NHTSA Complaint #11000535 — 2007 BMW 3 SERIES

THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT HAS MALFUNCTIONED WHICH PRODUCES A FAULT IN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM PREVENTING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING IN AN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET, ON A HIGHWAY, AND WHEN TURNING. THERE IS NO DAMAGE OR EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS USED NORMALLY AND AS INTENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER. I BELIEVE THE SEAT MAT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND NORMAL USAGE OF PEOPLE SITTING ON IT. OVER TIME THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT MAT FAILED AND POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGER SINCE THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION.