I originally asked seattle BMW to look into this problem of the seat belt warning system buzzer sounding when there was no passenger in the seat. At this point the car was still under warranty (2007) and they said the problem was corrected. Upon driving home to olympia, wa the buzzer began sounding again and the warning light remained illuminated. Recently, I was having a failure of the rear driver's side window repaired at the northwest BMW dealership in Tacoma. I was told the cost would be approx. $1600. Another customer there was talking to me about my situation and told me his friend has the same year (2005) X3 and has the same problem. Despite the BMW recall 08V384000, the dealer as well as BMW of North America say the vehicle is not covered under this recall. This appears to be the "corporate" response to all owners. Front seat passengers are in danger should these vehicles be involved in an accident. Dot needs to get on this issue to protect consumers!

- Olympia, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 BMW X3. He stated that the air bag light came on and caused the air bag system to malfunction. The dealer confirmed that NHTSA campaign id number: 08V384000 component: Air bags frontal were related to the failure; however, his VIN was not included. The contact was quoted $1100 by the dealer to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle will not be repaired. The failure mileage was 64000 and current mileage was 64989.

- Takoma, WA, USA

To whom it may concern; I am a Canadian citizen, however this complaint involves a vehicle originally purchased in the usa. I bought a 2005 BMW X3, which is exhibiting the issue exactly as described in NHTSA campaign number: 08V384000, as follows.... recall: 2004-2006 BMW X3 NHTSA campaign number: 08V384000 www.NHTSA.dot.gov manufacturer BMW of North America, llc recall date: Jul 18, 2008 potential number of units affected: 200000 description air bags:frontal summary BMW is recalling 200,000 my 2006 3 series sport seat, my 2004-2006 5 series standard and sport seat, and my 2004-2006 X3 passenger vehicles. Depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks have developed in the mat. If this occurs, the front passenger air bags, with the exception of the head protection system, will be deactivated and the air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp will be illuminated. Consequence in this situation the front passenger air bags will not deploy even if a sufficiently severe accident would occur and occupant protection provided by the system would not be possible. Remedy dealers will rework the front passenger seat sensor mat so that external force application to the seat does not cause a crack to the mat. The recall is expected to begin during late September 2008. BMW will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. After contacting BMW of North America, they informed me my VIN / vehicle is not affected by this recall. I believe that it is, and this is a serious safety issue as the passenger seat airbag system has been deactivated in my vehicle. There may be many more vehicles affected by this defect then those originally included in this recall and this should be investigated.

- Aurora Ontario Canada, 00, USA

Air bags in BMW X3 manufacture date Sep 2005. My vehicle is fully loaded and the airbag sensor is defective in the passenger seat according to BMW tests ran on the truck. This is the same issue identified in NHTSA campaign number 08V384000, however BMW will not rework the sensor issue. They are telling me that I have to pay over 1100 euro, as I am station in germany and purchased the vehicle through military car sales. Since it is the exact issue found in the same year and model of the recalled vehicles this should be considered and repaired. Yet BMW states that my vehicle was not I=one of the over 200000 which was included in the recall. How am I to determine if my VIN number was affected. My vehicle was produced during the same time frame and it was special ordered. Please assist if possible.

- Apo, AE, USA

I own a BMW X3 that has the front air bag mat sensor problem that has been noted worldwide BMW recall. The problem is that they have not noted the X3 with sport seats being part of the recall, although all other models with the same seat has been noted. I just had my X3 serviced, and also ask them to repair the seat mat that has failed, but the dealer stated that this seat was not listed, but did have the common failure that has brought forward the recall. I am asking that NHTSA notify BMW and insist that they have left out the X3 with sport seats.

- Westmoreland, TN, USA

Safety restraint air bag passenger side safety light intermittent signal remains on, when a passenger is seated in seat weighing over 40 pounds. Driver dash board indicates the safety restraint air bag is not on when passenger over 40 pound is seated in passenger seat. The safety airbag light indicates the passenger air bag will not deploy.

- Salinas, CA, USA

Brand new 2005 BMW X3 3.0 passenger airbag light stays on {meaning it is deactivated} when occupied with 110 lb occupant is sitting in it.

- Portland, OR, USA