192 of the 1,136 complaints filed about the BMW 335I are about the airbag system — 17% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2008.
192
Complaints
17%
Share of all complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the result was unknown. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
2009 BMW 3 Series with factory optioned Sport Steering wheel has no recalls, but still has a 2017 production Takata PSDI-5 airbag with the yellow sticker. This airbag was replaced during the interim period, before the revised design was released. It was manufactured in 2017, but used the same design as the original. This airbag is now 9 years old, and I fear it has the same shrapnel risk as the original unit replaced in 2017. East Bay BMW did not take my concern seriously when I made an appointment, citing the fact that there were no recalls for my VIN. There was no inspection performed. The only option I have is buying a used airbag with a 2018+ production date and white sticker. I would like reassurance that my airbag won't kill me, or some help from the manufacturer.
NHTSA complaint #11725997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
SUBJECT: Catastrophic Steering Failure and Erroneous Safety Recall Notification - 2014 BMW 335i 105,000 milles INCIDENT DESCRIPTION: While driving, the vehicle completely lost steering control. The electronic steering rack disengaged due to a failure in the aluminum mounting bolts. This incident resulted in a near-fatal accident in which the vehicle almost left the road and fell into a ravine. I have 360-degree camera video showing my steering wheel locking up and me struggling to survive. If you contact me, I can provide the video evidence. TECHNICAL BASIS: This failure matches the criteria described in BMW Technical Service Bulletin TSB 01 15 16 (and the previous NHTSA recall 14V-632), regarding corrosion and shearing of the aluminum bolts of the EPS (Electronic Power Steering) system. SAFETY REPORT VIOLATION (CRITICAL): The primary concern of this investigation is a significant discrepancy in the safety reports. When checking the official NHTSA.gov portal for this specific VIN, the system shows "0 open recalls." Similarly, the BMW recall portal also shows 0 open recalls. However, a thorough search of the history through third-party vehicle audit systems reveals four ACTIVE SAFETY RECALLS that have never been addressed: Driver's Front Airbag (Takata): High risk of shrapnel. Inflatable Side Curtain Airbag: Deployment failure. Fuel Pump: Risk of sudden engine stalling. Exterior Lighting/Reflectors. DAMAGES: As a result of this mechanical failure and BMW's failure to accurately report the open safety recalls for this vehicle, I have been diagnosed with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and am currently under medical treatment. I have my medical diagnosis, which states that I developed PTSD as a result of my accident. I now depend on my mother to drive; the mere thought of getting into a car causes me intense fear. I cannot drive without being afraid. The vehicle is currently insured and available for inspection as evidence of this catastrophic failure.
NHTSA complaint #11716516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 335I. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V017000 (AIR BAGS); however, shortly after the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11647370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became persistent whenever the vehicle was started. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had researched and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 10148018 - Front Passenger Air Bag Seat Occupancy Sensor (OC3) Mat (Air Bags). The contact was informed by the dealer and the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger’s side air bag sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed front passenger’s side occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front passenger’s side occupancy sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #11596878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
All BMWs have a defect with passenger seat occupancy mat; airbag will not deploy in accident for passenger because passenger seat restraint system is defective in passenger seat (they call it passenger occupancy mat)- it is a life threatening issue found in my model of car and several other models. Issue Recall and save lives
NHTSA complaint #11590939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I took the car to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat. The car is available for inspection. Our safety is potentially compromised because the passenger airbag may not go off in an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11576914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The car Hydroplaned while driving on the interstate, spun out of control and slammed into a tree in the rear end. My son was going approximately 65 mph and upon impact no airbags deployed and the steering wheel was in his hands after impact. His seat broke and collapsed into a laying position. His head sustained a huge blow to the interior side of the car in addition to another head injury in the front, a fractured wrist and multiple bruises along with a sore neck & back. The insurance adjuster saw the car and could not believe the steering wheel came completely detached in addition to no airbags deployed. My son is [XXX] ” and weighs [XXX]. I would have expected from his body weight alone the side airbag deploying. The car is totaled beyond repair. The car had no warnings or indicators regarding faulty airbags or steering issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11545689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The airbags is displayed as not working/off. The blind spot warning, and the lane keeping assistance does not function. There was an incident that happened where I hit a pot hole and ended up hitting a construction cone. No warning signs went off and my car wasn’t assisted yo avoid the cone.
NHTSA complaint #11530365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Out of nowhere, on 6/24, the warning light came on saying that there is an issue with the passenger restraint system. It stays on when there is no one in the seat and then, even if someone is in the seat, it will turn off. I have not had an accident or had the car flooded to warrant a system malfunction like that. I have read that this has happened to other owners of this model and it is a faulty mat sensor that costs over $1000 to repair.
NHTSA complaint #11529077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
My car randomly started throwing an error for a failure with the passenger restraint system. From what I have read it has something to do with the OC3 Mat in the seat that detects if there is an occupant, and if the weight of the occupant is considered to be that of an adult, so the airbag does not deploy in the wrong circumstances, which is potentially dangerous to anyone that may ride in the passenger seat. There has been an extended warranty, and recall for previous years of E90 BMWs, but 2009 may not be included, even though the seats should be the same. I plan on contacting the dealership for further investigation, but I know I cannot afford to have this safety feature fixed out of my pocket at this time. Thank you for your time.
NHTSA complaint #11492216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
My car randomly started throwing an error for a failure with the passenger restraint system. From what I have read it has something to do with the OC3 Mat in the seat that detects if there is an occupant, and if the weight of the occupant is considered to be that of an adult, so the airbag does not deploy in the wrong circumstances, which is potentially dangerous to anyone that may ride in the passenger seat. There has been an extended warranty, and recall for previous years of E90 BMWs, but 2009 may not be included, even though the seats should be the same. I plan on contacting the dealership for further investigation, but I know I cannot afford to have this safety feature fixed out of my pocket at this time. Thank you for your time.
NHTSA complaint #11492216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Passenger seat airbag sensor failed at 50,000 miles
NHTSA complaint #11464654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Passenger seat occupancy mat with program.
NHTSA complaint #11462677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Passenger seat occupancy mat with program.
NHTSA complaint #11462677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I turned my car on an out of nowhere a seatbelt and airbag light came on. I did not get into a bump up or disconnect any sensors it just popped up one day.
NHTSA complaint #11460954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Driver airbag did not deploy. I hit the steering wheel with enough force to break the steering column.
NHTSA complaint #11425215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I did take this to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat. The car is available for inspection Our safety is potentially compromised because the passenger airbag may not go off in an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11418072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
SO I GOT A PAPER SAYING I HAD A RECALL ON MY AIR BAGS SO I CALLED AND GOT MY CAR TAKIN TO BMW IN BELLEVUE. BMW'S ROAD SIDE ASSISTANTS GAVE THE WRONG ADDRESS TO THE TOW COMPANY AND WOULD NOT ANSWER THE PHONE TOW FOR THEM> I EVEN ATTEMPTED TO CALL AND WAS PLACED ON HOLD FOR APPROXIMATYELY 40 MINUTES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. FINALLY I SPOKE WITH THE TOW COMPANYS DISPATCHER WHO WAS SO FRUSTRATED HE STARTED ACCUSING ME OF PLAYING GAMES AND THREATENED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE DROPPED AT THE WRONG DEALERSHIP THEN EXTORTED ME FOR ANOTHER 80 DOLLARS JUST TO DROP MY CAR OFF HIS TRUCK AND LEAVE IT AT MY HOUSE. HOURS LATER AFTER FINALLY GETTING A HOD OF ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THE EXACT SAME COMPANY RETURNED AND DELIVERED MY VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT LOCATION. AFTER ALL OF THIS WE ARE BEING JERKED AROUND BY BELLEVUE BMW ON THE RECALLS THEY ASKED ME FOR 3 HOURS OF LABOR AND PROMISED US TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER APPROXIMATELY A WEEK THEY SAID MY DME IS BAD AN IT WOULD COST 8000.00 TO FIX IT AND SAID IT WASN'T WORTH FIXING BECAUSE IT WAS OLD NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL UNTIL I FINALLY BROUGHT IT UP THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH BMW IN BELLEVUE WHICH WAS MONDAY THE15TH OF MARCH 2021. I WAS TOLD THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPAIRED NOT REPLACED AND THE AIRBAG RECALL WAS REPLACED. THEN SAID MY BILL WAS OVER 600.00 > AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH THRU THENHTSA WEBSITE I FOUND OUT MY RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED AND I TOOK PHOTOS WITH THE DATES AND TIME SHOWING MY RECALLS WERE NOT FIXED WHICH I FEEL UPSET AND VERY WORRIED AND CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY NOW I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO GO FROM HEAR BECAUSE MY FAMILY AND I ARE BEING PLACED INTO A HARDSHIP AND TO MAKE IT WORSE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC PLEASE HELP US. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYTHING WAS DONE TO THE CAR I THINK WE NEED TO TALK TO AN ATTORNEY
NHTSA complaint #11404084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.