2007 BMW 335i Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  212%
• 25k–50k
  16%
• 50k–75k
  16%
• 75k–100k
  529%
• 100k–150k
  741%
• 150k+
  16%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 BMW 335i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I was driving down the road at 35 MPH after getting off work at 7:00 pm. Upon less than half a mile from my employment another vehicle drifted in to my lane causing a head on collision. Upon impact my 2007 BMW 335i was immediately pushed back in to my knees and the only airbag to deploy was the front driver airbag. The seatbelt that I was wearing also did not lock and I sustained injuries to my head from hitting it against the windshield. Upon the vehicles coming to rest the driver side door was unable to be opened but the airbag located on the driver seat never even deployed. My passenger seat was shattered from the crash and broke in to several pieces, but the passenger airbag did not deploy. After speaking with law enforcement and researching recalls on the 2007 BMW 335i. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW 335i. While driving 50-55 MPH, the contact swerved to avoid another vehicle, but crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back, neck, and head, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 125,000. The VIN was invalid.

Airbag problem light constantly lit; "passenger airbag off" light always on even when there is a passenger in the seat. Mechanic states that the car is giving a code for a failed passenger occupancy sensor. There is already a recall for this model and year (NHTSA campaign 13V564000), but my car (build date July 07, 3-series with sports seats) is not eligible for the recall or the voluntary warranty extension according to BMW... .updated 10/04/17 the consumer requested the vehicle be included in the recall. The vehicle has the same part number as the recall part. Updated 10/17/2017

Seat occupancy sensor on passenger seat has failed. Shows as "airbag light" on dash. BMW already recalled some vehicles for this, and gave a 15-year extended warranty for cars including my model and model year, but refuse to honor the warranty for my particular vehicle because it has sports seats instead of standard seats. Lookup on BMW parts numbers show that the seat occupancy sensor has the same part number on sports and non-sports seats. No remedy from BMW, including contact to BMW USA (have record of emails, including an offer for a phone call I never received).

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW 335i. While starting the vehicle, the message "fault in passenger restraint affecting air bag tensioner or belt force limiter, restraint system malfunction" was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the seat mat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

No accident happened. However, my car is experiencing the same exact issues as this current BMW recall: NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 however, even though my car falls within the model year 2006/2007 3 series as described in the recall and it's experiencing the same exact issue as described in the recall, BMW says my car does not fall in the recall or extended warranty. Every time someone sits in the passenger seat, the warning comes up that the airbag has malfunctioned and has been disabled. This is a serious safety concern.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW 335i. While driving at approximately 5 MPH, the fault in the passenger restraint warning message displayed causing the air bag seat belt tension system to activate. The failure occurred multiple occasions. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the senor under the mat of the front passenger side needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW 335i. The contact stated that the air bag and seat belt warning lights illuminated. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V564000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat mat sensor malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 94,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW 335i. While driving 40 MPH, the air bag and the passenger side seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the mat sensor and the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Have not heard back from dealer for air bag recall. Car is also producing smoke in engine bay and strong smell of burning through vents is present. Receive notice of recall for blower motor wiring but the car is definitely well in need of recall service as smoke is very visible and burnin order is very apparent in engine bay and through vents.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other 335i years