I have the seatbelt and airbag light illuminated on my car for the passenger. I have researched this issue and it seems to be a common problem on BMWs. It was part of a recall for the 2006 model but nothing past that year. Apparently, it is the sensor that is in the passenger seat that has broken. So the airbag can't sense whether or not a person is occupying that seat.

- Hermitage, TN, USA

Code is coming up for passenger seat occupancy sensor which possibly affects airbag deployment in the event of a collision. It has been noted that the passenger seat occupancy sensor has been a part of prior BMW for 2008 and earlier.

- Claremont, NH, USA

Sensor warning states passenger airbag and passenger seatbelt is not on.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Car has a passenger restraint system error. This appears to be a very common problem. Warning comes on as soon as the car is started until the vehicle is shut down. The airbag may or may not deploy in the event of a crash.

- Tunkhannock, PA, USA

Restraint system faulty warning came

- Stockton, CA, USA

The seat air bag sensor mat has failed the airbag light stays on.the 2006 to 2008 models were recalled for this exact problem but not the 2009.thos is a serious safety issue because the air bag will not deploy on the passenger side with a faulty sensor.contacted BMW will not repair unless you pay full price.this is a joke because the repair is 1500 dollars or more, the car only has 77000 miles and has been well taken care of. A recall should be issued because this a serious and common problem which is very expensive to repair and is a horrible design.

- Vilas, NC, USA

Takata recall-I took my car in for the airbag recall and the BMW of South atlanta repaired the driver seat-I think. When I left the passenger airbag off light was on and I asked about it the tech said if you have an accident you don't want to schrapnel to hit the passenger. From then on the seat belt sign stayed on even when someone was in the passenger seat with their seat belt on. I took my car back in last week for the warning light and was told it is a seat sensor and would cost $1,400. Does this have anything to do with the airbag recall" if this is a safety issue and is a faulty part with BMW then why aren't they recalling and repairing"

- Winston, GA, USA

Hello, my 2009 BMW E92 328I is experiencing an issue where the front passenger seat sensor is not functioning properly, which will cause the airbag and seatbelt to not function as intended. There have been recalls on other models for the same issue, but with the same design and parts, I do not understand how my car is not covered. (https://brandilaw.com/2013/12/26/BMW-recalls-76565-vehicles-due-to-A-front-passenger-seat-electronic-sensing-mat-failure/) this is a very dangerous problem. I have read on several online forums that it is a recurring problem in the cars after the effective recall date. I am trying my best to do due diligence and inform the ntsb to review this incident within other BMW models and to hopefully remedy any affected cars. The design of the sensor is very poorly constructed and very expensive to fix, leaving many owners to simply forego making the necessary fixes. In fact, several mechanics informed me that customers typically avoid making the fix due to how expensive it is, running the risk of their passenger not being protected in the event of a collision. I hope the ntsb can look into this problem. Please feel free to contact me at [xxx] for any additional information. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Playa Del Rey, CA, USA

Front passenger occupancy seat sensor is defective because it disables passenger airbag creating a safety hazard rendering vehicle inoperable for passenger occupancy. This is a known defect experienced by previous models. Cost of repair is excessive..

- Clermont, FL, USA

The vehicle brings up a warning light on the dash indicating that the passenger airbag is disabled due to seat occupancy, even though I have a passenger sitting in the passenger seat. This happens at all times. This is a safety concern because in the case of an accident, the car would not deploy the passenger airbag.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

While making a left turn, to proceed up the street leaving work, several malfunction lights displayed on the dash and than my car shuts down completely; no inside nor outside lights (it was dark outside), no dings or anything. I thought maybe I needed a jump. Called a co-worker before he left work, whom also has a BMW. He said it was not a jump I needed and proceeded to go in the trunk to locate my battery. As soon as he was able to remove the plastic screws and wiggle the panel, trying to get it from under the wall panels that was holding it in place, all my lights came back on. However, a restraint system malfunction light remained on the dash. Thank god I was driving at a low speed and on a residential street, no cars around me nor had I made it to the hwy to head home, some 30 minute ride. I don't want to think of what could have happened! the restraint system malfunction is said to have something to do with the passenger side and the airbag. I feel I am driving in a very unsafe high costing vehicle, and either way, I, my passenger or someone else could seriously get hurt with this car on the road with these issues.

- Lithia Springs, GA, USA

I turned on my vehicle one day and a message saying "passenger restraint system malfunction. Continue to wear seatbelt. Bring to local BMW dealership." The day before nothing happen as I was driving home from dallas to houston. Occasionally as I drive with someone sitting in the passenger seat, the warning goes away but then the chime goes off and the message reappears. This happen all in June, July, and August. Now even when no one is sitting on the passenger side, the warning comes on and stays on. The seatbelt as well seems to have no restraint and is a safety concern because if I was ever in an accident, the seatbelt won't hold the passenger back.

- Palacios, TX, USA