Passenger airbag seat mat occupancy sensor fault. The problem began whenever a passenger would sit on the seat, the airbag light would go on. After some time passed the light stays on permanently. I noticed recalls for this problem in previous years. Upon researching, it seems to be a wide spread problem that just isn't reported. It leads to many just fixing it themselves, or just buying bypasses to avoid forking out over $1200 to get it fixed. The problem doesn't seem like a normal wear and tear situation, and needs to be addressed

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

Black mold formed on rear seats, dashboard intermittently worked (1/2 of dashboard active, 1 fuse powers the dash), 6" of water pooled in rear back passenger footwell (location of main electrical unit); water was dripping on my foot when resting on petal of my 42000 mile, $50,000, 2008 BMW 328xi coupe. I contacted BMW of na who advised me not to use the car because it was dangerous. After several attempts to work with BMW of na & BMW dealership (place of purchase) a vapor barrier leak was found but more was believed to be at cause. The dash needed to be removed, for $1800. I refused to pay; requested BMW of na to pay. Request denied. The dealer said BMW of na would only pay vapor barrier repair costs. I asked for no repairs; towed the car home. Finally reaching linda vitale, exec. Customer services of BMW na, NJ, she told me the dealer did do the repairs. This was against my expressed wishes. I wanted the car investigated elsewhere too. In a later conversation, [xxx] claimed the reason for the water was from a leak from a 3rd party windshield instillation. Note: Mold, water, and electrical problems existed previous to 3rd party windshield installment. [xxx], proven wrong, due to dates, stated, in a subsequent recorded conversation, per the dealer, the water entered the car because the doors were dismantled and incorrectly put back. Note:[xxx] has proof that the doors were never removed. [xxx] totaled the car due to black mold contamination, health risks; risk of injury to me and others due to mold, the electrical compromised, and possible power cut to engine while in motion. A paid loan but having no car, BMW of na wished only to compensate me with $1000 towards a new BMW. I found many forums, on the internet, regarding 2002-2015 BMW's w/the same problems & owners sustaining same loss of property with no ethical or sustainable compensation from BMW of na. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Waterbury, CT, USA

My car is in perfect condition, mint...I am a certified fraud examiner. I was on a road trip from bellevue, Washington to richmond, bc. While driving in richmond, bc near the auto West BMW dealership, my driver's seat began going forwards and backwards as I drove. Sometimes the automatic button would work and the seat would stop. A minute or two goes by and the driver's seat goes crazy and pins me against the steering wheel and pins my knees against the dashboard. I am barely able to steer and lift my foot off of the gas and apply the brakes. Due to my training, I did not panic...I pulled over into a parking lot, and did all I can to squeeze myself out of the driver's seat. The seat button was non responsive, scared the hell out of me. I was two blocks from the dealership. I called BMW North America and they registered my complaint. I was able to get the seat back, and drove it to the BMW dealership in richmond, as I pulled into their parking lot, and seat repeated itself again. Way to crazy...they disable the motor control unit for the seat. I am getting it serviced next week at the bellevue Washington BMW dealership. I have an extended warranty that will cover it...700 bucks...

- Bellevue, WA, USA

My 2008 BMW 335I has the same issue for which the below recall was issued. The recall needs to be extended to 2008 model year. Recall subject : front seat occupant protection mat report receipt date: Nov 12, 2013 NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 component(s): Air bags potential number of units affected: 76,565 manufacturer: BMW of North America, llc summary: BMW of North America llc (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325I, 325xi, 330I, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328I, 328xi, 335I, 335xi sedans and 328I and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525I, 525xi, 530I, 530xi, 550I sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760I sedans, model year 2006-2007 750I, 750li, and 760li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 series with standard seats, 5 series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at customerrelations@bmwusa.com.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

Fault in passenger restraint system error is being consistently displayed. Front passenger seat mat sensor was recalled for prior model years but not for 2008. This recall should be extended to 2008 model year. My VIN was not on recall list.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA