NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW 3 Series. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I WAS THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF A BMW 325I THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. AGE - 2003, MILES 60,000. IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT A CAR WITH SO LOW MILES, HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND DRIVEN GENTLY HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE WEB, I FIND THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH BMW'S. WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE? HOW CAN BMW SAY THIS IS NOT THEIR ISSUE WHEN CLEARLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. I'M SPENDING AN ADDITIONAL 6,000 ON THIS CAR. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A BRAND NEW BMW AND SOLD THE 325 TO A CLOSE FRIEND. I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AS I COULD NOT EXPECT THEM TO PAY FOR IT. PRIOR TO THE SALE, THE CAR CHECKED OUT WITH BMW. LITTLE DID I KNOW 2 WKS LATER IT WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHICH APPEARS TO BE A STANDARD PROBLEM WITH BMW. I REGRET THAT I BOUGHT A NEW ONE. *TR
I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS MANY TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AT MILEAGE OF ABOUT 2000. THE STEERING LOST FUNCTION AT LOW SPEED WHEN MAKING TURN (CAN'T MAKE TURN). THE ENGINE ALSO DIED AT VERY LOW SPEED. WE HAVE TO RESTART THE ENGINE EVERY TIME SUCH PROBLEMS HAPPENS. I REPORTED TO LOCAL DEALERS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54000.
REAR SPRINGS WERE REPORTED AND REPLACED WITH BMW PARTS. AT 112,172 MILES (04/23/2013) THEY WERE REPORTED BROKEN AGAIN, BUT NOT REPLACED YET. REPORTED TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA,LLC ON 05/14/2013 WHO FILED THE REPORT AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. *TR
THE CAR DOORS AT TIMES DO NOT UNLOCK. IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT. A KEY CAN BE USED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR BUT A COUPLE OF TIMES EVEN THE DOOR KEY HAS NOT WORKED. THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE IS THAT I HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS, INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WITH THE MAIN LOCK CONTROL OR EVEN BY TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE PASSENGERS CRAWL OUT OF THE WINDOW TO EXIT THE CAR A FEW TIMES. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE KEY WORKS TO GET IN BUT I CANNOT GET THE OTHER DOORS OPEN EVEN BY ATTEMPTING TO USE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK THAT CAUSED GASOLINE TO LEAK OUT. EACH TIME THE GASOLINE TANK IS FILLED, HE SMELLS FUMES. RECENTLY, AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE CONTACT PARKED HIS VEHICLE AND OBSERVED APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE BMW MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED. ONCE THIS HAS BEEN DETERMINED, THE CONTACT MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OR BMW WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,172. UPDATED 8/18/09 *CN THE DEALER DETERMINED THE GAS TANK WAS NOT CRACKED, BUT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY A SEAL THAT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AT THE FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 08/21/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE CAUTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR BULB SEVERAL TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO SPEAK WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED THE LOWER PORTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE TOP PORTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD NO AIR IN IT; THEREFORE, IT COULD NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A BMW SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A POTHOLE SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. HE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO DISCOVER AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT THAT HALF OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. HE BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43,000.
THE LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003-2004 ZKW BRANDED HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE XENON OEM HID HEADLIGHTS ON THE 3 SERIES BMW FROM THAT MODEL YEAR (SEDAN) WERE MADE OF SOME PAINTED MATERIAL THAT DEGRADED WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE OEM XENON BULBS. THIS RESULTS IN A SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED LIGHT OUTPUT AS THE REFLECTOR BECAME SCORCHED. IF IT'S BAD ENOUGH, THERE IS NO LIGHT BEING PROJECTED ON THE ROAD AND IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE ANYTHING WITH THE NORMAL HEADLIGHTS. EITHER THE HIGH BEAMS HAVE TO BE USED OR THE FOGLIGHTS HAVE TO BE TURNED ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD IMAGINE THAT BMW AND ZKW WERE AND ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AS THE NEWER, REDESIGNED HEADLIGHTS DO NOT SUFFER FROM THIS PROBLEM. REPLACEMENT OEM HEADLIGHTS COST $1200 FOR EACH SIDE. *TR
LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003 ZKW HID XENON HEADLIGHTS WAS BURN AND SCORCHED AND POSTED AS A FIRE RISK. THE SCORCHED REFLECTOR ALSO REDUCE THE LOW BEAM LIGHT OUTPUT AND POSTS AS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR
FORMAL PETITION FOR SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION, AFTER REPLACING THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS IN ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE THEY CONTINUED TO BURN OUT, AFTER TAKING THE BULB HOUSING COVER OFF, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THE BROWN WIRE IN THE UNIT HAD MELTED THE ENTIRE CONNECTION. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP THIS IS A KNOWN FLAW AS THE GROUND WIRE IS NOT ADEQUATE TO HANDLE THE POWER COMING THROUGH, THIS ISSUE HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE REAR-ENDED 4 TIMES WHEN THE LIGHT SUDDENLY WILL STOP WORKING BMW USA WHOM I CONTACTED IS AWARE OF THIS MALFUNCTION, AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 04/27/09. *JB
FAILURE OF LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. CONNECTOR ON WIRING ASSEMBLY HAS MELTED. ONE OF THE PINS ON LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY HAS DISINTEGRATED RENDERING ALL LIGHTS INOPERABLE. CONTACTED LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR
POOR CONNECTION AT REAR LAMP CONNECTOR. BMW. MODEL E46. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10020856 ). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 323CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR D DRUM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
HIGH PRESSURE STEERING PUMP LINE BURST LEADING TO LOSS OF STEERING POWER ASSISTANCE
I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND IT STARTED AND THEN TURNED BACK OFF ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES,BEFORE IT STAYED ON. I THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 40 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSIONS STARTED TO THUMP. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100K MILES. I KEPT UP ON ALL ITS MAINTENANCE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BOTH CAME ON. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST 6,500 TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL, FACTORY-INSTALLED, BI-XENON HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MADE BY ZKW. THE PROJECTOR BOWLS INSIDE, WHICH GREATLY MAGNIFY THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE BULB, ARE MADE OF A PLASTIC THAT CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT OF THE XENON BULB. AS A RESULT, THE REFLECTIVE SURFACE BURNS AND TURNS BROWN. IN DOING SO, THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS GREATLY REDUCED TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM OPERATION. SITUATION GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE PLASTIC BOWLS ARE NOT SOLD SEPARATELY, THEREFORE THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $1,900 FOR THE PAIR. *TR
REAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY (TURN SIGNAL, PARKING LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT) MALFUNCTIONS OCCASIONALLY AND NONE OF THE LIGHTS WORK THUS, POSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN VEHICLE IN MOTION, TURNING AND ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRE CONNECTOR IN THE ASSEMBLY IS BURNING OUT THUS CAUSING A SHORT, I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY CLEANING THE BURNED PARTS OF THE WIRE AND RECONNECTING AND PROTECTING WITH ELECTRIC TAPE. *TR
OWN A BMW 3251, REAR END STARTED MAKING POPPING NOISE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AND WHEN TURNING CURVES. WHEN ON INTERSTATE REAR END LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY CAR TO SKID THROUGH ALL LANES OF TRAFFIC. AFTER HAVING CAR INSPECTED THE REAR END HAD BROKE, WE REPLACED THE REAR END. ALSO HAVING TROUBLE WITH HEAD LIGHTS STAYING ON AND BLINKERS. RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT OVER HEATED AND BURNT ITEMS IN TRUNK. RADIATOR HAS BROKE AND DRIVERSIDE WINDOW REGULATOR AND CLUTCH FAN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THERE WAS A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 94,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS WAS IGNORED FOR MANY YEARS. UPDATED 02/23/12
MY COUSIN WAS ON HIS WAY TO GET ON INTERSTATE.....ALL OF SUDDEN HIS 2003 BMW 325I STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS HE TRIED TO LEAVE FROM A PARKING LOT...HE HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND GLAD THERE WAS NOTHING ON HIS WAY...I M JUST GLAD THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS IN INTERSTATE.....THIS ALL HAPPEN AROUND 6PM-7PM...SO HE CALLED BMW AND HAD TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER...THEY CALLED US BACK ON 3RD DAY AND TOLD US OUR POWER STEERING PUMP WENT BAD AND WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT....AND THEY WANT ME PAY FOR THIS AND PRICE TAG IS ABOUT $1200....PLEASE CHECK ON THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF THIS CAN BE MAJOR RECALL....I M SURE THIS MUST HAVE HAPPEN IN PAST OR MAY HAPPEN TO CARS THAT ARE ON OUR INTERSTATE WHICH MAY CARRY LITTLE CHILDREN'S OR YOUNG KIDS LIKE MY COUSIN.... *TR
2003 BMW 325XI SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY WHEN BRAKES APPLIED TO PARK OR APPROACHING LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. NO ACCIDENTS, BUT IT IS SO DANGEROUS THAT IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. ENGINE RAVES TO 4000 - 6000RPM, VERY HARD TO HOLD THE BRAKES. SO FAR I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN A MOVING VIOLATION TICKET FOR NOT STOPPING AT THE STOP SIGN, WHILE RETURNING FROM THE THIRD BMW SERVICE INSPECTION AND BEING TOLD THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. BMW CAN NOT OBSERVE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE DOES NOT WANT TO FIX IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM AND PERHAPS I AM HITTING THE WRONG PEDAL. I HAVE WITNESSES THAT WERE IN A CAR WITH ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHILE MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR. BY RESEARCHING IT ON MY OWN I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 325I AND 325CI SERIES OF THE SAME YEAR THAT IS MINE. BECAUSE MY CAR IS 325XI SERVICE WOULD NOT EVEN TRY TO APPLY THE RECOMMENDED REMEDY. THE SERVICE IS TRYING, BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S AGAINST THE BMW POLICY TO PROCEED WITHOUT EXPERIENCING THE ACTUAL PROBLEM TALKED TO BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE FOUR TIMES, VERY POLITE, BUT NO ACTION SO FAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE EXTERIOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT STATED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY AND THE WIRES HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BULB HOLDER PANEL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*LJ UPDATED 02/17/12
PLEASE LET THIS NOTICE SERVE AS A FORMAL PETITION FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF A SAFETY-RELATED DESIGN DEFECT. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS AREN'T WORKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE GROUND WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR, CONNECTING TO THE BULB CARRIER SEEMS TO BE DAMAGED DUE TO A BAD GROUND. I HAVE BEEN REPLACING BULBS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. *TR
REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, TO INCLUDE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT, ON MY 2003 BMW 325I WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. BMW ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN SYSTEM IN SI B 63 03 06, DATED FEBRUARY 2007 BUT TO DATE HAS REFUSED TO INITIATE A RECALL TO FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT. THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT CAUSES THE LAMP HOUSING TERMINALS TO BURN AND BURNS THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC HOUSING. THIS CAN BE A FIRE HAZARD PARTICULARLY OF THERE IS FLAMMABLE MATERIAL IN THE TRUNK. OBVIOUSLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY IS AN OBVIOUS HAZARD. THE REPAIR COSTS APPROX $600 FOR BOTH SIDES. *TR
2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING OUR BMW, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NOT VISIBLE LEAKS, VIBRATIONS, OR UNUSUAL NOISES FROM THE SYSTEM. WHEN THE PUMP WAS REMOVED AND DISASSEMBLED, THERE APPEARED TO BE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE IMPELLER BLADE/BLADES INSIDE THE PUMP. SHARDS OF METAL FROM THE IMPELLER BLADE(S) ALSO WENT INTO THE POWER STEERING RACK. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND PERHAPS A MAJOR ACCIDENT. WE STILL HAVE THE OLD PUMP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HAD TO USE GREATER FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,400.
THE ZKW BRAND OF HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHTS EQUIPPED IN THE 2003-2004 E46 MODEL 3 SERIES BMW SEDAN HAVE A PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWL IN THE PROJECTOR THAT HAS THE TENDENCY TO HAVE THE CHROME REFLECTIVE PLATING BURNT OFF RENDERING THE HEADLIGHTS ALL BUT USELESS. THIS MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD. THE ONLY REMEDY TO THIS IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FOR $1200 PER SIDE, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR NON WEAR ITEM TO OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BETWEEN 5 TO 7 YEARS OLD, AVERAGING 50K TO 90K MILES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TAILGATE LIGHT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RESISTOR CABLE AND THE OUTLET PLUG CONNECTED TO THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND ALTERNATED FUNCTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL) BUT WAS NOT AWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
THE BMW E46 3-SERIES (1999-2006) SUFFERS FROM A DESIGN FLAW IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. PLASTIC PARTS IN THE COOLING SYSTEM FAIL AS SOON AS 4 YEARS AND 80,000 MILES FROM MANUFACTURE DATE, OFTEN FAILING CATASTROPHICALLY AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. CONTINUED DRIVING OF THE CAR IN THIS SITUATION LEADS TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER (INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES), POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TYPICAL FAILED PARTS INCLUDE THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK, RADIATOR END TANKS, AND WATER PUMP IMPELLERS OR BEARINGS. (BMW CAME UP WITH AN IMPROVED WATER PUMP DESIGN AROUND 2004 THAT IS MORE RELIABLE.) CARS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ALSO SUFFER FAILURES OF THE MECHANICAL FAN CLUTCH AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLING THERMOSTAT. FAILURE OF THE FAN CLUTCH (FOUND ONLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS) CAN CAUSE THE FAN BLADES TO BREAK OFF AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR, SERPENTINE BELT, AND WATER PUMP, AS WELL AS THE CAR'S HOOD. AT HIGHER MILEAGES (>150,000 MILES) THE PLASTIC COOLANT PIPES OFTEN FAIL, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND REQUIRING MAJOR WORK TO REPLACE. ON MY CAR THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK AND RADIATOR BOTH FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE THERMOSTAT ALSO STUCK OPEN RESULTING IN LOWER GAS MILEAGE UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED. NOW ONE OF MY PLASTIC COOLANT PIPES IS LEAKING. BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR FAILED PLASTIC COOLING SYSTEM PARTS ON THE E46 3-SERIES WITH HIGHER-QUALITY PARTS DESIGNED TO LAST AT LEAST 10 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES FROM MANUFACTURE DATE. *TR
I HAVE A FORMERLY PRISTINE BMW 325I 2003 WITH 70KMI THAT HAD A SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR UNIDENTIFIABLE REASONS WHILE BEING DRIVEN NEAR SACRAMENTO. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALER IN SACRAMENTO WHO CLAIMED THEY HAD "NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT", YET CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM HAS OVER 20 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE A USED TRANSMISSION, THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSTALL ANYTHING OTHER THAN A BRAND NEW UNIT AT THE COST OF $6,000. CLEARLY THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE IN THESE TRANSMISSIONS. IT APPEARS THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICAN HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS FAILING. AND I LOOSE THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2005 ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AND NOW IT HAPPENED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR CAUSES THE AIR BAG INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE. THE ILLUMINATION OCCURS WHENEVER SOMEONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE INDICATOR REMAINS LIT EVEN IF NO ONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 BMW 325I IN DECEMBER 2007. TODAY (JANUARY 21, 2008), MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND PARKED SAID VEHICLE IN HER REQUIRED PARKING SPACE. THAN ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER CAME IN AND INFORMED HER THAT THE BMW STARTED BY ITSELF AND CRASHED INTO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR AND SOME HOW STARTED WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE CAME WITH A REMOTE START FEATURE WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE KEY. THE KEYS WERE ON THE DESK AND MY WIFE WAS NOT IN THE SAME BUILDING THERE THE KEYS WERE. MY WIFE WAS ACTUALLY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKING ON THEIR COMPUTER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HOOD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND THE PEDAL AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR
BOUGHT 2003 BMW 325I BRAND NEW. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR 4 YEARS (39,800MILIES) IT STARTED MAKING A THUMB SOUND AND STARTED LOSING TRANSMISSION POWER AND THE GEAR INDICATION LIGHT TURNS ON. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. IT WAS ALWAYS HAPPENING UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. I CAN NOT USE THE CAR SPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THIS PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREET WHILE IN MOTION. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR IS IN THE GARAGE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT AT ONLY 39,800 MILES, THIS CAR IS GOING TO HAVE SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM. BUT I BELIEVE THIS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THIS CAR STILL LOOKS MINT BECAUSE OF RARE USAGE.
MY DASHBOARD PANEL SHOWED A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WAS HAVING AN ISSUE. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE CENTER THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY MAY GET HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE PLASTIC IN THE HOUSING AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED AND THE POWER SUPPLY WIRE FOR ONE OF THE LIGHTS HAD MELTED THE PLASTIC AND THE WIRE HAD COME FREE. ONCE FREE, IT ARCED TO THE CONNECTOR PIN ON THE BULB HOLDER ASSEMBLY AND DEGRADED THAT PIN UNTIL THE CONNECTION WAS LOST. ALL PLASTIC PIECES IN CONTACT WITH THE PARTS ARE MELTED AND BURNED. I CONTACTED THE BMW SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE PARTS. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF THE PARTS. *TR
2003 BMW 525I WITH 56K MILES. DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE THE ENGINE WAS WARMING UP AND FEW SECONDS LATER, ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING A WHOLE. THE ENGINE AND HEATER WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY WHICH PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND DEALER AGREED WITH FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT. *TR
DOUBLE VANOS SYSTEM ON SEVERAL MODELS OF BMW FROM 1999 TO 2006, HAVE DEFECTIVE VANOS SYSTEMS. THE E39 DOUBLE VANOS (VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNIT) HAS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. THIS DOUBLE VANOS CAN BE FOUND ON 6-CYL ENGINES M52TU, M54, AND M56, FOUND IN SEVERAL MODEL CARS, E39, E46, ETC, YEARS 99-03. THE MALFUNCTION SYMPTOMS ARE ALMOST ALL SUBTLE AND MOSTLY GO UNNOTICED. THEY INCLUDE LOWER GAS MILEAGE, LOWER PERFORMANCE, DEGRADED EMISSIONS CONTROL, AND POSSIBLY OTHERS. THE M52TU ENGINE (99-00) HAS ONE FURTHER MALFUNCTION SYMPTOM WHICH IS FAR FROM SUBTLE. IT OCCURS ON COLD WEATHER COLD ENGINE STARTS AND TAKES THE FORM OF REPEATED ENGINE ATTEMPTED STALLS AND POSSIBLY A COMPLETE ENGINE STALL. THE ENGINE RPMS DROP DRAMATICALLY AND THEN RECOVER. THIS THEN REPEATS AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF STEADY IDLE. THE PROBLEM CAN BE MORE DEFINITIVELY DIAGNOSED BY DISCONNECTING THE VANOS INTAKE OR EXHAUST SOLENOID ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. *TR
FOUR TIMES SINCE I BUY A 2003 BMW 325I , I HAVE TO GET THE AUTO TO GUARANTEE SERVICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STRUCT FRONT BUSHING, NOW , AFTER REPLACE THEM AT 32,000 MILES ABOUT FOUR MONTH AGO, MY CAR AT 37,000 MILES REQUEST A NEW BUSHINGS. THEY SAID ME THAT BMW WAS NO LONGER REPLACE THEM BY GUARANTEE BECAUSE OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS IN PUERTO RICO. WHEN I BUY THE CAR I PAID FOR A GUARANTEE AND I THINK THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT A CAR LIKE THIS , THE ULTIMATE DRIVE MACHINE REQUIRE EVERY FOUR MONTH TO REPLACE THAT PARTS. THEY SHOULD INSTALL A GOOD REINFORCED GENUINE PARTS AND NOT A REMANUFACTURED. I ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID THE HOLES, BUT I ASK WHEN IT'S RAINING IT START A RED LIGHT THAT INDICATED " PLEASE AVOID THIS HOLE" . *TR THE DEALER STATED REPLACED LENS AND COVER DISC FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS, NOISES COMING FROM BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS, REPLACING ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT TENSIONER, TENSIONER AND PULLEYS, AND REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT RUBBER STRIP. UPDATED 10/24/07 *TR
THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ON MANY BMW E46 MODELS (NEWER CARS). THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES HAS WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY, INCOMPLETE, OR INSECURE GROUNDING WIRE AND THE RESULT IS THAT THE WIRE OVERHEATS AND CORRODES, AND IN SOME CASES ARCS, WHICH CAN IGNITE A FIRE. THE PROBLEM IS OFTEN IDENTIFIED BY INTERMITTENT OR PERSISTENT FAILURE OF THE REAR LIGHTS ON THE CAR AND/OR UNNECESSARY REAR LIGHT WARNINGS ON THE DASH. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS TO SUPPORT THIS CASE AND HAVE DONE FURTHER RESEARCH TO FIND COUNTLESS SIMILAR CASES. THE DAMAGE IS MOST OFTEN CHARACTERIZED BY CHARRED DISCOLORATION OF THE BROWN (GROUND) INSULATOR AND MELTING OF THE SURROUNDING PLASTICS WHICH RESULTS IN THE METAL CONNECTORS BECOMING LOOSE. THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM WOULD MOST LIKELY CONSIST OF AN UPGRADED REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING HARNESS. FURTHER WORK INTO THE ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MAY BE NECESSARY DEPENDING ON THE CAUSE OF THE FAULTY GROUND. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW S10 (NA). THE CONTACT PURCHASED AFTERMARKET CHROME RIMS ONLINE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE RIMS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES AND SHATTERED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
THE TAIL-LIGHTS OF MY BMW 325I HAVE PERIODICALLY SHORTED OUT EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATES THAT THE LIGHT IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY, AND IS NOT CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE BULB. BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BMW REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LAMP MODULE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT ALREADY THE REPLACEMENT MODULE HAS SHORTED OUT AGAIN. CURRENTLY BOTH TAIL-LIGHTS ARE SHORTING OUT. *TR
MY 2003 BMW 330I HAS 85K MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, A "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER BECAUSE THE GASKET WAS LEAKING, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS DRIVING JUST FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT NOW THEN DOWN THE ROAD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL AND NEED REPLACEMENT. I FEEL RIPPED OFF HAVING PAID $3,000 FOR A TORQUE CONVERTER ON A CAR THAT DROVE FINE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM THAT BMW IS AWARE OF, BUT THE COMPANY REFUSED TO HELP OUT WITH THE COST, STATING THAT THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES ON MY CAR. THE LIFE OF THE TRANSMISSION IS SUPPOSED TO BE WAY LONGER THAN 85K MILES. TOO BAD, BMW SAID. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WINDOW REGULATORS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY FAIL. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW, THEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW AND MOST RECENTLY, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V160000 (VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS).THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME FAILURE, HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS HAVE SHORTENED OUT AND MELTED. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE HER VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THE 2001-2003 MODELS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,200.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING TO STOP, IT SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO STRIKE THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE SHOP AND HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 07/07/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS NOW MAKING THE SAME NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
THE BMW X5 HAS A DEFECT. THE TAILGATE STOPPERS ROUTINELY FAILED ON BOTH THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SOFT CLOSE AND THE NORMAL MECHANICAL. THESE STOPPERS FAILED, CAUSING ERRONEOUS TAILGATE OPEN WARNINGS TO APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, BECAUSE THE STOPPERS FAILED THERE WAS A CONSTANT RATTLE. BMW KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM...AT LEAST THE LOCAL AGENTWAS QUITE AWARE OF THIS ROUTINE FAILURE.*AK ALSO, BMW WEBSITES LIST MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=85610&HIGHLIGHT=TAILGATE
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026