BMW Airbag System Recall: Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat (3 Series, 5 Series, X5)

Jason · 12-17-2013, 08:59 AM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Airbag System Recall: Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat

95
COMMENTS

RECALL Subject : Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat

Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

SUMMARY:
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

CONSEQUENCE:
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

REMEDY:
BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Teemo Panda · 12-17-2013, 09:17 AM

Ohhh boy...

mashimarho · 12-17-2013, 09:19 AM

Whew. I'm safe so far.

Turtlekid95 · 12-17-2013, 09:24 AM

Finally! The seatbelt and air bag lights go crazy every time someone sits in my passenger seat. Lol.

bavarian19 · 12-17-2013, 09:29 AM

So sports seats are not affected? I would imagine the part would be quite similar for sports and non-sports seats.

ORIGIN M. · 12-17-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDC123

Finally! The seatbelt and air bag lights go crazy every time someone sits in my passenger seat. Lol.

Better that than no airbag when it's really needed.

Strictly4Boosting · 12-17-2013, 09:48 AM

Will they still repair if the sensor is already broken? Mine goes off while im driving, I learn to deal with it. I'll be happy if they will finally fix this for FREE =)

DASHOCKER · 12-17-2013, 09:48 AM

hadd this issue on my 06 x3.

Titanium3Series · 12-17-2013, 09:50 AM

i've had mine replaced 2 1/2 years ago, now it is causing issues again......hope I'm one of the cars affected.....

ibd12nv · 12-17-2013, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strictly4Boosting

Will they still repair if the sensor is already broken? Mine goes off while im driving, I learn to deal with it. I'll be happy if they will finally fix this for FREE =)

Mine does too. Every time it's hot out the thing alarms with no one in the seat. Been back three times already.

Meeni · 12-17-2013, 10:14 AM

I had this work performed for free several years ago. I was certain there was already a recall for this item. Good that BMW is taking responsibility on the issue, anyway.

96HellrotM3 · 12-17-2013, 10:22 AM

This also includes e83 x3 models as well

3s4u2 · 12-17-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bavarian19

So sports seats are not affected? I would imagine the part would be quite similar for sports and non-sports seats.

Not sure about the 3 series, received a notice for my 06 M5 in November and they replace the complete seat cushion and sensor. Perfect match on the seat cushion, quite impressed!

Haven't received a notice on the 06 325i as of today.

e92ben · 12-17-2013, 10:27 AM

FINALLY!!! lol to bad I had to do my own on my old e90. Huge job

AtlantaDude · 12-17-2013, 11:03 AM

HOORAAAAYYYY!!!!! A recall! woohoo....

At least BMW is covering the repair.. if I need it.

BMWPower06 · 12-17-2013, 11:06 AM

Does this apply to M5s as well?

rr006rbc · 12-17-2013, 11:08 AM

typical bmw owners lol. just buckle the seatbelt and don't put your lunchbox on the seat.

islandbimmer · 12-17-2013, 11:31 AM

they finally figured out the mats fail... I have several BMW' e36 and e46's and every single one has the airbag light on as a result of broken mat pads. Given all the engineers and PHD's they have on staff surely they would have come up with a better design for an occupant sensor

Miko226 · 12-17-2013, 11:36 AM

What about 1 series aren't the parts similar if not exact to the 3 series??

Mr.335 · 12-17-2013, 11:43 AM

I feel they should investigate more model years...since my 2010 335i had the airbag mat problem as well. Quick google search shows I'm definitely not the only one.

12-17-2013, 01:33 PM

Mine was replaced sometime in 2010, dealer ended up cracking my side trim piece on button controls and I didn't find out until it fell off 6 months later, fixed under CPO with a known TSB, at least now anyone with the problem should have it taken care of.

Hierlevelz · 12-17-2013, 02:17 PM

I have an 09 335i and I had them R &R the mat when I took delivery of the car as a CPO only a few weeks later. The mat failed and disabled the air bag.

12-17-2013, 08:59 AM	#1
Jason Administrator 40871 Rep 21,240 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW Airbag System Recall: Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat (3 Series, 5 Series, X5) BIMMERPOST NEWS Airbag System Recall: Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat 95 COMMENTS Tweet RECALL Subject : Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC SUMMARY: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. CONSEQUENCE: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. REMEDY: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
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12-17-2013, 09:17 AM	#2
Teemo Panda Bimmerpost Plasti Dip Guru 82 Rep 1,174 Posts Drives: E53, E46-M3, E70, F25-X3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey (NJ) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW X3 [5.66]	Ohhh boy... __________________
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12-17-2013, 09:19 AM	#3
mashimarho BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 2111 Rep 13,877 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & F80 M3 & G82 M4 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lynnwood, WA iTrader: (45) Garage List 2021 BMW G82 M4 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW F80 M3 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335i xDrive [9.78]	Whew. I'm safe so far. __________________ Mashimarho.com /// Instagram /// Facebook /// Youtube /// sales@mashimarho.com /// (425) 582-7939
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12-17-2013, 09:24 AM	#4
Turtlekid95 Private 13 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 2014 X5 xDrive 35i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Athens, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 xDrive35i [0.00]	Finally! The seatbelt and air bag lights go crazy every time someone sits in my passenger seat. Lol.
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12-17-2013, 09:29 AM	#5
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	So sports seats are not affected? I would imagine the part would be quite similar for sports and non-sports seats.
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12-17-2013, 09:48 AM	#7
Strictly4Boosting Enlisted Member 13 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 2006 Bmw 330xi Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Kearny NJ iTrader: (0)	Will they still repair if the sensor is already broken? Mine goes off while im driving, I learn to deal with it. I'll be happy if they will finally fix this for FREE =)
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12-17-2013, 09:48 AM	#8
DASHOCKER The power of V! 99 Rep 1,971 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe steptronic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1998 Lexus Gs400 [0.00] 2010 ebony & ivory [0.00] 2006 BMW X3 [0.00] 2009 pics [0.00] 2009 e92 335 xdrive [0.00]	hadd this issue on my 06 x3. __________________ 2007 335 coupe Alpine white, steptronic, sportpack, etc. (gone) 2006 X3 3.0 steptronic Titanium Silver, 2009 E92 335xdrive, next.... Caddy CTS_V! 13 Lincoln MKZ? hmmm.
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12-17-2013, 09:50 AM	#9
Titanium3Series Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (3)	i've had mine replaced 2 1/2 years ago, now it is causing issues again......hope I'm one of the cars affected..... __________________
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12-17-2013, 10:14 AM	#11
Meeni Gateropode 329 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	I had this work performed for free several years ago. I was certain there was already a recall for this item. Good that BMW is taking responsibility on the issue, anyway.
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12-17-2013, 10:22 AM	#12
96HellrotM3 New Member 1 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 1996 BMW M3 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: 22408 iTrader: (0)	This also includes e83 x3 models as well
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12-17-2013, 10:27 AM	#14
e92ben Brigadier General 1053 Rep 3,206 Posts Drives: BMW M3 BMW 635csi Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Kenosha Wi iTrader: (7)	FINALLY!!! lol to bad I had to do my own on my old e90. Huge job __________________ e92 ///M3
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12-17-2013, 11:03 AM	#15
AtlantaDude Just enjoying my time 128 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW E92 335i - Sold Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	HOORAAAAYYYY!!!!! A recall! woohoo.... At least BMW is covering the repair.. if I need it. __________________ Current - 2022 Rivian R1T, 2021 Ducati Streetfighter V4S, 1969 Chevy C10 Sold - 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance Sold - 2007 E92 335i If speed is death, then buy a Honda and live forever
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12-17-2013, 11:06 AM	#16
BMWPower06 A^M=G is nothing w/o the Power of ///M 171 Rep 1,816 Posts Drives: ///M5 & ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Washington D.C. iTrader: (0)	Does this apply to M5s as well? __________________ Indianapolis Red BMW ///M5
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12-17-2013, 11:08 AM	#17
rr006rbc Colonel 1204 Rep 2,818 Posts Drives: '23 M440i GC Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: California iTrader: (38)	typical bmw owners lol. just buckle the seatbelt and don't put your lunchbox on the seat.
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12-17-2013, 11:31 AM	#18
islandbimmer First Lieutenant 16 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 2007 e92 SG Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Victoria BC Canada iTrader: (1)	they finally figured out the mats fail... I have several BMW' e36 and e46's and every single one has the airbag light on as a result of broken mat pads. Given all the engineers and PHD's they have on staff surely they would have come up with a better design for an occupant sensor
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12-17-2013, 11:36 AM	#19
Miko226 Captain 61 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 11' 335d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boca Raton, FL iTrader: (0)	What about 1 series aren't the parts similar if not exact to the 3 series?? __________________ 11' m57 335d 165k Miles - JR 2, ATM Full Exhaust & Intake, Wagner FMIC, AAR Boost Pipe, AAR Swirl Delete, AAR EGR Delete 08' n54 135i FBO E85 - SOLD
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12-17-2013, 11:43 AM	#20
Mr.335 Private First Class 14 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Somewhere,NY iTrader: (2)	I feel they should investigate more model years...since my 2010 335i had the airbag mat problem as well. Quick google search shows I'm definitely not the only one.
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12-17-2013, 01:33 PM	#21
RemovedUser Guest 0 Rep n/a Posts Drives:	Mine was replaced sometime in 2010, dealer ended up cracking my side trim piece on button controls and I didn't find out until it fell off 6 months later, fixed under CPO with a known TSB, at least now anyone with the problem should have it taken care of.
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12-17-2013, 02:17 PM	#22
Hierlevelz Captain 76 Rep 916 Posts Drives: 11 AW E9X M Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: ENYC iTrader: (10)	I have an 09 335i and I had them R &R the mat when I took delivery of the car as a CPO only a few weeks later. The mat failed and disabled the air bag.
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