I have a faulty passenger side seat occupancy sensor failure, as diagnosed by the local bmw dealership. The failure code is 93c3, and the issue appears to have been previously recognized by the manufacturer, and partially remedied with either an extended warranty or recall, allowable on only particular VIN numbers. The recall / extended warranty applies to particular 2006 3 series bmw vehicles manufactured prior to january 2006. The 93c3 seat mat occupancy failure in my vehicle causes the airbag and seat belt lights to illuminate on the dashboard of the vehicle. Bmw USA has advised that the recall does not impact my vehicle, even though the seats, and manufacture date are within the recall parameters. The local bmw dealership, as well as independent shops have all advised that the failure should, by all qualifying means beyond VIN number identification, be covered under the recall or extended warranty, as this is the same failure as vehicles impacted by the referenced recall. Referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 the bmw 325i vehicle I own was manufactured in august of 2005, equipped with standard seat. Bmw USA has stated within the recall that they don't know how many vehicles are impacted by this issue and has only elected to remedy this issue on a predetermined set of vehicles. The manufacturer, bmw has been notified of this specific issue, and provided no assistance. They advised that all repairs are to be customer paid, and have refused to honor their recall. As of 1/22/2013, the vehicle remains unrepaired and a safety hazard. Many others have the same issue, as documented by the federal safety agency complaints. Bmw stated consequence of non repair: 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.
2006 BMW 325I airbags complaints
Page 7 of 9: complaints 161 to 190 of 241, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the vehicle was started and the front passenger's side air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The failure recurred when the front passenger's seat was occupied or even when there was not an occupant present. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the front passenger side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised that they were unable to determine the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was later contacted and advised him that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The current mileage was approximately 72,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the front passenger air bag warning light illuminated while the passenger seat was occupied. There was a reading across the instrument panel that advised him that the front passenger air bag was disengaged and was no longer operative. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was later contacted and advised him that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). The failure and current mileages were approximately 109,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. While parked, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated.the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised that the air bag sensor, which was in the seat, needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and advised that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger side air bag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated the passenger side air bag warning light and the seat belt warning light illuminated indicating that the passenger air bag was off when a passenger seat was occupied. The dealer was contacted to set up an appointment regarding the air bag and seat belt light. The contact believed that if the vehicle was involved in a crash the passenger side air bag would not deploy. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning light would illuminate on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the contact was informed that the front passenger seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that the repair was not covered under warranty nor were there any recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,400. The current mileage was approximately 62,476.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the passenger side air system malfunctioned due to a defective air bag sensor in the passenger's seat. The contact was concerned that if the vehicle was involved in a crash that the passenger side air bag would not deploy. The contact was informed of the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) and took the vehicle to a local dealer. The dealer advised the contact that the front passenger seat sensor mat needed to be replaced and that the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 57,000.
My car started displaying a warning that there was a malfunction in the passenger restraint system. Took it to dealer who said that there was a low voltage issue with my battery and fixed it. 2 weeks later the warning reappeared. This time, when I took it to the dealer, I was informed that there was a defective sensor module in the seats and that the airbags would not deploy in the event of a crash. Even though the federal safety agency issued a recall for this specific malfunction (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000), the dealer refused to fix the module under warranty. The cost of this repair was quoted to be $1400 and is out of my budget, and even though this is a noted safety defect that bmw is aware of, they refuse to honor the recall claiming that my car's VIN number is not among those covered by the recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact was traveling 60 MPH when the passenger air bag restraint system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,653 and the current mileage was 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that at engine startup, the passenger restraint system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the battery needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN failed to qualify for repairs under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). The failure and current mileages were 57,585.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. While parked, the contact noticed that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician stated that the mat on the front passenger seat would have to be replaced. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Dashboard reads "passenger seat restraint malfunction" and shows an image of a dummy with an air bag deployed. When I called bmw they stated that my VIN number was not on the list for this recall, even though my car fits under this recall completely.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact noticed the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) but the contact was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Our vehicle fails to detect passengers and the airbag turns off. We were told by bmw initially that our passengers were too light, however, we understand that this item has been recalled several years ago, because the seat should detect passengers over 90 lbs, I weigh 115 lbs. Anyway, when I called the manufacturer they said our VIN was not included in the recall. The federal safety agency relies on the manufacturer to include VIN's in the recall, however, this is an obvious problem that my vehicle should have been included in the recall which is so well documented. We are the original owners and have not sold the vehicle.
The passenger air bag light started going on and off when a passenger is and is not sitting in the passenger seat. The defect is clearly the seat weight sensor that many others have cited. This is a significant safety issue. I called the dealer, and like many others, I was told my vehicle was not covered under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000. The dealer wanted to charge $125 for the diagnosis and $1500-1700 (estimate) to replace the seat mat. All the cost is was going to be the owner's responsibility. Mileage is currently 71k. I'm hopeful this compliant helps push the federal safety agency and bmw to extend the recall to all 2006 325i models so owners don't have to absorb the high cost of a serious safety and design defect that could lead to a serious injury or death.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325. The contact stated that the front passenger seat air bag warning light would shut off whether the seat was occupied, or not. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag sensor was defective, causing the air bag to deactivate with a passenger occupying the seat. The dealer repaired the front passenger seat sensor mat. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) recall range. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 58,105. Updated 06/06/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the air bag light warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed and the failure was located at the passenger seat air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer denied assistance with the repair because the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags: frontal). The failure and the current mileage was 43,000.
Air bag light goes on, indicating malfunction on passenger's front seat. This problem is very well known with bmw car and a recall was already made. I don't know why 3 series models with sport seat are not in this recall. Online you can easily find out other owners with the same kind of problems. Please do something, before a fatal accident happens. Thanks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and after having a diagnostic test performed, the dealer advised that the passenger side air bag detection mat malfunctioned and the detection mat did not identify a passenger sitting in the seat. The contact was concerned that the air bag would not deploy in the event of a crash. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal) and called the manufacturer. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the front passenger side air bag sensor malfunctioned and no longer recognized when a passenger was seated in the seat. The air bag light also illuminated when passengers were not seated in the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the failure was due to normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 43,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the front passenger side air bag light illuminated upon starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the dealer stated that the VIN failed to qualify for the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was 84,000. Updated 4/3/12 *cn the consumer stated the air bag would not deploy if an accident occurred, due to the occupancy detector mat having a broken circuit. Updated 04/16/12
The airbag warning comes on indicating that the passenger seat airbag is off and the. Belt tension sensor is malfunctioning. Only happens when there is someone sitting in the passenger seat.
Passenger airbag / seat belt light came on and would not go out. There were multiple the federal safety agency recalls (pe07-045) and (ea08-001) but my VIN falls outside of the recall because apparently I have sport seats. There are numerous complaints on various sites about this issue. Bmwna stated they won't offer to fix the issue since the vehicle was not included in the recall. Dealers charge $1000+ to fix this defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the front passenger side seat sensor for the air bag was faulty and causing the air bag warning light to illuminate. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v257000 (air bags: frontal) but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that air bag warning light was illuminated for approximately three years. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that the passenger seat sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised her that she was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v384000 (air bags:frontal). The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Airbag light is constantly on showing passenger airbag is always off. Noticed multiple issues from other owners and recall # 08v384000. Bmw refuses to acknowledge or do anything about the issue.
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