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: seats
78 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Aug 3, 2013
WHEN MY CAR REACHED ~75,000 MILES, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION NOTIFICATION STARTED TO APPEAR ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE MESSAGE SEEMS TO CONVEY THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER SPEAKING WITH BMW AND FINDING OUT THAT MY CAR FALLS UNDER THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SITUATION. BMW REFUSED TO FIX IT AND STATES THAT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL STATES THAT IT AFFECTS 2006 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS (WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE). *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 23, 2013
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ERROR CONSISTENT WITH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE MAT RECALL NOTICE. BMW ONLINE RECALL CHECK REVEALED THAT THIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 21, 2013
AIR BAG AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT INDICATOR ON CENTER DASH CLUSTER LIT UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG SEAT MAT WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO TOLD THAT REPAIR WOULD COST $900. DECIDED TO EAT COST AS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS: QTY 1 PART# 52-10-7-244-127 BASIC SEAT U 1 COST $385.10 , QTY 2 PART# 52-20-1-964-201 CLIP 13 COST $3.84 , QTY 35 PART# 52-10-945-543 CLAMP 134 COST $$22.40. TOTAL PARTS=$411.34 ; TOTAL LABOR=$554.60, TOTAL BILL FOR REPAIR=$965.94. I WOULD NOT MIND IF THIS WOULD BE THE END OF THE ISSUE, BUT IT IS NOT. I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM DANIELS BMW OF ALLENTOWN ON JUNE 14 2013, AND TODAY (JUNE 21, 2013) THE ISSUE CAME BACK. 7 DAYS AFTER I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED FOR THE ISSUE, THE EXACT SAME ISSUE REAPPEARED. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN OF MINE AS THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OF MY CAR IS ALMOST ALWAYS IN USE BY MYSELF OR MY SPOUSE. AFTER DOING A BIT OF READING ON BMW ONLINE FORUMS, I SEE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SENSOR MAT AS INSTALLED IN MY CAR, FOR ALMOST ALL OTHER SEATS CONTAINING THE EXACT SEAT MAT, BUT NOT FOR MY CAR, AND OTHERS LIKE ME. I HAVE GONE ONTO THE BMW NA WEBSITE AND DID A RECALL SEARCH FOR MY CAR AND FOUND THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR BMW AND THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND REPAIR ALL SEATS AFFECTED WITHOUT QUESTION. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR BACK TO DANIELS BMW OF ALLENTOWN FOR COURTESY REPAIR AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL REPLACE...AGAIN....THE BROKEN MAT FOR FREE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL NOT BE THE BEGINNING OF AN ONGOING RECURRING ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 17, 2013
AFTER ~50,00 MILES THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION NOTIFICATION STARTED TO APPEAR ON THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE MESSAGE CONTINUED TO APPEAR RANDOMLY, AND NOW AT ~70,000 MILES, THE MESSAGE IS PERMANENTLY ON. THE MESSAGE SEEMS TO CONVEY THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. BMW HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Jun 14, 2013
PASSENGER SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD INDICATING THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH SAME MODEL AND YEAR, MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jun 4, 2013
MY VEHICLE HAS AN AIRBAG/SEATBELT LIGHT ELIMINATED ON THE DASH. BMW HAS DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. 2006 330I SPORTS SEATS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ITEM IN 2008. MY VEHICLE WHICH HAS SPORTS SEATS WAS NEVER CALLED FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ALSO EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS ON ALL 3 SERIES MODELS WITH OUT THE SPORTS SEAT OPTION FOR THIS SENSOR, BUT FOR SOME REASON THEY WILL NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE AS WARRANTY OR RECALL WORK. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS AND BMW DIRECTLY. THEY SAID MY ONLY OPTION WOULD BE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO WARRANT A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND COMBINATION OF OPTIONS. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE! THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, AS OF RIGHT NOW THE VEHICLES AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT FUNCTION IF IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, May 29, 2013
MY CAR BEGAN DISPLAYING A "PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAILURE" IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL IN 2008 (BMW ID#57362 NHTSA ID# 08V384000). I HAVE THE EXACT MODEL AND TRIM (2006 330I WITH SPORT PACKAGE) AS THE RECALL, BUT UPON CONTACTING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, THEY STATED MY VEHICLE'S VIN 'DOES NOT QUALIFY' FOR THE RECALL. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS, AS IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT (THUS THE RECALL) FOR THE MODEL AND TRIM (SPORT SEATS) THAT ARE IN MY CAR. THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY DEFECT BUT BMW REFUSES TO REPAIR IT. INSTEAD, I AM FACING AN $800 REPAIR WHICH IS UNCONSCIONABLE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR A KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT WITH THE CAR! BMW RECALL ID # 57362 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL RECALL DATE AUG 05, 2008 RECALL DATE: AUG 05, 2008 MODEL AFFECTED: 2006 BMW 3-SERIES 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. CONSEQUENCES: 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. REMEDY: 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. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 200000 NOTES: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Engine, May 2, 2013
1. SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSORS ARE BROKEN. THE INDICATOR SHOWS UP ON THE DASHBOARD EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER HAVE THEIR SEAT BELTS FASTEN. 2. OIL LEAKS FROM PAN GASKET DUE TO THE ALUMINUM BOLTS AND ETC. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 9, 2013
I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. I WENT TO BMW DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK. BUT THEY TOLD ME MY CAR IS NOT ON CAMPAIGN SO I HAVE TO FIX OUT OF MY POCKET. HOWEVER, AS I FOUND ON THE RECALL LIST LIKE BELOW VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): BMW / 3 SERIES 2006 BMW / 5 SERIES 2004-2006 BMW / X3 2004-2006 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. MY POINT IS WHAT IS DIFFERENT MY CAR SERIES AND ABOVE 3 SERIES WHY MY CAR IS NOT BELONG TO UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY CAR CAN'T FIX AT DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY. IF THERE IS EXCEPTION CARS, I THINK IT SHOULD CLEARLY STATEMENT THAT IS WHY OR EXCEPTION REASON EVEN SAME MODEL. IT IS SO INCONVENIENCE. THIS INFORMATION IS SO CONFUSING FOR VEHICLE OWNER. I REALLY WANT TO LISTEN WHY MY CAR IS NOT ON THE CAMPAIGN AND I WANT TO FIGURE IT OUT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 23, 2013
THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT FOR THE AIRBAG FAILED. BMW HAS BULLETIN SIB 65 75 06, AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT, THAT COVERS MY CARS BUILD DATE, BUT BMW STATES MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. THERE IS ALSO A CURRENT RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 BUT BMW STATES MY CAR IS NOT COVERED AND REFUSES TO HONOR THE 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE, AS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL BMW DEALERS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO COVER IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS AFFECTING MANY CARS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL. THEY ARE MANY PEOPLE POSTING ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX ALL THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Jan 22, 2013
I HAVE A FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE, AS DIAGNOSED BY THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE CODE IS 93C3, AND THE ISSUE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECOGNIZED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND PARTIALLY REMEDIED WITH EITHER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OR RECALL, ALLOWABLE ON ONLY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBERS. THE RECALL / EXTENDED WARRANTY APPLIES TO PARTICULAR 2006 3 SERIES BMW VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO JANUARY 2006. THE 93C3 SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY FAILURE IN MY VEHICLE CAUSES THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. BMW USA HAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT IMPACT MY VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE SEATS, AND MANUFACTURE DATE ARE WITHIN THE RECALL PARAMETERS. THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP, AS WELL AS INDEPENDENT SHOPS HAVE ALL ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE SHOULD, BY ALL QUALIFYING MEANS BEYOND VIN NUMBER IDENTIFICATION, BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY, AS THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE AS VEHICLES IMPACTED BY THE REFERENCED RECALL. REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 THE BMW 325I VEHICLE I OWN WAS MANUFACTURED IN AUGUST OF 2005, EQUIPPED WITH STANDARD SEAT. BMW USA HAS STATED WITHIN THE RECALL THAT THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MANY VEHICLES ARE IMPACTED BY THIS ISSUE AND HAS ONLY ELECTED TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE ON A PREDETERMINED SET OF VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER, BMW HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED THAT ALL REPAIRS ARE TO BE CUSTOMER PAID, AND HAVE REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR RECALL. AS OF 1/22/2013, THE VEHICLE REMAINS UNREPAIRED AND A SAFETY HAZARD. MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AS DOCUMENTED BY NHTSA COMPLAINTS. BMW STATED CONSEQUENCE OF NON REPAIR: 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. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Oct 22, 2012
THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY MAT SENSOR IS FAULTY. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Aug 28, 2012
MY CAR STARTED DISPLAYING A WARNING THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS A LOW VOLTAGE ISSUE WITH MY BATTERY AND FIXED IT. 2 WEEKS LATER THE WARNING REAPPEARED. THIS TIME, WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE SENSOR MODULE IN THE SEATS AND THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. EVEN THOUGH THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC MALFUNCTION (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000), THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE MODULE UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS QUOTED TO BE $1400 AND IS OUT OF MY BUDGET, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A NOTED SAFETY DEFECT THAT BMW IS AWARE OF, THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL CLAIMING THAT MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT AMONG THOSE COVERED BY THE RECALL. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Aug 27, 2012
RANDOMLY WHILE THERE IS EITHER WEIGHT FROM A BAG OR A PERSON IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE ROOF. THIS TELLS ME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jul 30, 2012
FOR THE LISTED 2006 BMW E90 330I, THE FOLLOWING ERROR MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED IN THE IDRIVE INTERFACE. "PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM: FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION!" THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NOTHING OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT WHILE TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE SEATBELT, AIRBAG, AND PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS REMAIN ILLUMINATED WITH AND WITHOUT A PERSON OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER SEAT AND CANNOT BE CLEARED. BMW WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR A RECALL OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THIS DEFECT CAUSES A SEVERE SAFETY RISK DUE TO POSSIBLE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURES RESULTING IN POTENTIAL FATALITY. SINCE THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND EQUIPMENT MATCH THE RECALL SPECIFICATIONS; THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE MILEAGE AT WHICH THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND CURRENT MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATELY 86,000. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Apr 11, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 DOES NOT COVER THIS PARTICULAR VIN VEHICLE, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD. I HAVE SAME SYMPTOMS AND THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 6, 2012
WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND REMAINS LIT, AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS IS APPARENTLY DUE TO MICRO-CRACKING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT, HOWEVER BMW ONLY INCLUDES A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF AFFECTED CARS IN THE 2008 RECALL. BMW NA REFUSES TO FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT FOR ALL 2006 BUILD YEAR 330I MODELS WITH SPORT SEATS. THE SAME SEATS WHICH ARE AFFECTED BY THE IDENTICAL ISSUE FOR 2005 BUILD YEAR. IT SEEMS GIVEN THE NUMBER OF CARS AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT CORRECTED FOR THE 2006 BUILD YEAR. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING IN A COLLISION WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Mar 5, 2012
THE OC3 MAT (PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT) HAS FAILED. THIS ISSUE, AS DESCRIBED IN MORE DETAIL BELOW (4.), INVOLVES THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT OF CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES, AND HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA PE07-045 AND EA08-001. IN SHORT, A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE MAT CAN OCCUR AND WOULD CONSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WITH EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WOULD ILLUMINATE IN SUCH CASE. BMW STATES THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL SINCE IT WAS PRODUCED AFTER 11/2005. YET, THE PROGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS OF THE RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Feb 22, 2012
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MODULE IS FAULTY IN OUR CAR. IT WAS OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED BY A BMW DEALER ON 20 FEB 2012. WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT OUR CAR'S PRODUCTION TIME FALLS 1 MONTH OUT OF THE PREVIOUS RECALL ON THESE SAME PARTS (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA080001). BMW IS REFUSING TO FIX IT. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Feb 6, 2012
AT FIRST, IT WAS INTERMITTANT, THE PASSANGER SEAT BELT/AIR BAY SIGNAL WOULD DISPLAY EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEN, SIGNAL WAS ON ALL THE TIME. MECHANIC FOUND A BAD PART OC3 MATT. HAD IT NOT BEEN REPLACED, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 26, 2012
THE AIRBAG WARNING COMES ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IS OFF AND THE. BELT TENSION SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 23, 2012
MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ONLINE, IT APPEARED THAT BMW HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT: NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING BMW, I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DEFECT EXTENDS BEYOND THE VINS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL GIVEN THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW IS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Dec 7, 2011
THIS IS IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V-384. I CALLED BMW ABOUT HIS RECALL AND THEY STATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING AND MULTIPLE OTHERS ARE HAVING IS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, CONDITION, AND DESCRIPTION AS CALLED OUT IN CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V-384. I DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT BMW MAY NOT HAVE THE AFFECTED VEHICLES LOADED CORRECTLY IN THEIR SYSTEM. FOR EXAMPLE THEY TELL YOU THAT THE SPORT SEAT IS NOT COVERED (WHICH I HAVE), BUT IF YOU READ THE LETTERS FROM BMW TO NHTSA, MANY SPORT SEATS ARE COVERED. I SUSPECT THE DATABASE BMW IS USING TO TELL IF A CAR IS COVERED OR NOT MAY NOT BE ACCURATE COMPARED TO THE VEHICLE CATEGORIES LISTED IN THE NHTSA FILINGS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Nov 2, 2011
I'VE LATELY BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE WHERE WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, TWO ICONS ON MY DASH COME ON INDICATING THAT SAFETY FEATURES ARE DISABLED; I GET AN AIRBAG DISABLE ICON IN THE DASH ALONG WITH THE ROOF LINING OF MY VEHICLE NEAR THE SOS BUTTON, A TEXT THAT READS, "PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED" AND IS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DISABLED. ALSO A 'SEAT BELT' ICON SHOWS IN THE DASHBOARD DESPITE IT BEING CLICKED IN. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 THANKFULLY DUE TO NHTSA, THE MANUFACTURER, BMWNA, WAS FORCED TO RECALL A TOTAL OF 200,000 VEHICLES WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA LISTING, MY VEHICLE IS COVERED UNDER A MASS RECALL OF THE 'SENSOR MAT' LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF VARIOUS BMW MODELS TO DETECT WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING ON THE SEAT WHICH THEN TRIGGERS THE SENSOR TO READY THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. MY MODEL 2006 BMW 325I (WITH SPORTS AND PREMIUM PACKAGE) IS MENTIONED IN THE VEHICLE LIST, BOTH BY MANUFACTURER MAKE (BMW), MODEL (3-SERIES/ 325I), AND SPECIFICALLY THE TYPE OF SEAT, BEING SPORTS PACKAGE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM TO GET THE ISSUE LOOKED AT AS THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS WAS A PRIME CONSIDERATION WHEN PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT I SHOULD PAY OUT OF POCKET OR CONTACT BMWNA. I'VE CONTACTED THEM AND THEY DENIED ME COVERAGE EXPLAINING MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT I AM BEING ASKED TO PAY EXORBITANT REPAIR FEES TO FIX BASIC SAFETY SYSTEMS DESPITE THAT MY CAR SHOULD FALL UNDER THE RECALL AS IT IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. MY CAR IS 'BABIED' AND TO BE EXPERIENCING A FAILURE OF SAFETY SYSTEMS IS EXTREMELY NERVE-WRACKING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 31, 2011
I HAVE EXPERIENCED A FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON MY 2006 E90 330I BMW WITH SPORTS SEATS. THE WARNING COMES ON AND GOES OFF, AS IT PLEASES. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS REFERRED TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. I CONTACTED BMW OR NORTH AMERICA, PRESENTED MY VIN NUMBER AND HAVE TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED. I WAS ADVISED THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND I SHOULD ALSO CHECK WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV. I HAVE SEARCHED FOR THIS WARNING INFORMATION AND HAVE COME ACROSS THIS RECALL WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL ). MY VEHICLE, MODEL, YEAR, AND EQUIPMENT APPEARS TO BE IN THE RECALL AND EXPERIENCES THE EXACT SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN THE SUMMARY. I HAVE ALSO COME ACROSS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED FROM OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS, WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR, AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT WHICH VEHICLES WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. I AM ASKING FOR NHTSA ASSISTANCE AND DIRECTION IN RESOLVING THIS MANUFACTURERS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR