2004 BMW 530I Air Bags Problems

THE VEHICLE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE WERE RECALLS RELATED TO THE BMW BUT MY VEHICLE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL WHEN I SEARCH BY VIN NUMBER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ON AND MY HEAD UNIT SAYS THERE IS A FAULT IN MY PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. *TR

RESTRAIN SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGE IN MY RADIO SCREEN ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THIS MESSAGE CAME ON SUDENDLY FOR NO REASON, CAR NEVER ENVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT,

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM, FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AFFECTING AIR BAG BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Mileage: 92,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT SENSOR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ALONG WITH A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,800.

Mileage: 108,800

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, WITH MY WIFE AS A PASSENGER, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT IS STILL ON (EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT). I WENT TO THE STEVENS CREEK BMW DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THAT THE REASON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IS BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS NOT SENSING A PASSENGER DUE TO CABLE CORROSION. THAT SEEMS ODD, GIVEN I KEEP MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND IT NEVER HAD ANY WATER DAMAGE. ALSO, I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A POOR ENGINEERING ON BMW'S SIDE, SINCE IN CASE OF CORRODED CABLE OR FAULTY SENSOR THE DEFAULT BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE TO ALWAYS KEEP THE AIRBAG "ON". IT IS BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY AND (IN CASE OF ACCIDENT) DEPLOYING AN AIRBAG WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER IS BETTER THAN NOT DEPLOYING AN AIRBAG WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER... THIS IS A CASE OF "POTENTIALLY SAVING SOMEONE'S LIFE" VS "POTENTIALLY SAVING A FEW DOLLARS"... *TR

Mileage: 124,000

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. DUE TO FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLES UNDER RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY - FOR UNCLEAR REASONS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL (CHECKED BY VIN AND WITH DEALER) BUT WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. SPOKE WITH BMW AND THEY ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. FAILURE OCCURRED 2 MONTHS AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V384000. *TR

Mileage: 72,500

MY 2004 BMW 530I HAS BOTH THE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON DISPLAY AT ALL TIMES ON MY DASHBOARD. THESE LIGHTS ON ARE CAUSED BY A FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WHICH BMW HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON. AFTER DROPPING MY CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP TO GET THIS REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED ROUGHLY 2 MONTHS PRIOR AND I CANNOT HAVE THIS WORK PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CHARGED ME $140 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1050 OUT OF POCKET TO GET REPAIRED. I IMMEDIATELY REACHED OUT TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND INFORMED THEM OF MY SITUATION AS THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS HOPING THEY COULD FIX MY CAR IN GOOD FAITH AS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE OR EVEN PROVIDE ME WITH A DISCOUNTED REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY TWO MONTHS WENT BY WITH NO RESPONSE. WHEN I REACHED OUT AGAIN THEY SAID NO THIS IS NOT THEIR HEADACHE AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS AND REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS. THIS IS A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION WHICH I AM SURPRISED IS NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL. IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IT SPECIFICALLY STATES IF BOTH WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY, BMW RECOMMENDS NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED. ALSO, THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE SAYS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SUCH A SENSITIVE MATTER IS NOT SUFFICIENT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

MY VEHICLE IS A 530I WITH A PRODUCTION DATE IN DECEMBER 2003, IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL RCDNN-04V575. DESPITE THE DECEMBER 2004 NOTICE TO NTSHA INDICATING THAT 100% OF VEHICLES WITH THE SEAT HEATING OPTION PRODUCED BETWEEN JUNE 17TH 2003 AND APRIL 30TH 2004. BMW INSISTS THAT MY VEHICLE (PRODUCTION DATE IN DECEMBER 2003 AND CONTAINING THE SEAT HEATER IN QUESTION) IS, ACCORDING TO INTERNAL DOCUMENTS WHICH THEY WILL NOT RELEASE TO ME, NOT IN FACT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. WHAT I FIND INEXPLICABLE AND BEYOND BELIEF, IS THAT THEY WOULD ISSUE A NOTIFICATION TO NTSHA IN NOVEMBER 2004, A FULL SIX MONTHS AFTER ALLEGEDLY REMEDYING DEFECTS IN CARS PRODUCED FROM MID-MARCH 2004 THROUGH APRIL 30TH 2004 WITHOUT CORRECTING THOSE DATES IN THE NOTIFICATION LETTER. BMW REFUSES TO REPAIR OR EVEN INSPECT MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BOLSTER HEATING ELEMENT DESPITE CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT IT IS IN FACT DEFECTIVE AND SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 84,200

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR HAS A FAULT WHICH INCAPACITATES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG. THIS CREATES AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE PASSENGER SITUATION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE BMW SBSR SYSTEM SHOWS FAULT 0095B8. THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE IS A KNOWN BMW PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL, BUT BMW HAS INDICATED MY VIN IS NOT COVERED FOR THIS ISSUE FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 01/20/15*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/20/15*JB

Mileage: 68,000

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN MY CAR, AS WELL AS SEAT BELT LIGHT. IT APPEARS THE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT THE PAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED WITH VERY LOW MILES, AND VERY LITTLE USE. ALL OF THESE CARS WITH THESE PADS IN THE PASSENGER SEATS SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER RECALL. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL TO REPOSITION THE PAD OR SOMETHING TO AVOID CRACKING, BUT THESE SAFETY RELATED PARTS ARE CLEARLY JUNK THAT WERE INSTALLED WHEN NEW WEATHER THEY WERE REWORKED, OR REPOSITIONED IN THE SEAT. BMW SHOULD BE REPLACING ALL THESE SEAT SENSOR PADS UNDER RECALL AND SOON, MANY OF THESE CARS NOW HAVE NON WORKING AIRBAGS DUE TO THIS ISSUE, AND IT AFFECTS THE SAFETY AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR ALL TOGETHER. MODEL YEARS AFFECTED ARE 2004 2005 2006 2007 AT THE VERY LEAST IT SEAMS AFTER READING EXTENSIVELY ON THE ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 66,200

I AM WRITING TO SEE IF I CAN OBTAIN SOME ASSISTANCE WITH A PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON MY 530I, SPECIFICALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. EARLY IN 2012 I NOTICED THAT WHEN MY WIFE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE OVERHEAD LIGHT UNIT WOULD OCCASIONALLY COME ON. IT WOULD NOT STAY ON FOR LONG BUT WOULD COME ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BMW ON MAY 12 TO HAVE THE ISSUE LOOKED INTO. THE CAR HAD 87437 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM AS NO CODES WERE STORED FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS WAS OCCURRING. SINCE THIS TIME THE FREQUENCY OF THE LIGHT COMING ON HAS INCREASED. I RETURNED TO CONCOURS BMW ON MARCH 24, 2014 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT WORK AND TO FIX IT WOULD COST $1724.00. BMW SAID THE SAFETY INFORMATION MODULE WAS BAD. *JS

Mileage: 87,437

THIS AN UPDATE OF NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10557262. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR DID HAVE A FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT THAT WAS COVERED BY RECALL FOR SOME CARS MY MODEL YEAR BUT NOT MINE. WHAT WAS UPSETTING IS THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS PART WAS REPLACED IN 2007. THE RECALLED WAS ISSUED IN 2008 BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. NOW, THE SENSOR MAT IS BAD AGAIN...YET MY VIN DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM? I UNDERSTAND BMW NA COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THIS COST AND AFTER OWNING 4 BMW(S) THIS MAY BE MY LAST. I SPOKE TO BMW ON THE PHONE...AND I MIGHT AS WELL BEEN TALKING TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY OFFERED NO HELP WITH COST OR SERVICE...FOR AN AIR-BAG MALFUNCTION. IF THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT MY PASSENGER'S LIFE.....I DO CARE ENOUGH TO LET THEM KNOW HOW UPSET I AM WITH THEM. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

I AM AFRAID TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT WORK! I WORK WITH THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND I OFTEN TRANSPORT CHILDREN. BMW ISSUED THE BELOW RECALL BUT THEY DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN...BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! --------------------------------- STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008 TODAY, BMW ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. AFFECTED ARE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 3-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-06 5-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES, DEPENDING UPON SEAT TYPE. BMW HAS FOUND THAT THE SENSOR MAT MAY BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE USAGE DEPENDING UPON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT. BMW WILL BEGIN SENDING CUSTOMER LETTERS IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2008. AFFECTED OWNERS MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES; HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR BMW CENTER IF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ''ON-OFF'' LAMP ARE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN THIS SITUATION, BMW RECOMMENDS CUSTOMERS NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. AT THE PRESENT TIME, WE ARE UNAWARE OF ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE COMPUTER INDICATED A FAULT IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 119,843

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S SEAT MAT SENSOR EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000. ...UPDATED 07-24-13 *BF

Mileage: 111,000

TURN ON CAR AND WAS WARMING UP WHEN AIRBAG LIGHT WHEN ON AND A ERROR CODE SAID FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAINTS. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THERE WAS NO PASSENGER PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 40,000

APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE ID# 73368 - AIRBAGS: FRONTAL, BUT HAVE BEEN REFUSED BY THE LOCAL DEALER AND BY THE PHONE SUPPORT AT BMW. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY BMW. *TR

SENSORS IN FRONT BUMPER BOTH WENT OUT, DISABLING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. MODULE IN STEERING COLUMN GOES OUT CAUSING DRIVER AIRBAG TO BECOME DISABLED. MODULE IN STEERING COLUMN ALSO DISABLED HORN. IN SUMMARY, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED AS WELL AS THE HORN. HOW CAN I DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS?? *TR

Mileage: 55,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAG MAT SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. 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 SEAT MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA 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 40,000. UPDATED 08-16-12 *BF UPDATED 08/16/2012 *JS

Mileage: 40,000

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS IS DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP IS ILLUMINATED. THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME AS THE 2004 BMW 5 SERIES FRONTAL AIRBAG RECALL ( #08V384000), BUT FOR SOME REASON WHEN I CONTACTED BMW AT 1-800-525-7417 AND PROVIDED THEM MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. PLEASE REVIEW AND RECONSIDER AS THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS IS DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP IS ILLUMINATED. THIS ISSUE IS THE SAME AS THE 2004 BMW 5 SERIES FRONTAL AIRBAG RECALL ( #08V384000), BUT FOR SOME REASON WHEN I CONTACTED BMW AT 1-800-525-7417 AND PROVIDED THEM MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. PLEASE REVIEW AND RECONSIDER AS THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAS DISABLED THE AIRBAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, ANY PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAGS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY2004-2006 BMW 5-SERIES MODELS (ALONG WITH NUMEROUS OTHER MODELS) FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS ADVISED ME THAT MY VEHICLE (PER VIN) IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAULT AS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL ISSUED BY BMW NA. NEITHER MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, OR BMW NA IS WILLING TO COVER THIS FAILURE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE. *JS

Mileage: 111,000

A WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN MY VEHICLE CAME ON SO I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED BMW REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE PROBLEM FIXED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM AND TO CONTACT THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM ADDRESS THE ISSUE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM, THEY CHECKED MY VIN AND SAID IT WASN'T AFFECTED. I SUBSEQUENTLY LOOKED UP SAFETY RECALL INFO ON THIS SITE AND VIEWED EA08-001 ALONG WITH PE07-045 AND THE ASSOCIATED LETTER FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA DATED JULY 18, 2008 I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER ONCE MORE AND PROVIDED THEM THIS NEW INFORMATION WHERE I FEEL MY CAR IS APPLICABLE UNDER THIS RECALL. ONCE AGAIN, THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED AND I SHOULD CONTACT BMW NORTH AMERICA, WHICH I DID. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP FOR BMW CHECKED MY VIN AND SAID, SORRY BUT MY VEHICLE WASN'T AFFECTED. I DISAGREED WITH HER AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER REGARDING THIS RECALL. I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER AND EXPLAINED THAT I WAS HAVING TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY VEHICLE CLEARLY IS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE AND FALLS WITH THE INCLUSIVE DOM FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF VIN. SHE EXPLAINED THE PROCESS AND STATED THE THAT SHE WAS SORRY BUT MY CAR WASN'T AFFECTED, THE RECALL WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT ANYWAY. SHE SUGGESTED THAT IF STILL HAVE AN ISSUE TO CONTACT YOUR OFFICE AND FILE A COMPLAINT. I WOULD LIKE HAVE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS COMPLAINT AND CONSIDER REOPENING IT BASED UPON THE ABOVE. I FEEL THAT THERE ARE PERHAPS OTHER OWNERS WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AS WELL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE BMW LETTER STATES IN PARA. 4 "THE % OF VEHICLES EST. TO ACTUALLY BE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE IS UNKNOWN" THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IDENTIFIED BY BMW AND I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING THE AIRBAG ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE. *JS

Mileage: 105,102

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MAT AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL), DID NOT INCLUDE THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

OWNER OF A 2004 BMW 530I . UPON STARTING MY CAR ONE MORNING FOR MY TRIP TO WORK, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON, REFLECTED ON THE DASH NEAR THE SPEEDOMETER. THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AT THAT TIME. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, AND AFTER HAVING IT EVALUATED, WAS TOLD MY PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY ... THAT IT WOULD COST ME $887.08 PLUS TAX JUST TO REPAIR IT (REPLACE MODULE, PROGRAM VEHICLE,PASSENGER DOOR AIRBAG FAULTY). I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE, THAT THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION IS NOT COVERED, AS TOO MANY OTHER OWNERS (FROM MY RESEARCH VIA THE INTERNET) OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE. *TR

Mileage: 114,416

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/03/12*LJ UPDATED 01/09/12

Mileage: 100,000

A DASH WARNING LIGHT, ON MY 2004 BMW 530I APPEARED LAST WEEK WHILE REGULAR DRIVING. THE WARNING LIGHT STATES "MALFUNCTION WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG, NOT WORKING PROPERLY, WEAR SEAT BELT AND HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED". I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG MALFUNCTION IN 2008. I CONTACTED MY BMW SERVICE CENTER AND THEY STATED THAT MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE DEFAULT AIRBAG BECAUSE MY VEHICLE VIN#. THE SAFETY RECALL IS ON 5 SERIES BMW FOR THE YEAR 2004 AND 2005. MY VEHICLE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS DEFINITELY MALFUNCTIONING AND ALL I REQUEST IS FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE MADE AT NO COST TO ME FROM THE BMW CENTER. I HOPE THAT A SEVERE INCIDENT DOES NOT HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE SOMEONE TAKES RESPONSIBILITY AND CORRECT WHAT IS WRONG., I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME OUT IN EACH AND EVERY WAY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 86,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL), BUT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 96,000.

Mileage: 90,000

I HAVE MY CAR ROUTINELY SERVICED WITH A CERTIFIED BMW TECHNICIAN AT A BMW SERVICE CENTER. RECENTLY MY TECHNICIAN TOLD ME MY CAR GAVE A CODE FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILURE. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS. CURRENTLY I HAVE A "FAULT DETECTION" OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR. IF SOMEONE WERE TO SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND IF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED ANY FRONT END DAMAGE, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. AS OF NOW THE VEHICLE CANNOT DETERMINE IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THIS FAILURE WILL NOT ALLOW THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO DEPLOY IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN A COLLISION. BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. INFACT, THEY HAVE STATED THAT CRACKS ARE CAUSED DUE TO GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AS A RESULT, THE AIRBAG SENSOR FAILS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS CODE HOWEVER, BMW CLAIMS MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. THE YEAR, MAKE, MODEL AND SEAT ALL QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. SAFETY IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN AND I CANNOT SEE HOW THIS CANNOT BE COVERED. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT MAT SENSOR ON MARCH 15, 2006 BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED IN JULY 2010. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED ONE QUARTER OF A TANK AND A HALF OF TANK; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,474 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 04/29/11

Mileage: 29,474

AIR BAGS PROBLEM ON THE 2004 BMW 530I, IT INDICATES PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING AND LIGHT COME OUT. YEAR AGO I GOT BRING TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF I GOT RECALL ON MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY CRACKS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND PREVENT AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN A CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 08V384000, AIR BAGS, FRONTAL WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MAT WHICH HOLDS THE SENSOR CRACKED. THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL (08V384000) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. PREVIOUSLY THE CONTACT HAD THE AIR BAG SENSOR REPLACED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IN 2006 AT 33,000 MILES BUT THE SEAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

Mileage: 77,000

I AM REPORTING A PROBLEM WITH THE SRS PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM OF MY 2004 BMW 530I. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE MESSAGE ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN STATES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE 'PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM'. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHTS WERE LIT ON MY 2004 BMW 530I. THIS IS THE SAME SYMPTOM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 / NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08001. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW. I LEARNED ABOUT THE RECALL IN FEB / 2010 AND TOOK THE CAR TO BMW DEALER. I WAS TOLD MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND I WAS CHARGED FOR LABOR TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR MAT (PART # 52-10-9-142-348). I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE DRIVER STATES FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS HE HAS BEEN HAVING AIR BAG PROBLEMS. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THE OWNER WAS CHARGED $100.00. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS TURNED OFF BUT IT TURNED BACK ON A COUPLE DAYS LATER AND IT HAS REMAINED ON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90,000. AR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE PRIOR REPAIR. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 36,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS BMW PASSENGER SENSOR MAT ACTIVATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO ALERT HIM THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THERE WAS AN OCCUPANT SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS, FRONTAL), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

Mileage: 26,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WOULD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE. HE CALLED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING A VIN RANGE AND WILL THEN SEND OUT RECALL NOTICES. THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $3,000, AFTER WHICH THE CONTACT COULD INQUIRE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Mileage: 67,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED AND REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THEREFORE, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS CRACKS IN IT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST BETWEEN $1,300-$1,600. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS INOPERATIVE FOR THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. A TECHNICIAN AT THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS STATED THAT FOR UNKNOWN REASONS THE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE NOT PROPERLY DETECTING THE OCCUPATION TO ACTIVE THE AIR BAG. THE CODES WERE RESET; HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RESURFACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEGAE WAS 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ

Mileage: 68,000

I JUST BOUGHT A 2004 BMW 530I WITH ONLY 27,000 MILES BUT THAT PASSENGER SIDE SENSOR THAT DETECTS WHETHER THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED WAS NOT FUNCTIONING SO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. WE HAD TO PAY CLOSE TO A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO INSTALL A NEW SENSOR. MY COMPLAINT IS TO KNOW WHY A MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY WHEN THE CAR IS SO NEW. BMW NORTH AMERICA WAS VERY EVASIVE WHEN CONTACTED BUT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT HAD EXPIRED FIVE MONTHS AGO. *TR

Mileage: 27,000

MY BMW 530 (2004) HAS BACK SEAT AIRBAGS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IN THE EVENT I HAVE AN INFANT IN THE BACK, THE AIR BAGS MUST BE DEACTIVATED WHILE SUBMITTING THIS INFORMATION TO YOU AGENCY. AT PRESENT I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY SO I NEED YOUR AUTHORIZATION SO THEY CAN PROCEED WITH THE DEACTIVATION ASAP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO IN ORDER TO PROCEED. CORDIALLY, IVONNE ARROYO. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH 2004 BMW 325I. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IMPACT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND FELL INTO PIECES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT YET REPORTED THE AIR BAG FAILURE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN. THE CONSUMER HAS THE PICTURES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS 25 MPH. MS. PACKARD: THE SUMMARY REPORT CREATED BY THE VEHICLE SAFETY HOT LINE DOES NOT CLEARLY IDENTIFY YOUR VEHICLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE OWNER'S QUESTIONNAIRE AND VERIFY THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS A 2004 BMW 530I. ALSO, PLEASE PROVIDE A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS. *AK

Mileage: 50,500