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 NHTSA issued a recall for this specific malfunction (NHTSA 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.

- Houston, TX, USA

When a passenger sits in the front passenger seat the airbag failure light illuminates, the seat belt light illuminates and remains lit, and the passenger airbag off light illuminates. This is apparently due to micro-cracking in the passenger seat occupancy detection mat, however BMW only includes a small percentage of affected cars in the 2008 recall. BMW na refuses to fix this safety defect for all 2006 build year 330I models with sport seats. The same seats which are affected by the identical issue for 2005 build year. It seems given the number of cars affected by the same issue that the defect was not corrected for the 2006 build year. This could result in the passenger airbag not deploying in a collision which is extremely dangerous.

- Havertown, PA, USA

The OC3 mat (passenger occupancy sensor mat) has failed. This issue, as described in more detail below (4.), involves the front passenger seat occupant detection mat of certain BMW vehicles, and has been the subject of NHTSA PE07-045 and EA08-001. In short, a fatigue failure of the mat can occur and would consequently lead to the deactivation of the front passenger air bags with exception of the head protection system. The air bag warning lamp as well as the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp would illuminate in such case. BMW states that my vehicle does not fall under this recall since it was produced after 11/2005. Yet, the prognosis of the failure is exactly the same as of the recall.

- Kearneysville, WV, USA

The passenger seat occupancy detection module is faulty in our car. It was officially diagnosed by a BMW dealer on 20 Feb 2012. We are being told that our car's production time falls 1 month out of the previous recall on these same parts (NHTSA action number EA080001). BMW is refusing to fix it.

- Clarksville, TN, USA

At first, it was intermittant, the passanger seat belt/air bay signal would display even though no one was in the passenger seat. Then, signal was on all the time. Mechanic found a bad part OC3 matt. Had it not been replaced, the airbag would not have worked on the passenger side.

- Amherst, NH, USA

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.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

I've lately been experiencing an issue with my vehicle where when a passenger sits in the front passenger seat, two icons on my dash come on indicating that safety features are disabled; I get an airbag disable icon in the dash along with the roof lining of my vehicle near the sos button, a text that reads, "passenger air bag disabled" and is illuminated, indicating that the passenger airbag is disabled. Also a 'seat belt' icon shows in the dashboard despite it being clicked in. NHTSA action number: EA08001 thankfully due to NHTSA, the manufacturer, bmwna, was forced to recall a total of 200,000 vehicles with this exact same issue. According to the NHTSA listing, my vehicle is covered under a mass recall of the 'sensor mat' located in the passenger seat of various BMW models to detect when a passenger is sitting on the seat which then triggers the sensor to ready the airbag in the event of an accident. My model 2006 BMW 325I (with sports and premium package) is mentioned in the vehicle list, both by manufacturer make (BMW), model (3-series/ 325I), and specifically the type of seat, being sports package. I have taken my vehicle to the BMW dealership where I purchased it from to get the issue looked at as the safety of myself and my passengers was a prime consideration when purchasing the vehicle in the first place. I was informed by the service advisor that my vehicle was not covered and that I should pay out of pocket or contact bmwna. I've contacted them and they denied me coverage explaining my vehicle does not fall under the recall. I firmly believe that I am being asked to pay exorbitant repair fees to fix basic safety systems despite that my car should fall under the recall as it is experiencing the exact same issues. My car is 'babied' and to be experiencing a failure of safety systems is extremely nerve-wracking. Thank you for your time.

- Duarte, CA, USA

I have a 2006 BMW 325I sedan with sports seats that failed the seatbelt warning sensor on the passenger seat due to a defective "occupancy sensor." This is exactly the issue as outlined in action number EA08001 but because the cars build date was later than stated in the recall is not covered. The problem exists in all 2006 cars and was not resolved by the manufacturer. Cost was $1,000 for replacement and 3 days at BMW.

- Westlake Village, CA, USA

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