10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,613 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Jan 012011

330 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
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 either. BMW refused to replace and will not tell me if the air bag will or will not deploy in an accident.

- Post Falls, ID, USA

problem #19

Aug 142013

330 6-cyl

  • 115,350 miles
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.

- Glenview, IL, USA

problem #18

Aug 022013

330 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
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).

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #17

Jun 222013

330 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
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.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #16

Jun 062012

330 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
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.

- San Martin, CA, USA

problem #15

Apr 272013

330 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
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.

- Cupertino, CA, USA

problem #14

Jun 032013

330 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
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.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #13

May 252013

330 6-cyl

  • 60,007 miles
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.

- Bixby, OK, USA

problem #12

Feb 192013

330 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
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.

- Franklin, WI, USA

problem #11

Oct 022012

330 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
The passenger occupancy mat sensor is faulty.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #10

Nov 012011

330 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
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.

- Paducah, KY, USA

problem #9

Jul 262012

330 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
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.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #8

Apr 102012

330 6-cyl

  • 43,000 miles
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.

- Lawndale, CA, USA

problem #7

Feb 012012

330 6-cyl

  • 49,000 miles
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.

- Havertown, PA, USA

problem #6

Feb 012010

330

  • miles
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.

- Kearneysville, WV, USA

problem #5

Jan 192012

330 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
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.

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #4

Dec 012010

330

  • 90,000 miles
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.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #3

Oct 172011

330 6-cyl

  • 61,300 miles
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.

- Taylorsville, UT, USA

problem #2

Feb 092011

330

  • 38,000 miles
I have a defective passenger seat occupancy mat. BMW has a recall limited to 200,000 vehicles but it obviously affects more than that. They need to extend the recall to other affected vehicles. Same symptoms same defective part but not covered in the recall.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 152010

330

  • 27,000 miles
Passenger occupancy sensor malfunction that disables the airbags in 2006 E90 BMW 3 series sedan. This malfunctioning sensor could cause grave bodily injury or death. BMW recalled previous years sensors but has not fixed the issue in later models. Some people are bypassing the sensor in there vehicles and are placing unknowing subsequent owners children at risk of airbag injury. BMW forums all have multiple complaints about the safety concerns NHTSA should investigate and force a recall of the passenger occupancy sensor as it did in some earlier 2006 bmws with the same issue.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA