle is the same year and model (2008 BMW 3-Series) as those covered in the recall, the VIN was excluded from the initial recall range. This appears to be a recall omission of a known manufacturing defect, as the failure occurred despite minimal use of the passenger seat.
NHTSA complaint #11711445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger Restraint system malfunction for the front passenger seat. This may not trigger the airbag for a passenger sitting in the front if a collision occurs and can seriously injure someone. This problem appears to be very common with BMW models within this timeframe. All over car forums and youtube videos, some videos with over 100k views per video. I am not sure how BMW has not recalled this safety issue as it seems to linger throughout many of their models for many years. As soon as the malfuction occured\, the warning sign and lamp lights did flash on.
NHTSA complaint #11686437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front Seat Passenger Side Seatbelt warning indicator activates when no person is in passenger seat. Airbag warning light illuminates even when there is a passenger in the seat. I see numerous complaints about the same/similar issues in your data base, but seemingly no resolution or recall. My car is a convertible. I note from other complaints on your website that a related recall was initiated for my year make model but it did not apply to convertible version of this model. That is irresponsible and unacceptable.
NHTSA complaint #11588925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The the OC3 MAT on the passanger car just showed up faulty which causes the air bag light to also come on. I have seen a lot of others posting they are having the same issue. Can you help me find out if this has already been recalled but not replaced on my car or if it hasn't even been recalled yet this is a safety issue. Because the airbags will not function if the oc3 mat is not functioning properly. There wasn't anyone in the seat and the car had not been in an accident when the lights for the seat and airbags came on I took it in for a diagnostic and they said it was the passenger OC3 mat . I have read some of the same modle had already had recalls just trying to find out if this was one that should have been because the rep at the dealer ship said this was the first one he's ever seen go bad on any car since he's been there. The big problem I'm having is the warranty I bought with the car won't cover this repair either and I'm a disabled veteran so I can't afford it at this moment.
NHTSA complaint #11562709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger restraint system malfunction alert when car is turned on. Air bag and passenger seatbelt warning lights are on. Passenger seat belt light will never turn off even with no passengers in the car. Air bags for passenger are off when there is a passenger in the car causing a safety concern. BMW wants $1000 to diagnose what the issue is for the airbag light only but not to fix it or check the seat belt light. Already paid them $100 just to tell me exactly what the message said on the car screen. Seeing the same issue all over the internet with flaws in the passenger restraint system for this model and similar models but no fix. Found an extended warranty but does not list the E92 model, all other models are listed.
NHTSA complaint #11551212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger restraint system malfunction. My vehicle as well as thousands of others have the chronic and unsafe issue of the passenger occupancy sensor malfunctioning. In order to remove warning on dash it’s either a $2,000 repair, or a $40 bypass which basically places the seat as constantly occupied, sticking the passenger airbag in the ‘on’ position. Vehicle is available for inspection. With this malfunction, any person that sits in the passenger front seat is at risk of injury or death in the event of a collision. Malfunction has been confirmed by both a dealer and an independent service center. Vehicle was inspected by the dealer, but no police or insurance company. Vehicle was purchased with the malfunction and the warning lights have been on for several years. With the massive number of vehicles of this make with a range of different mileage, with this issue, a recall is not only needed but warranted and should be mandated with this being a major safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11549720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have the seatbelt and airbag light illuminated on my car for the passenger. I have researched this issue and it seems to be a common problem on BMWs. It was part of a recall for the 2006 model but nothing past that year. Apparently, it is the sensor that is in the passenger seat that has broken. So the airbag can't sense whether or not a person is occupying that seat.
NHTSA complaint #11475040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had my passenger in the car driving 30mm and then I got a “restraint system warning ⚠️ “ illuminating the seatbelt light and seatbelt with airbag light. This is a safety concern as it is still on without a passenger. This affects the passenger airbag so in the case of fatality this would fall on BMW NA for neglecting to fix this issue. The car was fine before and this came out of no where
NHTSA complaint #11469243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In approximately 2014 the passenger seatbelt sensor randomly started dinging while driving and the seat was NOT occupied. I solved the issue by clipping the seat belt. This issue continued randomly for years and was always solved by clipping the seatbelt. Just this week May 2022, I had a passenger who while getting into the car once the seat belt was disengaged, the sensor immediatly started ding and would not stop and the "Service Engine Soon" dashboard light came on simultaneously. The Service light stayed on throughout the journey and has not turned off. The recall for a faulty seat mat does not extend beyond 2008 when CLEARLY, the seat mat continues to have issues beyond that year. I RARELY have a passenger and my 2011 has ~43K miles. This should be a manufacturer-funded repair as it is clearly a DEFECT in the product.
NHTSA complaint #11465296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle's Passenger Restraint system has failed affecting the Airbag's deployment, seat belt tensioners, and other safety components. The car currently has warnings on the dashboard in the form of lights and as warning messages in the infotainment system. Lights/warnings appeared randomly while driving qith no prior symptoms. This fault puts the safety of any passengers in my vehicle in jeopardy in the event of a collision. Car is available for inspection at anytime to confirm faults.
NHTSA complaint #11435318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Code is coming up for passenger seat occupancy sensor which possibly affects airbag deployment in the event of a collision. It has been noted that the passenger seat occupancy sensor has been a part of prior BMW for 2008 and earlier.
NHTSA complaint #11421018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SEAT IS ALWAYS MAKING A NOISE THAT I HAVE TO PUT THE SEAT BELT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO ONE BESIDE ME AND SINCE 2014 I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE TIME CHAIN I WAS WAITING FOR A RECALL THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA AND NO ONE CALLED ME
NHTSA complaint #11395466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PASSENGER RESTRAINED SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. IT IS SOMETHING VERY COMMON IN VEHICLES LIKE MINE. I HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE. IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE BMW SHOULD HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11365410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BACK SEAT MELTED FOR NO KNOWN REASON. IT STARTED IN THE BACKSEAT ARM REST, AND I HAD TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE LEATHER IS A DIFFERENT COLOR, THEN IT MOVED ONTO THE SEAT. NO ONE EVER SITS BACK THERE, I WENT TO BRAMAN BMW AND THEY SAID IT HAD TO DO WITH THE ELEMENTS, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOU HAD TO KEEP IT IN A GARAGE, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD OF BEEN TOLD AHEAD OF TIME. I DON'T HAVE A GARAGE SO IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. OTHER MANUFACTURERS LIKE LEXUS HAS HAD RECALLS ON SIMILAR ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11326944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN FRONT PASSENGER IS SEATED, LIGHT INDICATES PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS ARE TURNED OFF! EVEN WITH ADULTS SEATED. MAINTENANCE STATED LIKELY SEAT SENSOR FAULTY. FRUSTRATED TO SEE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE THAT WAS REPAIRED FOR ONLY ONE YEAR OF THE 3 YEARS AFFECTED. HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST DIE FIRST? HAPPENS STOPPED AND IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11324210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 2 MONTHS I GET AN OC3 PASSENGER SEAT MAT ERROR. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS BUT MY CAR ISN'T COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #11315937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE IS STARTED A WARNING WILL POP UP FOR 'PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION' CAUSED BY THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE WARNING WILL STAY ON AND NOT GO AWAY. A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR SIMILAR YEAR MODELS HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED BUT IT DIDN'T COVER ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES DUE TO SIMILAR SENSORS BEING USED ACROSS ALL THESE YEAR MODELS. BMW WANTS TO CHARGE 1000+ DOLLARS FOR THIS SENSOR REPAIR DUE TO THEM SAYING THIS IS AN 'UNAFFECTED VEHICLE'. WITHOUT THIS SENSOR WORKING PROPERLY, IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COULD NOT DEPLOY WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. BMW REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS WITHOUT A RECALL ANNOUNCED, OR WITHOUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BEING SPENT JUST FOR THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS.
NHTSA complaint #11291193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.