Below is a partial email to a BMW Dealer that replaced an airbag 2 1/2 years ago per a recall. The airbag light, convertible top light were both illuminated when I left the dealer. I have sent emails and contacted BMW USA. A friend scanned the car with a Snap-On scanner that showed that the light has been illuminated because of the air bag that they replaced. They continue to avoid the issue and they made my car unsafe and allowed me to leave with it. What can be done to resolve this issue? From: [XXX] <[XXX]> Sent: Friday, May 10, 2024 10:06 AM To: '[XXX]' <[XXX]> Subject: Issues with service during an airbag replacement Good morning [XXX], I took my 2004 M3 to BMW of Fort Lauderdale in November 2023 for a passenger-airbag replacement. The airbag light on the dash was illuminated when I received the car. I notified the service manager who stated that the light was not on when he initially got in the car after my arrival. The car was returned to the garage to determine the issue. The car was returned 30 – 45 minutes later and the airbag light continued to illuminate. The service manage told me that the driver’s side airbag which was replaced at a different dealership was causing the issue. I got in the car and notice that an oil pressure and voltage gauge that I installed after rebuilding the engine were not working. Therefore, I notified the service manager of the issue. He asked another manager to talk to me. I asked how they replaced the airbag so I would know where to start troubleshooting the cause. He told me that they were NOT in the fuse box because they removed the airbag from the top of the dash. The airbag light has been constantly illuminated since the airbag was replaced at BMW of Fort Lauderdale. I attached an image that shows two passenger side airbag errors that were displayed on a Snap-on scanner on May 8, 2024. This was caused by work done at BMW of Fort Lauderdale. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11745653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11681428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2013 BMW M3
at 88,838 milesBuffalo, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact filed the complaint on behalf of her son who owned a 2013 BMW M3. The contact stated the vehicle was parked in a school parking lot, and the contact's son was sitting in the driver's seat of the vehicle when the vehicle was crashed into violently by four vehicles. The vehicle was damaged in the front end, passenger's side, and rear. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The son was forced out of the vehicle by the attackers and the occupants of all 4 vehicles inflicted bodily harm in addition to the unknown injuries sustained due to the crash. The son ran into the highway where the ambulance provided medical attention. The police department arrived at the scene however the son had fled from the scene due to being fearful for his safety; the attackers provided details for the police report. The contact stated that none of the air bags were deployed and that the vehicle remained in her possession. The repair shop was contacted and confirmed that the air bags were faulty however no further information was provided. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,838.
NHTSA complaint #11615934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/Air Bag not functioning properly. This was taken to the BMW dealership for diagnosis, and it was determined the Passenger Occupancy Sensor has failed and needs to be replaced. There was no recall listed for this issue. I found there was a Service Information Bulletin from BMW acknowledging the issue SB-10056703-9690 with many affected models of vehicles, that has been updated in 2018 to include additional. It currently does not list the E93 model, but does list E90 and E91 and stated the affected component if electric adjustable seats is seat option code 459. My vehicle has the same option code as listed as the affected components. BMW extended warranty coverage for owners of vehicles adding additional models with E91 in 2018. They should cover over models with the affected component as it presents a safety issue and is a common failing part.
NHTSA complaint #11542687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN NOVEMBER, 2020, I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM BMW THAT THE PREVIOUS FIX TO MY AIRBAG WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX, AND I NEEDED TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR A PERMANENT FIX. IN JANUARY, 2021, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. I AM GETTING READY TO START DRIVING MY CARS ON A REGULAR BASIS AGAIN, SO I TOOK THE CAR IN THIS WEEK FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. THEY SPENT 2 HOURS, TO ALLEGEDLY REPLACE A MODULE. AS I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THEY SAID THAT WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL, AND I NEEDED TO PAY $200 TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. 3 HOURS LATER, THEY SAID IT WAS AN AIRBAG MODULE (PRESUMABLE DIFFERENT THAN THE ONE THEY ALLEGEDLY JUST REPLACED), AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. NOW, THE FIRST REPAIR FOR THE AIRBAG WAS ROUGHLY TWO YEARS AGO, NOW THEY ARE SAYING THE MODULE THAT IS FAILING IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. I THINK THEY EITHER DIDN'T DO THE AIRBAG MODULE WHEN IT WAS IN FOR THE REPAIR OR THE FACT THEY INSTALLED A "TEMPORARY FIX" TWO YEARS AGO IS LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF THIS MODULE TODAY. ANYWAY, I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. OH, THEY WANT $2,000 TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #11397063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BETWEEN 11/04/16 AND 11/08/16 I LEFT MY VEHICLE WITH REEVES BMW DEALERSHIP IN TAMPA, FL FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL WHICH THEY TOLD ME THEY COMPLETED. I CONTINUED TO GET WARNING LETTERS FROM THE NHTSA FOR THIS RECALL AND RECENTLY I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DIFFERENT BMW DEALERSHIP WHICH TOLD ME THE REEVES BMW DEALERSHIP REPORTED THEY COMPLETED THE WORK AND MY AIRBAG COULD NOT BE CHANGED UNDER THE RECALL. I TOOK MY AIRBAG OFF THE STEERING COLUMN AND PHOTOGRAPHED THE LABEL ON THE BACK WHICH SHOWS THE AIRBAG INSTALLED IN MY CAR WAS PRODUCED IN MAY 2010 WHICH IS PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL BATCH AND WAS PRIOR TO THE ASSEMBLY OF MY CAR AT THE FACTORY. I AM VERY ANGRY THIS RECALL WORK WAS NOT COMPLETED BY REEVES BMW DEALERSHIP AS I WAS TOLD AND THAT I HAVE BEEN PLACED AT UNNECESSARY RISK FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. I WOULD LIKE ASSISTANCE IN HAVING THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL COMPLETED SO THAT I AM NO LONGER AT RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY AS BMW APPARENTLY HAS MY VEHICLE INCORRECTLY MARKED OFF AS RECALL COMPLETED AND WILL NOT COMPLETE THE RECALL WORK. I'VE ATTACHED AN IMAGE OF THE LABEL ON THE AIRBAG IN MY CAR AND THE PAPERWORK FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS NOT DONE. THANK YOU FOR THE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11355276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED BMW TO REPLACE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE AT THAT TIME. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM SINCE TO ARRANGE REPLACEMENT AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS.
NHTSA complaint #11318530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #11268883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2013 BMW M3
at 18,000 milesBismarck, NDCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S LEFT ARM WAS STRUCK BY THE AIR BAGS AND WAS INJURED BY METAL FRAGMENTS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER (MOTORWERKS BMW, 1300 AMERICAN BLVD W, BLOOMINGTON, MN 55420, (952)-888-2700) WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. USAA INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. *DT
NHTSA complaint #11161348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BASNEY BMW MAZDA, 52203 IN-933, SOUTH BEND, IN 46637, (574) 272-8504) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11098485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL. DESPITE MY HAVING RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES REGARDING MY AIRBAG, AND MY CAR'S VIN BEING LISTED ON NHTSA.DOT.GOV AS BEING SUBJECT TO AN AIRBAG RECALL, THE BMW DEALER LISTED ON MY RECALL NOTICE, BMW OF MOUNTAIN VIEW, IN MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, REFUSED TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR ON 5/16/2018 ON THE BASIS THAT THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM SAID THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THEY FURTHER SAID THAT THE RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED MEANT THAT THEIR MIGHT BE A RECALL BUT THAT IN FACT THERE WAS NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11096423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
YESTERDAY (01/06/17) - WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION, 2 SIDE AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED, THROWING LOOSE PLASTIC MATERIAL INTO THE CABIN AND INTO MY FACE. CABIN FILLED WITH SMOKE AND BURNING SMELL. I PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF ENGINE FOR SMOKE TO DISAPPEAR. I AM GOING TO TAKE MY CAR TO BMW DEALER TOMORROW MORNING FOR EVALUATION
NHTSA complaint #11060996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN WAITING 2 YEARS TO HAVE THIS RECALL DONE. I WAS ONCE SCHEDULED TO GET THE SERVICE AND THEN AFTER I DROPPED OFF THE CAR THEY CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THAT THEY DIDNT HAVE THE PART IN.
NHTSA complaint #11060803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF DALLAS, 6200 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209 (972) 763-5528) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11054116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE STEVENS CREEKS BMW (4343 STEVENS CREEK BLVD ST CLARA CA 95051 800-298-1501) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11052621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER (ADVANCED VALENCIA BMW, 23435 VALENCIA BOULEVARD, VALENCIA, CA 91355) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11035873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER (JACKY COOPER IN EDMOND, OK) AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11031578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.