Passenger side seat sensor has failed, leaving airbag in permanently deactivated state.

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

Front passenger airbag malfunction light stays on. Obd scanner indicates air bag mat sensor defect. BMW declined to fix problem since vehicle is out of warranty. Same problem appeared on June 15, 2011 but was fixed at no cost by dealership since vehicle was still under warranty at 447,94 miles.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Passenger occupancy sensor fails, causing air bag to become inoperative and airbag light to appear on dash. In case of accident, the airbag will not deploy. Dealer wants nearly 2000 dollars to fix, though they say it had "already been repaired in 2008" when the vehicle was two years old; dealer confirmed that they hear this complaint all of the time. Recall campaign 08V384000 addresses this issue for some BMW models/seats, but does not adequately address all models and years that have the problem. For the X5 model, for example, the "comfort seat" is covered, but the standard seat, which has the very same problem (not related to the comfort system) is not. Please widen the coverage of the campaign to include all models and years affected by this widespread problem.

- Kaysville, UT, USA

Passenger air bag sensor.

- Imperial Beach, CA, USA

After experiencing the same issue for which BMW issued this recall NHTSA action number: EA08001 I learned that because my 2006 X5 was manufactured after November 30, 2005, BMW is not covering under warranty the very same defect that vehicles manufactured prior to November 30, 2005 are under warranty for (extended to 10 years with no mileage restrictions). The explanation is "that is the recall policy. We manage this via VIN numbers".

- Danville, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where it was discovered that the passenger's side mat sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 08V384000 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

Production date 03/2006 front passenger seat occupant detection mat malfunction. Vehicle was brought to independent shop for code reading to verify that 'airbag light off' illuminated was triggered from seat sensor. Light stays illuminated (indicating airbag is off) with adult occupant on passenger seat, approximately less than 1,000-miles after, driver dash airbag light illuminated permanently also. Vehicle was purchased as a cpo. Airbag/seat sensor code began after cpo warranty expired. During the period of my ownership, vehicle was never involved in any collisions. Vehicle was last brought in for brake and oil service at BMW dealership. Some research seem to indicate a recall regarding very similar situation (NHTSA campaign # 08V384000) was available for certain model BMW. Summary of the campaign letter does not include 2006 X5, however, extra notes does state that it includes "my 2006 X5." Both BMW dealership and BMW of na were not able to find any recall associated with my VIN. There were made aware of the letter and were firm that vehicle was not part of the recall and repair/replacement cost at owner's expense.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

Passenger seat occupancy airbag light shows airbag is inactivate (whether or not someone is in the passenger seat). This light appears intermittently. Took to dealer and was advised the repair is $1200. Although my model should be covered in the 2008 recall, NHTSA 08V384000 - ??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, although my car is listed above, the dealer says that my 2006 X5 was manufactured outside the current manufacture date for the 2008 recall. This recall need to be expanded. There are numerous complaints from 2006 X5 owners outside the November 2005 manufacture date.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the mat sensor had failed. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000. Updated 8/5/13 the consumer stated her vehicle was rear ended. However, while at the collision center, the air bag light sensor illuminated on the dash.

- Whiting, NJ, USA

Both the air bag warning lamp and passenger air bag "on-off" lamp illuminated on circumstance that there is someone sitting on the passenger seat.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Passenger seat occupancy airbag light near sunroof controls remains unilluminated (which means airbag is activated) when no one is in the passenger seat. This appears to be intermitent as yesterday it remained illuminated (airbag off) as it should be with no one in the passenger seat. Also had case where red airbag light was illuminated on dash for unknown reason but light went off after driving for a period of time. My X5 was manufactured in May 2006 and appears to be outside the current manufacture date for the 2008 re-call. The recall needs to be expanded based on how many people complain about this on vehicles outside the November 05 manufacture date.

- Wethersfield, CT, USA

Passenger seat occupancy sensor light illuminated and disengaged airbag whether passenger in seat or not. Known faulty equipment needs recall and repair.

- Greenville, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V384000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 48,900.

- Lexington, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was found that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer's recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Updated 02/12/13 updated 02/13/13

- Middle Village , NY, USA

Passenger side seat sensor has failed, leaving airbag in permanently deactivated state. This defect was previously subject of recall in other vehicles in same model year, but not particular month of manufacture of mine according to VIN. Have reported to BMW dealer and BMW na; customer service agent at BMW na initially indicated they might cover it but then request was denied by management. I have requested they simply deactivate the sensor and leave the airbag on, which would seem to be a low-cost repair. They have stated there is no safety issue in doing so. The stated purpose of the sensor is to prevent unnecessary cost for airbag replacement after an accident. This seems to be a clear design defect: If the sensor fails, the airbag should be left in the active condition, not a disabled condition. The dealer is requesting $1276 to replace the defective seat sensor. BMW knows they are making money off this repair and has no incentive to find a low cost repair that would save lives. Software deactivation of the sensor would increase safety since some will be unable to afford a repair of this expense and driving without a passenger side SRS puts occupants at significant risk. I am a university professor and I have notified BMW na of this and if BMW continues to refuse to provide a low-cost repair for this condition I will be willing to testify at trial attesting to the fact that BMW was informed of this issue and advised of their possible liability if anyone has an accident in a 2006 X5 and the passenger airbag does not deploy resulting in increased passenger injury; contact me at [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Berkeley, CA, USA

The sensor in the passenger's seat failed so the airbags light stayed on as well as the fasten seatbelt. Transport Canada issued a recall # 2008307 Aug. 26, 2008 confirming the problem and that"the occupant detection mat will be granteda warranty extension of 10 years" BMW will not honor this. I had to enter Washington state as Canada is not listed. City is surrey, british columbia, V4A8C1.

- Surrey, British Columbia, 00, USA

Just purchased the certified pre owned BMW X5. 2006 model and had it 1 day and the passenger side airbag light came on and would not go off. Returned car to BMW of dallas to have repaired. Approximately 40000 miles later at 68000 miles same light is on and will not go out.

- Arlington, TX, USA

The front passenger air bag sensor went on at 44K and remains illuminated at all times and for no apparent reason. I took the vehicle to an independent repair shop and was informed that the air bag sensor was defective. Called the BMW site who indicated that there were no recalls for this issue. Contacted NHTSA website and informed that recall was in place (EA08001 BMW of North America, llc 01/04/2008 12/31/2008 BMW airbag light illumination 08V384000) dealer stated they would not honor this due to the manufacture date of my vehicle which fits every other criteria (e.g., year, make and model.) not the BMW I am used to.

- Meridian, ID, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the front passenger air bag sensor remained illuminated at all times. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the air bag sensor was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,250. The VIN was unavailable.

- Carterville, IL, USA