2011 BMW 328I Airbags Problems

RE: Recall on 2011 328i Vin# [XXX] I drove the car to run an errand, car was running ok but had a miss. During my drive home, the car stalled. I had to quickly coast to a parking lot in order not to get hit by the car behind me. I tried to restart the car, but it acted as if it needed a jump. Tried to jump the car but it turned over slowly without starting. Ended up getting it towed to Metairie very early the next morning, due to parades. Had a friend of mine, a BMW shop owner, take a look at the car. He told me that he found out that it had a few recalls and he thought that may be the problem. I spoke with a service advisor at BMW dealer that checked the vin and said the recalls would be taken care of along with anything it caused. I made the appointment and had it towed to BMW dea;er. I was assigned to Erin C, Service Advisor, when I made my appointment. My appointment was for 7:30 AM on the 28th of March. I heard from Erin at 4:30 that afternoon with an update. She told me that I had a seized engine and it was going to cost ten thousand or more to replace the engine. I asked if the recall was done on it, because the recall stated that one of the indicators of the Vanos issue was that it would not start any more. I also found information saying that stalling, engine seizing, and oil starvation can be dangerously caused by the recall. Erin stated that they would take the valve cover off to confirm. Didn’t hear from her on Friday, or over the weekend. I got her on the phone Monday evening at 5:30 PM. Erin told me the same information that after they took off the valve cover and videoed it (have not seen that video yet). That my engine was seized. She assured me that they hooked up the car to communicate with the engineers who confirmed, from all the evidence, that the engine seizing was not caused by the recall but lack of oil circulation. If she had a diagnostic done on the car, she had not shared any codes found with me at this INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

NHTSA ID

11657961

Incident

Mar 28, 2025

Nothing has malfunctioned yet on the vehicle, however, these recalls are putting my daughter at risk while driving as there is an air bag and engine recall on the vehicle. Every time we contact the dealership, the recall is still unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11628356

Incident

Oct 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V513000 (AIR BAGS) and 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated while operating the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle failed to immediately start, and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light flashed off and on. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 110,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11617163

Incident

Jun 15, 2024

Mileage

110,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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.

NHTSA ID

11608691

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Colling) and 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. Parts distribution disconnect; for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). VIN tool confirms part not available; for NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags).

NHTSA ID

11606048

Incident

Aug 2, 2024

Mileage

135,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11605153

Incident

Jul 29, 2024

Received letter of recal Dec 2023 For recall Campaign No 23V-707 Is been almost two months and BMW not communicating with me to find solution letter said remedi unavailable Engine bolts may over time loosen and eventually break how they want public to drive like that this should be a priority is dangerous

NHTSA ID

11571133

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

1) Vehicle idling problem, it automatically accelerate while vehicle is idle and pcv valve problem is very prominent during the winter. 2) Airbag problem, automatically airbag is popping up.

NHTSA ID

11565959

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

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. The big problem I'm having is the warranty I bought with the car won't cover this repair either and I'm a disabled veteran so I can't afford it at this moment.

NHTSA ID

11562709

Incident

Dec 26, 2023

Passenger restraint system malfunction alert when car is turned on. Air bag and passenger seatbelt warning lights are on. Passenger seat belt light will never turn off even with no passengers in the car. Air bags for passenger are off when there is a passenger in the car causing a safety concern. BMW wants $1000 to diagnose what the issue is for the airbag light only but not to fix it or check the seat belt light. Already paid them $100 just to tell me exactly what the message said on the car screen. Seeing the same issue all over the internet with flaws in the passenger restraint system for this model and similar models but no fix. Found an extended warranty but does not list the E92 model, all other models are listed.

NHTSA ID

11551212

Incident

Oct 18, 2023

I had my passenger in the car driving 30mm and then I got a “restraint system warning ⚠️ “ illuminating the seatbelt light and seatbelt with airbag light. This is a safety concern as it is still on without a passenger. This affects the passenger airbag so in the case of fatality this would fall on BMW NA for neglecting to fix this issue. The car was fine before and this came out of no where

NHTSA ID

11469243

Incident

Jun 11, 2022

When a passenger sits in the front passenger seat, the passenger side airbag seat sensor triggers and illuminates the airbag light, deactivating the passenger airbag. After it is triggered, the light stays illuminated, along with the seat belt light, for several drive cycles, without a passenger present, before resetting. This is a sporadic issue, but rather frequent. It began, very occasionally, approximately a year ago, but has progressively become worse. My research has shown this is a very common issue with BMW vehicles; however, my vehicle is not covered under any previous recall, although the seats are the same part number as those addressed in prior recall notices.

NHTSA ID

11465448

Incident

May 1, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID

11465296

Incident

May 18, 2022

The airbag light and seatbelt light came on randomly. The airbag sensor is off, and the “passenger airbag off” light is illuminated even when there’s somebody sitting in the car. This is a major safety issue, as the vehicle doesn’t recognize when somebody is sitting in the passenger seat and wont deploy airbags when there’s a wreck.

NHTSA ID

11448649

Incident

Jan 24, 2022

My driver and passenger airbags deployed because my car all of the sudden lurched forward on it's own and I bumped the car in front of me and when it happened my car started accelerating and revving all on it's own into the car ahead and I was trying to make it stop by pushing the brakes but the brake pedal wouldnt move it was hard and wouldnt move so my car kept accelerating bumping the car in front of me over and over and I was stomping down on the brake pedal to make it stop but it wouldnt. After about 30 seconds of this it just stopped. The airbags were blowing out very hot air that burned and bruised my left arm very badley and myself and my minor passenger were choking from it. My driver side window and windshield were both broken from the explosion of the airbags but the body of my car wasn't damaged. I had noticed that sometimes the display in my car wouldnt show all the car controls but never imagined the car would malfunction like this. Now the repair shop wants the same amount of money that I initially paid for the car to repair it and my insurance is not covering it. Please help because this was not my fault the car malfunctioned.

NHTSA ID

11423042

Incident

Jun 16, 2021

My son was injured by the impact of an accident on May 30th, 2021. He was driving when a car sped past him, lost control, slammed into the center median guardrail, then into the drivers side door of my sons car. The impact was strong enough to dent and puncture a large hole in the door, yet the side impact air bags did not deploy. Nor did any other air bag. we still currently have the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11420469

Incident

May 30, 2021

[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11399568

Incident

Jan 24, 2016

Mileage

101,010 mi

AIR BAG IS BROKEN STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT OUT AND 1S GEAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS TAKING OFF. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY ONLY CAR. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH THESE RECALLS PROBLEMS

NHTSA ID

11378065

Incident

Mar 17, 2018

I GOT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAILURE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN. SAID LIGHTS TURNED ON AS I WAS TURNING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY ROUTE 2 IN FITCHBURG MA. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH BMWS SINCE MID 2000S YET MINES IS NOT ON RECALL. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT CAN NOT CORRECT THE ERROR. I AM CONCERNED OF AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. HOPING YOU CAN ASSIST ME WITH THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11353268

Incident

Aug 4, 2020

Mileage

79,187 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BMW OF PEABODY DEALER LOCATED AT 221 ANDOVER ST, PEABODY, MA 01960, AND LEFT A MESSAGE ON THE ANSWERING SERVICE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT CALLED BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11339935

Incident

Jul 5, 2020

Mileage

78,000 mi

I FEEL LIKE THE AIRBAGS EXPLODED ON MY FACE AND HIT MY HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325571

Incident

Nov 29, 2019

Mileage

960,000 mi

OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST 2 MONTHS I GET AN OC3 PASSENGER SEAT MAT ERROR. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS BUT MY CAR ISN'T COVERED.

NHTSA ID

11315937

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS BROKEN ON PASSENGER SIDE IF NOT FIXED IT'S IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. PURCHASED USED ON 7/1/19 FROM A DEALSHIPS AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO INCURE THE COST TO FIX IT. IF THE PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT BUCKLED WHETHER THERE'S A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT OR NOT IT WILL KEEP BEEPING UNTIL YOU PUT THE SEATBELT IN THE BUCKLE.

NHTSA ID

11252551

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

72,000 mi

EVEN AFTER CLEARING THE FAULTS, I AM CONTINUING TO GET A WARNING OF A PASSENGER "RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION." BEST GUESS BY BMW MECHANIC IS THAT IT'S THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT. I AM TOLD IT'S A "COMMON BMW PROBLEM." VARIOUS CHAT ROOM DISCUSSIONS CONFIRM THIS. SOME BMW MODELS HAVE HAD THE WARRANTY EXTENDED TO COVER THIS ISSUE (BY BMWNA) BUT NOT MY PARTICULAR MODEL. THIS IS A BMW-WIDE DESIGN FLAW THAT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND BMW EXPECTS ME TO PAY TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE.

NHTSA ID

11245056

Incident

Aug 16, 2019

WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE THIRD PARTY DEALERSHIP, IT HAD AIRBAG PROBLEM, WHEN I TOLD THE GUY ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HE SAID HE WILL LOWER THE PRICE AND GIVE ME THE CAR. THE AIRBAG FOR THE CAR IS TOO EXPENSIVE SO HE DOESN'T WANT TO MESS AROUND WITH IT.

NHTSA ID

11244030

Incident

Aug 8, 2018