I unlocked the car and sat in the driver's seat. My wife sat in the front passenger seat. I inserted the keyfob and pushed the 'start' button. The car turned on and about 5 seconds later we heard a 'gong' sound. We looked at the screen and it was showing a red warning about the front passenger airbag being disabled. I powered off the car, waited a minute and powered it back on. Same error came up. So I powered off the car a second time, asked the wife to get out of the car and then back onto the front passenger seat, then I powered on the car. The error went away. We drove 15 minutes to dinner, ate and returned home without further incident. That night I setup an appointment with global imports BMW for 9/12/2012 to have them look at it. The dealer ran diagnostics and reported the following in regards to the front passenger seat issue: "87844 performed short test and found fault mrs-93C3. Performed test module and found the passenger seat mat to be defective. Customer declined the seat mat replacement." Next to this I had the service manager write in the total repair cost, $1,345.70. I still have a copy of the paperwork with the details if needed. I declined the repair at the time because I felt the fact they found "...the seat mat to be defective" indicated a known issue. Fast forward to today 4/11/2014, NHTSA lists a "recall subject : front seat occupant protection mat" campaign number 13V564000. I called BMW usa's customer relations number and they told me my car had no recalls associated with it even though there's clearly an issue with the sensor mat. To this day I have yet to receive any recall letters from BMW nor NHTSA. The car still brings up this error when my wife sits in the front passenger seat. It's not safe and I should not have to pay for repairs if there's an active recall for this model year. Please help.

- Norcross, GA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passengers side floor mat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 13V564000 (air bags) but the contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78000.

- Stony Point, NY, USA

Passenger airbag seat pad does not detect. Steering wheel lock fault both these problems have been recalled on other vehicles of same models same year but not mine. Both problems have occurred on my vehicle and I refuse to pay to get it fixed when others get there covered with a recall.

- Odessa, FL, USA

I got in my car after driving it to the park & got a fault that said restraint system malfunction. Fault in passenger restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt- force limiter. I researched this & found that it is a problem with the sensor in the passenger seat mat. I found that this is a recall on my car & year, but when I call, they say it doesn't apply to my VIN. This has been a huge problem with a ton of owners. I've also read that most of the people call & complain & they'll end up fixing it under the recall. But, I'm having no luck. I'd understand if it was just me, but they've recalled it on the sane exact car & year as mine & I don't understand why mine wouldn't fall under this recall!

- Farmington, UT, USA

Have had issue with my one of my 2 --- 2007 330I's dashboard light came on with a message "pass restraint system malfunction". a detailed message says "fault in passenger-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter took it to the dealer and they said I need a new passenger seat air bag sensor with a replacement cost of over $1000,00. I recently learned BMW has had a problem with this part and has recalled 2006-2007 cars but any vehicle made after September 2006 is not on the recall list. Mine were manufactured Jan 2007. I've been informed that my vehicle has the same part as the recalled ones and believe that BMW should recall all their vehicles with this same passenger seat sensor problem.

- Grafton, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328xi. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

I own a BMW 3 series 2007 that I purchased 3 years ago with a dealer. Six weeks ago a dash board light came on with a message "pass restraint system malfunction". a detailed message says "fault in passenger-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Continue to wear the safety belt. Have the system checked by the nearest BMW center". I have searched this online and it seems BMW 3 and 5 series cards manufactured in 2003 - 2008 have this issue. It is a safety related issue that BMW should recall and fix immediately.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

When a person is seated in the passenger seat, the seat belt and large airbag warning lights come on the dash and stay on. Once the passenger exits the car, the lights go off. I see there are recalls for the 2006 328I but not for the 2007. I am concerned that in the event of an accident, the air bag will not deploy.

- Long Beach, MS, USA

I own a 2007 328I, recently my car has been giving me an error message due to the front passenger air bag sensor. Whenever, a passenger sits in the front it, a light turns on letting me know that the airbag is off. This means that in case of a serious car accident the airbag will not deploy and the passenger's life will be at risk. After the error message I did some research and found out that the issue is very common in the 3-series. BMW actually did a voluntary recall but it only involved 2006 3-series. However, I am experiencing the same issue that the recall was about. I took my car to BMW pacific in glendale and informed me that they would not be able to help me since my car was not part of the recall. Here is the recall that BMW announced: "statement on voluntary recall involving front passenger seat sensor mat on U.S.a. model bmws - August 13, 2008 today, BMW announced a voluntary recall regarding the front passenger air bag seat sensor mat involving approximately 200,000 model year 2004-06 vehicles. Affected are certain model year 2006 3-series, model year 2004-06 5-series, and model year 2004-06 X3 vehicles, depending upon seat type. BMW has found that the sensor mat may become damaged during vehicle usage depending upon the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit. Link: www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/contactus/voluntaryrecall.aspx I don't understand why BMW only covered 06 models when 07 models are experiencing the same exact issue. I feel that this is very irresponsible and negligible on their part. I really hope that you can help me out with the issue that I am experiencing and include my car in the recall. I have a wife and daughter that ride with me and the last thing I want is for anyone to get seriously hurt over something that can be prevented by BMW. Thank you.

- Glendale, CA, USA

The passenger side occupancy sensor is a known problem and I believe that the warranty extension has not covered all affected vehicles. My BMW 2007 328 convertible has the identical problem as identified below. I have repaired it and it has continued to malfunction numerous times since, while driving and while stopped, creating a safety issue for anyone in the passenger side should there be an accident. I believe this faulty part must have been used in my 2007 328 convertible. August 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. A fatigue failure of the front passenger seat occupant detection mat can occur. If this happens, 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. 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. BMW is extending the warranty to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit to the following vehicles: My 2006 6-series, 3-series (standard seat), my 2004-2005 Z4, my 2004-2006 7-series, my 2006 X5, and my 2004-2006 5-series (comfort seat). Under the extended warranty program, the occupant detection mat in a vehicle that experiences this specific issue will be replaced at no charge to the customer. This recall was the subject of an engineering analysis, EA08-001, conducted by the Office Of Defects Investigation. 08V384.

- Hadley, MA, USA

I purchased my BMW in germany!!! there was a recall for 2006 (I drive a 2007) models of this vehicle for the passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the passenger seat. When this mat becomes defective, it disables airbag systems in the vehicles. This has been a known problem since 2008 (when the recall was issued), however these cars were produced from 2006-2008+ before the recall was issued. The recall only covers 2006 models which is absolutely ridiculous. If the same exact vehicle continues to be produced with the same defective part that have the same problem, but you only cover one year of it being produced when there were three, what good is that? why is it that I have to drive around in a car that has a known defective airbag system because of the defective detection mat and bet on my luck that I don't get in a serious accident and be caught with no air bags for safety. This is a serious problem...

- Ft. Benning, GA, USA

Every time I have a passenger the airbag light remains on. When there is a passenger sitting in the front passenger seat and then gets out of the car, the sensor thinks the person is still sitting in the seat and keeps reminding me to put on the passenger seat belt, plus the air bag light remains on. After 3 to 4 days, all the warning lights go off. But lately, the lights remain on for months. Is the problem related with the passenger seat occupancy sensor mat" isn't this suppose to be a delta government regulated issue? isn't it also dangerous? does this mean the air bag is deactivated? what if I get into an accident and I have a passenger" please help.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

There was a recall for 2006 (I drive a 2007) models of this vehicle for the passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the passenger seat. When this mat becomes defective, it disables airbag systems in the vehicles. This has been a known problem since 2008 (when the recall was issued), however these cars were produced from 2006-2008+ before the recall was issued. The recall only covers 2006 models which is absolutely ridiculous. If the same exact vehicle continues to be produced with the same defective part that have the same problem, but you only cover one year of it being produced when there were three, what good is that" why is it that I have to drive around in a car that has a known defective airbag system because of the defective detection mat and bet on my luck that I don't get in a serious accident and be caught with no air bags for safety. This is a serious lawsuit waiting to happen the minute someone gets in an accident and the airbags don't deploy due to the failed passenger seat sensor. I know you have complaints about this. Refer to: www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/recalls/recallresults.cfm"start=1&searchtype=quicksearch&rcl_id=08V384000&summary=true&prod_id=218996&printversion=yes.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

We were in the left lane about to take a curve to the left when a car in the right lane ran us off the road straight into a telephone pole. I was in the passenger seat and my airbag did not deploy, as the drivers side did. My head hit the dash and I broke my nose, my teeth, and suffered a major concussion.

- Kelseyville, CA, USA

Airbag system failure light came on. BMW refuses to fix the problem for free although this problem seems to be widespread.

- Cornelius, NC, USA

Passenger seat belt sensor is fault causing my airbag sensor to go off which indicates that there is a "failure in the passenger restraining system." One day the light was off - the next day the light was on. There was no accident. This occurred on my 2007 BMW 328xi. There are similar recalls on 2009 bmws" is there one for the 2007 model"

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328xi. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact crashed into a telephone pole due to inclement weather and icy conditions. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. She asked the manufacturer at what speed the air bags should have deployed; however, they stated that it was an issue for the legal department. At that time, the vehicle was being investigated by a mechanic. The current and failure mileages were approximately 19,000.

- Trumbull, CT, USA

Driving a 2007 BMW 328I coupe (only 7,000 miles on the car), I was involved in a severe front end collision...the car is not drivable and may even be totaled. None of my airbags deployed.

- Chicago, IL, USA