Airbag light on - Have you been affected? (UK)

sp3ctre

sp3ctre

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BMW USA have announced a recall on several of their models for faulty airbag system, specifically the passenger detection system in the seat.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2008-08-13-bmw-recall-air-bag_N.htm?csp=34

There have been numerous posts from people affected by this, in the USA and also in the UK. Unfortnately at present there has only been a recall in the USA.

I am compling a list of people who have had (or are having) this issue on their Z4. If the numbers are high enough I shall present this list to BMW and see what they have to say. There has been success with similar issues on the Audi forum, albeit their issue was a little more apparent.

If you have had this problem in your car please reply to this thread and I will add you to the list. Please specify when your car was manufactured, along with the resolution (if it was resolved).

The list so far:

Sp3ctre (Build date - April 2004)
EdButler (Build date - June 2003) - Resolved under approved used warranty by fitting new Airbag Control Unit by Sytner Sheffield.
mybeautifulz4
z4monkey
Darich
Mike W
 
EdButler (Build date - June 2003) - Resolved under approved used warranty by fitting new Airbag Control Unit by Sytner Sheffield.
 
EdButler said:
EdButler (Build date - June 2003) - Resolved by fitting new Airbag Control Unit by Sytner Sheffield.
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Cool, was it in or out of warranty at the time?
 
I received a letter from BMW NA regarding this problem. Though I don't (yet) have any problems, my warranty on this part/ issue has been extended to 10 years from original sale date or 100K miles.
 
MerLOW said:
I received a letter from BMW NA regarding this problem. Though I don't (yet) have any problems, my warranty on this part/ issue has been extended to 10 years from original sale date or 100K miles.
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Thanks for that, but like I said we don't have a recall for this part in the UK. I think it is disgusting that cars that are all made in the same place are treated differently. I am a bit surprised that more people haven't responded to this thread though. Maybe not as many people have been affected as first thought?
 
mines come on & it is the passenger detection sensor too... BMW have said it isn't a common problem & would I mind awfully stumping up £400 for it
 
RoundoBaldo said:
mines come on & it is the passenger detection sensor too... BMW have said it isn't a common problem & would I mind awfully stumping up £400 for it
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Bastards! Sorry to hear about that, I think mine will be the same... :x
 
I find that a 20 can case of beer placed on the passenger seat causes all sorts of dash warnings & audible alerts in my Z4M. I just ignore it... :D
 
Stealthyman said:
I find that a 20 can case of beer placed on the passenger seat causes all sorts of dash warnings & audible alerts in my Z4M. I just ignore it... :D
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Sorry, I don't get your point... you activate the passenger seat sensor... it warns you and puts on the seatbelt light... what has that got to do with the airbag sensor?
 
Problem ongoing for 2 years, started whilst still in warranty, passenger occupancy mat has cracked matrix, BMW central had the matrix for many months, have requested its return to have it independently inspected, has yet to be returned, I am now aware of the US recall, would appreciate a copy of any BMW documentation, really would like help with getting this finally resolved
 
Thought I'd add that my airbag light came on a couple of weeks ago. Don't know which airbag is "faulty" though.

I've got a 3.0 SE from May 2004 (54 plate)
 
I have a 2003 model and it has the airbag light problem. I called a local Florida dealer and they didn't know anything about a recall. In checking the USA Today article, it seems the NTSB is only "looking" at asking for a recall for the 2004-06 Z4s. One post said they got an extension of their warranty on this item to 100K miles or 10 years. My luck in contacting BMW North America has been "0". They don't even acknowledge letters. Any suggestions? Fixing that light is costly, and the jury is out whether the airbag is functional if the light is on.

Mike W
 
I am probably going to take mine in next week. It seems that less people than I thought have been affected. It is by no means acceptable, but it also means that pitching up with a list as long as my arm is also not likely to have much effect either.

Will let you know how I get on.
 
The airbag control unit in my March 04 had to be replaced due to rain damage; it didn't take much rain to smoke the unit! Anyway, now when the ignition is on the passenger airbag "Off" light on the console stays on any time the passenger seat is empty. It does go off if someone sits in the passenger seat. Before the control unit was replaced and as noted in the driver's manual, if the passenger seat was unoccupied the light would come on for a brief time after the ignition is turned on then go out. The dealer checked with BMW and was told that this empty seat, always on behavior is normal. The airbag warning light on the instrument cluster appears to be functioning normally. I'm curious if anyone else has had this issue.

Brian
 
brimoon said:
The airbag control unit in my March 04 had to be replaced due to rain damage; it didn't take much rain to smoke the unit! Anyway, now when the ignition is on the passenger airbag "Off" light on the console stays on any time the passenger seat is empty. It does go off if someone sits in the passenger seat. Before the control unit was replaced and as noted in the driver's manual, if the passenger seat was unoccupied the light would come on for a brief time after the ignition is turned on then go out. The dealer checked with BMW and was told that this empty seat, always on behavior is normal. The airbag warning light on the instrument cluster appears to be functioning normally. I'm curious if anyone else has had this issue.

Brian
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That sounds bulls**t to me... there should be no instrument cluster lights on during normal use, if the car is functioning correctly.
 
sp3ctre said:
brimoon" That sounds bulls**t to me... there should be no instrument cluster lights on during normal use said:
Thanks for the response. To clarify, the light that remains on is not the red one in the instrument cluster, but the yellow one located between the seats, on the console near the shift lever. The warning light in the instrument cluster, the one that warns of an airbag malfunction, is working normally.

Brian
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Ah, ok, then that's normal behavior I think, I don't have that. Sorry, I thought you meant the instrument cluster :)
 
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