2004 BMW 3 Series Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WOULD BEGIN TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED; HOWEVER WITHIN FIVE MILES THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A CRACK. THE VEHICLE MAY POSSIBLY BE REPAIRED FOR THE DEFECT. IN 2007, THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OIL AND AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

2003 AND 2004 3 SERIES MODELS WITH XENON HEADLAMPS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW HAVE A DEFECT IN WHICH THE HEAT FROM THE XENON HEADLIGHT BULBS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC PROJECTORS OR REFLECTOR BOWLS. THIS CAUSES A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN PROJECTED LIGHT. THE FIRST SIGN OF THE PROBLEM IS DISCOLORATION OF THE CHROME COATED PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWL. EVENTUALLY THE REFLECTOR BOWLS SHOW SIGNS OF MELTING. IT SEEMS THE CAUSE IS LIKELY A COMBINATION OF THE XENON BULBS BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC REFLECTORS AND OR THE PLASTIC'S HEAT RESISTANCE IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH. IN 2005 BMW HAD PICKED A NEW MANUFACTURER FOR XENON HEADLAMPS THAT HAVE AN ALUMINUM REFLECTOR BOWL. HOWEVER BMW WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THE ZKW BRAND HEADLAMPS HAVE A DEFECT. THE ONLY SOLUTION BMW HAS OFFERED IS TO HAVE THE HEADLAMPS REPLACED FOR $2400 WITH THE SAME ZKW SEEMINGLY DEFECTIVE LAMPS. THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION AS IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND IS ONLY A TEMPORARY AND EXPENSIVE FIX IN MY OPINION. EVEN THE HIGH BEAM MODE IS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. THERE ARE ALSO HALOGEN LAMPS THAT ACT AS RUNNING LIGHTS DURING THE DAY AND ARE INTERMITTENT FLASHERS. IN ORDER TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I HAVE HAD TO HOLD DOWN THE FLASHER STICK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE HALOGEN FLASHERS ON. IT IS TEMPTING TO RE-WIRE THE HALOGEN LAMPS TO THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH SO I DO NOT HAVE TO HOLD THE STICK THE ENTIRE TIME I AM DRIVING. EVEN THOUGH THE HALOGENS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE DRIVING LIGHTS, IT IS MUCH SAFER IN MY OPINION TO USE THEM AS A SUBSTITUTE EVEN THOUGH IT IS DANGEROUS TO ON-COMING TRAFFIC DUE TO THE BRIGHTNESS AND PROJECTION ANGLE OF THE HALOGEN LIGHTS. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THESE LENGTHS JUST TO HAVE SAFE DRIVING LIGHTS. I THINK BMW SHOULD OFFER A RE-CALL FOR THESE XENON HEADLIGHTS AND SUPPLY A NEW PART THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE AS THE ZKW LIGHTS SEEM TO BE.

REFLECTIVE COATING MELTED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS, RENDERING THEM USELESS. EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AS THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

MY CAR IS SUBJECT TO RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 11V-438: LAMPS IN REAR QUARTER PANEL. I HAD THIS REPAIRED ON 10/28/11 AT MURRAY MOTORS IN GLENDALE COLORADO. THE INVOICE # IS[XXX] AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR IS [XXX] (303-759-4646). I CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE DOCUMENTATION. I HAD THIS REPAIR DONE AT AN AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER, SUBMITTED THE INVOICE DETAILING THE COST AND NATURE OF THE REPAIR TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS IN WESTWOOD, NJ VIA US MAIL, AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY IT. I RECEIVED ONLY A PHONE CALL FROM "[XXX]" AT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAYING THAT THEY WON'T PAY IT. IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT BMW REFUSES TO ABIDE BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE IN GETTING BMW TO ABIDE BY FEDERAL LAW. THANKS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR ON MY 04 BMW 330CI SMG TRANSMISSION. *TR

FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW I'VE BEEN NOTICING THAT AT NIGHT I'VE BEEN HAVING A REAL HARD TIME SEEING AT NIGHT WHILE I AM DRIVING. FOR A WHILE I THOUGHT IT WAS MY EYES GOING BAD UNTIL MULTIPLE PEOPLE STARTED ASKING IF MY LIGHTS WHERE ON, ( I WAS LIKE GOOD IT'S NOT MY EYES) IT GETS REAL BAD ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAIN OR THE ROADS OR WET WHICH IS ALMOST EVERY NIGHT CAUSE LIVE IN HAWAII AND IT RAINS ALL THE TIME. BUT OF COURSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT GETTING BETTER IT'S GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY FOG LIGHTS AT NIGHT. I WENT TO THE DEALER THINKING IT WAS THE BULBS AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY RIGHT AND LEFT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS BEFORE SO I STARTED TO SEARCH THE NET AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP! *TR

DURING A MASSIVE RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS, RADIO AND CENTRAL LOOKING SYSTEM STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. LOOKS LIKE GENERAL MODULE 5 HAS FAILED. *TR

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE AND WATER WAS ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE OF $12,000. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE COOLING ELECTRONIC SENSOR SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CRACK. THE CONTACT ALSO CONSULTED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC COOLING SENSOR WAS MADE WITH DEFECTED ALUMINUM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

THE BI-XENON ZKW LIGHTS KEPT GETTING DIMMER AND DIMMER. BULB REPLACEMENT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE FOUND OUT THAT THE ZKW PROJECTOR BOWLS HAVE BURNED UP AND DO NOT PROVIDE ANY REFLECTION FOR THE LIGHT OUTPUT ANYMORE. DRIVING AT NIGHT AT THIS POINT WITH LIGHTS ON IS ALMOST LIKE DRIVING WITH THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. *TR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V428000 (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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 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 ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

THREE RECALLS. FRONT DRIVERS AIR BAG, FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG, BOTH REAR QUARTER PANEL LAMPS CARRIER CONNECTOR WIRES HEATED AND MELTED. CONTACTED BMW OF KINGSPORT SEVERAL TIMES FOR ASSISTANCE. SAID WOULD HELP BUT HAS NOT. NEED SCHEMATIC OF REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND REPAIR OF AIRBAGS.

MY HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT VERY BRIGHT AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE REFLECTIVE COATING INSIDE THE LIGHT HAS BEEN COOKED OFF. I HAD A 2001 AND THE LIGHTS WERE MUCH BETTER THEY WERE THE SAME HID XENON TYPE . THANK YOU *TR

SECURITY LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND THE PASSENGERS HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO EXIT. IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY (E.G. CAR DROVE INTO DEEP WATER) THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY TO EXIT THE CAR. SEEM LIKE A SERIOUS FAILURE. *TR

2004 BMW 325XI ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER I AM OUTSIDE THE CAR OR INSIDE THE CAR. THE KEY FOB WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE INTERNAL MECHANISMS WILL NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR INCLUDING THE DOOR HANDLES THEMSELVES ONCE THE LOCK IS ENGAGED. THE FAILURE IS AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE AND IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE IF I CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

DRAMATICALLY REDUCED HEADLIGHT OUTPUT DUE TO DEFECTIVE FACTORY COMPONENTS. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000: (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VISIBILITY OF THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS WAS VERY POOR. AFTER INSPECTING THE HEADLIGHTS THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AREA AROUND THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS WAS BURNED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BULBS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

BMW ZKW HEADLIGHT DEFECT. BURNT BOWLS CAUSING UNSAFE NIGHTLY ILLUMINATION. *TT

THE REFLECTOR PORTION OF THE VEHICLE'S XENON HEADLIGHTS APPEAR BURNED/DISCOLORED, WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES THEIR BRIGHTNESS THEREBY REDUCING NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY. *TR

1. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH ZKW BOWL REFLECTIVE MATERIAL DEFICIENT. 2004 BMW 330I ZHP. 2. CAN'T SEE SAFELY AT NIGHT TO DRIVE. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE...AS REPLACEMENT OEM LIGHTS ARE $1000.00 EACH. *TR

2004 BMW 330I SEDAN: XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWLS (ZKW BRAND) ARE SCORCHED PRACTICALLY ELIMINATING ANY LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE HEADLIGHT. *TT

I OWN A 2004 BMW 330I M-PERFORMANCE EDITION. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE MANUFACTURED BY A COMPANY CALLED ZKW. I AM CANADIAN AND MY CAR IS A CANADIAN CAR BUT THE FAULTY PART IN QUESTION IS COMMON TO BOTH US-SPEC AND CDN-SPEC BMW 3-SERIES. MY HEADLIGHT OUTPUT IS EXTREMELY POOR. IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THIS ISSUE IS COMPOUNDED. I NOW MUST ALWAYS RUN WITH MY FOGLIGHTS ON TO AID THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. FOGLIGHTS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THE DRIVER SEE YOUR MORE IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS. THE DISTANCE THAT THE LIGHT IS SHONE IS MUCH SHORTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. I AM NOT ABLE TO SEE MORE THAT 3-5 METERS IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THE 'INCIDENT' DATE NOTED ABOVE IS WHEN I HAD STRUCK A RACCOON WITH MY VEHICLE THAT I SHOULD HAVE SEEN MUCH MUCH SOONER, GIVING ME MORE TIME TO REACT OR MAKE AN EVASIVE MANEUVER. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE I WAS NOT TRAVELING FASTER THAN 60-70 KPH. THE RESULT WAS A $1,200 REPAIR TO MY FRONT BUMPER AND BUMPER TRIM WHICH SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE ANIMAL. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, ALL 3-SERIES PURCHASED IN 2003 AND 2004 WHICH FEATURE XENON-HEADLIGHTS MADE BY ZKW SUFFER FROM A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE REFLECTOR BOWL. OVER TIME THIS REFLECTOR BOWL, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC, TENDS TO GET FRIED AND DISCOLOURED AS A RESULT OF THE HEAT EMANATING FROM THE XENON BULB. THIS CAUSES THE REFLECTOR BOWL TO LOSE IT'S REFLECTIVE PROPERTIES AND AS RESULT, LIGHT OUTPUT IS EXTREMELY POOR. FOR MODEL YEAR 2005, BMW WENT WITH A DIFFERENT HEADLIGHT MANUFACTURER WHICH OFFERED HEADLIGHTS WHICH FEATURED AND ALUMINUM REFLECTOR BOWL WHICH IS MORE RESILIENT TO THE TEMPERATURES CAUSED BY THE XENON BULB. TO ME, THIS SHOWS BMW ACKNOWLEDGING THE DESIGN FLAW, ESPECIALLY SINCE MODEL YEAR 2005 WAS THE LAST YEAR BMW MADE A 3-SERIES SEDAN IN THIS CHASSIS. *TR

I'VE NOTICED SOME DARK TO LIGHT BROWN SMEARS OR SQUIGGLY LINES ON MY REARVIEW MIRROR. I TRIED TO CLEAN IT WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE FAULT IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE MIRROR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY IT ISN'T COVERED YET THE PART CAN COST UP TO $700.00 WITHOUT LABOR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE AUTO DIMMING FLUID LEAKING/FAILING IN THE MIRROR. I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY CURRENTLY HAVE NO PLANS TO RECALL THE PART. I'M DISMAYED BECAUSE I HAVE A CHEVY TRUCK WITH AN AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR THAT IS MUCH OLDER THAN THE CAR THAT DOESN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AS THE ABILITY TO SEE WITH THE REARVIEW MIRROR IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE. I'VE READ ON FORUMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ONLY THEIRS IS WORSE BECAUSE THE FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT OF THE MIRROR AND PROCEEDED TO EAT THROUGH ANY PART OF THE INTERIOR THAT IT DRIPS ON. DOESN'T THAT MAKE THIS A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD AS WELL SINCE THE AUTO DIMMING FLUID IS OBVIOUSLY SOME TYPE OF ACID WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE A FIRE IF IT HITS ANY WIRING? I HOPE THAT SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THIS AS I'VE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH BMW. THANKS! *TR

REAR TURN-SIGNAL INDICATORS BEGAN FAILING TO OPERATE, ESPECIALLY IN HOT, HUMID CONDITIONS. INSPECTION OF WIRING HARNESS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WIRING-CONNECTION DEGRADATION BY HEAT OR CORROSION. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED OR FLOODED IN ANY WAY. IT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. SINCE BOTH REAR BLINKER ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGN OR ENGINEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

2004 BMW 325I - SAFETY DEFECT. REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING, MISSING ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE TO AVOID BURNING BULB CARRIER. BMW SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN ISSUED 2/2007 REVEALS BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND FAILED TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS. PURCHASED CAR CPO IN MARCH 2007 AND WAS NOT TOLD. REPLACED SEVERAL TAILLIGHT BULBS DUE TO INTERMITTENT FALSE INDICATOR LIGHTS. FINALLY IN 2011, 1 YEAR AFTER CAR CAME OUT OF WARRANTY...REMOVED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE BULB CARRIER AND FOUND IT TO BE MELTING. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT COULD DEFINITELY START A FIRE IF LEFT TOO LONG. BMW DEALER ALSO STATED THIS IS A DEFECT ON CARS PRODUCED FROM 2001 TO 2005. AFTER DOING RESEARCH FOUND THAT BMW HAS USED FAULTY WIRING AND THERE IS A ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE NEEDED TO FIX. NEEDLESS TO SAY , HAD TO PAY 300.00 TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND AND REPAIR. *KB

HAVING RECENTLY PURCHASED MY 2004 BMW 330I WITH XENON HEADLAMPS, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE CAR AND ANY RECALLS THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED OR ARE ONGOING. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE XENON HEADLAMPS DESIGNATED ZKW WERE UNDER POSSIBLE INVESTIGATION FOR SCORCHING WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY THAT CAN LEAD TO DECREASED LIGHT OUTPUT AND POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO NIGHTTIME DRIVING. I CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE ZKW HEADLAMPS, AND NOTED THAT SOME DISCOLORATION WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY WAS OCCURRING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS PROBLEM IS SUFFICIENTLY DOCUMENTED SO THAT A PROPER INVESTIGATION CAN LEAD TO THE RESOLUTION TO THIS RELATIVELY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *KB

HEADLIGHTS HAVE INADEQUATE LIGHT OUTPUT DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *KB

RIGHT SIDE SIGNAL LIGHT INTERMITTENT FAILURE. WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED THERE WAS A SCORCHED WIRE. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND THERE IS A TSB FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT ONLY IN WARRANTY. NO RECALL. *KB

ON 2003-2004 BMW 3 SERIES E46 SEDANS WITH OEM ZKW MANUFACTURED XENON (HID) HEADLIGHTS, THE REFLECTIVE BOWL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WILL BECOME DISCOLORED AND NON-REFLECTIVE AFTER NORMAL USE WITH OEM BULBS. OVER TIME, THE HEAT FROM THE OEM BULB WILL SCORCH THE REFLECTIVE BOWL AND DRAMATICALLY REDUCE LIGHT OUTPUT TO UNSAFE LEVELS FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING. BMW HAS NOT NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THE DESIGN FLAW, AND NO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE OTHER THAN THE ENTIRE EXPENSIVE, NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT WILL SUFFER FROM THE SAME PROBLEM IN TIME. THOUGH BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AN ISSUE EXISTS, BMW CHANGED THE XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR DESIGN FOR LATER MODEL YEARS TO A METAL REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY THAT DOES NOT DEGRADE WHEN EXPOSED TO THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES OF THE OEM XENON BULBS. THESE NEWER DESIGNED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES TO NOT SUFFER FROM ANY REDUCTION IN LIGHT OUTPUT WITH USE. UPDATED IVOQ 07/26/11 *TR

BOTH TAILLIGHTS HAVE BEEN OUT DUE TO CORROSION IN THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR. THIS HAS PREVENTED THE SIGNAL AND OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKE LIGHT TO WORK. WHILE MAKING HIGHWAY TURNS I HAVE COME CLOSE TO ACCIDENTS NUMEROUS TIMES. I CANNOT MAKE A TURN WITHOUT TAKING MY EYES OFF THE ROAD. THE BULB WARNING IS ALSO ON DISPLAY ON THE DASH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ON REMEDYING THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GROUND WIRE IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL HAD SHORTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO INFORMED THE CONTACT IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/04/11 *BF UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MONOCHROMATIC COATING ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE SELF DIMMING FUNCTION HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AND THE REFLECTION OF THE LIGHTS FROM OTHER VEHICLES WAS EXTREMELY BRIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE AND THE MIRROR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. ..UPDATED 08/01/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT FAILURE OF COATING CAN CAUSE NIGHTTIME HEADLIGHT GLARE FROM FOLLOWING CARS. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS FAILURE IS COMMON AFTER 7-8 YEARS ON CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE DEFECTIVE MIRROR. UPDATED 08/02/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED VERY DIMLY. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB BURNED A HOLE THROUGH ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 07/25/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAND OF HEADLIGHTS ON HIS VEHICLE WERE FACTORY INSTALLED. XENON BULBS. THE PROJECTOR BOWLS WERE THE PIECES THAT BURNED AND NOT SOLD SEPARATELY, BUT INSTEAD WERE SOLD WITH COMPLETE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING IN THE DARK, AND HE HAS TO USE THE FOG LAMPS IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD. UPDATED 07/30/12

I OWN A 2004 BMW 3 SERIES SEDAN WITH OPTIONAL BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS. ABOUT 10,000 MILES INTO MY PURCHASE (OR 57,000) I BEGAN TO NOTICE MY HEADLIGHT OUTPUT DETERIORATING SIGNIFICANTLY. MY GIRLFRIEND OWNS A 2004 BMW 3 SERIES COUPE/CONVERTIBLE ALSO WITH THE OPTIONAL BI-ZENON AND 60,000 MILES. I COMPARED OUR VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS SIDE BY SIDE. MY BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS IN BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAM FORM WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DIMMER AND HAD A YELLOW TINT WHEN COMPARED TO HER BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON BMW 3 SERIES SEDANS WITH THE OPTIONAL BI-XENON HEADLAMPS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE BI-XENON REFLECTOR HOUSING BOWL IN BMW E46 3 SERIES SEDANS IS MADE FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER THAN THE COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES. THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY VEHICLE ARE MADE AND CLASSIFIED UNDER THE TITLE (ZKW). THE COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES ARE MADE AND CLASSIFIED UNDER THE NAME (AL). THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT OEM ZKW HEADLIGHTS REFLECTOR HOUSING BOWLS ARE MADE FROM A TYPE OF PLASTIC. WHILE THE OEM AL HEADLIGHTS ARE MADE OUT OF METAL. THE METAL HOUSING IN AL STYLE HEADLIGHTS IN COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES ARE ABLE TO STAND UP TO THE HEAT OF THE XENON BULB, THE PLASTIC HOUSINGS IN MY SEDAN ARE NOT. DUE TO THIS IT LITERALLY GETS TOO HOT AND BURNS THE PLASTIC REFLECTIVE HOUSING TO A BROWN CRISP, WHICH IS NOT A REFLECTIVE SURFACE AND DETERIORATED MY HEADLIGHT OUTPUT TO AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE LEVEL. THE OUTPUT LEVEL HAS DIMMED SO THAT WHEN THERE IS ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC MY LIGHTS GET DROWNED OUT AND I MUST PUT ON MY FOG LAMPS TO MAINTAIN ANY TYPE OF VISIBILITY. THE OUTPUT LEVEL IS BELOW ANY HALOGEN LAMP I HAVE SEEN. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED AND IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON ALL BI-XENON EQUIPPED BMW E46 3 SERIES SEDANS. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS DESIGN FLAW, WHICH COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHERS. PICTURES OF THE ISSUE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THANK YOU. *TR

TAIL LIGHT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY IN BMW 2004 325 4 DOOR SEDAN. *TR

I OWNED THE CAR FOR A YEAR BEFORE IT STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS. IT FIRST GAVE ME A PROBLEM CHANGING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. IT SLIPS AND WONT GO INTO GEAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS IS WHEN IM TURNING A CORNER AND THE CAR PUTS ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. AT THIS TIME IT IS NOT DRIVABLE AND I'VE RESEARCHED IT AND IT IS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. ITS DANGEROUS! I'VE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND FOR A SECOND OPINION AT BMW. THE COST TO REPAIR MY CAR IS OVER $5,000, IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE NEWER BMW. NOW IM WITHOUT A CAR WAITING TO GET APPROVED FOR ANOTHER LOAN JUST TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FREEZES UP AND DOESN'T OPEN UNLESS YOU KEY IN FROM OUTSIDE. *TR

AN ALMOST FATAL CRASH. CAR WAS BACKED UP FROM GARAGE IN THE MORNING INTO THE STREET, PUT IN D POSITION BUT THERE WERE NO POWER TO THE WHEELS FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 SECONDS. CAR APPROACHING FROM BEHIND ON THE STREET NEEDED TO SWERVE TO AVOID REAR ENDING MY CAR. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY WHEN THE CAR IS COLD (SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS). THERE IS A DELAY OF ABOUT 10 SECONDS FOR POWER TO ENGAGE IN D POSITION. ACCORDING TO ONLINE CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS AND BMW DEALER, THIS CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE IS RELATED TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE IN THE TRANSMISSION. A SOFTWARE UPGRADE FIXES THE PROBLEM BUT WHEN APPROACHING BMW FOR THIS CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE, THEY REFUSE TO PROVIDE THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR FREE AND THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $360 TO UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE. *TR

2004 BMW 325XI SEDAN; TAILLIGHT FAILS INTERMITTENTLY ACCORDING TO DASHBOARD INDICATOR, THEN FAILED SOLID. THE WIRES MELTED INSIDE THE CONNECTOR TO THE LIGHT HOUSING AND MELTED HOUSING POST - NO EASY WAY FOR HOME REPAIR AS THIS IS NOT JUST A BAD LIGHTBULB. BMW HAS SERVICE BULLETIN ON REPAIR, BUT IS A PURE DESIGN DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. THERE IS NO OWNER-INDUCED PROBLEM HERE. THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS OR RECALLS. A "GOOGLE" REVEALS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH BMW 3-SERIES AND SOME 5-SERIES CARS. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE CARS FOR REPAIRS. *TR

THE HEAD LIGHT REFLECTING BOWLS ON HID HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNING OUT THEREBY RESULTING IN POOR LIGHTING UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. *TR

TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE SHORTED OUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE 2 TIMES EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. HAPPENS TO BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR, BUT ONLY IN THE REAR. IT KEEPS BURNING THROUGH THE PLUG / CONNECTOR AND SHORTING OUT. *TR

XENON REFLECTORS IN ZKW HEADLIGHTS ARE BURNT, AND ARE CRACKING. THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCING LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE VEHICLE. *KB

JUST PAID $419.53 FOR REPAIR ON MY 2004 BMW 3 SERIES FOR TAIL LAMP CONNECTIONS AND GROUNDS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN NUMBER EA09-019. PLEASE INCLUDE ME AND INFORM ME WHEN I CAN SUBMIT PAID BILL, AS I WAS TERRIFIED WHILE DRIVING IN FL ON TURNPIKE WHEN A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD SHOWED MY REAR BRAKES WERE FAILING. I IMMEDIATELY FOUND FIELDS BMW JIN WINTER PARK FL AND BROUGHT IT THERE. THEY WERE AWARE OF DEFECT AND TOLD ME THAT THEIR FIX WOULD INCLUDE GROUNDING OTHER REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO PREVENT OTHER SIDE FROM FAILURE. THANK YOU *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INSTERSTATE AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT START. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REQUIRED A NEW FUEL PUMP WHICH COST $1,135.13. PRIOR TO THE PROBLEM, THE GAS MILEAGE DECREASED ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAD BEEN TUNED UP BY THE SAME DEALER. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 122,000 MILES. A REQUEST WAS MADE TO RETURN THE OLD PART. *TR

HEADLIGHT LIGHT OUTPUT HAS STRONGLY DIMINISHED. IN 2003-2004 BMW USED ZKW HEADLIGHTS IN WHICH THE REFLECTOR BOWL BEHIND THE LIGHT-BULB WERE PRONE TO THE MELTING DUE TO HEAT CAUSING POOR LIGHT OUTPUT. BMW MUST HAVE RECOGNIZED THIS AS THEY CHANGED HEADLIGHT SUPPLIERS IN LATER MODELS. *TR