2006 BMW 5 Series Complaint Log

REF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 WHILE MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME MODEL YEAR, MODEL AND SPECIFICATION LISTED IN THE RECALL, MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT "INCLUDED" IN THE LIST OF RECALLED VEHICLES. I HAVE AND AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THIS EXACT SEAT SENSOR MAT PROBLEM. BMW IS UNWILLING TO COVER ANY WARRANTY WORK AS THE SPECIFIC VIN IS APPARENTLY NOT AFFECTED DESPITE THE FACT THAT CLEARLY IT IS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE OCCUPANTS OF MY VEHICLE BASED ON THE UNRELIABILITY OF THIS COMPONENT AND FEEL THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASH AND SEAT BELT, WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES WHEN A DOG RAN IN FRONT OF ME WHILE DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM. BMW HAS RECALLED THE CARS WITH SAME YEAR AND MODEL FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. BUT MY VIN IS NOT RECALLED. I JUST CALLED BMW BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT. I WISH BMW ACTS MORE ACTIVELY ON SAFETY ISSUES. *KB

I GOT A WARNING LIGHT ON MY DISPLAY PANEL PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT. ALTHOUGH BMW HAS RECALLED CAR SAME YEAR AND MODEL FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS, MY VIN IS NOT RECALLED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525XI. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT CUSHION AND THE CRACK CAUSED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR A REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A PRIOR IMPROPER REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PRIOR REPAIR WAS NOT RELATED TO THE AIR BAG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

VERY BIG LEAK ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. NO DASHBOARD SENSOR ALERTED ME TO THIS LEAK. TRANSMISSION MECHATRONICS SLEEVE WAS LEAKING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE OIL PAN AND TRANSMISSION OIL ADDED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE 500 SERIES. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, AN AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS UNDER RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 -AIR BAGS: FRONTAL), BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

ON MY BMW 2006 530I, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING A RESTRAINT FAILURE. I SAW A RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE (CAMPAIGN ID 08V384000) COVERING THE 2004- 2006 MODEL YEAR BMW 5 SERIES WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN MAY 2005. I CONTACTED BMW USA TO REPORT THE SAFETY FAILURE. BMW SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED AND HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. I ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN WHY IF MY VEHICLE, IS IN THE MIDDLE MODEL YEARS AND EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, WHY THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY. THEIR REPLY, BMW WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL, IT'S MY PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE REVIEW THIS CAMPAIGN ID AND EXPAND OR ISSUE A NEW RECALL. BMW WOULD NOT HELP ME IN THIS MATTER. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING THIS SAFETY CONCERN, *TT

SEVERAL OF THE HEAD BOLTS BROKE DUE TO AN ENGINEERING FLAW. I WAS TOLD BY THE BMW SHOP THAT BECAUSE THE HEAD BOLTS WERE MADE FROM A DIFFERENT METAL THAT THEY HEAT AND COOL AT DIFFERENT RATES AND THE BOLTS TEND TO BREAK, THEY HAD SEEN IT MANY TIMES. WHEN I CONTACTED BMW THEY REFUSED TO ADMIT THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

THE BMW VEHICLES WITH PANORAMIC MOONROOFS HAVE A KNOWN FAILURE (SEE BIMMERFEST.COM) IN THE WATER SEALS AND DRAIN CHANNELS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUNROOF. THE ISSUE IS THAT CLOGGED LINES PRODUCE FLOODING IN THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT. THIS FLOODING CAUSES TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. IN MY CASE, THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND DID NOT START AGAIN. HOWEVER, A READ OF THE MESSAGE BOARDS ASSOCIATED WITH BMWS SHOWS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE TOTAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS UP COMPLETELY. THERE IS NO ABILITY TO MANUALLY STEER A BMW ONCE THE ELECTRICAL GOES OFF. *TR

I CONTACTED BMW REGARDING A RECALL (ID # 08V384000) (ACTION # EA08001). THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 2006 BMW 525XI WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. YET, MY CAR EXHIBITS THE EXACT PROBLEMS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL. NAMELY, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. HOW IS IT THAT OTHER 2006 5 SERIES VEHICLES WERE INCLUDED AND MY CAR WAS NOT? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000, AIR BAGS FRONTAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 157,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUNROOF DRAIN PLUG SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING WATER TO FLOW INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO SHORT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT HAS STARTED SHOWING ON MY BMW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL REPORTED ON THE SAME COMPONENT "STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008". I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UP IN THE RECALL. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND DEALER SAYS ITS EXACTLY THE SAME PART BUT I AM NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL WARRANTY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. ONCE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE MESSAGE DISPLAY INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOCKED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V504000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

I HAD A RECENT PROBLEM WITH OUR 525I. I WAS DRIVING IT AND IT LOST POWER/DIED. WHEN THE VEHICLE DIED, I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART AND NO ERROR LIGHTS OR MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED ON THE IDRIVE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. AFTER THE INITIAL CHECK OF THE VEHICLE, IT SHOWED THE CRANK SENSOR FAULT. I NOTICED A BUNCH OF METAL THROW OFF IN THE OIL FILTER AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER 2 AND 6. I WAS THINKING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. SINCE I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH AMERICAN/JAPANESE VEHICLES, I DECIDED TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM MYSELF AFTER GETTING NO RESPONSE FROM BMWNA. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH 85K MILES. THE METAL THROW OFF WAS DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPING OFF OF THE EXHAUST CAM GEAR AND GRINDING AGAINST THE BACK OF IT. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE TWO ALUMINUM SCREWS UNDER THE CAM SHAFT GEARS. BOTH HEADS WERE BROKEN OFF AND ONE MADE ITS WAY UP THE CHAIN GETTING CAUGHT IN THE CHAIN AND GEAR. THESE SCREWS ARE ALUMINUM. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT FOR THE BOLTS TO BREAK IT WOULD BE DUE OVER TORQUED/TIGHTEN BOLTS OR EXTREME PRESSURE FROM EXPANDING/CONTRACTING OF THE MAGNESIUM VS ALUMINUM. THE OTHER BROKEN BOLT HEAD IS STILL SOME WHERE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE OIL PAN. THE EXHAUST CAM GEAR WAS CHEWED UP, BUT STILL SERVICEABLE. I RE-TIMED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE COMPRESSION. I GOT LUCKY AND COMPRESSION IS GOOD SO NO BENT VALVES. I DISASSEMBLE EVERYTHING AND NOW I PATIENTLY WAITING FOR SEVERAL PARTS. HOWEVER, I'M STILL DEALING WITH THE BROKEN HEAD THAT IS SOME WHERE IN THE OIL PAN. THIS IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND I HAVE RETAINED ALL OF THE PARTS AND INCLUDING THE OIL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AFTER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT THAT CONTROLS THE AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; THEREFORE, HE HAD TO PAY $1,800 FOR THE REPAIRS REGARDING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000; AIR BAGS: FRONTAL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE NHTSA HOTLINE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG POSSIBLY WOULD NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SINCE PURCHASING IN DEC 2008. THE VEHICLE JERKS VIOLENTLY AS IT SHIFTS AFTER STOPS. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT UP UNTIL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND SHIFTING IT BACK TO D. CURRENTLY, IT JERKS DURING UP SHIFTS THRU ALL GEARS, MOST OF THE TIME. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM VERY WORRIED OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING SUDDENTLY AND CAUSING A CRASH. *TR

MY 2006 BMW 525I INDICATES A PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT. THE DEALER REPORTS THE DIAGNOSIS CODE AS OC3 MAT FAULTED. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $1,095.15. I DECLINED THE REPAIR. WHEN I ASKED FOR A WRITTEN ESTIMATE THEY ALSO SENT ME AN ESTIMATE FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER'S 2005 BMW 525I/530 THAT HAD THE SAME FAULT, SO I THOUGHT IT WAS WORTH REPORTING TO SEE IF IT IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WOULD RESET THE COMPUTER. AFTER HAVING THE COMPUTER RESET THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,500.

I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON LINE. I HAVE FOUND THAT BMW HAS A RECALL ON 2006 5 SERIES FOR A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT, BUT THEY INSIST THAT THE RECALL IS NOT FOR ALL 5 SERIES, BUT IT IS VIN SENSITIVE. MEANWHILE I HAVE THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM ON MY 2006 530XI. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THEY HAVE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT FILED AGAINST THEM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO FAULTY MAT SENSOR. SPECIFIC YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL ARE LISTED AS COVERED ON BMW RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY(NHTSA CLAIM EA08001) YET BMW USA CONTINUES TO DENY CLAIM SAYING MY CAR VIN# DOES NOT QUALIFY. I HAVE A 2006 BMW 530I WITH COMFORT SEATS. THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON 06/2005. DEALER SAYS NOT COVERED. CONTACTED BMW USA NUMEROUS TIMES AND SPOKE WITH THREE DIFFERENT CUST SERVICE MANAGERS WITH EACH ONE STATING MY VIN NOT COVERED. THEY CAN NOT TELL ME WHY MY VIN IS NOT COVERED NOR WHAT CRITERIA WAS USED FOR EXCLUDING MY CAR IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. YET, IT IS THE EXACT MODEL YEAR AND SEAT TYPE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY MENTIONED ABOVE AND ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I ALSO HAVE COPY OF LETTER TO DANIEL SMITH (NHTSA) FROM JAN URBAHN(BMW) SPECIFICALLY STATING MY 2006 530I WITH COMFORT SEAT EXPLICITLY INCLUDED IN EXTENDED WARRANTY. CAN PROVIDE LETTER ON REQUEST. PLEASE HELP. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. BMW IS NOT HONORING NHTSA CLAIM. *TR

THE CAR WITH VIN NUMBER STATED ABOVE HAS REPORTED A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. NHTSA RECALL ID # 08V384000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL" SHOWS THAT THE BMW 530I, MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 HAS BEEN RECALLED TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, UPON ARRIVING AT BMW OF ROSEVILLE (CALIFORNIA), I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR SPECIFICALLY (DESPITE THE DESCRIPTION IN THE RECALL ITSELF), AND THAT I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY $175 FOR A DIAGNOSIS FEE, AND THEN BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT CURRENTLY HAS MY FAMILY'S LIVES AT RISK, BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT ROSEVILLE BMW WAS COMPLETELY DISINTERESTED. REALIZING THAT I WOULD GET NO HELP FROM BMW OF ROSEVILLE, I HAVE SINCE TAKEN THIS ISSUE UP WITH NIELLO BMW IN SACRAMENTO. THEY HAVE BEEN MORE HELPFUL, BUT THERE IS STILL THE ISSUE OF THE VIN NUMBER. IF FOR SOME REASON THIS AUTOMOBILE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DESPITE BEING THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, IT WAS EXCLUDED IN ERROR.

THE CAR WITH VIN NUMBER STATED ABOVE HAS REPORTED A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. NHTSA RECALL ID # 08V384000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL" SHOWS THAT THE BMW 530I, MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 HAS BEEN RECALLED TO SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, UPON ARRIVING AT BMW OF ROSEVILLE (CALIFORNIA), I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR SPECIFICALLY (DESPITE THE DESCRIPTION IN THE RECALL ITSELF), AND THAT I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY $175 FOR A DIAGNOSIS FEE, AND THEN BE FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT CURRENTLY HAS MY FAMILY'S LIVES AT RISK, BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT ROSEVILLE BMW WAS COMPLETELY DISINTERESTED. REALIZING THAT I WOULD GET NO HELP FROM BMW OF ROSEVILLE, I HAVE SINCE TAKEN THIS ISSUE UP WITH NIELLO BMW IN SACRAMENTO. THEY HAVE BEEN MORE HELPFUL, BUT THERE IS STILL THE ISSUE OF THE VIN NUMBER. IF FOR SOME REASON THIS AUTOMOBILE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DESPITE BEING THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, IT WAS EXCLUDED IN ERROR. *TR

ON START-UP FROM A NEAR STOP THE TRANSMISSION JERKED HARD BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. FELT AS IF SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM THE REAR END. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND IS VERY DISTURBING, CAUSING UNFAMILIAR REACTIONS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

ON FEB. 21, 2011 THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHOWED A MASSIVE MALFUNCTION WARNING ON MY 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CAR COMPUTER INSTRUCTED ME TO DISCONTINUE DRIVING IMMEDIATELY AND BRING MY CAR TO THE CLOSEST DEALER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THE SUNROOF CASSETTE WAS FAULTY AND WATER FROM RECENT RAINS LEAKED THROUGH THE SUNROOF (IN CLOSED POSITION) RAN DOWN DRAIN LINES INTO MY BATTERY COMPARTMENT. WATER CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, MODULES, BATTERY ETC. BMW TOLD ME THE REPAIRS, INCLUDING A NEEDED SUNROOF CASSETTE WOULD TOTAL $23000.00. BMW ADMITTED THE SUNROOF CASSETTE WAS FAULTY, BUT SAID I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND 3 INTERNAL SERVICE BULLETINS FROM BMW, SI B 61 13 06, SI B 54 02 08 AND SI B54 04 09 WHICH ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY- THESE SERVICE BULLETINS WERE NOT PERFORMED ON MY CAR. I ALSO HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY OF THIS SAME ISSUE ON BMW MESSAGE BOARDS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I FEEL BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. PLEASE HELP. *TR

BRAKE VACUUM PUMP HAS LEAKED LUBRICATING OIL INTO BRAKE BOOSTER, CAUSING BOOSTER TO FAIL, CAUSING POWER ASSIST BRAKING TO BE COMPROMISED, MAKING BRAKING DIFFICULT TO IMPOSSIBLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE MAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND EXPLAINED THAT A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO CAMPAIGN# 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL); BUT THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF MY 2006 BMW 525I, WITH APP 65,000 MILES, FAILED AND THE DEALER TELL ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 65,000 MILE AND THUS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT BMW'S EXPENSE. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THESE ARE AN ANUSUALLY HIGH RATE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THESE CARS, AND THE RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS ONGOING FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS FAILING AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000(AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 05/25/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. TWENTY SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 28 TIMES AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN THE DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED RECALL 07V479000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,700.

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUED A FRENZY OF ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SYSTEM ISSUED A MESSAGE "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND FLOODED THE COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE CONTROL SYSTEMS, CAUSING THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED BY BMW FOR THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM, I HAD THE SUNROOF DRAINS CHECKED ON OCTOBER 2009 AND WAS ASSURED BY THE BMW CENTER THAT IT WAS WORKING TO SPECIFICATION AT THAT TIME. NEVERTHELESS, BMW'S CENTER ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM BEING PARTIALLY BLOCKED. (N.B. THE SYSTEM HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF USE, SO WHY WOULD IT FAIL 1 YEAR AND 1 MONTH AFTER INSPECTION?) THE DRAIN SYSTEM IS CONCEALED WITHIN THE ROOF AND IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO CAR OWNER. THE COMBINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS AT THE POINT OF WATER COLLECTION PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET TURNS UP SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON OTHER BMW MODELS EQUIPPED WITH PANORAMIC SUNROOFS SUCH AS THE X3, X5, AND 535XI AND 325.

BMW CAR CAN BE A DEATH TRAP! MY 2006 530I SMG GEARBOX WITH 34K MILES LOST POWER COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY, I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVABLE AND NEEDED TO BE TOLLED AWAY. I WAS 5 MINUTES FROM GETTING ON A HIGHWAY AND IF I WAS ON HIGHWAY, IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE HYDRAULIC COMPONENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A SEALED SYSTEM WITH NO USER SERVICEABLE/INSPECTION SUPPORT AND OBVIOUSLY THE CAR HAS NO MONITOR FACILITY FOR THIS COMPONENT SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING. WITH THE HYDRAULIC FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED THE GEAR BACK TO NEUTRAL WHICH RESULTS IN COMPLETE POWER LOST AND I COULD NOT "RE-ENGAGE" IT BACK IN GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION IS UNDER COMPUTER CONTROL (AUTOMATIC). *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE AIRBAG WAS DISABLED, ALTHOUGH THERE IS PASSENGER SITTING THERE. *TR

ALL 3 ALUMINUM HEAD BOLTS WERE BROKEN CAUSING AN OIL LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. BOLTS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN WHICH COULD HAVE DAMAGED ENGINE AND CAUSED FAILURE. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES THAT INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM IS AN OIL LEAK BENEATH THE CAR. THIS WAS FIXED OUT OF WARRANTY AT A COST OF $2131.78. THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN 2.5 YEARS LATER ON MARCH 27, 2013 AT 105,135 MILES AND A COST OF $2236.47. BMW DOESN'T THINK THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND SAYS IT IS "TYPICAL" OF A "HIGH PERFORMANCE" ENGINE. TO ME, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEM, NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE AND POSSIBLE INJURY. THERE APPEARS TO BE ONLY ONE OTHER COMPLAINT WITH YOUR OFFICE FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM FOR THIS SPECIFIC CAR, BUT I THINK YOU WILL FIND SIMILAR PROBLEMS FOR ALL BMW'S WITH 3.0 LITER AND OTHER ENGINES WITH ALUMINUM HEAD BOLTS, INCLUDING THE 325, 330, 528, 730, ETC. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530 XIT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN IT RAINED THE WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE SPARE TIRE AREA CAUSING DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE MAIN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WILL CLEAN THE HOSES CLEAN THE UPHOLSTERY FABRIC, REPLACED THE DAMAGED WIRING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 39,000. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOONROOF WAS NOT DESGINED CORRECTLY.

2006 BMW 530I - WHEN STOPPING, CAR LURCHES FORWARD FORCEFULLY. ALMOST HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME - FELT LIKE SOMEONE HIT ME. *TR

I NOTICED JUST SHORT OF 49,000 MILES ON MY 2006 BMW 530I THE BRAKES WERE VERY HARD TO PUSH AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND WHEN APPROACHING TRAFFIC STOPS. THROUGH TESTS OF MY OWN AND OF BMW SERVICE, THE CAUSE IS BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THESE CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THE HEAT IN THIS AREA WAS PARTIALLY TO BLAME. I'VE OWNED A LOT OF CARS IN THIS AREA AND I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDS REPLACED, BUT AS OF THIS DATE HAS NOT BEEN DONE YET. *TR

I CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA BY PHONE REGARDING A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 2006 BMW 530XI WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. YET, MY CAR EXHIBITS THE EXACT PROBLEMS OUTLINED IN THE RECALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. THIS INCLUDES A WARNING IN IDRIVE SYSTEM STATING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT" SYSTEM ISSUE. HOW IS IT THAT OTHER 2006 5 SERIES VEHICLES WERE INCLUDED AND MY CAR WAS NOT? THE LOCAL DEALER IS SAYING THIS IS MORE THAN $1000 TO REPAIR, NOT SURE HOW THEY WOULD KNOW THAT WITHOUT SEEING THE VEHICLE. *TR

THERE IS A SHORT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON NOW MOSTLY STAYS ON AND BMW SENT LETTER IN JANUARY THAT IT WOULD BE REPAIRED. ITS NOW APRIL AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED AND LOCAL DEALERS REFUSE TO FIX WITHOUT MORE INFO THOUGH THEY SAY THEY HAVE THE PARTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

I OWN A 2006 BMW 530XIT (VIN# [XXX] ) WITH A FAILED PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR MAT. BMW SAYS THAT MY VIN# IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND SO I MUST PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPLACEMENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE PASSENGER'S SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY, ALTHOUGH THE SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.