2002 BMW 3 Series Complaint Log

CONTACTED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 REGARDING RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. DEALER SCHEDULED REPAIR IN SEPTEMBER, BUT WHEN WE SHOWED UP FOR OUR APPOINTMENT WE WERE INFORMED THERE WERE NO AIR BAGS. WE HAVE CALLED 4 TIMES SINCE THEN AND TOLD A SHIPMENT WAS COMING IN AND WE WOULD BE CONTACTED. THE LAST (#5) STILL NO AIRBAGS, PROBABLY SOMETIME IN JANUARY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

MESSAGE: HI, THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON AIR BAGS. WE OWN A 2002 BMW AND OUR VEHICLE IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL BMW DEALER (NIELLO BMW AT SACRAMENTO, CA) SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO REPLACE. HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO WAIT ? THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

2002 BMW 325I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL AND LACK OF PARTS. *SMD

ABS, BRAKE LIGHTS WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ON. POSSIBLE DSC INOP. POTENTIAL CRASH ISSUE. ORIGINAL OWNER WITH APPROX. $13,000 IN MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR RECEIPTS. 95K MILES ON CAR. NO NOTIFICATION/RECALL FROM BMW. *TR

AFTER COMPLETING A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES COMING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND BRINGING VEHICLE TO A STOP THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EGRESS OUT OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ISSUE, PASSENGER DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED. DOOR REMAINED LOCKED WITH SEEMINGLY NO MECHANICAL LINK TO DOOR LATCH. DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DOOR FROM OUTSIDE, ALSO UNABLE TO DO SO. PASSENGER HAD TO EGRESS VEHICLE THROUGH DRIVERS DOOR, PASSENGER DOOR UNABLE TO OPEN DESPITE REPEATED USE OF UNLOCK BUTTON ON CENTER CONSOLE AND UNLOCK FEATURE ON KEYLESS ENTRY. AUTOMATIC LOCKING ON DRIVE OFF LOCKED DOORS, OCCUPANTS WERE UNABLE TO UNLOCK OR OPEN DOOR BY ANY MEANS. *TR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, THIS WILL BE MY THIRD TIME REPLACING A WINDOW REGULATOR IN MY 2002 BMW 325I. THE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR, AND A FEW MONTHS LATER I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR. THIS TIME I AM REPLACING THE REGULATOR ON THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR. IT'S ABOUT $400 PLUS PER WINDOW. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND PROVIDE A REIMBURSEMENT TO THE CONSUMER (ME). HOPEFULLY THE NEXT REPAIR WILL BE COVERED BY BMW. I'M SURE THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WILL MOST LIKELY BE NEXT. *TR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NONE OF THE PASSENGER LOCKS OPEN, AUTOMATICALLY OR MANUALLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. NO ONE CAN GET OUT. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) WERE RECEIVED IN 2014. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE MY CARS AS FIRST PLACED ON RECALL DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS, FIRST FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SINCE LAST JULY THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BASED ON THIS BEING AN UNREASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. I LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE TAKATA AIR BAGS ARE MORE APT TO BE DANGEROUS IN THIS WARM AND HUMID CLIMATE.

USING KEY FOB TO UNLOCK DOORS, SOMETIMES ONLY DRIVER DOOR UNLOCKS. SOMETIMES NO DOORS UNLOCK/LOCK. INTERIOR MASTER LOCK SWITCH SOMETIMES WORKS SOMETIMES DOES NOT. REPLACED SWITCH TWICE. BEEN IN CAR AND UNABLE TO UNLOCK ANY DOORS TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE USING ELECTRIC SYSTEMS AND EVEN MANUAL IE. DOOR HANDLES. IN A NON STRESSFUL SITUATION, GOT OUT BY ROLLING DOWN WINDOW AND INSERTING KEY IN DRIVER DOOR TO UNLOCK. FOR PANIC SITUATIONS BOUGHT A WINDOW SHATTER TOOL TO BREAK WINDOWS TO GET OUT. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON A CLOVERLEAF RAMP IN BATON ROUGE, LA. (HWY 61 & FLORIDA BLVD.) WHEN PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING ME TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. I THEN HIT A DRAIN ON THE CURBING AND BLEW OUT BOTH RIGHT SIDE TIRES AND BENT RIMS. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 90* WITH NO RAIN. ( NOT SURE OF EXACT VEHICLE MILEAGE B/C CAR IS IN SHOP) I CAN GET PICTURES IF NEEDED. *TR

THIS IS THE THIRD WINDOW I HAVE HAD THAT ROLLS DOWN THEN SUDDENLY BREAKS AND WON'T ROLL UP. WHEN I GOOGLE IT I SEE MANY OTHER BMW 325I CAR OWNERS E46 BETWEEN 2001 AND 2006 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN WEAK SPOT IN THESE CARS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE TOLD THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND REIMBURSE US. MY BACK SEAT IS NEVER USED SO THOSE BACK WINDOWS ARE NEVER USED AND IT HAPPENED WITH THE BACK WINDOW - IT HAPPENED WITH BOTH THE FRONT WINDOWS - ONE AT A TIME AND EVERY TIME IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,722.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN SAN FRANCISCO KEEPS CANCELLING MY APPOINTMENTS FOR MY AIRBAGS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE JUNE. THEY CANNOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO HELPING ME GET MY AIRBAGS REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMPACT. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WHERE HE SUSTAINED BRUISING ON HIS NECK, THE SHOULDERS AND A SEVERE CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND THE ROOF AIR BAG DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF IMPACT MADE WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

02/19/2014 ON A DRY DAY,WHILE DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE ON I-4 AROUND LAKELAND-FL, WITH 70MPH A FEDEX VEHICLE'S RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OFF IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID COLLISION. ABS DID NOT WORK AND MY BRAKES LOCKED, MY CAR HAS STARTED SPINNING (3-4 TIMES). MY CAR WENT FROM THE MIDDLE LANE TO THE LEFT LANE THEN TO THE MOST RIGHT LANE AND OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR THE METAL/CONCRETE BARRIERS WHILE SPINNING OUT OF THE ROAD.AFTER THE INCIDENT,WHILE DRIVING I HAVE NOTICED A LIMPING AT SLOW SPEED AND HIGH VIBRATION AT HIGHER SPEEDS. ALL 4 TIRES WERE DAMAGED . 3 WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD: DSC + ABS + BRAKE(RED COLOR). ON 02/22 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC.ALL 4 TIRES WERE FOUND WERE BECAUSE OF THE BRAKING.THE DIAGNOSTICS TOOL READ: 5DF5 - CONTROL UNIT INTERNAL FAILURE.I NEEDED 4 NEW TIRES AND MY TIRES HAD 9/32 THREAD DEPTH AND WERE ALMOST NEW. ON SUNDAY - 02/23/2014 - I TOOK IN MY VEHICLE FOR THE TIRES. THE TIRE SHOP DECLINED TO REPLACE THE TIRES UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY WERE DAMAGED BY BRAKING.THEY WERE NICE ENOUGH TO GIVE ME A DISCOUNT AND REPLACED THE TIRES FOR $350. TEVES DSC MK60 HAS BEEN A PROBLEM NOT ONLY IN BMWS BUT OTHER BRANDS SUCH AS VW AND AUDI. JUST GOOGLE IT.IF YOU ARE LUCKY THE ISSUE SURFACES ITSELF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTYIF NOT, THE ABS PUMP UNIT IS OVER $2300+LABOR AND DSC MODULE IS OVER $1100+LABOR.I ALREADY SPENT $500 FOR THE TIRES AND BRAKE FLUSH. I HAVE TO PAY ONE OF THE ABOVE PRICES TO GET MY ABS FIXED.I DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE MY ABS (IF DSC DOES NOT WORK ABS DOES NOT WORK) FAILED.THE LIGHTS CAME ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOW THEY ARE NOT ON THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA AND FIXED BY BMW USA WITH A RECALL. I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF OR HURT/KILL OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE ON THAT HIGHWAY.ABS/DSC ARE VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY COMPONENTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL POWER WINDOWS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD INDEPENDENTLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THREE OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS STARTED LEAKING AT THE BODY/WIRING TERMINALS. ONE INJECTOR WAS LEAKING ENOUGH TO WITNESS A FREQUENT DRIP (APPROXIMATELY ONE DROP/SECOND) FROM THE BODY, AND THE OTHER TWO WERE VISIBLY WET (HAVE VIDEO OF THIS, AS WELL). LEAK OCCURRED ANY TIME THE FUEL RAIL WAS PRESSURIZED OR THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SMELL OF FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE WHAT PROMPTED INSPECTION. ISSUE WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING ALL THREE LEAKY INJECTORS WITH NEW ONES (NO ISSUE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW). AM CONCERNED, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THERE ARE THREE OF THE ORIGINAL FUEL INJECTORS STILL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT BECAUSE THE FUEL INJECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME WHILE STILL IN USE, ONLY BEING NOTICED ONCE THE LEAK BECAME MORE SUBSTANTIAL. WAS ADVISED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE HERE, AS IT IS BOTH A SAFETY AND EMISSIONS ISSUE, AND IS APPARENTLY A FAIRLY COMMON ONE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL/YEAR. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG MATT SENSOR FOR PASSENGER WEIGHT AND AIRBAG INFLATION RATE IS INOPERATIVE AND BROKEN.

OUT OF THE BLUE THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I BECAME CONCERNED AND DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT- I DIDN'T KNOW WHY OR WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. THE LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY AND NEVER GOES OUT. I HAD AN AUTO MECHANIC LOOK AT IT BUT HE HAD NOT KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IT MIGHT BE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CARE AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. I WASN'T DRIVING IT EVERYDAY SO I WAS NOT WORRIED VERY MUCH. BUT I HAD READ ABOUT A RECALL OF SOME BMW'S WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AIRBAGS AND I THOUGHT THAT COULD BE IT. I AM GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM AS THAT SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY CAR, HOPE THIS WORKS OUT AND IT CAN BE REPAIRED AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HOW WOULD I KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IF I SHOULD NEED IT FOR PROTECTING ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR CAR AND FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS IN THE LETTER. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. TOLD US TO BRING THE CAR IN AT 9:30 AM LAST SATURDAY. WHEN WE GOT THERE, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED US THAT A POLICY CHANGE OCCURRED THE NIGHT BEFORE AND INSTEAD, THEY WANTED US TO LEAVE THE CAR AFTER THE INSPECTION SO THEY COULD ORDER THE VIN SPECIFIC PART WHICH WOULD MEAN LEAVING OUR CAR DISMANTLED AT THE DEALER FOR A "FEW DAYS". WE DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER CAR AVAILABLE. I ASKED FOR A LOANER VEHICLE; THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. I TOLD THEM WE NEEDED OUR CAR AND COULD NOT BE WITHOUT FOR THE FEW DAYS THEY REQUIRED. I CALLED CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FROM THE PARKING LOT AND SHE CALLED BACK TO THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED THAT THE POLICY HAD BEEN CHANGED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO INSPECT THE CAR AND REASSEMBLE IT SO WE COULD USE IT WHILE THEY WAITED FOR THE PART. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR SINCE SHRAPNEL WAS IN THE AIRBAGS AND HE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY, NO ONE HAD EVER BEEN INJURED. I AM PRETTY ANGRY ABOUT THE ENTIRE MATTER. BMW'S COMPLIANCE WITH THIS RECALL IS A FARCE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND 3 DASH LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM. I CHECKED AND THE LIGHTS MEANT THE STABILITY CONTROL WASN'T WORKING (FIRST TIME THIS EVER HAPPENED). TOOK THE CAR TO BMW AND WAS TOLD ONE OF TWO COMPUTERS WASN'T MAKING THIS SAFETY FEATURE WORK. COST OF ONE WAS $1700.00 BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE IT WOULD BE THE PROBLEM AND I MIGHT NEED TO THEN HAVE A NEW 2ND COMPUTER AT $3400.00. OR A TOTAL OF $5100.00, I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN GENTLY. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE THAT THEY ADVERTISED AND WAS ONE OF MY REASONS FOR BUYING THE CAR, I FEEL THIS AUTO AND AUTO FEATURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL SO IT CAN BE FIXED EITHER FREE OR AT A REASONABLE COST. THANK YOU FOR READING MY SUGGESTION. *TR

I LISTED THE WRONG DATE ON COMPLAINT # 10546920, THE DATE SHOULD BE 8/10/2013 NOT 2011. *TR

BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR CHECKED GOOD WITH VARIOUS SERVICE PROVIDERS YET VEHICLE HAD A PERSISTENT BATTERY DRAIN WITCH WOULD ONLY APPEAR AFTER CAR WAS ON THE ROAD AND DRIVING. AFTER CAR STOPPED RUNNING DUE TO LOW BATTERY IT THEN WOULD NOT RESTART. NO WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON UNTIL JUST A MINUTE OR TWO PRIOR TO ENGINE QUITTING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MONROVIA BMW IN MONROVIA CA AND WAS TOLD THAT ALTERNATOR WAS FAULTY. INSTALLED NEW (NOT REBUILT) SPECIFIED ALTERNATOR AND NEW BATTERY AND 5 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM CAME BACK. FURTHER OWN PERSONAL INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT BMW IS AWARE OF A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DESIGN FLAW AND I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT FROM BMW TECH'S AT TIME OF INSPECTION AS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A SYSTEM PROBLEM WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL "BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR" OF "FINAL STAGE UNIT" (FSU) AND ITS INTERNAL RESISTOR FAILS. THIS PART HAS HUNDREDS OF WRITE UPS ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS AND HAS GONE BACK MANY YEARS. WHEN THE PART FAILS IT LEADS TO A WHOLE VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AFFECTED VEHICLE. THIS COULD LEAD TO A FULL ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND LEAD TO A CRASH. MY VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE COILS AND THESE ARE ALSO PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT COULD BE BEING IMPACTED BY THIS FSU / RESISTOR PROBLEM. FIRE AND OR OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHANICAL MAIN BELT TENSIONER HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A HYDRAULIC VERSION ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,170 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,300. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND MY WIFE WAS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. ANOTHER CAR HIT OUR CAR ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYING BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS. I HAD BACK INJURIES AND MY WIFE LOST VISION IN BOTH HER EYES. SHE IS STILL NOT ABLE TO SEE EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD SEVERAL SURGERIES AT MAYO CLINIC IN ROCHESTER, MN. EVERY SURGEON SHE HAS SEEN HAS SAID THAT THIS IS THE WORST AIRBAG INJURY THEY HAVE EVER SEEN. UPDATED 09/17/14*LJ..UPDATED 10/01/14 *BF UPDATED 01/26/15.*JB UPDATED 02/4/2015 *JS

THE BATTERY OF THE CAR DRAINS OUT EVERY MORNING AND I NEED TO JUMP START MY CAR EVERYDAY IN THE MORNING. I HAVE GOT THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND THE CHARGING CIRCUIT CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO FAULTS WITH THOSE. THE BATTERY IS ONLY AN YEAR OLD. I SUSPECT THAT SOMETHING IS RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND AFTER ENGINE STOP OR THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH IS DRAINING OUT THE BATTERY. *TR

THIS IS NOT AS MUCH A COMPLAINT AS A REQUEST FOR HELP. SINCE MARCH OF 2013 I HAVE REPLACED 5 THROTTLE BODIES AND 3 GAS PEDAL SENSORS, ALL OEM PARTS. THE PROBLEM THAT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY: DRIVING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED [55/60] THE EML, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ALL WENT ON. PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF. RESTARTED, NOW "SERVICE ENGINE, EML, TRACTION CONTROL AND BRAKE LIGHTS" WERE ON. TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, SAME LIGHTING SITUATION, VERY ROUGH IDLE AND CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE, AS IT WAS STRUGGLING FOR FUEL. UNPLUGGED THE "MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR": CAR STARTED, DISPLAYED NO WARNING LIGHTS, DROVE FINE ABOUT 8 MILES TO REPAIR SHOP. CODE READ SHOWS, "THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR", REPLACED..SAME PROBLEM WITHIN MINUTES OF DRIVING. A LITTLE INTERNET RESEARCH ON E46 FINDS THIS AN ALL TO COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR

UNDER RECALL 11V438000 , BMW FOUND THE DEFECTIVE REAR LIGHTS. THEIR REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE A SINGLE GROUND WIRE WITH A LARGER GAUGE WIRE. THIS IS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE AND NOT A CORRECTIVE MEASURE. THE ULTIMATE CAUSATION OF THE LIGHT ISSUE IS THE TRUNK DOOR PINCHING THE HARNESS LEADING TO THE LIGHT, WHICH CAUSE THE WIRES INSIDE THE HARNESS TO BREAK. THIS WAS VERIFIED BY THE MECHANIC WHOM SAID WAS NOT COVERED BY THIS CAMPAIGN. HE SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAD TO ULTIMATELY PAY OUT OF POCKET AND FIX THIS MYSELF. *TR

THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS A CHRONIC ISSUE AMONG BMW OWNERS. IF I DO NOT MANUALLY PUSH THE SEAT BELT BACK, IT WILL REMAIN LOOSE ENOUGH THAT I CAN LEAN FORWARD TO TOUCH THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND THEIR OWN RESPONSE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BELT UNIT, WHICH IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT WILL ALSO AT TIMES GET STUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR WHEN CLOSING WHICH COULD DAMAGE THE BELT EVEN MORE. *TR

THE REPORT IS IN RESPONSE TO NOT BEING INCLUDED IN A RECALL OF THE REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY. SOME VEHICLES SEEM TO BE EXCLUDED FOR NO REASON FROM THE RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY WIRING. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 11V438000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT HAD BECOME VERY DIM. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT LOOKED AT THE LIGHT AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE WIRES THAT HAD BECOME MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

HAD MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM VALVE COVER AREA. WAS PUTTING A QUART OF OIL INTO THE CAR EVERY 500 MILES. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP FOUND OUT THAT VALVE COVER WAS CRACKED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED AND REPLACED THE VALVE COVER AND GASKETS. *TR

RIGHT REAR TURN-SIGNAL LIGHTS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY--SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR FROM BEHIND WHEN I WAS CHANGING LANES ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE SET AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GOT A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. *TR

BMW NORTH AMERICA SENT OUT A RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER 2011 FOR THE REAR LIGHTS ON THEIR 3 SERIES CARS. THEY ADVISED CONSUMERS THAT THEY SHOULD GO TO THEIR LOCAL DEALERS FOR RECALL REPAIRS AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ALREADY COMPLETED AND PAID FOR. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW UNTIL I WROTE TO THEIR NEW CEO FOR NORTH AMERICA, MR.WILLISCH, ASKING WHAT I SHOULD DO TO GET THEM TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR RECALL. HE HAD HIS SECRETARY CALL ME AND ASK ME TO FAX THE RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO HER, WHICH I DID. I HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS UNTIL I CALLED AGAIN. SHE THEN CALLED ME BACK AND SAID I SHOULD BE HEARING SOMETHING FROM BMW SOON. THE NEXT DAY I RECEIVED A CHECK FROM PRINCETON BMW FOR THE COST OF ONE REPAIR TO THE REAR LIGHTS. HOWEVER, I FAXED RECEIPTS FOR 2 REPAIRS TO THE RIGHT REAR LIGHTS AND 1 REPAIR TO THE LEFT REAR LIGHTS. TO DATE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FURTHER FROM BMW ABOUT REIMBURSING ME FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS.. HOW CAN YOU HELP ME GET REIMBURSED FOR THE OTHER 2 REPAIRS TO MY 3 SERIES CAR? *TR UPDATED 10/1512

THIS CAR IS 2002 BMW 330CI. I NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT A TAIL LIGHT OR BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULBS, HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG HAD SOME DAMAGE IN THE MIDDLE AND LIGHTING ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT HAD A CONNECTOR IN THE MIDDLE GONE. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE RECALL CENTER WHO STATED MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I NOTICED A LOT OF THE BMW MODELS WERE COVERED INCLUDING 330I AND THE 330XI. I ALSO WENT TO A BMW DEALER WHO AGAIN SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I DON'T WANT TO BE PULLED OVER FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW. *TR UPDATED 8/7/12 *CN

THE RED POSITIVE WIRE TERMINAL OVERHEATED AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THE PROBLEM WOULD KILL THE BATTERY AND CAR WOULD NOT START. SHOP SAID DUE TO THE LOCATION (THE TRUNK) OF THE BATTERY THEIR WAS NOT ENOUGH GROUND. THE SHOP FIXED THE PROBLEM BY GROUNDING THE ENGINE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD BE PERFORMED, BUT IT WAS UP TO THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLY THAT WAS BURNED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS UP TO THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE HOUSING ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER MOVED FROM REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,500.