There is a clear manufacturing defect concerning the aluminum screws associated with the valve cover gasket and the aluminum head bolts on 2006 BMW 325I's. the NHTSA has received many complaints regarding this defect. The aluminum screws/bolts have been redesigned since discovering this manufacturing defect. Bmwna have had numerous service issues related to these defective aluminum screws/bolts. They have openly admitted that the screws/bolts in question were defective in nature and production, and that the screws/bolts have been redesigned to avoid future failures. Some of these complaints included, and resulted in, vehicles leaking oil in the engine area, potentially causing fires in the vehicle. The defective screws/bolts pose a serious potential risk to the safety of the owners of these vehicles, as well as to other drivers who share the roadway with them. It is my strong belief that this public safety risk cannot go on any further without proper intervention from the governmental agencies we employ as taxpayers. I respectfully request that bmwna issue a voluntary recall of the BMW 2006 325I's affected by this manufacturing defect. If bmwna declines to issue a voluntary recall, I respectfully request that the NHTSA issue a mandatory recall for this defect. I have learned that BMW of North America is aware of the defective aluminum screws/bolts, and has issued an internal "technical service bulletin" (tsb) to forewarn dealerships of this manufacturing defect, and the steps to remedy the issue. I have diligently maintained my vehicle as prescribed by the service manuals, as well as the on board computer in the vehicle. My contention is extremely clear; the aluminum bolts are a manufacturing defect and should be fixed at no cost to the consumer!

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

Dec. 2008 I received a consumer advisory letter from BMW of North America. The letter states that depending on the manner and frequency of the front passenger's entry and exit, small cracks may develop in the passenger seat occupant detection mat. If this condition exists, the front passenger air bag and side air bag will deactivate, and both the air bag warning lamp and front passenger "on-off" lamp will illuminate. In this situation the front passenger air bag and side air bag will not deploy, even in a severe accident. They are extending the warranty coverage for 10 years. In January of this year both the air bag warning lamp and the passenger air bag "on-off" lamp are illuminated in my 2006 325I BMW. The letter states should this happen have the vehicle checked without delay at an authorized BMW center. I did that and was told the problem is different from what the advisory letter states and will cost me $1300. I contacted BMW customer relations of North America and spoke to a person by the name of "[xxx]" who told me she would check with the authorized BMW center. I told her I am the only driver of my car and very seldom do I have any passengers with me and I never had any accident with my car, so the air bags never deployed. Several weeks later her reply was because of the age of my BMW they would not honor the warranty "but" they would discount the cost of the repair and instead of charging $1300 they would charge $1002! so that's my story and my air bag warning lamp is still lighted! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pewaukee, WI, USA

Small crack has developed in the mat on the passenger side of vehicle and the air bag warning lamp is on. NHTSA recall bulletin indicated there was a recall (reference number 08V384000) on the frontal air bags; however, the dealership said my VIN number was not listed. Called BMW North America customer relations and they said the same thing. I believe BMW should assume responsibility for this repair since they have a recall on over 200,000 vehicles and I am experiencing the exact same problem. Estimated repair is $1,500. Thank you for your consideration.

- Irvine, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330xi (na). While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the paint on the leather was peeling on the door handles, gear shifter, center console and the radio. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who told him to contact the manufacturer; the manufacturer referred him back to the dealer to take pictures and they would have a regional manager contact him. The manager stated that they would pay for the parts but not the labor. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000 and the current mileage was approximately 40,200.

- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA