Passenger seat occupancy sensor failure. This failure has disabled the airbags on the passenger side of the vehicle. In the event of an accident, any passenger in the vehicle would not be protected by the airbags. There was a recall on MY2004-2006 BMW 5-series models (along with numerous other models) for the passenger seat occupancy sensor. BMW of North America has advised me that my vehicle (per VIN) is not a part of the recall. However, I am experiencing the same fault as outlined in the recall issued by BMW na. Neither my local dealership, or BMW na is willing to cover this failure. This is a significant safety issue for any passengers in the vehicle.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 320I. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact replaced the battery and was able to start the vehicle. The battery was replaced four times. The contact discovered that water entered the battery compartment, causing the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 12V126000 (electrical system:battery:cables) but was unaware if the vehicle was included in the recall because he no longer owned the vehicle and the manufacturer would not provide any information. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Glendora, CA, USA

Warning notice on "I drive" system that there was an emergency with the lighting system and the car should be stopped immediately. Directional signals no longer worked, emergency flashers were inoperative and headlights not operating properly. Brought car to dealer the next day and the problem was corrected with an update to the "I drive" software leading me to believe that BMW is aware of this very serious safety issue but has chosen to ignore it until owners experience the problem and then the owner has to pay for the update to correct the software glitch. My cost was $320.92.

- Bogart, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the passenger side restraint system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the passenger seat mat needed to be replaced because the sensor was faulty. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure yet no repairs were performed. The current and failure mileage was 130,000.

- Hudson, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 545I. The contact stated that he noticed that there were various warning lights that illuminated on the instrumental panel. He stated that the vehicles I-drive would malfunction causing the radio to fail, gps, and he was unable to make phone calls from the vehicle. The speedometer also displayed 0 instead of the actual mph that was being driven. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

The contact would like to use his submitted email as the actual complaint. Our 2004 BMW 530I had the driver's heated seat catch fire. I am not getting much help from BMW on this matter. To me, this is one helluva of an easy way to cause a major accident. Only because of my partner's quick thinking and turning off the heater was she able to stop the fire. It was hot enough that it melted the foam (toxic I am sure) in the seat. Something like this happening while you are going down the road is right up there with Toyota and their acceleration problems. Either way a major accident can happen. Not to mention that a person could be severely burned. While the car is out of warranty this seat has never been abused. The driver of the car weighs in at about 120 pounds. From checking the internet there seems to be a quite a number of such instances. Thank you scott the failure mileage was 60,000.

- Sisters, OR, USA

The heated leather seat for my BMW 2004 530 I malfunctioned and burned a hole from a small fire through the seat.

- Clifton, VA, USA

04 BMW 545 electrical failure mpm.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. The contact stated that when he opened the trunk in the rain there were sparks and smoke emitting from the microprocessor (mpm), located under the spare tire well. As a result, the air bag sensor, I-drive and several electrical components on the vehicle were no longer functioning. The manufacturer advised the contact that the dealer could repair the vehicle at his expense. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

- Hollywood , FL, USA

There is currently a recall on my 2004 BMW 530I regarding the seat warmers burning the leather and driver. However, the recall covers the backrest and not the seat bottom. After talking to BMW North America, they said the seat bottom was not covered. Can you make them include the seat bottom in the recall? the seat warmers are burning through the seats in both places, and is hot enough to burn the driver in both places.

- North Oaks, MN, USA

Driving North on I-77 in S.C. - traveling along with the traffic flow - left hand lane - suddenly alert lights came on that ABS was not operating, battery alert (had battery installed at dealership) etc.- engine quit - dash board went blank - was able to get to the curb lane (no turn indicators) came to stop - tried to restart -no luck -wait maybe 10 minutes it restarted -drove home -approx another 200 miles -dealer could not find any problem - it could have been a dangerous situation if someone panicked.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 5 series. The contact noticed a burning smell and felt something burning her leg. She sustained burns to her thigh and buttocks area due to the seat warmer. The manufacturer was unable to assist. The contact was able to locate NHTSA campaign id number 08V384000 (air bags:frontal) for the same year, make, and model vehicle. She also stated that the passenger side air bag was inoperable. The manufacturer advised her to expect a recall on the air bag; however, without a recall, they could not assist. The manufacturer stated that there were no open recalls based on her VIN, but NHTSA campaign id number 04V575000 (seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler) was referenced. The failure and current mileages were less than 54,000.

- Dumfries, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 530I. On three separate occasions, the windshield wipers moved back and forth, the headlights flashed on and off, the odometer dial moved from side to side, and the alarm sounded. All of the failures occurred automatically. The instrument panel read, "vehicle malfunction, see dealer immediately". the vehicle was taken to the dealer twice. The first time they could not duplicate the failure; however, the second time they stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced at the cost of $2,000. The current mileage was 89,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.

- W. Hills, CA, USA

Both electric windows had to be replaced because the motors died within weeks of each other. I was unable to open the doors properly or put the windows down. Also I only have 10000 miles on my MINIand my tale pipe rattles like a '56 Chevy. The light on passenger visor does not work. The silver is peeling off the gear shift. I love my car hate the little stuff that keeps going wrong.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA