2003 BMW 3 Series Complaint Log

BOTH REAR SPRINGS OF MY BMW 2003 325I WERE CRACKED & REPLACED FEB. 23, 2009. THEY NOW BOTH ARE BROKEN AGAIN. ANY TYPE WARRANTY ON THE PARTS ? RIDICULOUS !!!! *TT

ORIGINAR REQUEST CAR GONE FOR REPAIR: MAIN ISSUE; LEAK OF ANTI-FREE, PUMP ISSUE. HOSE REPLACEMENT. 2012 - PACKAGE RESULTS NO INCLUDED IN OUR ORIGINAL REQUESTS. SUSPENSION PROBLEM: TECH FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. NOTE BY CAR'S OWNER: WE WHEN AHEAD AND REPLACED BOTH, ALTHOUGH AROUND 90% OF MY DRIVE IS IN HIGHWAYS AND MY FREQUENT PASSENGER IS ONLY A 3 YEAR OLD BOY. REPAIR COST: US$400.00 --------------------------------------- 2015- CAR BROUGHT OVER THE DEALERSHIP FOR "COMPUTER PROGRAMMING" AS SERVICE WAS NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. RECOMMENDED SERVICES BY THE DEALERSHIP: - "REPLACE REAR COIL SPRINGS WITH LOWER PADS. (BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN) NOTE: - ALTHOUGH, WE 'D LIKE TO MAKE THIS REPAIR WE DID NOT AGREED TO DO SO. - THE TAG PRICE SCALED TO US766.28 WITHOUT TAX AND WE'VE BEEN IN A TIGHT BUDGET. - YOU MAY TRY SEARCHING ONLINE FOR "BMW REAR COIL SPRINGS COMPLAIN, ISSUE OR PROBLEMS." THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINS ON BMW'S REAR SPRING FAIL BUT STILL NOT RECALL, ( ALTHOUGH BY BMW OWN ADMISSION THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDER A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURNING SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB LIGHT; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL) THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

THE DOORS ON OUR BMX 330XI WILL LOCK AND WE CANNOT UNLOCK THEM FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE USING THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES OR THE KEY FOB. MY WIFE AND KIDS HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. I CALLED THE BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 300 SERIES. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. I HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT BECAUSE THEY GET TRAPPED IN THEIR VEHICLE. THANK GOD THAT MY FAMILY WAS PHYSICALLY ABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS ,IF THEY WERE ELDERLY OR DISABLED THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, ADDRESSED AND REMEDIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

ZKW XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL IS BURNED RESULTING IN VERY DIM LIGHT OUTPUT. I AM OFTEN AFRAID OF DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS A DANGER TO MY SAFETY.

OEM PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS BURNT BEHIND PROJECTOR CAUSING VERY DIM LIGHTS. *TR

IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 8 YEARS ALL POWER RELATED TO OPENING/CLOSING THE PASSENGER DOOR INCLUDING THE HANDLE DOES NOT WORK, NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT, NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE GAS DOOR, NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK WITHOUT HAVING TO USE THE KEY. CONVERTIBLE TOP IS NOT WORKING. WORST OF ALL I'M NOT ABLE TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE CAR FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN HELPFUL. CAR IS LIKE NEW WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES.

XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS ARE MELTING/BURNING CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN LIGHT OUTPUT. VERY SIMPLE PROBLEM FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES FOR $2,000. SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL XENON HEADLIGHTS PRODUCED BY ZWK FOR THE 2002-2004 3 SERIES BMW. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WIRING AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS), BUT THE CONNECTOR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

ZKW BI XENON HEADLIGHTS REFLECTORS BURN OUT OVER TIME. THE BOWLS ARE SHOT AND THEY WERE BLACK, BURNED TO A CRISP. THEY WERE MADE OUT OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH A CHROME COATING, INSTEAD OF A METAL REFLECTOR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR BMW. THEY GOT THE TAIL LIGHT WHICH WORKS FINE IN MY CAR, I NEED MY HEADLIGHTS TO SEE! *TR

MY 2003 BMW 325I WILL NOT UNLOCK. I CANT GET INTO THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED THE KEY AND THE FOB AND THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOW TO GET INTO THE CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THE DOORS STILL WILL NOT UNLOCK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE YOU CANT UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AND A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,600.

HEADLIGHTS FAIL RANDOMLY. HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, TURN OFF, TURN BACK ON. INDEPENDENT OF SPEED OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. BULB TESTING AFTER THIS FAILURE INDICATE THAT THE BULBS ARE NOT FAILING (THEY ARE NOT BURNED OUT). *TR

THE COOLING FAN BROKE LOOSE SPONTANEOUSLY AND FLEW THROUGH THE AIR CUTTING THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND RIPPING THROUGH THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOMENTS PRIOR THE HOOD HAD BEEN OPEN WITH PEOPLE STANDING AROUND LOOKING AT THE HOSES. HAD THE FAN BROKE LOOSE AT THIS TIME, I WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED PEOPLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAIL LIGHT APPEARED TO BE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS) BY HIS MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE VEHICLE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

MY 2003 BMW 325IT STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, I LOOSE POWER STEERING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I THEN PUT IT IN PARK AND START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN IN 2011 AND NOW OCCURS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN 2014, INCLUDING TODAY OCTOBER 11, 2014, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT ABOUT 40 MPH. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT MY PERSONAL SAFETY AND HOPE TO HAVE AN EARLY RESPONSE FROM YOU ABOUT THIS CRITICAL MATTER. I HAVE ALSO WRITTEN TO BMW CORPORATION. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR, BOUGHT ON OCTOBER 22, 2002 FROM VOB AUTO SALES 1396 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852 USA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SIMILAR DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO OPERATE; PROBLEM IS INFLUENCED BY TEMPERATURE EXTREMES (HOT AND COLD); SYMPTOMS VARY FROM REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK TO A COMPLETE FAILURE OF ALL DOORS TO UNLOCK. WHEN THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF, THE CENTRAL ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK BUTTON (MOUNTED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE BESIDE THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH) IS INOPERABLE. BMW CRASH SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE MECHANICAL DISCONNECT OF DOOR LATCHES WHEN LOCKED; WHEN THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM MANIFESTS, SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WILL REMAIN MECHANICALLY DISCONNECTED, MEANING THAT THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED AT ALL. IN A WORST CASE SCENARIO, IF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE FOR ESCAPE DUE TO DAMAGE OR BEING BLOCKED, THE ONLY WAY TO ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE IS BY SMASHING WINDOWS. BMWS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A GLASS BREAK DEVICE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A BODY MODULE CALLED THE GM5, WHICH IS MOUNTED ABOVE/IN FRONT OF THE GLOVE BOX; ALL LOCK POWER CIRCUITS RUN THROUGH THIS MODULE; THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A VOLTAGE DROP IN THE MODULE, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT VOLTAGE TO THE LOCK MECHANISMS, AS YOU CAN HEAR THE LOCKS ATTEMPTING TO CYCLE WHEN AND CAN SEE THE LOCK BUTTONS MOVING WHEN THE KEY FOB IS USED IN AN ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. A GOOGLE SEARCH OF THE TERMS "BMW","DOORS WON'T UNLOCK" GETS AT LEAST 10 PAGES OF RESULTS ON THE ISSUE, INCLUDING SEVERAL THAT IDENTIFY THE GM5 MODULE AS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAYS TO FIX IT. REPAIR REQUIRES A NEW GM5 MODULE THAT NEEDS TO BE PROGRAMMED PRIOR TO INSTALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS BURNED THROUGH THE HOUSING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,250.

THE PASSENGER DOORS FAIL TO OPEN WITH THE INTERNAL DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON. THIS IS DUE TO FAILURE OF DOOR UNLOCK RELAYS IN THE GM5 MODULE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE IF A FAILURE OF THE UNLOCK RELAY HAPPENS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK PASSENGER DOORS IN AN EMERGENCY TO RETRIEVE PASSENGERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL GRINDING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS FAILED. THE BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT THE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE DEALER WAS UNSURE AS TO WHY THE WARNING LIGHT NEVER ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

2003 BMW 330I. CONSUMER STATES THAT RIGHT REAR LAMP INDICATOR WAS LIT ON DASHBOARD. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT OF PREVIOUS REPAIR BEFORE RECALL WAS SENT. *KB BMW INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH BMW STANDARDS AND THEREFORE, THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REIMBURSE HER. RECALL # 11V438000. *JB

THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE REGARDING THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2003 BMW 325 XI. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO GEAR. WHICH I ASSUME IS AS DESIGNED. ? HOWEVER THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PLACED BACK IN PARK (ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT) NEITHER BY MANUAL MANIPULATION OF THE LOCK BUTTONS ON THE DOORS OR BY PRESSING THE DOOR UNLOCK SWITCH ON THE CONSOLE. ? FURTHERMORE, WITH THE SINGLE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER?S DOOR, ALL OTHER DOOR LATCHES ARE RENDERED NON-FUNCTIONING (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE) ? NO ONE BUT THE DRIVE CAN OPEN A DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ALL DOORS ARE RENDERED INOP, YOU CAN?T OPEN THEM FROM EITHER THIS INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE O NO, THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ENGAGED. AS A MEMBER OF THE FIRE SERVICE AND FIRE MARSHALL FOR THE CITY OF CARVER, MN I SEE THIS AS A HUGE LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THERE WERE EVER A FIRE, THE OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SELF-EXTRICATE (OPEN THE DOOR TO ESCAPE SMOKE AND FIRE). FURTHERMORE, GIVEN THE LIKELIHOOD AND GREAT POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE SPREAD IN CAR FIRES IN GENERAL?. ANY PASSENGERS, CHILDREN/INFANTS STRAPPED INTO IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEATS WOULD MOST CERTAINLY PERISH. BASED ON A MULTITUDE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET BOARDS, I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN ISSUE SPECIFIC TO MY CAR, BUT MUCH BROADER IN SCOPE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK IN MY 2003 325I 4 DOOR SEDAN. APPARENTLY, A MODULE GOES BAD AND COULD TRAP PEOPLE IN THE CAR WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT. *KB

THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET FAILS ON BMW CARS. IT IS A MESH GASKET BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE BLOCK WHERE THE OIL ENTERS/EXITS THE FILTER. THE REPAIR IS ABOUT $600 AND FAILS FREQUENTLY ON THESE CARS. IT CAUSES OIL TO LEAK ONTO THE BLOCK AND GIVES A STRONG BURNING OIL SMELL. OIL CAN ACCUMULATE ON TOP OF THE ENGINE DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE LEAK. OIL BLOWS AND COVERS THE OIL FILTER HOUSING AND THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD WITH A SPRAY OF STICKY OIL. *TR

BMW E46 3-SERIES SEDANS WITH THE ZKW-BRAND XENON HEADLAMPS HAVE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. THE PROJECTOR REFLECTOR BOWLS BURN OUT, REDUCING LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING THE CAR LESS SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. AS FAR AS I KNOW, ALL THE E46 SEDANS WITH ZKW-BRAND XENON HEADLAMPS SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM TO ONE DEGREE OR ANOTHER. REPLACEMENT WITH NEW OEM PARTS TYPICALLY RUNS MORE THAN $800 PER SIDE. MY CAR HAS THE BURNED ZKW PROJECTOR BOWLS, THOUGH IN MY CASE IT HAS NOT CAUSED ANY SPECIFIC ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND BMW SHOULD REPLACE ALL DEFECTIVE XENON PROJECTOR HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. *TR

MY 2003 BMW 325I SEDAN WAS T-BONED ON DRIVERS SIDE DOORS, AND SENT ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND SMASHED INTO UTILITY POLE ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO BEND THE FRAME. NO SIDE OR CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. OTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND NEVER HIT THE BRAKES. MY HEAD SLAMMED TO THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR WHERE AN AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN, CAUSING SWELLING AND NUMBNESS TO THIS DAY. THE DOOR SLAMMED INTO MY ENTIRE LEFT SIDE WHERE THE AIR BAG IN THE DOOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE CAR IS TOTALED. BMW IS SENDING AN ENGINEER TO EXAMINE THE CAR IN A FEW DAYS. *TR

ZKW MANUFACTURED XENON HEADLAMPS FOR BMW 330I E46 CARS. THE PROJECTORS BECOME SCORCHED OVER TIME, CAUSING DANGEROUSLY LOW LIGHT OUTPUT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DETECTION MATT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN IN REGARDS TO DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING AIR BAG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,606. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BMW AGREED TO SHARE THE COST WITH THE HIM. UPDATED 07/28/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 323. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD ALSO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

MY CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK RELIABLY VIA THE REMOTE CONTROL OR THE CENTER UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON. I CAN'T GET INTO THE CAR WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS. THE GENERAL MODULE(GM5) IS GOING BAD AND THE CAR WILL ONLY UNLOCK WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A NORMAL ISSUE WITH MY 2003 BMW 330I. HOPEFULLY BMW WILL FILE A RECALL ON THIS ITEM SO I DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE $790 THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *KB

MY BMW 2003 330I IS EQUIPPED WITH ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT HAVE PLASTIC XENON PROJECTOR BOWLS INSTALLED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF USAGE THESE PROJECTOR BOWLS BURN OUT AND AS A RESULT, THE REFLECTIVE COATING THAT ALLOWS LIGHT TO BE FOCUSED THROUGH THE PROJECTORS ARE BURNED OFF REDUCING EFFECTIVE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES SUFFERED APPROXIMATELY 50% LOSS IN EFFECTIVE LIGHT OUTPUT DUE TO BURNED OUT XENON PROJECTOR BOWLS AND I FOUND THAT MY FOG LIGHTS WERE PUTTING OUT MORE LIGHT THAN BOTH MY ZKW HEADLIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 3-SERIES SEDANS MADE FROM 2002 - 2005. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE, AS A RESULT OF BMW INACTION TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFICIENCY, EITHER REPLACED THEIR ORIGINAL ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WITH DEPOT AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OR HAVE REPLACED THE DEFECTED ZKW PROJECTOR BOWLS WITH AL PROJECTOR BOWLS OR FX-R PROJECTOR BOWLS. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT IS A SERIOUS ROAD SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO BURNT CONNECTOR PINS AND CONNECTOR HOUSING. INADEQUATE CONNECTOR/WIRE RATING. SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FROM A RESPONSIBLE CAR MANUFACTURER. UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. BLEMISH ON THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE MOSTLY PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT. OCCASIONAL FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT. NORMALLY THE LIGHT BULB WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, BUT OFTEN THE WHOLE LIGHTING UNIT IS CONSIDERED FAILING BY THE DEALER. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS EXTREMELY HIGH. *TR

GROUND WIRE ON REAR LIGHT WIRING HARNESS HAS BURNT THROUGH DAMAGING PLUG AND SOCKET. POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. UPDATED 09/07/11 *BF *TR

DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK, EITHER USING THE KEYFOB, THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MANUALLY BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS OCCUPANTS ARE TRAPPED INSIDE. NO METHOD OF OPENING THE DOOR WORK. THIS APPEARS TO BE INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUALLY THE DOORS UNLOCK MECHANISM STARTS WORKING AGAIN. THE GM5 MODULE SEEMS AT FAULT. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE TAIL LIGHT SYMBOL ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE PLASTIC WHERE THE LIGHT BULB WAS LOCATED AND FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC WAS MELTED AND CORRODED DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED THE CONTACT A DISCOUNT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,800.

MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS A 2003 BMW 325I WITH BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, THE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE XENON HEADLIGHTS HAD DROPPED TO THE POINT WHERE I GET ALMOST NO NOTICEABLE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT (IN AVERAGE CITY LEVELS OF STREET ILLUMINATION). I TURNED TO USING MY FOGLAMPS TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS, I EXAMINED THE HEADLIGHTS MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PROJECTOR BOWLS SEEM BURNED. THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND PAINTED WITH REFLECTIVE PAINT, BUT THE UPPER ~40% OF THE BOWL IS NOW BROWNED AND NONREFLECTIVE. APPARENTLY THIS IS DUE TO AN INABILITY OF THE PAINT TO WITHSTAND THE HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY THE XENON BULBS. ALSO, THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON TO MANY/ALL ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHTS UTILIZED IN 2003-2004 MODEL YEARS OF 3 SERIES (E46) BMW VEHICLES, ACCORDING TO POSTINGS ON THE BMW-OWNER FORUMS. FOR NOW, I HAVE TRIED TO REMEDY THIS BY LINING THE BURNT PORTION OF THE BOWL WITH ALUMINUM FOIL AND CAN NOW NOTICE SOME ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THIS FURTHER ARGUES THAT THE BURNING/LOSS OF REFLECTIVE COATING IS WHAT CAUSES THE LOSS OF LIGHT OUTPUT. *TR

DRIVERS SEAT HAS SEAT WARMERS AND THE SEAT OVERHEATS WHEN TURNED ON. IT HAS BURNED A SMALL HOLE IN MY SEAT AND PROBABLY WOULD CAUSE A FIRE IF LEFT TURNED ON. *TR

BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY NOT WORKING. 2003 BMW 325I. REPLACED LIGHT BULBS AND NOTICED BURNT WIRES AND LIGHT SOCKETS. RESEARCHED REPAIR AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF SAME YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE WITH SAME ISSUE. *TR

RECENTLY I BOUGHT A 2003 BMW 330I WITH XENON PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS. THE LOW- AND HIGH-BEAM OUTPUT OF THESE LIGHTS IS VERY POOR, WITH VERY LITTLE USABLE LIGHT WHEN DRIVING ON LIT OR UNLIT ROADS AT NIGHT. COMPARED TO STANDARD HALOGEN LAMPS ON MY OTHER CARS (1990 BMW 525I, 2004 SATURN ION) I WOULD RATE THEM AT 40% AND 30% OUTPUT RESPECTIVELY, AND BOTH OF THE OTHER CARS USE STANDARD HALOGEN LAMPS. RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE FOUND THE HEADLAMP REFLECTOR USED BY BMW FOR THESE LIGHTS (ZKW BRANDED) IS MADE OF PLASTIC INSTEAD OF METAL AND BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND MELT OVER TIME, REDUCING LIGHT OUTPUT AND EVENTUALLY FAILING COMPLETELY. BMW DOES NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT REFLECTORS, PLASTIC OR OTHERWISE, AND THE ONLY OPTION USING MANUFACTURER PARTS IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2000 (FOR THE PAIR). I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE CONSIDERING THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND A $2K 'WEAR PART' IS GROSSLY EXCESSIVE. *TR

WHILE TRAVELLING ON ROUTE 50 IN MARYLAND AT 55MPH ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, TURN OFF VEHICLE AND RESTART IT. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE IT WITHOUT AT LEAST $1100 WORTH OF WORK (THEY THINK ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM). AFTER $1100 THEY STATE IT WOULD BE AN EASY $200 FIX OR A SUBSTANTIAL $6-8000 FIX. I WILL BE BRINGING IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION. I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC AND COULD PULL OVER SAFELY.

THE PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT FAILS TO COME ON. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLDER AND THE AIR HAS MORE HUMIDITY. THIS IS NOT A BULB ISSUE IN THAT I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

CAR RAN PERFECTLY, THEN I TURNED OFF, THEN I RESTARTED 5 SECONDS LATER TO REPOSITION IN GARAGE. ENGINE THEN REVVING FROM 800 TO 1200 RPM RHYTHMICALLY, APPROX ONCE PER SECOND, EML LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT ON, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON, VERY HARD TO STOP CAR, HAD ANYONE BEEN CLOSE I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. ENGINE REVVING CONTINUED FOR 2 DAYS, THEN WENT AWAY ON OWN. I THEN TOOK OFF AIRBOX TO INSPECT MAF, FILTER. CODES ON 3RD DAY: P1632 THROTTLE, PENDING: P0102, IATS. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INCIDENTS OVER THE YEARS OF RESTARTING ENGINE TO HAVE EXTREMELY ROUGH IDLE, ALSO CLEARED ON ITS OWN, BUT NEVER SURGING LIKE THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO PUT HER VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WOULD NOT MOVE. WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE IT MADE A LOUD NOISE BEFORE PROCEEDING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 101,000.

IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURED BY ZKW, THE REFLECTIVE BALLASTS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND MELT, THEREBY DECREASING LIGHT OUTPUT. THE DARKNESS IS BARELY ILLUMINATED, THEREBY MAKING DRIVING AT NIGHT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS NO KNOWN DEALER PART TO REPLACE OR UPGRADE, SAVE FOR PURCHASING EXPENSIVE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIREDOR EXAMINED BY TECHNICIANS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,346 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

GOT A WARNING FROM POLICE ABOUT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. BULB REPLACED. IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO REPAIR SHOP THEY PULLED THE LIGHT PANEL OUT LIGHTS CAME ON. I DROVE OFF AND THE INSIDE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IF THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THE PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF $1000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.