2006 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 1,243 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 29 involved a crash and 40 involved a fire. 23 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Mar 2, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 22V119000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, cooling system, fanAug 10, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalAug 5, 2008
BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED.
IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 08V384000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control armOct 18, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN.
THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD BREAK WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTED CONNECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CONNECTION. IN SOME CASES, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND THE SWIVEL BEARING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Campaign 06V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
667 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Oct 11, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Air bags, Oct 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR MAT LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 11/15/11*LJ UPDATED 11/18/11
Air bags, Sep 13, 2011
JUST WONDERING WHY THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 ?? PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT IS ON?? LOOKS LIKE THIS WOULD FALL UNDER THIS: SUMMARY: BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. *TR
Air bags, Aug 3, 2011
2006 BMW 325I PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR FOR AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS FAILED BUT MY MODEL/YEAR IS OUTSIDE THE RECALL RANGE HONORED BY BMWUSA. *KB
Air bags, Aug 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
Air bags, Jul 22, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A SECOND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000, IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED USING THE SAME REMEDY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/05/11
Air bags, Jul 18, 2011
FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY SENSOR (OC3 SEAT MAT) HAD PREMATURE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITH PASSENGER. FAILURE RESULTS IN DASH WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATION AS WELL DISABLEMENT OF PASSENGER AIR BAG. AIR BAG DISABLEMENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITY, SYSTEM SHOULD FORCE THE AIR BAG ON IF SENSOR FAILS. RELATED RECALL IS IN AFFECT FOR SIMILAR YEAR MODELS BUT BMWNA BELIEVES THIS IS AN UNRELATED BECAUSE THE SEAT TYPES ARE DIFFERENT (SPORT SEAT VS. STANDARD SEAT). BMW (ALONG WITH SUB COMPONENT SUPPLIER) SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM BY EXTENDING COMPENSATION TO ALL OF THOSE WHO HAD TO VOLUNTARILY REPLACE FAULTY SENSORS AND RECALLING 2006 330I SPORT SEAT OWNERS AS WELL. SAFETY SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT FAIL WITHIN THE FIRST 40,000 MILES OF AUTOMOBILE'S LIFE. WILL PROVIDE FAILED HARDWARE UPON REQUEST TO BMW OR NHTSA.
Air bags, Jul 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V3840 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,010. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ UPDATED 09/19/11
Air bags, Jul 14, 2011
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR HAS BEEN CAUSING THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON. THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES - SAME MODEL AND SAME YEAR THAT HAD THIS SAME PART RECALLED (OC3 CONTINENTAL SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR). I THINK THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED ACROSS THE BOARD INSTEAD OF CLAIMING THAT IT ONLY AFFECTS A VERY SPECIFIC NUMBER OF CARS. *TR
Air bags, Jun 14, 2011
I AM VERY FRUSTRATED AS I OWN A 2006 BMW 325XI WITH APPROX 55K MILES AND HAVE A PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. AT THIS TIME THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED ALL THE TIME. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS A RECALL BUT IT IS VIN SPECIFIC AND MY VEHICLE ISN'T INCLUDED. IF A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH IS PERFORMED THERE ARE MANY FORUMS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM VERBATIM BUT I AM NOT COVERED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MY PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE WAS A CRASH. THEY WOULD NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT IS BAD AND WAS ADMITTEDLY A POOR DESIGN. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD BE ON THE HOOK TO FIX SUCH A CRUCIAL FEATURE SUCH AS AIRBAGS OR ANY PART WITH A BAD DESIGN THAT COULD MEAN LIFE OR DEATH. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT MORE TIME ON THIS THAN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO. I TALKED TO MECHANICS AND THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHY ONE WAS COVERED AND ANOTHER ONE NOT AS THEY ARE EXACTLY THE SAME SENSOR. I WOULD ASSUME MORE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT MADE BECAUSE OF THE TIME REQUIRED TO DO SO AND MOST PEOPLE JUST TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO THE DEALER AND PAY THE PRICE. ESPECIALLY MOST BMW OWNERS. I HAVE BEEN AROUND AND WORKING ON VEHICLES MY WHOLE LIFE AND VERY SELDOM TAKE A VEHICLE TO A SHOP FOR REPAIR. I RESEARCH EVERYTHING I DO AND MY RESEARCH HAS SHOWN ME THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT SHOULD NOT COST ME ANY MONEY. *TR
Air bags, Jun 7, 2011
MY 2006 BMW 525I PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND IS A BAD SENSOR IN THE SEAT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS FOR OTHER 2006 BMW'S BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS. IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ALL OF THE OTHER RECALLED ONES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# IS 08V384000. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE ONES RECALLED. *TR
Air bags, Jun 7, 2011
2006 BMW 325I, VIN #[XXX]. BEGINNING IN 2007 THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS BEEN OFF, REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. CURRENT RECALL STATES THAT MY MODEL VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED FOR THE RECALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR MAT, BUT IF IT WENT OUT AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR IT WOULD APPEAR THAT IT, TOO, IS DEFECTIVE. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY BMW ABOUT A RECALL SINCE MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED AS BEING DEFECTIVE, BUT IT CLEARLY IS. I'M CERTAIN THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY 2006 BMW 325I OWNER THAT HAS HAD THIS ISSUE, AND THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MODELS, NOT JUST THE SPORT SEAT MODEL. THE INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE SEAT BELT IS OFF REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY, REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Electrical system, May 25, 2011
1. SPEEDOMETER ACCURACY! THE SPEEDO ON MY 2006 325I WAS OFF BY 10%. AT 80MPH ON THE SPEEDO, ACTUAL SPEED WAS 72. AT 30 ACTUAL WAS 27. I HAVE BEEN PULLED BY A COP TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. 2. PASSENGER RESTRAIN ERROR MESSAGE THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. *TR
Air bags, May 25, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2006 BMW 330I. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MAT. MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS THAT LED TO THE RECALL, INCLUDING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY SENSOR MAT. BMW WILL NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE CLAIMING THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN DOES NOT HAVE AN OPEN RECALL. *TR
Air bags, May 24, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER ON-OFF LAMP WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL ). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,400. THE MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE PARTS AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE LABOR. STATUS UPDATE 07/26/11
Air bags, May 23, 2011
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE MESSAGE BOARD STATING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,383.
Air bags, May 18, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT COVER AND OCCUPANCY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
Air bags, May 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) BUT THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Air bags, May 11, 2011
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH OF THE AIR BAG ON-OFF LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER - 08V384 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL), THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LABOR BUT WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. *TR
Air bags, May 8, 2011
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND WARNING SIGNALS SOUND EVERY TIME A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, REGARDLESS OF OCCUPANT SIZE. THIS RESULTS IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING DEACTIVATED. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BMW OF FORT MYERS (TWO OCCASIONS IN PERSON IN 2009 AND 2010) AND BMW (VIA THEIR ONLINE CUSTOMER EMAIL SYSTEM TWO TIMES IN 2010 AND 2011). NEITHER PARTY IS WILLING TO CHECK THE SYSTEM OR REPAIR IT EVEN THOUGH THE NHTSA WEBSITE INDICATES (1) BMW RECALLED 200,000 VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE AND (2) BMW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. I NEED NHTSA'S ASSISTANCE IN GETTING BMW TO REVIEW AND FIX THIS ISSUE SIMILARLY TO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSAND OF OTHER CARS THEY HAVE RECALLED.
Air bags, May 6, 2011
THE FRONT PASSENGER-SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR FAILED, RESULTING IN THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNING ON, WARNING OF AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ONLY TURNED ON WHEN A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT LATER IT REMAINED ON REGARDLESS, MOST OF THE TIME. HAD THE PASSENGER-SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR REPLACED, AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOTE THAT THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AS A BMW RECALL, EXCEPT THAT I WAS TOLD BY BMW THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED. *TR
Air bags, May 3, 2011
WHEN AN ADULT IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SERVICE INDICATOR, NO SEATBELT INDICATOR, AND "PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED" INDICATOR ARE ALL ILLUMINATED. WHEN TAKING MY VEHICLE IN TO THE LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, I WAS TOLD THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT (HAVE DOCUMENTATION), WHICH IS MEANT TO DETECT WHEN A PASSENGER IS PRESENT. IN ADDITION, I WAS TOLD IN MY VEHICLES CURRENT STATE, IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER PRESENT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. WHILE PERFORMING INDEPENDENT RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT BMW HAS RELEASED AN OFFICIAL RECALL (#08V384000) WHICH DESCRIBES THESE SAME SYMPTOMS, CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. IN THE RECALL DETAILS, THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND SEAT TYPE ALL MATCH THE SPECIFICATIONS OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER DISCOVERING THE RECALL INFORMATION, I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE BY TELEPHONE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, THE REPAIR MUST BE DONE AT AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR REDUCES THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE PASSENGERS, AS WELL AS VIOLATES AIR BAG REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE NHTSA. SINCE THIS IS A DEFECT, THE COST SHOULD BE COVERED 100% BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW. *TR
Air bags, Apr 26, 2011
SRS LIGHTS ACTIVATE WHILE DRIVING. IT DEACTIVATE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. PASSENGER SRS LIGHT ACTIVATED DUE TO FAULTY OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR. THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE ERROR. *TR
Air bags, Apr 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/12/11 *BF UPDATED 07/11/11