2003 BMW 330ci. Consumer writes in regards to airbag recall installation problems. The consumer stated after having the air bag part installed, the light remained on with no explanation from the dealer. The consumer went to another dealer, where they found a module needed to be replaced to correct the problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

From the time I bought the car new in early 2003, the air bag sensor light remained on indefinitely. The BMW dealer turned the alert light off several times, and did not fix the underlying problem, indicating that it was only the sensor and that the airbag was working. The light continues to remain on. After several visits to murray BMW in denver the problem was not fixed and the dealership merely turned the alert light off indicating there was nothing wrong, and not repairing the problem. At that time the warranty expired and the repair was never made. Now the air bag light is still on and the dealership will not take care of the issue with the sensor. When the airbag recall was performed, the air bag light still remained on, and the dealership indicated that the replacement of the airbag was not related to the air bag sensor. This is not acceptable when purchasing a brand new vehicle!

- Denver, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330xi. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The dealer was unable to inform when the part would become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Boulder , CO, USA

Almost 6 months ago, I was notified by BMW about a recall because of air bag(s) and was advised that I would be called shortly for repair/ replacement. Contacted BMW numerous times by phone and mail and every time was advised that parts should be in shortly. If they cannot find the parts for so long, there should be some alternate. Knowing a safety issue and not correcting it and letting the driver(s) on a chance for a tragedy should not be acceptable.

- Edison, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 3 series. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unavailable.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 3301. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags); however, the part to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

Last year we were notified by BMW us that our car was being recalled for the passenger side airbag malfunction and BMW dealers were responsible to fix the problem. Since then we have contacted BMW us numerous times and our local san francisco BMW dealer to schedule an appointment. Unfortunately, we were repeatedly told the same answer that we will have to wait until the parts are available for replacing the air bag. Finally, we were able to set up an appointment with our BMW local dealership for February 4, 2015. When we took the car there, we were told once again, by their 'service consultant rubi huey, that there are still no parts available to fix it and they could not even give us an approximate date as to when they would take care of this serious problem. Needless to say that we are very frustrated with this situation not only that BMW is not making the necessary effort to resolve this dangerously essential and hazardous repair which is necessary to being able to sell the car, which is a huge priority for us. We hope that you can resolve this problem soon. Thank you.

- Burlingame, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330xi. The contact stated that when the front passenger seat was occupied, the air bag off warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:14V428000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

In September 2014 I received a notice re: Recall campaign no. 14V-428 front passenger air bag. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front passenger's air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupture of the air bag inflator, resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the front passenger or other passenger. BMW has done nothing to replace this air bag. They continue to say that they have not received the parts. This is unacceptable in that 4 months have passed with nothing resolved. I, along with other BMW drivers, are at risk and we need you to take action for all of us.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Re: campaign # 14V-428 I received an 'important safety recall' regarding a defective passenger airbag. I have been in touch via email and phone calls with BMW of North America to no avail. They advise they do not have parts yet. My dealer, habberstad, huntington, NY also advises they do not have parts. I am on a list to be serviced when parts are received. This letter is dated September 2014, it is now December 23, 2014 and I am still riding in a deathtrap. I have been advised not to have any front passengers or store anything on the seat! I cannot have my 3 grandchildren in the car or any other passengers. This is absurd! I have given BMW 3 fair options: 1-secure the necessary parts to make my auto safe...2-give me a loaner until such time...or buy the car from me at a very fair price (as I couldn't sell it privately) so I can purchase another car. Why isn't the consumer's safety a top priority, and what is being done by the NHTSA to ensure this"?"

- East Northport, NY, USA

BMW issued recall 13V-172000 in May 2013 and expanded to recall 14V-428000 in September 2014 to include my vehicle. In their letter to NHTSA with regards to recall 14V-428000 they noted they should have enough parts to perform the recall in October 2014. An update to the recall notice on the NHTSA site states "a second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014", however I have not received such notice and when I contacted BMW they stated on 12/15/14 "due to a high demand for parts, we are experiencing shipment delays but do anticipate receiving an increase in inventory supply over the next few months". they will not provide a date when they estimate the repair will be done. The recall notes that in a collision, the passenger side airbag inflator could rupture and metal fragments could seriously injure a passenger. Based on the lack of additional communication from BMW, and their recent statement that the repair could take several months, I am filing a complaint on their lack of urgency to resolve a serious problem that has been known at least since July 16, 2014, and should have been known on May 2013 when the original recall 13V-172000 affecting a lower number of vehicles was originally issued.

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330xi. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the front passenger air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front passenger air bag needed to be replaced. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V428000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

- York , PA, USA

I have contacted a BMW dealer and BMW usa regarding the takata airbag recall. The dealer has been unable to secure the part and has contacted other dealers to secure an airbag. None have been available. This recall began in August. I was not notified by BMW usa regarding the recall and searched the safecar.gov data and found my vehicle was implicated. The dealer advised me not to drive the vehicle with a passenger inside until the part is replaced. I contacted BMW usa this week inquiring as to when this part will be available. I informed the customer service representative that this vehicle has not been driven for several months. Fortunately, this is not my primary vehicle. I was informed that BMW is dilegently working to solve this issue but the parts were unavailable and there is no time frame for when they would be available. When I voiced my concern that (1) I was the only owner of the vehicle (10 years) and had not been informed of the recall. I was told my file had been recently updated. (2) I was dissatisfied with this unacceptable response and concerned that I cannot drive this vehicle, the customer service rep informed me that she had no further information to provide and that I was rude; this was not a personal attack on me and that I had no reason for attacking her for the information that she provided. I implore your organization to ensure that BMW usa expedite this recall and replacement of parts so that I can drive this vehicle without further safety concerns. I appreciate your attention to this matter.

- Reisterstown, MD, USA

Re: BMW airbag recall campaign 14V428 upon receiving the recall notice I immediately called my local dealer. BMW's authorized and franchised dealership (century BMW in grenville, SC ) informed me that BMW usa would contact us as parts became available. A month passed since receiving the initial NHTSA 14V428 notice (tanaka airbag) and I had no follow up. Therefore, I called century BMW again this morning : this time they took my info and are ordering the parts. BMW may a have contingent liabilities as some people are most likely waiting for another notice from BMW usa; based on the dealers initial representations. Recalls are never a pleasant experience but the risks associated with this safety defect merit serious action and follow-up as some owners were notified to wait for a 2nd notice from BMW usa...and none has come in 30+ days. I understand oems and tanaka are probably scrambling to get "good parts" but this "tactic" or error in misinforming owners is putting the public at risk. People have died because of this defect and owners are awaiting a 2nd notification that may never come. I am glad I followed-up myself. Please force BMW to inform the public correctly on parts availability. BMW has the responsibility to contact registered owners. Owners are presently waiting. Misinformed and driving (literally) a ticking time bomb that can, and has, exploded and injured/killed people..

- Easley, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330I. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the driver side air bag inadvertently deployed. The contact panicked and crashed sideways into a concrete median. The contact sustained back injuries which required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that the vehicle was working up to standards and was unable to provide further assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

- Greenwich, CT, USA

I filed a previous complaint on this web site, but it has since been removed. The ODI# I was provided was 1011031. Please advise as to why the complaint was removed.

- Houston, TX, USA

I was traveling N/B on route 1 in elkridge Maryland @ intersection ducketts lane on 10/9/14 @ 4:47 pm. I was involved in a 4 car pile up crash, I was stopped - the vehicle behind me was struck by a speeding motorist which caused a chain reaction & struck my BMW and knocking me into the vehicle in front of me. Both front airbags exploded with caused a severe burn to my right hand. My vehicle was a total loss and the at-fault driver's insurance has possession of the vehicle. I was immediately taken by ambulance to the hospital with other injuries. Appropriately two weeks before the accident, I received a letter stating that there was a recall on my vehicle, and parts were not available to fix the vehicle, and I would be contacted at a later time. I called and reported this incident to BMW North America this morning - they stated that an executive would get back to me in 1-3 business days.....updated 11/18/14 updated 8/4/2015

- Halethorpe, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the driver's side air bag deployed inadvertently. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the air bags deployed due to driving over a pot hole. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 330I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed the failure as an ignition circuit air bag indicator fault. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 9,692 and the current mileage was 79,692.

- Panama City, FL, USA

Traveling South on 75, driver door bag deployed for no reason. Applied brakes and ran off side off road to keep from having a car rear end me and then right tire blew out due to drop off. Car shut down by itself. Air bags did not completely deploy. Over head strap hit head and neck area causing soreness and headache. Door air bag caused fragments to hit hand and tore off skin.I thought car was on fire due to smoke smell of wires burning, removed strap off neck and got out of car. If traffic had been heavy there would have been a major wreck. If I had been on 2 lane highway I would have hit head on another vehicle. Monday called BMW and they said someone would call me back. I called every day for a week and was told to leave msg with case mgr which I did. 10 days later case mgr called and said bags are not suppose to fully deflate and she would have car towed to nearest dealer for engineer to look at and once they have car it could be another 2-3 weeks before he looks at car and not to expect any repairs. She also said she does not find any recalls for this car. I told her I found info on internet.now I am out of car and waiting on BMW to look into. BMW case #[xxx]. NHTSA campaign number 13V172000. + usa today May 7,2013. + suit claims air bags defective (www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/BMW.html). + los angles times-BMW recall air bags that could spray shrapnel Dec 16,2013. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ky, KY, USA