2008 BMW 328i Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification
  8
• Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
  2
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  38%
• 25k–50k
  616%
• 50k–75k
  924%
• 75k–100k
  616%
• 100k–150k
  924%
• 150k+
  411%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 BMW 328i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The vehicle's "Passenger Airbag Off" light and dashboard SRS warning lamp are illuminated. A diagnostic scan using a BMW-specific tool confirms manufacturer Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occupancy Detector). This indicates a hardware failure of the OC3 internal seat sensor mat. Safety Risk: The failure of this sensor prevents the vehicle from correctly identifying if an adult is in the passenger seat. This compromises the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and may result in the passenger airbag failing to deploy during a collision, posing a significant risk of injury or death to the occupant. Confirmation of Problem: The fault was confirmed via a digital diagnostic system (Foxwell NT510) which identified the specific "Open Circuit" within the seat mat. The component is currently installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. …

UNKNOWN since I have bought my 2008 bmw 328i I had one recalled fixed on my dash I have the air bag light and the brake light tire light service engine soon light on my door locks would work some times and then I had to open my car from the driver side manually then my drivers side window won't roll all the way up only half way then my car just wouldn't start out of the blue replace the starter ran for three weeks and wouldn't start again and has been sitting for a month now my passenger seat belt won't click in sometimes and my warranty is out but the recalls I have read are just what my car is doing I would like this matter to be looked in to and my car repaired at no cost its a safety issue an inconvenience and has cost me money wise extremely .

RECALL OMISSION & SAFETY DISPUTE (Case #10683843): I am reporting two documented safety defects in my 2008 BMW 328i (N51 engine) that are identical to existing Federal Safety Recalls but have been omitted from the recall VIN list for this model year. 1. AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE (Recall 17V-428): The vehicle has a confirmed Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occupancy Mat). This is the exact failure mode described in Recall 17V-428. This defect has deactivated the front passenger airbag system, as indicated by the red SRS warning light. The manufacturer has refused to address this as a safety recall, despite the component failing in the identical manner described in the 2006 model year recall. This creates an immediate risk of injury or death to front-seat passengers in the event of a crash. 2. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and slowed down a significant amount but crashed into another vehicle. The damage was minimal. The vehicle had only received scuff marks on the bumper, however, all air bags, front and rear, had deployed. The driver was the only person in the vehicle. The vehicle was designed to shut off during any impact therefore it was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed. A police report was not filed. The contact stated they only received an injury from the air bag on their right forearm. Medical attention was not needed. The contact contacted the dealer (BMW of las vegas 6900 w sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89117; [phone]) who informed the contact that there were no recalls on their vehicle relating to the air bags. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. While the contact's daughter was driving 20 MPH, three vehicles rear ended each other. The contact's daughter rear ended the second vehicle. The driver's side air bag deployed, but the passenger side air bag failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact's daughter sustained a face injury that required medical attention. The dealer (new century BMW, 1139 w main st, alhambra, ca 91801) was contacted and stated that the contact had to pay for the repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. While driving various speeds, the vehicle overheated and smoke appeared from the engine. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, added water to the radiator, and was able to resume driving. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V071000 (air bags), 17V676000 (electrical system), and 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to braman BMW (2060 ne 2nd ave, miami, fl 33137, phone: [phone]), but the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000. …

Takata recall I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on 10/1/2016. I had a friend drive my car while I rode in the passenger seat. My friend ended up driving into the back of another vehicle at a stop light. We were driving approximately 30 MPH. Unfortunately, my forearm and wrist broke after the air bags deployed and hit me. I remember chewing metal debris. I remember the pain that radiated from my wrist to my elbow because of the airbags impact. I underwent surgery 2 weeks later (I had to wait for the swelling to subside) I had 2 plates, 18 pins, and 11 screws inserted. My wrist will never be the same again. I feel as though the airbags did more damage than good. Attached is the police report, pictures, and a copy of my surgeon's instructions after surgery.

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 BMW 328i. While driving, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The driver depressed the brake pedal, but it failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the driver crashed into a tree. The air bag failed to deploy. The driver sustained arm injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

The passenger airbag light in my dashboard is constantly on. The car thinks that a small child is sitting on the seat and disengages the airbag. So now the airbag is is completely disengaged even when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. I've taken my vehicle to BMW dealership and they checked my VIN and said it's not part of the recall and want to charge me $2000 for the repair. I believe my seat sensor is the same one that is being recalled but not enough owners with the same vehicle have filed a formal complaint with NHTSA. The two recalls that the NHTSA has recalled are 17v-428 and 17v-605. Why are those models the only one being recalled when there's definite malfunction with the oc3 airbag seat sensor? …

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over two years ago. The dealer (BMW encinitas, 1302 encinitas blvd, encinitas, ca 92024 [phone]) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted several times and was unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact recently received a postcard from tk holdings, alerting her that they filed for bankruptcy. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other 328i years