2004 BMW 3 Series Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. 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* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE COPY OF A LETTER ADDRESSED TO CEO AND PRESIDENT OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LUDWIG WILLISCH EXPRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS AND FAILURE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST 2014. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB UPDATED 03/12/15*JB

LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE VEHICLE AIRBAG RECALL (2004 325 CI SERIES BMW). *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST 2014, REGARDING A DEFECT WITH THE AIR BAGS. HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

BI-XENON PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS HAVE VERY POOR ILLUMINATION OUTPUT AND ARE UNSAFE. APPARENTLY, THE UNIT USES A PLASTIC REFLECTIVE BOWL THAT BURNS OVER TIME DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT BULB THEREFORE LOSING ITS REFLECTIBILITY. THE STANDARD HALOGEN FOG LAMPS IN THE LOWER BUMPER MUST BE USED AS HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE ALMOST NON EXISTENT OUTPUT OF THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHTS. THE ONLY THING THE BI-XENONS ARE GOOD FOR AT THIS POINT IS SHOWING THAT A LIGHT IS INDEED ON SO THAT THE POLICE WONT ISSUE A CITATION. BUT AS FAR AS ILLUMINATING THE ROAD, THEY DO NOT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 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 TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325XI. 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TAKATA RECALL NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:15V318 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V428

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), 14V428000 (AIR BAGS), AND 11V438000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

THE ZKW XENON LIGHTS IN THE BMW E46 CHASIS HAVE DECREASED LIGHT OUTPUT. THIS MAKES NIGHT TIME DRIVING DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. THE REFLECTOR BOWL (THAT REFLECTS LIGHT ONTO THE ROAD) IS BECOME BADLY BURNT. THIS COULD ALSO START A FIRE, AS THE PIECE IS PLASTIC. *TR

I PURCHASED 4) 225/45/17 CONTINENTAL EXTREME DW TIRES. THEY WERE INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE JANUARY 2013. THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 BMW 325 CI. IT IS GARAGED DURING THE WINTER AND WAS ON THE ROAD FROM APRIL 15, 2013 UNTIL NOVEMBER 15, 2013. IT WAS NOT DRIVEN AGAIN UNTIL APRIL 15, 2014. WHEN THE TIRES WERE REMOVED TO INSTALL NEW BRAKE PARTS IT WAS NOTICED THAT ALL 4 TIRES CONTAIN CRACKS IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE TREAD, IN LARGE AMOUNT OF AREA OF THE TIRE SURFACE. WITH THE TIRES OFF THE WHEELS, THE TIRE TECHNICIAN FLEXED THE TIRE, AS IF TO PUT A WEIGHT LOAD ON IT, AND THE CRACKED OPENED UP A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT. WHEN I PURCHASED THE TIRES I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE A TOP OF THE LINE MODEL, AND AN UPGRADE TO WHAT WAS THE OEM TIRE WHEN WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT MY TIRES HAVE A DEFECT. I PAID THE DEALER TIRE DEPOT 16 JOHN AVE. BRISTOL, CT. 06010 $169.00 TO WARRANTY THE TIRES. MY POSITION IS THAT THE TIRES DISPLAYED THE DEFECTS PRIOR TO MY NOTICE OF THEM. THEY JUST DIDN'T APPEAR LAST WEEK. I'M TROUBLED BY THE FACT THAT MY WIFE HAS BEEN DRIVING ON DEFECTIVE TIRES. I HAVE OBTAIN EVIDENCE THAT THIS DEFECT IS KNOWN TO CONTINENTAL AND IS AGENT AND OR AGENTS. AT NO POINT WERE WE CONTACTED OF THIS DEFECT BY EITHER CONTINENTAL OR IT'S AGENTS. WHY I SHOULD PAY ANY MONIES TO REPLACE TIRES THAT I PURCHASED JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, AND HAVE BEEN USED FAR LESS THAN THAT TIME, IS VERY DISTURBING TO ME. THE DECISION TO PRO RATE MY DEFECTIVE TIRES BASED ON REMAINING TREAD WEAR IS ALSO DISTURBING. WITH THE TIRES BEING DEFECTIVE, THAN THE PERFORMANCE AND TREAD WEAR COULD BE EQUALLY EFFECTED! *TR

I PURCHASED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WHERE DIM. I WENT OUT AND GOT NEW BULBS FOR MY CAR. I DIDN'T HELP AT ALL! I CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT AND I HAVE TO USE TO FOG LIGHTS JUST TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IT IS ALSO UNLAWFUL TO DRIVE WITH MY FOG LIGHTS ON. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THE ROOT CASE OF MY HEADLIGHT BEING AS DIM AS THEY ARE, DO TO THE REFLECTIVE BOWL BEING BURNT OUT IN THE HEADLIGHT IT UNIT. THE COST TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS IS INSANE $1000.00 FOR A SET, JUST TO BE ABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. IT IS SO BAD, THAT I OFTEN DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY SAFE IN A BAD SITUATION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE AND A CEMENT TRUCK WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT LANE ABOUT ONE CAR LENGTHS AHEAD OF ME WHEN SOME FELL OFF OF HIS TRUCK AND HIT MY HOOD, PUTTING A HOLE THROUGH IT. IT THEN HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE PANEL, MIRROR AND METAL PIECE BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE PASSENGER WINDOW. I TRIED FOR A MINIMUM OF 5 MILES TO GET THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER TO NO AVAIL. I THINK HE MAY HAVE BEEN DRINKING BECAUSE WHEN HE CHANGED LANES HE WOULD USE THE WRONG TURN SIGNAL. LEFT LANE CHANGE HE USED THE RIGHT SIGNAL AND VICE VERSA. WE COULD NOT FIND THE PIECE THAT HIT MY CAR BUT IT WAS GREASY, BECAUSE I HAD GREASE AT EVERY DAMAGED AREA.

THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS ON THIS CAR (AND OTHER OF THIS YEAR MODEL) ARE MANUFACTURED BY ZKW AND THEY HAVE FAILED CAUSING VERY LOW, UNSAFE LEVELS OF LIGHT OUTPUT. THE REFLECTORS ARE BURNT AND CRACKED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET ANY REASONABLE OR SAFE LIGHT OUTPUT FOR NIGHT DRIVING IS TO USE THE FOG LIGHTS AND/OR TO HOLD ON THE PASS TO FLASH LIGHTS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND I AM SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG SOME BUT MOST USERS WILL NEVER REALIZE WHAT IT CASING POOR, UNSAFE LIGHTING AND PROCEED WHILE UNKNOWINGLY ENDANGERING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CAR LOST POWER, BRAKES. SHE STARTED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHEN OTHER COMMUTERS STARTED TO YELL AT HERE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AT THAT TIME THE CABIN STARTED TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. SHE TRIED TO LOWER THE WINDOW BUT THAT HAD LOST POWER ALSO. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR INTO THE SNOW AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP IT AND THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE 325XI STARTED TO BURN AND SHORTLY WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THANK GOD SHE GOT OUT OK BUT WAS TRAUMATIZED BY THE INCIDENT. SINCE THIS HAPPENED WE HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR FIRES DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB. *TR

I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BMW OVER A YEAR AGO THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS IN THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN AND WHERE TO TAKE IT FOR REPLACEMENT. TO DATE I HAVE HEARD NOTHING BACK FROM BMW. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER, THEY SAID THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SUCH A RECALL. *TR

CAR HAS BEEN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING THE AIR BAG SENSOR ALERT. BMW DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE SENSOR TO COME ON. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO BMW HEADQUARTERS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE BMW DEALERSHIP WILL CLEAR THE ALERT OR ATTEMPT TO REPAIR IT,THEN WITHIN LESS THAN 200 MILES THE ALERT COMES ON AGAIN. I RETURN THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP,THEN THEY WANT TO TRY SOMETHING ELSE,WHICH IS COSTING ADDITIONAL MONEY. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.I JUST HOPE THAT AN ACCIDENT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHICH WILL REQUIRE THE AIR BAG TO BE DEPLOYED. *TR

VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP EITHER WHEN GOING STRAIGHT OR MAKING A TURN (SEEMS RANDOM). EXTRA FORCE (A LOT) HAS TO BE APPLIED TO STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE WHEEL. HAPPENS MOMENTARILY AND STEERING IS BACK TO ITS NORMAL. *TR

MY 2004 BMW 325CI RECENTLY DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT (TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT) INTERMITENTLY DOES NOT WORK. A LEFT TAIL LIGHT FAILURE ALSO SHOWS ON THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC DISPLAY. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITENT AND WITH NO WARNING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE WAS A BMW RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 2001 THRU 2005 FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE RECALL SPECIFIES 325 SEDAN MODELS, MY MODEL IS A 325CI (COUPE). I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SAY MY PARTICULAR MODEL IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I ARGUED THAT I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL SUGGESTS, AND MY VEHICLE FALLS INTO THE MODEL YEARS SPECIFIED. THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOLEDGE THE PROBLEM AS PART OF THE RECALL. BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B63 06 11 LIGHTS) FOR THIS ISSUE IN JANUARY OF 2012. A RECALL (ID # 71087) WAS ISSUED AUG. 26, 2011. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY BMW OF EITHER THE SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL. I AM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE AND I DRIVE THIS CAR WITH OUR 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, AND THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS RESOLVED. *TR

CANNOT OPEN THE 3 PASSENGER DOORS FROM INTERIOR. PASSENGERS CANNOT EXIT THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG BURNING ODOR WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S HEADLIGHT CABLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BECAME DIM AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ZEON PROJECTOR IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE BOWL OF THE OEM ZKW HEADLIGHT BURNS OUT. IT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A SAFETY HAZARD. BMW HAS PRODUCED COUNTLESS CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED, SPECIFICALLY ANY 3 SERIES WITH THE UPGRADED XENON HEADLIGHTS. NOT ONLY WAS THIS AN ADDITIONAL OPTION BUT THE COST TO RECTIFY LIGHT OUTPUT TO A SAFE LEVEL IS HIGH. OEM HEADLIGHTS COST $1200 EACH AT THE DEALERSHIP. I FEEL AS THOUGH THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO APPROACH THIS SINCE HEADLIGHTS CORRELATE DIRECTLY WITH NIGHT DRIVING AND SAFETY. *TR

HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM WHEN COMPARED TO ORIGINAL BRIGHTNESS. *TR

SINCE COUPLE WEEKS THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME VERY HARD TO TURN. TOOK IT TO DEALER OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE SERVICE ADVISER SAID THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS NOT WORKING. LOOKING UP ONLINE, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL BY BMW FOR THIS ISSUE IN OTHER COUNTRIES REFERENCED AT THE BELOW LINK FOR THIS MODEL AND OTHER MODELS: HTTP://SUFFOLKTRADINGSTANDARDS.WORDPRESS.COM/2012/08/06/BMW-POWER-STEERING-RECALL/ HTTP://WWW.BMPDESIGN.COM/TECHNICAL/POWER_STEERING_PROBLEMS.PHP ITS REPORTED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE FAILURE IS DUE TO A COMPONENT IN THE CONTROL MODULE NOT BEING TO SPECIFICATION. THIS HARD STEERING IS CAUSING A SEVERE DRIVING HAZARD. THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE ADVISER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE ABOVE ISSUE WITHOUT CHARGING. REQUEST NHTSA TO GET A INVESTIGATION GOING DUE TO LARGE NUMBER OF SIMILAR REPORTED PROBLEMS IN ONLINE FORUMS, AS IT IS A SERIOUS DRIVING AND SAFETY HAZARD AND A PUBLIC HAZARD. NOT SURE IF THE SERVICE BULLETIN UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10036979 IS DUE TO THIS VERY SAME REASON. *TR

VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED FROM REAR TO FRONT AND FAILED TO PROTECT BODY NECK AND HEAD FROM IMPACTING DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. DOOR DESIGN AND FAILURE OF AIRBAG TO DEPLOY CAUSED SIGNIFICANT HEAD AND NECK TRAUMA. SEAT BELT FUNCTION TORE A/C JOINT IN RIGHT SHOULDER. BMW FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY FAULT CORPORATE OFFICES NON-RESPONSIVE TO INQUIRIES AND NOW BE THREATENED BY BMW ATTORNEY TO HAVE VEHICLE REMOVED FROM THEIR LOT. *TR

RECENTLY PURCHASED SAID VEHICLE AND IT CAME WITH ZKW HID BI-XENON LIGHTING SYSTEM WHICH APPEARS THE INNER PLASTIC BOWLS ARE BURNT TO A CRISP WITH DETRIMENT LIGHT OUTPUT MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEARLY SEE UNLIT ROADS AT NIGHT, THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED AND SOLVED IN A TIMELY MANNER AS IT AFFECTS THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I'M AFRAID THE REDUCED LIGHT OUTPUT MIGHT APPEAR TO OTHER DRIVERS AT NIGHT THAT MY VEHICLE IS FURTHER AWAY THAT IT IS IN REALITY GIVING THE POSSIBILITY OF THEM CROSSING INTO MY TRAVEL PATH INCURRING AN ACCIDENT. I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME BUT WE NEED A RESOLUTION SOON... THANK YOU. *JS

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 155XXX MILES ON IT AND NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS CANNOT SUFFICIENTLY LIGHT UP THE ROAD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE XENON PROJECTOR-BOWL HOUSING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNT. LIGHT OUTPUT IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THE LIGHTS ARE MANUFACTURED BY "ZKW" *TR

OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ABILITY TO PROVIDE GOOD VISIBILITY AT NIGHT HAS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN RAINING OR WET ROADS. I MADE SURE THE LENSES WERE CLEAR AND NEW BULBS DID NOT HELP. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THRU SEVERAL FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH BMWS' EQUIPPED WITH THE ZKW BRAND OF BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS. THE REASON IS THE PROJECTOR BOWELS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND OVER TIME BURN DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED BY THE XENON BULB.SO MUCH SO THAT THE REFLECTOR BOWLS TURN BLACK INSTEAD OF SILVER AND THEREFORE CANNOT REFLECT THE LIGHT PRODUCED BY THE BULB. THE FOG LIGHTS PROVIDE MORE LIGHT OR IF THERE IS SOMEONE FOLLOWING ME THE CAR BEHIND ME PROVIDES FAR MORE LIGHT THAN MY OWN CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL. THE ONLY WAY TO REMEDY THAT I HAVE FOUND SO FAR IS TO REPLACE THE PROJECTOR BOWLS WITHE AFTER MARKET ONES WHICH REQUIRES SOME MODIFICATIONS AT A COST OF ABOUT $800. US.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE SENSOR TURNED ON AND OFF WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

ZKW HID XENON LOW BEAM REFLECTORS BURNT OR CORRODED CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN LIGHT OUTPUT THAT BMW WANTS ~$3000 TO FIX. LIGHTS WERE A PREMIUM OPTION AND CANNOT BE CORRECTED BY XENON BULB REPLACEMENT. THE OUTPUT HAS DIMMED AS TO BE UNSAFE. *TR

THOUGHT I HAD A LIGHT PROBLEM FIXED IT FIRST TIME. SIGNAL ON THE DASH DID NOT GO AWAY BUT THE LIGHT WAS ON. WENT TO A DIFFERENT PLACE AND FIXED IT AGAIN. AND THE SIGNAL STILL WOULD NOT GO AWAY. THE LIGHT WORKS BUT STILL SHOW ON THE DASH AS IF IT'S BROKEN. I'M AFRAID BY TIME IT'S TIME TO GET A NEW REGISTRATION STICKER THAT IT WILL NOT PASS. *TR

ON ZKW-HEADLIGHT EQUIPPED BI-XENON BMW 3-SERIES, THE LOW BEAM PROJECTOR BOWLS ARE COATED WITH FAULTY REFLECTING MATERIAL THAT IS BURNED OFF OVER TIME, DRAMATICALLY REDUCING THE OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BLINKER WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS EXTREMELY DIM. THE REFLECTOR WAS DISCOLORED AND BURNED, CAUSING IMPROPER ILLUMINATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. MAIL OUT 01/13/15*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V438000(EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

PROJECTORS FOR THE ZKW HEADLIGHTS HAVE DETERIORATED MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. *TR

BMW E46 MODELS HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR THIS ISSUE REGARDING HID/BIXENON PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS LOOSING THEIR ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY LIGHT THE ROAD. MY VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE ZKW (BMW BRAND/MANUFACTURE) HEADLIGHT THAT BMW USED AND THE REFLECTOR BOWL FOR THE PROJECTOR HEADLAMP WAS PARTIALLY MELTED AND BURNED SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING THE REFLECTIVE SURFACE FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION ONLINE THIS IS A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS PLATFORM OF THE BMW 3 SERIES AND THERE IS NO RESOLUTION EXCEPT COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THE REDUCED ILLUMINATION WAS SO BAD, THAT MY HEADLAMPS WOULD BE ON AT NIGHT BUT MY FOG LIGHTS PROJECTED MORE LIGHT ON THE ROAD AND WERE BRIGHTER REQUIRING ME TO USE THEM ON A DAILY BASIS FOR LIGHT UNTIL I REPLACED MY HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. GIVEN THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THOUSANDS OF BMW E46 OWNERS HAVE TO REPLACE THEIR COMPLETE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES THE NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND HELP REMEDY THIS SITUATION AS BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT BMW HAD TWO DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS FOR HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES FOR THIS SERIES BMW (AL BOSCH AND ZKW). THE AL BOSCH LAMPS ARE NOT AFFECTED AS THEY UTILIZED METAL PROJECTOR/REFLECTIVE BOWLS WHERE THE ZKW (THE AFFECTED SUPPLIER) USED CHROMED PLASTIC THAT BURNS/MELTS OVER TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE, TAIL AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN ACTIVATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTS) AND CALLED A DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED ERRONEOUSLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REFLECTORS HAD DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

MY ZKW HEADLIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT LIGHT ANYMORE. BMW OFFER NO REPLACEMENT REFLECTOR BOWLS FOR THE HEADLIGHT, SO NO FIX IS AVAILABLE EXCEPT REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME FAULTY ASSEMBLY FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. HEADLIGHTS PRODUCE TOO MUCH HEAT AND MELT THE REFLECTORS DEEMING THEM USELESS AND AN EXTREME DANGER. RECALL NEEDED FOR EXTREME SAFETY REASONS. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT ANYMORE. *TR

MY BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN SLOWLY FADING RESULTING IN EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY DURING NORMAL NIGHTIME DRIVING. THIS DEGRADATION HAS BEEN OCCURRING WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE UNTIL IT BECAME OBVIOUS AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS IT TURNS OUT, MY MECHANIC HAS ADVISED THERE IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CERTAIN BMW ASSEMBLIES THAT THE PROJECTOR LENSES LITERALLY BURN DUE TO HEAT RESULTING IN THE NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. THIS LOSS OF HEADLIGHT INTENSITY RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY SITUATION AND REQUEST SOMEONE LOOK INTO WHY NO RECALL HAS OCCURRED AS THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE ENTERED TODAY'S DATE AS INCIDENT DATE AS I AM NOT SURE WHEN DEGRADATION OF THE PROJECTORS BEGAN. *TR

THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH BI-XENON AUTO LEVELING HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE LIGHT OUTPUT HAS STEADILY DECREASED. BROWN SCORCH MARKS ARE VISIBLE IN THE PROJECTOR WHEN THE HEADLIGHT IS ON. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE XENON BULB BURNED OFF ALL THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL IN THE PROJECTOR BOWL. THE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE PROJECTORS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A THIN BEAM OF LIGHT. IT IS BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. *TR