Recalls

CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
08V384000BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC V (Vehicle)20000011/06/2008ODIBMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC08/05/200808/05/2008
Defect SummaryBmw 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 SummaryIn 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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 began on november 6, 2008. bmw will also extend the warranty on these vehicles to 10 years from first registration without any mileage limit. owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
NotesBmw 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.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
AIR BAGS
SI-B65-75-0604/01/200910029605Bmw: the airbag warning lamp (awl) is illuminated, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). the problem may be intermittent. microcracks in the oc3 seat mat. *pe07/13/2009
SI B65-69-0606/01/200810025849Bmw: airbag warning lamp, fc93eb or fc 55. model e90, e91 (3 series) and e83 (x3) vehicles produced between 8/31/05 and 4/26/06. red airbag warning lamp (awl) in the instrument cluster is illuminated and a fault code for emergency call fu09/10/2008
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
722000501/01/200672020610012498Airbag warning light is illuminated, and fault code 71 (seat occupancy detector) is stored in mrs4rd. bmw e83 (x3). model year unknown. *tt03/03/2005

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
AIR BAGS
EA08001BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE01/04/200812/31/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION08V384000
 Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. the specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. in addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. the specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v-384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.
EA08001BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC01/04/200812/31/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION08V384000
 Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. the specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. in addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. the specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v-384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.
PE07045BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE09/04/200701/04/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
 In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series and x3, the my 2004 through 2006z-4 series and my 2006 3-series, 6-series and x5 vehicles.an improved seat mat sensor was introduced in december 2005 for the mid-my 2006 production.in response to odi's information request letter, bmw provided 1,172 owner reports and 28,238 warranty claims.initial review of the data indicate that 280 non-duplicating owner reports and 13,051 non-duplicating warranty claims may be related the subject defect issue on the subject vehiclesthis preliminary evaluation is being upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea08-001).
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
EA08001BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC01/04/200812/31/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION08V384000
 Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. the specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. in addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. the specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v-384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.
EA08001BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE01/04/200812/31/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION08V384000
 Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. the specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. in addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. the specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v-384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.
PE07045BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE09/04/200701/04/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
 In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series and x3, the my 2004 through 2006z-4 series and my 2006 3-series, 6-series and x5 vehicles.an improved seat mat sensor was introduced in december 2005 for the mid-my 2006 production.in response to odi's information request letter, bmw provided 1,172 owner reports and 28,238 warranty claims.initial review of the data indicate that 280 non-duplicating owner reports and 13,051 non-duplicating warranty claims may be related the subject defect issue on the subject vehiclesthis preliminary evaluation is being upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea08-001).
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
EA08001BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC01/04/200812/31/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION08V384000
 Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. the specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. in addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. the specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v-384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.
PE07045BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE09/04/200701/04/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION
 In certain my 2005 through my 2006 bmw vehicles, the occupant classification system (ocs) for the passenger frontal airbag may malfunction and render the passenger airbag inoperative.in june 2006, bmw issued a technical service bulletin (si b 72 02 06) regarding the illumination of the airbag warning light and the passenger airbag status lamp.illumination of these lights warn that an open electrical circuit may be present within the passenger seat mat sensor.when both of the lights are illuminated, the passenger frontal air bag will not deploy in a frontal crash.certain bmw vehicles in addition to the subject vehicles contain the same seat mat sensor.these are the my 2004 5-series, 7-series and x3, the my 2004 through 2006z-4 series and my 2006 3-series, 6-series and x5 vehicles.an improved seat mat sensor was introduced in december 2005 for the mid-my 2006 production.in response to odi's information request letter, bmw provided 1,172 owner reports and 28,238 warranty claims.initial review of the data indicate that 280 non-duplicating owner reports and 13,051 non-duplicating warranty claims may be related the subject defect issue on the subject vehiclesthis preliminary evaluation is being upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea08-001).
EA08001BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE01/04/200812/31/2008BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION08V384000
 Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. the specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. in addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. the specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/ 7 series, my 06/ x5, and my04-06/ 5-series with comfort seats.the average frequency of failures among the extended warranty groups was less than 1/7th of the recall vehicle groups.please see bmw's 08v-384 recall notification for further detailsdepending on seat configuration and vehicle geometry, the occupant detection mat can fatigue during use depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit.specifically, over time, micro-cracks could develop in the side flanks of the mat causing a broken circuit.a brokencircuit can lead to the deactivation of the passenger air bag and the illumination of both the air bag warning light and the passenger air bag light.

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS
11/07/200716500
 Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the passenger side seat sensor needed to be replaced. in addition, the dealer advised that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags). the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. the failure mileage was 16,500.
11/07/200716500
 Tl-the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the passenger side seat sensor needed to be replaced. in addition, the dealer advised that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 08v384000 (air bags). the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. the failure mileage was 16,500. kmj
11/07/200716500
 Tl-the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. the contact stated that the air bag illuminated on the instrument panel. the took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the passenger seat censor needed to be replaced and that the vehicle was not included in recall nhtsa campaign number: 08v384000 (air bags). the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. the failure mileage was 16,500. ap
01/01/2013990001
 I had just started the car and the airbag light came on in the instrument cluster. the passenger air bag on/off light was also illuminated. from that time on both lights are on and i'm concerned that we don't have a passenger airbag. i'm guessing it has something to do with that sensor that tells if someone is sitting in the passenger seat. *tr
01/01/201399000
 I had just started the car and the airbag light came on in the insrument cluster. the passenger air bag on/off light was also illuminated. from that time on both lights are on and i'm concerned that we don't have a passenger airbag. i'm guessing it has something to do with that sensor that tells if someone is sitting in the passenger seat.
11/12/20121280001
 The air bag warning light is on continuously. there is no physical damage to the system. the car has never been in a collision. there is a recall on this system for the 2004 model, but not the 2005 model. *tr
11/12/2012128000
 The air bag warning light is on continuously. there is no physical damage to the system. the car has never been in a collision. there is a recall on this system for the 2004 model, but not the 2005 model.
09/13/20121
 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! ## vin passed ## bmw x3 2005 ## *tr
07/15/201070000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2005 bmw x3. the contact stated that the passenger air bag light would illuminate on a consistent basis. the vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer nor repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that there were no recalls on his vehicle. the failure mileage was approximately 70,000. the vin was unavailable. tb
08/01/200735000
 Airbag warning light illuminated and will not turn off. bmw diagnosed problem as failure of passenger seat mat sensor. now passenger airbag status lamp will not turn off.
06/20/20081
 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. *tr
02/13/200612800112/21/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated the airbag activation indicator light illuminated. although the dealership and manufacturer were notified no inspections or repairs have been made.
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
09/13/20121
 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! ## vin passed ## bmw x3 2005 ## *tr
12/05/200964000
 Tl*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.
02/01/2009380001
 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. *tr
12/10/2008700001
 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. *tr
12/09/2008680001
 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. *tr
06/20/20081
 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. *tr
12/17/20040112/17/2004
 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. *jb

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