Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 BMW 328I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 37 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 37, in the owner's own words
1999 BMW 328I. VEHICLE IS REGISTERED AND IS A DAILY DRIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON 05/01/2021 IN THE BOSTON AREA ON A SMOOTH ROAD AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR & SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO ACCIDENT, NO POTHOLES, NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, JUST DRIVING AND THEN AN EXPLOSION FROM AIRBAGS AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO IMMOBILIZED AT THE BATTERY.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHAPMAN BMW CHANDLER (7455 W ORCHID LN, CHANDLER, AZ 85226) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. BMW OF ROCHESTER (4250 W HENRIETTA RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14623, (585)359-7373) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
ON JUNE 11, 2020 MY CAR WAS DELIVERED TO CLASSIC BMW IN PLANO, TEXAS FOR 1999 BMW SAFETY RECALL 19V-851 FOR THE TAKATA NON-AZIDE DRIVER INFLATOR. THEY WERE ONLY SUPPOSED TO CHANGE THE IGNITER, BUT WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY I NOTICED THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I TRIED THE HORN AND IT DID NOT WORK AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING THE CAR BACK FOR REPAIR. I GOT THE CAR BACK ON JUNE 25.2020 AND WAS TOLD THAT A CONNECTOR WAS NOT COMPLETELY ATTACHED. HOWEVER, THE PAPERWORK THEY GAVE ME STATED - "FIRST VISIT A DUAL STAGE AIRBAG WAS RECEIVED FROM PARTS. VEHICLE HAS A ONE STAGE IGNITER. THE HARNESS WAS DIFFERENT CAUSING HORN TO BE INOP." THE CAR WAS RETURNED WITH THE ORIGINAL AIRBAG (OR ONE THAT LOOKS JUST LIKE IT) AND THE HORN NOW WORKS. EVERYTHING I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE STATES THAT THESE 2 SYSTEMS (SINGLE STAGE & DUAL STAGE AIRBAGS) ARE NOT COMPATABLIE WITH WIRING AND COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND WILL NOT FUNCTION. HAD I NOT CHECKED THE HORN THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RETURNED FOR MONTHS UNTIL THE NEXT INSPECTION AND MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT A FUCTIONAL AIRBAG. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THIS THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE THAT THEY RETURNED TO ME ON JUNE 12. IF THAT WAS TRUE, WHY DID THEY PUT THE ORIGINAL BAG BACK ON THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND MISTAKES HAPPEN AS BMW CHANGED TO THE DUAL SYSTEM SOMETIME IN 1999 BUT I FEEL THESE GUYS WERE LYING TO ME TRYING TO COVER UP THEIR MISTAKE.
I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS RECALLED IN JANUARY 2020. NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE. I HAVE BEEN WAITING AND CALLING BMW AND BMW DEALERSHIPS FOR 6 MONTHS. *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT EAST BAY BMW (LOCATED AT 4350 ROSEWOOD DR, PLEASANTON, CA 94588) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION AND OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED DANIELS BMW DEALER, (4600 CRACKERSPORT RD, ALLENTOWN, PA 18104) AND WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFORMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF LAS VEGAS LOCATED AT 6900 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89117, WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WENT THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND STROKE A TRUCK. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE GOT SEVERELY DAMAGED. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THE POLICE WAS PRESENT, BUT NO REPORT WAS ISSUED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED RECEIVING A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) ON JANUARY 21 2020 AFTER THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE. . THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMED PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CREVIER BMW (1500 AUTO MALL DR, SANTA ANA, CA 92705) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE BUT WAS UPSET THAT A LOANER VEHICLE WAS NOT OFFERED AND THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO DISENGAGE THE AIR BAGS. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE DATE FOR THE PARTS BECOMING AVAILABLE REMAINED UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE BUY BACK OPTION HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V851000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEVERLY HILLS BMW (5070 WILSHIRE BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90036) TO BE INSPECTED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR BEING PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT, BY LAW, THE VEHICLE WOULD REMAIN IN CUSTODY OF THE DEALER DUE TO THE RECALL PARTS NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT WAS UNKNOWN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE AN OFFER FOR A BUYBACK WAS MADE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BUYBACK WAS BASED ON THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE OF THE VEHICLE PLUS $1,500 IN INCENTIVES TO PURCHASE ANOTHER SIMILAR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN THREE WEEKS TO MAKE A DECISION. THE CONTACT REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE, WHICH WAS DENIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
AT 0735HRS I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON I-215 IN UTAH'S SALT LAKE CITY AT 70 MPH WHEN THE DIVERS SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO IMPACT TO THE SIDE OF CAR NOR ANYWHERE ELSE TO THE CAR. THE AIRBAG IN THE DOOR SHOVED ME AGAINST THE CENTER CONSOLE CAUSING AN ABRUPT STEER. NO LOSS OF CONTROL TO THE CAR. RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, IE. HEADLINER, WINDSHIELD PILLAR, SIDE PILLAR AND THE BATTERY CABLE DISCONNECT RENDERS THE POSITIVE CABLE USELESS. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN UNSAFE CONDITION THE COULD CAUSE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OPERATOR OR OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY.
THE SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT, AFTER HITTING THE CURB. TYPICALLY ONLY THE TIRE AND WHEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BASED ON THE IMPACT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A CURB CAUSING A CRASH. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S ARM THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
THE SAME VINTAGE BMW 3 SERIES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS NOW IN LATE MAY 2015 . MY VEHICLE IS NOT BEING RECALLED NOW, BUT I HAVE ASKED BMW NORTH AMERICA WHO MADE MY AIRBAG TO DETERMINE IF MY FAMILY IS ALSO AT RISK FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER (TAKATA ). AFTER ASKING MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN AN ANSWER. I HAVE ALSO ASKED MY DEALER IF THEY KNEW, AND THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS HAVE BMW LOGO AND BRANDING ON THEM, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO ACTUALLY MADE IT. I WOULD LIKE BMW NORTH AMERICA TO TELL ME WHO MADE THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE SO I KNOW THE MANUFACTURER.
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A SIDESWIPE COLLISION. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
THE SAME VINTAGE BMW 3 SERIES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR AIR BAGS FROM 2001 AND FORWARD. MY VEHICLE IS NOT BEING RECALLED NOW, BUT I HAVE ASKED BMW NORTH AMERICA WHO MADE MY AIRBAGS TO DETERMINE IF MY FAMILY IS ALSO AT RISK FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER (TAKATA ). AFTER ASKING MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN AN ANSWER. I HAVE ALSO ASKED MY DEALER IF THEY KNEW, AND THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS HAVE BMW LOGO AND BRANDING ON THEM, BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHO ACTUALLY MADE IT. I WOULD LIKE BMW NORTH AMERICA TO TELL ME WHO MADE THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE SO I KNOW THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND DOOR PANEL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR NOR DID SHE DRIVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. SHE SUSTAINED A BURN ON HER HAND AND BRUISES ON HER HIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000...UPDATED 07-15-13 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V223000 (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW), BUT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
MY BMW 1999 328I/AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS 98K ON IT AND 90% OF THE TIME, IT CAN'T REVERSE. *NM
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CURB. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT/SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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