2005 BMW 3 Series Complaint Log

PASSENGER HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM REFLECTOR IS BURNT OUT DUE TO FAULTY MATERIAL BEING USED. REFLECTOR IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND NORMAL HEAT FROM BULB MELTS THE PLASTIC. THIS MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE AND DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. THIS SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON ON THE INTERNET. THE SOLUTION IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND DUE TO THIS COST,MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT FIX AND DRIVE UNDER THIS UNSAFE SITUATION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND HOLD BMW RESPONSIBLE.

REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS "BUBBLES" AND IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE NOW. *TR

OEM BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS (MANUFACTURER ZKW) HAVE A BURNED OUT BOWL (REFLECTOR) THAT HAS GREATLY REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT THAT IS PRODUCED. CHANGING BULBS HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM IN VARIOUS USER FORUMS. *TR

ZKW BRAND XENON HEADLIGHTS - THE BACK OF THE PROJECTOR BOWL IS MADE OF PLASTIC (VS. METAL IN THE AL/BOSCH BRAND, ALSO USED BY BMW), WHICH OVER TIME BURNS FROM THE HEAT PUT OUT BY THE HEADLIGHTS. THE BURN TURNS THE PLASTIC FROM WHITE TO BROWN/ORANGE, WHICH SEVERELY REDUCES LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. THE HEADLIGHT FROM MY CAR IS SO POOR THAT AT NIGHT I CAN SEE THE SHADOW OF MY CAR PRODUCED FROM CARS BEHIND ME. SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED DUE TO POOR LIGHT. *TR

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW FOR THE PROBLEM WITH REAR LAMPS. AT THAT TIME,ALL REAL LAMPS WERE WORKING ON MY CAR. HOWEVER FOR SAFETY CONCERN, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO BE CHECKED; FEW MONTHS LATER, ONE OF THE TAIL LIGHT NOT WORKING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY WERE DONE FOR THE RECALL . I NEED TO PAY IF I WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. BUT I FOUND THERE WAS NO POSITIVE VOLTAGE ON THE LIGHT BULB CIRCUIT. I TRACED THE WIRE AND DISCOVERED THE WIRE WAS BROKEN. THEN I ALSO FOUND ALL OTHER WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE AGING, THE PLASTIC OF THE WIRES WERE DETERIORATED AND THE COPPER WIRE EXPLORED TO VISIBLE. THAT MEAN THE DEALER DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT WORK LAST TIME. BECAUSE IT'S NO REASON THE WIRE WILL DETERIORATE THAT FAST IF THEY DID IT RIGHT FOR THE RECALL. I COMPLAINT TO BMW AND THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY ALREADY DONE WITH MY CAR. IF I NEED ANY WORK TO BE DONE I NEED TO PAY BY MYSELF. THE COPPER WIRES EXPLORED TO VISIBLE, IT WOULD CAUSE ELECTRIC FIRE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE THE PICTURE SHOWING THE AGING WIRE CONDITION ON MY CAR. I CAN EMAIL TO YOU IF YOU NEED IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED BUT APPEARED VERY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED AND WOULD NOT UNLOCK. WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE DOORS WOULD LOCK BUT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN USING THE KEY FOB OR MANUALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONCE MORE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES BECAME LOOSE, CAUSING THEM TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE OPEN/CLOSE CONTROLS FOR THE REAR PASSENGER'S WINDOW WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 2/4/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SIMILAR VEHICLES WERE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THE TAIL LIGHT FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT BECAUSE THE DEALERS IN GERMANY ARE UNDER SOFA AGREEMENT. UPDATED 02/20/2013 *JS

THE HEADLAMP GOES OUT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY STAY ON! I WAS TOLD BY BMW EMPLOYEE THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS THE LAMP GETS TO HOT AND MELTS THE WIRING AND THE WHOLE LIGHT HAS TO BE REPLACED $1200 OR BETTER! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE YOU HAVE NO IDEA IF YOU WILL HAVE FULL LIGHTS AT NIGHT. I READ BLOGS ON THE INTERNET WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM! *TR

PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2012. NOTICED THAT THE XENON HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT OUTPUTTING AS MUCH LIGHT AS I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD. INSPECTED THE AREA BEHIND THE HEADLIGHTS (THE REFLECTIVE BOWLS) AND DISCOVERED THAT THEY WERE BURNED. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE ZKW XENON EQUIPPED BMW 3 SERIES (E46) VEHICLES, AND THE NHTSA HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALREADY. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY MIND. HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS SHOULD NOT BURN FROM THEIR DESIGNED USAGE. THIS WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PILOT SPORT TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES WERE SIZE 225/40/18 AND THE REAR TIRES WERE SIZE 255/35/18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR EMISSIONS TESTING WHEN THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SIDE WALLS AND TREAD OF THE TIRES WERE CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON SO I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON BUT THE WARNING LIGHT WOULDN'T GO AWAY. AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE EVEN THOUGH I COULD HEAR THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $6,500-. IT SEEMS THAT SEVERAL BMW OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN SINCE I WAS ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY THROUGH MOUNTAINS WITHOUT ANY CELL PHONE RECEPTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF TOP WOULD NOT LOCK IN PLACE. UPON EXAMINING THE ROOF, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE LOCK THAT CAUSED THE ROOF TO REMAIN OPEN APPROXIMATELY SIX TO EIGHT INCHES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FOLDING LOCK ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE MALFUNCTIONED. THE ROOF WAS REPAIRED WITH TWO NEW LOCKS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,430 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,460. UPDATED 5/16/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATCH FOR THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE LEFT LATCH HAD BROKEN APART AND THE RIGHT LATCH HAD A CRACK IN IT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATCHES WERE MADE OF PLASTIC WHICH WAS NOT ABLE TO WITHSTAND STRESS OF MECHANICAL OPENINGS AND CLOSING. UPDATED 05/31/12

2005 BMW 325I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 11V-438 LAMPS IN REAR QUARTER PANEL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE RECALL RECTIFIED, BECAUSE THERE WERE NO AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOPS IN HIS IMMEDIATE AREA. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE SHIPPED TO ANOTHER ISLAND. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED BMW HAS SINCE AGREED TO SHIP THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. UPDATED 05/16/12 UPDATED 01//22/15. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND OVER TIME, BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED. SPORADICALLY, THE FAILURE WOULD ROTATE BETWEEN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RESISTANCE IN THE LAMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

DASH MOUNTED WARNING LIGHT INDICATED TAIL LIGHT ISSUES. CHECKED THE LIGHT AND ALL THE BULBS WERE FINE BUT THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I THEN NOTICED THE THE BROWN WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED THROUGH THE CASE AND WAS TOUCHING OTHER WIRES IN THE CONNECTOR WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHORT OUT THE ENTIRE LIGHT. THE BROWN WIRE HAS VISIBLE SIGNS OF MELTING. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TYPE BMW AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. RIGHT NOW MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE NOTICE BUT I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE BULBS TWICE WHEN THE BULB AND THE WIRES BURNED HER FINGERS. THE WIRES AND THE HOUSING HAD BECOME SO HOT THAT IT ALSO BURNED A HOLE SURROUNDING THE BULB. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LEFT REAR BRAKE, TAIL AND TURN INDICATOR LIGHTS WOULD GO ON/OFF. I REPLACED THE BULBS, BUT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE SOMEPLACE. IF THE WIRES/CONNECTORS WERE WIGGLED, THE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON UNTIL A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR I CLOSED THE TRUNK. I REPORTED THIS TO BMW AND BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS. BMW DID REPAIR THE PROBLEM AS A ONE TIME GOOD WILL GESTURE. ADDITIONAL VIN'S MAY NEED TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL. *TR

REAR TAILLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. NOTICED THAT THE REAR CONNECTORS, SPECIFICALLY THE GROUNDING WIRE WAS MELTED. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT TURN ON. *TR

THE OEM FACTORY ZKW HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL IS CHEAPLY MADE AND IS KNOWN TO BURN OUT. THE CHEAP PLASTIC USED CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT OF THE BULB AND THE METALLIC REFLECTOR FILM EVENTUALLY STARTS TO GO BAD CAUSING VERY POOR HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CONCERN. BMW NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND SHOULD FIND A REPLACEMENT OPTION WITHOUT USING THE POORLY MADE OEM ZKW REFLECTOR BOWL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHT WARNING GAUGE WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BULBS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME MORE CONSTANT OVER TIME. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 11/28/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH REAR LAMPS STOPPED FUNCTIONING, INCLUDING THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. UPDATED 11/30/11

REAR LEFT TAIL LIGHT AND BLINKER NOT WORKING. WIRE IS BURNED. *TR

THE ISSUE IS WITH AN 8 PIN CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING. THESE COMPONENTS ARE ALLEGEDLY OVERHEATING AND MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT RUNS THROUGH THE SYSTEM. BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THE EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) RECALL, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE THE WORK NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL, DUE TO THE DEALER NOT RECEIVING THE NECESSARY PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER, BUT THE DEADLINE HAD PASSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 145,000.

WINDOW MOTOR BURNS OUT. HAVE HAD TWO REPLACED. *TR

IN AUGUST 2011 I GOT A WARNING INDICATOR THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT TAILLIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2011 (IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND OTHER WORK) BMW MECHANICS AT MY AREA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY TAILLIGHT SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR 2003-2005 3 SERIES TAILLIGHTS THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. BMW TOLD ME MY VIN "DID NOT APPEAR" TO BE LISTED ON THEIR RECALL LIST AND THAT DESPITE THE ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CERTIFIED MECHANICS, I WOULD HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IN ORDER TO GET YOU TO TELL BMW TO ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST SO THAT MY DEALERSHIP WILL FIX IT. PLEASE DO SO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS DEFECTIVE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE AT THE VEHICLES REAR. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

IN 2002-2005 BMW 330I SEDANS WITH THE XENON HEADLIGHT FEATURE, BMW OPTED TO USE ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES INSTEAD OF AL/BOSCH BRAND ASSEMBLIES. THE ZKW BRAND ASSEMBLIES HAVE PLASTIC PROJECTOR REFLECTOR BOWLS WHEREAS THE AL/BOSCH ASSEMBIES HAVE METAL PROJECTOR REFLECTOR BOWLS. AS A RESULT OF CONSTANT HEAT AND CONCENTRATION OF THE XENON BULB ON THE PLASTIC PROJECTOR BOWL, THE REFLECTIVE SURFACE BEGINS TO DETERIORATE. SOON ENOUGH (AFTER A FEW YEARS OF USE) THE BOWLS RECEIVE BROWN/BLACKISH BURN MARKS FROM THE CONCENTRATION OF LIGHT. THE BURN MARKS NO LONGER REFLECT THE XENON LIGHT AND CAUSE THE OUTPUT FROM THE XENON ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO BE FAINTER THAN ORIGINAL STATE. NUMEROUS INDIVIDUALS ON THE BMW CAR FORUMS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE MADE NOTE THAT THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THEIR FAILURE. NOTE: SOME 2002-2005 330I SEDANS DID COME WITH AL/BOSCH BRAND HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *KB

EXTERIOR BRAKE AND TAILIGHT FAILURE DUE TO OVERHEATED GROUND TERMINAL. NHTSA ACTION # EA09019. *TR

ON THIS DATE MY WIFE COMPLAINED TO ME ABOUT A "BUBBLE" IN HER INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I LOOKED AT IT AND IT IS INDEED A BUBBLE OF AIR IN HER MIRROR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 BMW 330XI WITH AN AUTO-DIMMING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. TODAY I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-831-1117 AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE WHO TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE BMW FELT NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR, REPLACE, OR HELP IN ANY WAY WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PART COST FROM MY LOCAL BMW DEALER IS OVER $500.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. THIS COST IS FOR THE ENTIRE MIRROR ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE HOUSING THE ELECTRONICS MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING AND OF COURSE THE MIRROR ITSELF. THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN MORE THAN A FEW MIRRORS COME IN LIKE THAT, AND THAT ONE WAS EVEN LEAKING THE FLUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SEAL IN THE MIRROR THAT HAS RUPTURED AND IS NOW LEAKING AIR INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE GLASS PLATE AND THE MIRROR SURFACE ITSELF. THE RESULT OF THE "BUBBLE" IS THAT NOW THE MIRROR REFRACT AND REFLECTS BRIGHT LIGHT POINTS (HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT OR SUN GLARE FROM WINDSHIELDS FOR EXAMPLE) INTO MULTIPLE SPOTS SO AS TO MAKE THE MIRROR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO USE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I FEEL THAT BMW KNOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR MIRRORS AND THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S CAR NOW. I BELIEVE THAT IF JUST THE GLASS PORTION OF THE MIRROR WERE REPLACEABLE THIS WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE COST OF REPAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED. CORROSIVE FLUID LEAKED OUT MELTING PLASTIC SHIFT CONSOLE AND STAINING PASSENGER SEAT. REAR VIEW MIRROR NOW DISTORTED AND UNUSABLE. AUTO NIGHT DIMMING NOT OPERATIONAL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 72 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRASH TEST SENSOR HAD ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BUT WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN WITH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

ZKW REFLECTORS ON HID HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DEGRADE, GREATLY REDUCING THE HEADLIGHT EFFICIENCY AT NIGHT. THE PLASTIC OF WHICH THE REFLECTOR BOWLS ARE MADE DEGRADES FROM HEADLIGHT HEAT, AND THE REFLECTIVE COATING BURNS. *TT

REAR TAIL LAMP ON LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE GO OUT AND COME OUT INTERMITTENTLY. STARTED AT 80,000 MILES AND HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE NOW AT 110,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE LIGHT BULBS FOR THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BULBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING HARNESS. 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 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

I HAVE A 2005 BMW 325XI WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. I AM TOLD BOTH REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS IS A MUCH TOO FREQUENT PROBLEM SEEN ON 3 SERIES BMW'S. IN 40 YEARS OF OWNING AUTOMOBILES, I HAVE NEVER BEFORE HAD ONE WITH A BROKEN SPRING. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM AND ONE THAT WOULD BE CAUSED BY FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND BLINKER LIGHTS WERE FAILING SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BULBCARRIERS, CONNECTORS, AND WIRING WERE BURNED OUT. THERE WERE NO GROUND WIRES PRESENT WHICH WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,380 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 03/31/11*LJ UPDATED 05/09/11

INSULATION CRACKING ON WIRES TO XENON HEAD LIGHTS LEADING TO HEAD LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO SHORTING OR WIRE BREAKAGE; NOTATION ON WHEN IT HAPPENED IS ESTIMATE BECAUSE I HAD REPLACED ONE HEADLIGHT FOR THIS ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO (NOT KNOWING IT WAS THE CAUSE AT THE TIME). I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AFTER NOTING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. PHOTOS ARE FROM WIRES TO BOTH LIGHTS. ON LIGHT THAT WAS REPLACED NEW WIRES WERE SPLICED TO OLD WIRES BY DEALERSHIP AND PHOTO IS OF ORIGINAL WIRE.

THE BOTTOM PART OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR HAS BECOME UNUSABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO SEE THE VEHICLES BEHIND US ONLY THROUGH THE TOP PART OF THE MIRROR. IT IS A AUTO DIMMING REARVIEW MIRROR, AND, JUDGING BY THE POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET, IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF MIRROR IN BMWS. REPLACING IT OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY PERIOD COSTS $425 PLUS TAX FOR THE PART, NOT INCLUDING LABOR CHARGES. WE HAVE HAD MANY CARS OVER THE YEARS AND WE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH A REARVIEW MIRROR; WE EXPECTED BETTER FROM BMW. WE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT UNLESS BMW IS FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2005 BMW 320I . TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR WARNING CAME ON. TURNS OUT THE WIRE WAS MELTED AROUND THE METAL WHERE THE WIRE PLUGS INTO TAIL LIGHT!! VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX! *TR

FAULTY OR INADEQUATE GROUND WIRE WHICH BURNED 8-PIN CONNECTORS AND BULB-HOLDERS IN BOTH REAR QUARTER PANELS. DEALER INSTALLED "ADDITIONAL GROUND CONNECTION TO THE CIRCUIT OF THE LAMPS" AT NO CHARGE ON 1/19/12, BUT I AM STILL FIGHTING WITH CORPORATE OFFICE IN NJ FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF $271.35 INCURRED IN REPLACING THE OTHER BURNED OUT PARTS PRIOR TO THE RECALL IN DECEMBER. MY RESEARCH REVEALED THAT SECTION 6(B) OF THE TREAD ACT REQUIRES MANUFACTURES TO INCLUDE FUNDS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF REPAIR EXPENSES PRIOR TO RECALL IN A RECALL PLAN. ALSO, THE "FINAL RULE" PASSED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION IN OCTOBER 2002 STATES THAT "FOR THOSE RECALLS WHERE THERE IS A REASONABLE POSSIBILITY THAT SOME CONSUMERS WILL BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT, THE MAIN BODY OF THE OWNER NOTIFICATION MUST INCLUDE A CONCISE REFERENCE TO THE RIGHT TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, ALONG WITH A DESCRIPTION OF WHERE CONSUMERS WHO BELIEVE THEY MAY BE ENTITLED TO SUCH REIMBURSEMENT CAN OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT." THERE WAS NO REFERENCE TO THE RIGHT OF REIMBURSEMENT IN BMW'S NOTIFICATION LETTER, AND TWO DEALERS (THEIR "EYES AND EARS IN THE FIELD," PER A CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVELY WORDS TO ME) HAVE SAID THEY "KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT" AND "WILL GET BACK TO ME," WHICH NEITHER ONE HAS DONE. ALTHOUGH I MAY VERY WELL STILL GET MY $271.35 REIMBURSED (AM WAITING TO HEAR), I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER ABOUT ALL THE OTHER 2005 325I OWNERS OUT THERE! *TR

ZKW BRAND XENON HEADLIGHTS - THE BACK OF THE PROJECTOR BOWL IS MADE OF PLASTIC (VS. METAL IN THE AL/BOSCH BRAND, ALSO USED BY BMW), WHICH OVER TIME BURNS FROM THE HEAT PUT OUT BY THE HEADLIGHTS. THE BURN TURNS THE PLASTIC FROM WHITE TO BROWN/ORANGE, WHICH SEVERELY REDUCES LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING AT NIGHT UNLESS MY HI-BEAMS ARE ON, WHICH IS HARD TO PULL OFF UNLESS I'M THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD. THIS ISSUE IS MOST PREVALENT IN 2002-2005 3 SERIES SEDANS, AND THE ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED IN THE BMW COMMUNITY. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE HEADLIGHT WIRING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED, IT MELTED THE WIRING. UPDATED 10/27/10

MBW 330CI 2005: ON 3/22/10, @ 3PM PACIFIC, MY BRAKE RESPONSE WENT FROM "GOOD STOP" TO "UNSAFE, BAD, "CRUISE-TO-STOP". I'VE HAD MY CAR INTO IRVINE BMW 5 TIMES SINCE THEN, AND "NOTHING WRONG" COULD BE FOUND. I CONTACTED BMW N.A. ABOUT ONGOING PROBLEM, WHEN I READ ABOUT THE "RECALL" JUST NOW REPORTED, ON THE 5 & 7 SERIES CARS. THE "PROBLEM DESCRIBED" AS THE REASON FOR THAT RECALL, IS WHAT I'VE COMPLAINED TO BMW SINCE 3/30/10! MY "COMPLAINT' TO THEM, AND THIS WEEK, BMW NA, WAS DESCRIBED TO THEM EACH TIME I VISITED, AND ON MY BMWNA CALL THIS WEEK, AS THE SAME PROBLEM AS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE 5 & 7 SERIES, AND I'D COMPLAINED OF THIS BRAKING PROBLEM SINCE 3/30/10, AND THAT IT OCCURRED AROUND 3PM ON 3/22/10! TWO "BODY SHOPS"---TO WHICH I WENT FOR A FENDER REPAIR QUOTE--WERE AWARE OF MY CONCERN, AND AN EMPLOYEE AT THE FIRST ONE CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID. IT WAS NOT LOW. MY 2005, 330CI BRAKES WERE TRUSTWORTHY, AND STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. AS OF 3/22/10 @ 3PM, I HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN 3+ " FURTHER, TO GET STOPPED, THEN IT'S A "CRUISE TO A STOP", NOT A "STOP". BMW CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY LIFE, AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON FREEWAYS HERE (THE ONLY WAY TO GET FROM A TO B). I HAVEN'T HAD TO WORRY ABOUT FREEWAYS, SINCE MY CAR STAYS PARKED, AND WHEN I DRIVE IT, IT'S TO THE DR. AND BACK. I HAVE 17K MILES ON IT, NO MORE. I WOULD LIKE TO FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR, AND THE BRAKES WORK PROPERLY, BUT SINCE 3/22/10, WHEN THE "LACK OF RESPONSE" OCCURRED, I DON'T FEEL SAFE. FIND THE PROBLEM, AND HELP ME GET IT FIXED. UNRESPONSIVE BRAKES THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT RE THE BRAKE RESPONSIVENESS ON MY CAR YET. *TR

THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON FEB 14TH 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 2320 HOURS. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING STRUCK IT AND THERE WAS NO TIRE DAMAGE. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE HOME AND CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO COVER THE OCT OF THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CONNECTING WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS PICTURE OF CAR IN ORANGE, ALONG WITH LEFT, RIGHT OR BOTH TAIL LIGHTS. THIS WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT RECENTLY BECAME PERMANENT. LEFT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR ALSO FLASHES QUICKLY. LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT OPERATING (NO TAIL, BRAKE LIGHT OR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT). *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR COILS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HAND BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE TO INDICATE IF THE HAND BRAKE WAS ON OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

CAR PULLS SEVERELY WHEN BRAKING AND MILDLY TO MODERATELY WHEN DRIVING. HAVE ASKED FOR ALIGNMENT AND HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BUT TOLD THAT CAR IS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *TR