Passenger occupancy sensor malfunction that disables the airbags in 2006 E90 BMW 3 series sedan. This malfunctioning sensor could cause grave bodily injury or death. BMW recalled previous years sensors but has not fixed the issue in later models. Some people are bypassing the sensor in there vehicles and are placing unknowing subsequent owners children at risk of airbag injury. BMW forums all have multiple complaints about the safety concerns NHTSA should investigate and force a recall of the passenger occupancy sensor as it did in some earlier 2006 bmws with the same issue.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. While traveling at 55 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated on the dashboard. The manufacturer advised there was not a recall for the failure. The contact inquired about NHTSA recall campaign id number 08V384000 (air bags: Frontal) but was told her VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 63,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

I currently own a 2006 325I BMW. There seems to be a problem with a occupancy sensor mat. I took my car to the dealership and was told that this problem would cost $1000 to be fixed. I later looked online and found out earlier models of the same vehicle were recalled. The BMW dealership still will not fix my car because it's not on the recall list. I asked if my airbags will deploy if the car is wrecked and the dealership told me "maybe". maybe isn't the answer I'm looking for because I do have passengers in my car and I'm concerned about their safety. This sensor should be fixed by the dealership free of charge because this is a serious safety issue and has been recalled before. The recall should be extended because the problems still exist.

- Shreveport, LA, USA

In my 2006 BMW 325xi, the air bag warning light, the seatbelt restraint warning light, and the overhead passenger airbag off light are sometimes all on even if an adult is sitting in the passenger seat. This is the same problem that's described in the passenger mat occupancy sensor recall/extended warranty but BMW says the recall/extended warranty is VIN specific and my car is not covered. My car is out of warranty. I took it to the BMW dealer and paid a $130 diagnosis fee. They told me that the passenger mat occupancy sensor is faulty and needs to be replaced for an additional $1350. I declined and my service advisor offered me a $130 discount. I declined that too. BMW should fix for this for no charge because a) it's the same problem as in the recall/extended, and B) it's a safety issue. If I have an accident with an adult in the passenger seat, the air bag may not deploy and it could result in serious injuries. Why is BMW not held accountable for this defect?

- Boston, MA, USA

BMW 325I 2006 sedan airbag sensor mat not working properly.

- Manassas, VA, USA

It all started on a random day in February 2009 when the airbag and seatbelt light simultaneously came up on the dash of the car. In April 2009 I took the car into the dealership to attempt to get it fixed. The mechanic listed the problem as a passenger front airbag sensor, occupancy detection mat, programming to control units, diagnostic and labor and stated that there were no recalls according to the VIN number. Afterward receiving the car back, the lights remained off for about a week and then immediately came back on. Today, I checked the NHTSA website regarding recalls and under NHTSA campaign id number 08V384000, the same issue occurred in many 2006 BMW 3 series cars including mine. I just recently called the toll-free BMW number to check to see if my VIN was included in the recall list but they advised that it was not. Reason being: On any given production day in the factory, they may make 100 cars. However, 30 of the cars may use a box of parts that the other 70 did not use. They advised me to get a second opinion at another BMW dealership and attempt to get it fixed. Then, if the mechanic feels like it may be the same issue, that I should contact BMW's main office for a case manager. Based on the results that the first mechanic stated as an issue and that they are indeed the same issue, it seems that there was VIN numbers that should have been included in the original recall list that BMW did not include. I would appreciate your help in investigating this issue.

- Lansdale, PA, USA

I have a 2006 BMW 3 series that had a defective seat mat sensor. This defect led to the following indications in the vehicle: Overhead air bag warning light illuminated, the red airbag light on the instrument panel illuminated, and the system check window (digital display between tachometer and speedometer) indicated a fault with the airbag. There is an active recall on this failure for 2006 3 series with sport seats, campaign number 08V384000. However, my vehicle's VIN number is not included on the list that NHTSA and BMW negotiated. BMW has denied my request to fix this problem at their cost. My vehicle is affected by the exact same problem that 200,000 other BMW?S had. There is a precedent for failure with the seat mat sensor. The cost to the consumer to correct this threat to safety is approximately $1400. NHTSA should expand this recall list to cover all vehicles affected by this problem. This is a safety issue and the cost burden should not be passed on to the consumer in this case.

- Burbank, CA, USA

Passenger airbag light came on noting passenger restraint malfunction. BMW issued a voluntary recalls on the 2006 3 series but when I call to verify, they said that my vehicle is not covered in the recall. I think that my vehicle should be included in the recall since it is the same model year and has the same symptons noted in the recall.

- Southlake, TX, USA

When an adult is seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle, the air bag service indicator, no seatbelt indicator, and "passenger airbag is disabled" indicator are all illuminated. When taking my vehicle in to the local BMW service center to diagnose the issue, I was told the cause was a faulty passenger seat sensor mat (have documentation), which is meant to detect when a passenger is present. In addition, I was told in my vehicles current state, if I were to get in an accident with a passenger present, the passenger airbag would not deploy. While performing independent research, I found that BMW has released an official recall (#08V384000) which describes these same symptoms, caused by a defective passenger seat sensor mat. In the recall details, the make, model, year and seat type all match the specifications of my vehicle. After discovering the recall information, I contacted BMW of North America representative by telephone. I was told that because my vehicle VIN is not on the recall list, the repair must be done at an out of pocket expense. I am filing this complaint because the defective seat sensor reduces the safety of the vehicle passengers, as well as violates air bag regulations established by the NHTSA. Since this is a defect, the cost should be covered 100% by the manufacturer, BMW.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

My vehicle is a 2006 325 I BMW. Air bag light in passenger seat would go on and off. Even if there is an adult seating on the seat. Now both the airbag light and seat belt light are on at all times. There is currently a recall on some 2006 3 series BMW for the same reason, but my vehicle is not included in the recall.

- Fallbrook, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 3 series. On July 24, 2009, the contact started the vehicle and noticed that the frontal air bag light was illuminated. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 08V384000 (air bags: Frontal); therefore, she will be responsible for the repair cost. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.

- Baltimore , MD, USA

I was driving about 10 mph in traffic on Friday, Oct. 31, 2008, at 5 P.M., in houston, when my 2006 BMW 325I began smoking in the passenger compartment and burst into flames by the time I got it parked. I first noticed the air conditioner was not functioning properly and then smoke immediately began filling the car. The car was totaled by the time the hfd arrived. The car was in good condition and had no recent service or problems. It had no previous electrical problems. The ac just began blowing warm air, and smoke started pouring into the compartment from above and below the dashboard - not from the ac. The car was running fine until it burst into flames. It had to be a mechanical defect or an electrical short of some kind.

- Houston, TX, USA

My 2006 3 series BMW was involved in a frontal crash and the airbags failed to deploy at a speed of 30-35 plus with a full impact. I have severe injuries in the shoulder and neck area and have been having bad migrane headaches and also insomnia.

- Northridge, CA, USA

I was told by BMW that even thought my passenger airgbag has been defective for the last two months, I need to wait till September to get it fixed.

- Mason, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 3 series. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light continued to display "air bag off" when an occupant was seated in the front passenger seat. The dealer initially stated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The BMW manufacturer stated that his vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number 08V384000 (air bags:frontal). The manufacturer advised the contact to refrain from allowing occupants to sit in the passenger seat until the repairs were completed. The failure mileage was 17,000 and current mileage was 20,000.

- Mason, OH, USA