10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 29,848 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 335I convertible. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags) was received in February of 2016. After receiving the notice, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Weston, FL, USA
Passenger safety restraint system malfunctions, when a passenger is sitting in the passenger seat, the system malfunctions. This means the airbag will not deploy should there be a crash. This very issue is a cause of a recall by BMW for 2007 models, but early 2008 models are not currently covered despite this being a very common issue with this model.
- Cumming, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 318I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
- San Monica, CA, USA
Hi, I am quite frustrated with BMW. They have experienced widespread issues with their passenger restraint systems have multiple recalls out, however my car at this time is not part of it but my passenger airbags are faulty. BMW wants to charge me $150 diagnosis instead of ensuring the safety of my passengers. I'm writing you as this is very scary to me that BMW is willing to risk teh safety of the my passengers and not take care of their customers.
- Scottsdale, AZ, USA
"pass. Restraint passenger" error massage, appeared the first time, I replaced the seat belt tensioner, the error massage disappeared, then came back on about 5 months after. I have a convertible model.
- Irving, TX, USA
I own a 2008 BMW 335I 4 door. There is a malfunction with front passenger air bag and sensor/control module. It was a recall issue that BMW notified this Agency of on 12/11/13. The NHTSA campaign # is 13V-564. Components: Air bags frontal seat sensor/control module. The problem is that according to the research done, BMW did not include my model year in the recall. They acknowledge it but did not formally issue the recall on my model year. Now the BMW service shop wants approximately $2800 to fix this issue that is their fault. They should repair the faulty equipment at no cost to me as the consumer. The mfr's report date: 11/8/13. I would like BMW of North America to correct the faulty equipment/components at no cost to me. The consequences are that the system will fail in the event of a crash, deactivating the front passenger air bags, increasing the risk of personal injury and even death. I was told the sensor communicates the weight of the passenger for the car to deploy the air bag at the correct speed and pressure, if the airbag does happen to work, but most likely will not due to the malfunction. This is unacceptable and the NHTSA should enforce BMW to recall all models this issue impacts. Per the article: "in 2008, BMW recalled 200,000 vehicles due to a similar problem, but did not recall these vehicles at that time. BMW said it did not recall the additional 77,000 vehicles recalled this week in 2008 because "they had significantly lower warranty claim rates." This is unacceptable!!
- Texas, TX, USA
BMW occupancy passenger airbag mat failure similar to recall on 2007 335I.
- Pomona, CA, 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
During normal driving conditions the airbag and seatbelt tensioner system fail lights came on. We drove home and the lights stayed on ever since. Tried resetting the computer system but lights remain on.
- Wiggins, MS, 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
Fourth incident - on-board diagnostics indicate "malfunction passenger restraint system" in eleven months for same problem. Service yet to be scheduled with dealer. I know there was recall for same problem in 2006 for BMW 3-series. I think BMW is installing faulty seat mats.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Third incident - on-board diagnostics indicate "malfunction passenger restraint system" dealer claimed they fixed problem.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Second incident of on-board diagnostics indicate "malfunction passenger restraint system" dealer claimed they fixed problem.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
On-board diagnostics indicate "malfunction passenger restraint system" dealer claimed they fixed problem.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 335I. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact crashed into the proceeding vehicle. The contact sustained bruises to the face. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a collision center. A police report was filed of the incident. The air bags filed to deploy during the extensive impact. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was 51,284. Updated 05/31/12
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Car: 2008 BMW 335I issue: Driver side front airbag and passenger side head/curtain airbag deployed in a very lowspeed crash (less than 5 mph) my wife was driving our 2008 BMW 335I on a street (hwy 6, houston, tx) in bumper to bumper traffic when the car in front of her suddenly slowed down. My wife reacted a bit late and gently hit the car in front of her. There was a small scratch on the rear bumper of the other car (VW beetle) and a small dent on the front bumper of the BMW. At this time the driver side front airbag and the passenger side curtain airbags deployed in the BMW. The car was disabled and had to be towed. Looking at the speed and the damage from the crash itself it is obvious that the BMW had faulty airbag sensors. I wanted to bring this to your notice so that it can be addressed.
- Cypress, TX, USA
- North Wales, PA, USA