BMW 328i Seat Problems

Seat complaints by model year

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  513%
• 25k–50k
  923%
• 50k–75k
  820%
• 75k–100k
  513%
• 100k–150k
  1230%
• 150k+
  13%

What owners report

Passenger Restraint system malfunction for the front passenger seat. This may not trigger the airbag for a passenger sitting in the front if a collision occurs and can seriously injure someone. This problem appears to be very common with BMW models within this timeframe. All over car forums and youtube videos, some videos with over 100k views per video. I am not sure how BMW has not recalled this safety issue as it seems to linger throughout many of their models for many years. As soon as the malfuction occured\, the warning sign and lamp lights did flash on.

My 2013 BMW 3 series seat heater burned my back. The seat heater would come on automatic while I were driving causing a burn on my back . Happen in the month of July which seat heater shouldn't be on. Information were given to local dealership and also to BMW of north America. I stated that I have pictures of my burned back. The dealership stated they found no fault in the seats. Which I know is incorrect because of my injuries. I know there's a malfunction in the seat heater or a piece of equipment fail to function normally. I paid for a diagnostic test for this problem.

Passenger restraint system malfunction. My vehicle as well as thousands of others have the chronic and unsafe issue of the passenger occupancy sensor malfunctioning. In order to remove warning on dash it's either a $2,000 repair, or a $40 bypass which basically places the seat as constantly occupied, sticking the passenger airbag in the 'on' position. Vehicle is available for inspection. With this malfunction, any person that sits in the passenger front seat is at risk of injury or death in the event of a collision. Malfunction has been confirmed by both a dealer and an independent service center. Vehicle was inspected by the dealer, but no police or insurance company. Vehicle was purchased with the malfunction and the warning lights have been on for several years. …

Vehicle at approximately 36,000 miles started exhibiting an intermittent warning for passenger restraint system malfunction. BMW of ontario, ca diagnosed the issue as a faulty seat occupancy sensor, but declined warranty coverage due to vehicle age and exclusion from 3rd party warranty. This appears to be a fairly widespread issue based on: 1) many of the online owner forums cover this problem. 2) the problem is widespread enough to support several manufacturers making and selling bypass\emulator devices to circumvent the failed sensor. A critical safety device for controlling airbag deployment should not be failing so early or frequently.

The the OC3 MAT on the passanger car just showed up faulty which causes the air bag light to also come on. I have seen a lot of others posting they are having the same issue. Can you help me find out if this has already been recalled but not replaced on my car or if it hasn't even been recalled yet this is a safety issue. Because the airbags will not function if the oc3 mat is not functioning properly. There wasn't anyone in the seat and the car had not been in an accident when the lights for the seat and airbags came on I took it in for a diagnostic and they said it was the passenger OC3 mat . I have read some of the same modle had already had recalls just trying to find out if this was one that should have been because the rep at the dealer ship said this was the first one he's ever seen go bad on any car since he's been there. …

In approximately 2014 the passenger seatbelt sensor randomly started dinging while driving and the seat was NOT occupied. I solved the issue by clipping the seat belt. This issue continued randomly for years and was always solved by clipping the seatbelt. Just this week May 2022, I had a passenger who while getting into the car once the seat belt was disengaged, the sensor immediatly started ding and would not stop and the "Service Engine Soon" dashboard light came on simultaneously. The Service light stayed on throughout the journey and has not turned off. The recall for a faulty seat mat does not extend beyond 2008 when CLEARLY, the seat mat continues to have issues beyond that year. I RARELY have a passenger and my 2011 has ~43K miles. This should be a manufacturer-funded repair as it is clearly a DEFECT in the product.

My vehicle's Passenger Restraint system has failed affecting the Airbag's deployment, seat belt tensioners, and other safety components. The car currently has warnings on the dashboard in the form of lights and as warning messages in the infotainment system. Lights/warnings appeared randomly while driving qith no prior symptoms. This fault puts the safety of any passengers in my vehicle in jeopardy in the event of a collision. Car is available for inspection at anytime to confirm faults.

The passenger restraint system is malfunctioning, which May affect the airbag. It does not recognize that the passenger has their seat belt on. Red lights are flashing and it states that the passenger restraint system is malfunctioning. I feel that the manufacturer should provide repapirs for a safety system at no charge. Not sure if it is a bad sensor or what. This happens when the car is turned on and a passenger is seated with their seat belt on. Date below is approximate. I have not taken it into a BMW dealership yet because over the phone, they said it May cost about $1,400 to fix.