2008 BMW 5 Series Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BLACK SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF VALENCIA AT (661) 200-9111 (LOCATED AT 23435 VALENCIA BLVD, VALENCIA, CA 91355) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE BMW OF VALENCIA DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER (BMW OF COLUMBIA, 250 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY, COLUMBIA, SC 29203, 803-404-5400) WAS CONTACTED FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. IN MARCH OF 2018, THE CONTACT BEGAN NOTICING A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE DEALER WOULD RECEIVE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE WIRING HARNESSES IN THE TAILGATE HAVE BEEN BOTH SEVERED AND OTHERWISE DAMAGED BY THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE TAILGATE AND LIFTGLASS. THE HINGES AND WIRING TRAYS HAVE SHARP EDGES AND THE WIRE INSULATION MATERIAL SEEMS TO BE OF A PVC MATERIAL. IT APPEARS THAT THIS MATERIAL IS VULNERABLE TO FAILURE WITH ONLY REGULAR OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE SHARP EDGES OF THE HARNESS TRAY IN THE TAILGATE HINGES ACT AS SHEARS THAT HAVE SEVERED THE WIRES. THIS PRESENTS SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL OF FIRES FROM ELECTRICAL SHORTS, MALFUNCTIONING AND DAMAGE OF CONTROL MODULES DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORTS, INOPERABLE REAR-DEFOGGER SYSTEM, INOPERABLE KEYFOB REMOTES FOR ENTRY AND LOCKING, LOSS OF RADIO SYSTEM INCLUDING WEATHER BAND FOR SAFETY UPDATES, ETC. THIS APPEARS TO BE NOT ONLY A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT EVERY VEHICLE IN THIS DESIGNATION HAS EITHER SUFFERED FROM THESE PROBLEMS OR IS SUSCEPTIBLE. AS NOTED IN SEVERAL BLOGSITES WHERE OWNERS AND REPAIR SPECIALISTS HAVE COMMENTED, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BOTH NHTSA AND THE MANUFACTURER. CLEARLY A RECALL AND MANUFACTURER-PAID REPAIR SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); 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. MOSS BMW OF LAFAYETTE (1401 LA 728-8, LAFAYETTE, LA 70501) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT UPDATED 10/17/18*JB

CAR POWER SUDDENLY STOPS WITHOUT WARNING. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M EITHER DRIVING OR WHEN I AM IDLE; WHEN DRIVING IT JUST STOPS, AND WHEN I AM IN IDLE, IT VIBRATES VIGOROUSLY AND THEN STOPS.

3 HOLES HAVE BEEN BURNT THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE LUMBAR SUPPORT BY THE SEAT HEATER. I'M AFRAID THAT I DON'T HAVE PICTURES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM. HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=80264

OIL SENSOR LIGHT FAILED, INDICATING FULL OIL FILL AND ENGINE LOCKED UP ON HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT. SHOP SAYS ENGINE HAD NO OIL, YET GAUGE SAYS FULL. THERE ARE NO DIPSTICKS ON THIS MODEL. THE GAUGE ACTUALLY SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF OIL AND IS THE ONLY WAY TO RELY ON ANYTHING.

I WAS DRIVING AND BUMPED UP AGAINST A SIDEWALK CURVE AND MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS WELL AS MY CAR SHUT OFF. IT WILL NOT START ANOTHER MORE AND THE HOOD UNDERNEATH WAS ON FIRE. (SMOKE WAS PRESENT).

"TAKATA RECALL" MY EXPANSION TANK CRACKED, THEN IT BLEW UP. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH MY COOLING SYSTEM. MY FAN WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME I STARTED THE VEHICLE. MY THERMOSTAT HOSE DETERIORATED AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS. IN ADDITION MY ELECTRICAL/BATTERY IS BAD AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING SINCE 2 MONTHS AGO. PLEASE HELP!

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT FAILURE LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON. BROUGHT BACK TO THE BMW DEALER, SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR BMW. BUT SERVICE WOULD COST $2,300 TO FIX. I ASKED IF IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, THEN IT IS A DEFECT. BMW SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS I SEE IN OTHER RECENT RECALL ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE LAST MONTH FOR THE BMW X3.

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AND A TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME UP ON. THE FAN ON THE ENGINE ALSO CAME ON VERY LOUD AND THERE WAS LOTS OF EXHAUSTED COMING OUT. I DROVE SLOWLY TO A SHOP. ONCE AT THE SHOP THEY STATED THEY COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THEY DID DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND SAID IT WAS A SHIFT MODULE THAT NEEDED REPLACED, I HAD IT REPLACED AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY THEN SAID IT NEEDED A RESET THAT COULD ONLY BE DONE AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP. BMW PERFORMED THE RESET AND THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. BMW DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WAS OUT AND A $9K TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR CONTINUES TO NOT BE DRIVABLE, NOT STAY IN GEAR. IT HAS ALSO STARTED SPITTING OUT MILKY SUBSTANCE FROM THE EXHAUST LIKE THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO ENGINE. IN ADDITION THE PAINT ON THE HOOD AND ROOF OF THE CAR HAS BECOME DULL FOR NO APPARENT REASON, LIKE IT HAS REACTED TO A HIGH AMOUNT OF HEAT FROM THE ENGINE. A CAR WITH ONLY 132,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND THE PAINT SHOULD NOT BE WEARING LIKE IT IS. THERE WAS COOLANT RECALL ON ALL MODELS EXCEPT THE 535I, THIS COOLANT PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN WHAT CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT VERY PREMATURELY. THE CAR IS NOW NOT DRIVABLE, WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR. I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR THAT IS DUE TO A FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE CAR ITSELF AND NOT WEAR.

MECHANICAL INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS DEFECT MANIFESTS ITSELF WITH DIFFICULTY STARTING THE ENGINE DURING COLD STARTS,HESITATION WHEN APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL FOR RAPID ACCELERATION ON HIGHWAY ROADS. THERE IS ALSO A ROUGH IDLE

HPFP IS GOING BAD ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON LONG CRANK START

FOR APPROX: 2 WKS. EACH TIME THAT I START MY CAR IN THE MORNING TO PROCEED TO WORK. MY ABS , DSC , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ,TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION LIGHT , ( SOS PH) , MY RADIO SHUTS OFF & ON I HAVE TO RESET MY CLOCK EACH TIME I RESTART MY CAR THE WINDOW WIPERS COME ON & STAY ON TILL IT GOES OFF BY ITSELF & SONETIMES MY COMPUTER DASHBOARD GOES COMPLETELY BLACK . ON SUNDAY JUL 30, 2017 IT NO LONGER WILL SHIFT. INTO GEAR. I HAD RECIEVED A NOTICE THRU VIA: MAIL ABOUT 2 1/2 MOS. AGO FOR A CIVIL LAWSUIT ON THE 5. SERIES & MY CAR WAS INCL. IN THE. RECALL BUT WASN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS @ THE TIME SO I DISCARDED THE FORM IN WHICH I NOW. REGRET. THE TOWING CO. STATED TO ME THIS IS BEEN ONGOING FOR YRS. NOW & THE BMW DEALERSHIP IS WELL AWARE OF. THIS MATTER BUT AREN'T NOTIFYING. THE CUSTOMERS HE. SAID HE TOWS BMW'S ALL SERIES FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM

THIS IS THE 3RD COMPLAINT ON THE SAME VEHICLE I HAVE PLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS AND THEY HAVE FINALLY DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHERE THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE LOCATED, HAS BEEN RECEIVING WATER LEAKAGE FROM FAULTY PLUGS VIA THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM LEADING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THUS CAUSING MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS SUCH AS FUEL INJECTORS, STARTERS, BATTERIES, SENSORS, AND INDICATORS THAT MAJOR TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS HAVE OCCURRED WHEN WHAT IS REALLY WRONG IS THAT ALL THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE DROWNING IN WATER, CORRODED AND RUSTED. THIS IS FAULTY FROM THE BMW FACTORY AND THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND VIA THE INTERNET FROM MANY CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE PLACED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. IN ONE INSTANCE I EXPERIENCED THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE STEERING WHEEL ON/OFF BUTTON WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THIS VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AND IS UNRELIABLE!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE OUTSIDE LANE OF I-75. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE INSIDE LANE OF I-75 AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALBANY BMW IN ALBANY, GA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING GASOLINE SMELL ENTERS THE CAR CABIN. NO VISUAL LEAKS AT ENGINE BUT IF AIR VENT IS NOT DRAWING FRESH AIR NO SMELL IS EVIDENT. WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND EXITING THE VECHILE THE FUEL ODOR IS PRESENT FOR SHORT WHILE.

THE WIRE INSULATION INSIDE THE HEADLAMP HOUSING BECOMES BRITTLE AND CAN SHORT OUT. THEY CAN FLICKER OR GO OUT. IF BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT EXPERIENCE A SHORT, A DRIVER CAN BE LEFT DRIVING AT NIGHT WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN DEADLY ACCIDENTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY RH HEADLIGHT. THE ISSUE HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AND COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED ALL OVER BMW FORUMS. REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS ARE IN EXCESS OF US$900 EACH LEAVING MANY CAR OWNERS TO GO WITH DEFECTIVE HEADLAMPS. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TONIGHT WHEN THE RH LAMP WENT OUT FOR A FEW MOMENTS DUE TO THE WIRING SHORT. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF BOTH WENT OUT. I DON'T HAVE PHOTOS OR VIDEO EVIDENCE.

THE DRIVE SHAFT FOR MY BMW 535XI BROKE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARMING. THIS CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERNEATH COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. SUCH AS RIPPING THE DATA CABLE AND BURST THE TRANSMISSION AND ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LICKED OUT INSTANTLY. MY VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH ON COMING CARS. I HAVE UPLOADED A PICTURE OF THE BROKEN DRIVE SHAFT WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING TOWED . I HAVE THE DOCUMENTS BUT I AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD THEM AT THIS TIME. IN ADDITION THE PRESSURE HOSE FOR THE POWER PUMP BURST AND IT IS UNFAIR THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 3 POWER HOSTS BECAUSE IT IS A BMW RECOMMENDATION.

ON THURSDAY MARCH 30TH I DROPPED THE CAR OFF WITH BRINSFIELD AUTO IN GREENSBORO, NC BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON APRIL 6TH I PICKED IT UP WITH COMPLETED REPAIRS OF A CLEANED #5 FUEL INJECTOR THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AS RUNNING RICH BUT AFTER BEING CLEANED WAS RUNNING CORRECTLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER AN INDICATOR. ON APRIL 8TH I WAS DRIVING IN GASTONIA, NC AND THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING AND SHUDDERING TO THE POINT IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. I PULLED INTO A CAR DEALERSHIP THAT WAS CLOSED BECAUSE IT WAS AFTER HOURS AND PARKED THE CAR. MY SON AND I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED A VERY CLEAR ODOR OF GAS. THERE WAS A COUPLE DRIVING THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP LOT WHO STOPPED AND ALSO NOTICED THE ODOR AND AGREED IT WAS INDEED FUEL AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED BACK TO BRINSFIELD AUTO WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE #5 FUEL INJECTOR WAS LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND SHOOTING STRAIGHT FUEL THROUGH THE ENGINE AND OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A FIRE HAD I NOT NOTICED.

WIRE INSULATION INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS FALLING AWAY LEAVING BARE WIRES. CURRENTLY ONLY AFFECTING THE DRL. SEARCHING BMW FORUMS - THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION BEING THAT THE HEADLIGHTS COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. REPLACEMENT IS PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE AT MORE THAN $700 PER UNIT. WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE SEEN IN ON-LINE FORUMS, I FEEL THIS SHOULD WARRANT A SAFETY RELATED RE-CALL. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME.

ERROR CODE 93C8 - DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTION

LEFT REAR SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER CLICK SHUT. IT WAS WORKING BUT WILL NO LONGER SNAP INTO THE LOCK RECEPTACLE SINCE MARCH 2017.

WIRING AND REAR DIVERSITY ANTENNA CAN BECOME WET UNDER REAR HATCH FAIRING. THIS HAS CAUSED THE COMFORT ACCESS TO WORK WITH REDUCED RANGE AND OR NOT WORK AT ALL. WIRING HARNESS ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE HAVE SEVERED CABLES FROM OPENING AND CLOSING REAR WINDOW PORTION OF HATCH.

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING.

WIRING INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FLAKING OFF LEAVING BARE WIRES.

I PURCHASED A USED 2008 BMW 528I MID-JANUARY OF 2017. IT WAS WELL MAINTAINED, A SINGLE OWNER VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 60K MILES. IT HAS A CLEAN CARFAX AND A WELL DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT A BMW DEALERSHIP IN ORLANDO, FL. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR JUST OVER 3 WEEKS, THE PASSENGER SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMP WENT OUT. I RECEIVED A "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP" (MIL) ON THE DASH SO I INVESTIGATED. BEING AT HOME AND THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, I REMOVED THE COVER TO THE ASSOCIATED BULB, I NOTICED BARE WIRING THAT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLUG-IN CONNECTOR (THERE ARE TWO WIRES). I THOUGHT THIS UNUSUAL AND STRANGE. I SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED THE BULB BUT THAT DID NOT REPAIR THE FAULT. SINCE THE INSULATION ON THE FAULTY WIRING WAS IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER, IT WAS PROVIDING A GROUND AND SHORTING OUT THE BULB. THIS COULD REPRESENT A POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING A FIRE AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION. FURTHER RESEARCH VIA THE INTERNET (FORUMS), I WAS ASTOUNDED AT THE AMOUNT OF CONSUMERS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN TO BMW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. HELLA IS THE MANUFACTURER OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR BMW. I AM UNSURE AT THIS TIME IF BMW HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN TO HELLA OF THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR SUBSTANDARD WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. IT APPEARS OVER A 5-8 YEAR PERIOD OF USE THAT THE INSULATION IS BEING SUBJECTED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES THAT CAUSE BRITTLENESS, FRACTURES AND FINALLY DEGRADE TO WHERE THE WIRING BECOMES EXPOSED. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BUT DOES NOT APPEAR CONCERNED OR MOTIVATED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I AM SURE THAT THERE CONCERNS REVOLVE AROUND PROFIT MARGINS, BUT I FEEL WHERE SAFETY IS OF CONCERN, MONEY SHOULD NOT BE THE REASON FOR NOT CORRECTING A PROBLEM. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO DISCERN THE POTENTIAL IMPACT TO CONSUMERS SHOULD THIS PROBLEM NOT BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

TWO ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS SHEARED OFF. NOTICED DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF EIGHT BOLTS HOLDING THE ENGINE, FOUR ON EACH SIDE. BASED ON RESEARCH, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES AND MODEL AND APPEARS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT AND DESIGN FLAW. THERE IS A CHANCE THE OTHER 6 BOLTS COULD SHEAR IF NOT REPLACED WITH STRONGER BOLTS. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE TWO BOLTS AND ADVISED WE SHOULD REPLACE THE OTHER SIX.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SUDDENLY THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE SEATBELT LIGHT TURNED ON. I DID NOT HIT A BUMP OR ANYTHING. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER CURRENTLY SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE TRIED SITTING DOWN ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND PUT ON MY SEAT BELT TO SEE IF IT WILL GO AWAY BUT NO LUCK. ALSO, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL NOT GO AWAY EVEN IF I BUCKLE THE DRIVERS SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT. *TR

I HAVE A 2008 535I (E60) W/55K MILES, IN OTHERWISE PERFECT CONDITION WITH NO AFTERMARKET ALTERATIONS. WHILE DRIVING CAR IN THE HIGHWAY, I HAD A PARKING LIGHT ALERT/ERROR THAT MY PARKING LIGHT WAS OUT. AFTER ARRIVING TO MY HOME I INSPECTED MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE ANGEL EYES ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT SHOWED COMPLETELY BARE WIRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BULB CONNECTORS, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. I FOUND FLAKING INSULATION AND BARE WIRES EVERYWHERE THE INNER SEALED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY!!!. THE MORE I TOUCHED THE WIRES, THE MORE INSULATION FLAKED OFF, ALMOST LIKE A POWDER. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. DEFINITELY A FIRE HAZARD!!!! *TR

LOW BEAM AND FOG LIGHT MALFUNCTION. I'M NOT A MECHANIC, BUT IT LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE CASING AROUND THE WIRES IS JUST DISINTEGRATING AND MAY BE ARCHING. I TRIED ELECTRICAL TAPE TO TRY TO INSULATE THEM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING HAPPEN. AFTER LOOKING AROUND FOR RECALLS, I FOUND NO RECALLS ON THIS SUBJECT, BUT FOUND PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. THE MALFUNCTION IS NOT CONSTANT, BUT IS ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME. I HAVE LEARNED A WAY AROUND IT BY MOVING THE HEADLIGHT DIAL TO A DIFFERENT POSITION. I'M DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE NOW, SO WILL HAVE THE DEALER CHECK IT NOW THAT I'M GOING IN FOR SOMETHING ELSE. BUT I'M GUESSING I'M GOING TO BE STUCK WITH A HEFTY REPAIR BILL FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS A DESIGN FLAW.

I JUST DISCOVERED THIS YESTERDAY, BUT FEEL THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW WEEKS AS THE BACK OF THE SEAT WAS TOO HOT AT CERTAIN POINTS AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING AN ODD SMELL MORE RECENTLY SO I HAD A LOOK AT THE SEAT AND 3 SMALL BURN MARKS/HOLES ARE PRESENT. COULD BE DANGEROUS IF CLOTHING OR THE INTERIOR OF THE SEAT WERE TO CATCH FIRE.

ENGINE MALFUNCTION-DRIVING WITH REDUCED POWER NOTICE. HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN TOLD THAT "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT AND SHAKING AND STALLING DURING ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO IGNITION COILS. I HAVE HAD THOSE REPLACED AND AFTER REPLACING THOSE THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON INTERSTATE....VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY. NOW ENGINE MALFUNCTION. FROM LOOKING AT RECALL INFORMATION IT APPEARS THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED TO ISSUES WITH WATER PUMP AND REPLACEMENT BUT WAS NEVER CONTACTED. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO CUSTOMER WHO PAID FOR SERVICE THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE REAL ISSUE. *TR

MY CAR IS STALLING WHILE I'M DRIVING. " ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCE POWER " THE CODE IS ( P 3090 ) .. IT'S VERY UNSAFE . I DON'T HAVE POWER TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY.. I DRIVE MAINLY INTERSTATES I 75 AND I475 TO MACON GEORGIA.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

I ORDERED NEW LIGHT BULBS TO CHANGE OUT MY HALO ANGEL BULB LIGHTS (RUNNING PARKING LAMPS) .WHICH SAID THEY WERE OUT ON MY SCREEN INSIDE OF THE BMW . WHEN I TWISTED OFF THE HOUSING CAP IN THE BACK ,THE WIRING INSIDE OF MY HEADLIGHT HOUSING WHICH TURNS ON MY PARKING LIGHTS LEFT AND RIGHT IS TOTALLY DEGRADED AND FLAKED OFF ,THE COPPER CABLES WERE TOUCHING EVERYWHERE .I READ THIS IS BECAUSE GERMANY USE BIODEGRADABLE MATERIAL BUT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD FOR DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAYS AND ROAD IN FLORIDA . WE AS 5 SERIES OWNERS FOR THESE YEARS NEED A RECALL OF NEW HARNESS WITH BETTER WIRING .EVEN IF YOU BUY A NEW HOUSING IT WILL DO THE SAME THING IN 4 YEARS GUARANTEED . YOU WOULD HAVE TO FIND SOME ONE TO REWIRE IT WITH THE SAME CABLES FORD USES SO IT CAN LAST 20+ YEARS . PLEASE FIX. *TR

2008 BMW 528I AUTOMATIC SEDAN WITH 104K MILES... HEAD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS (DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE) INSULATION IS DEGRADING RESULTING IN BULBS MALFUNCTIONING/BURNING OUT REGULARLY/SHORTING OUT/BLOWN FUSES, AND POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. AN EMPLOYEES AT ONE BMW DEALERSHIP, SAID BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE' UNTIL THEY ARE FORCED TO BY THE GOVERNMENT OR A LAWSUIT.

HEADLAMP WIRING AND CONNECTOR HAS CRUMBLED OFF LEAVING BARE WIRES EXPOSED AND SHORTING OUT WITH POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING FIRE.

I HAVE A 2008 528I AND I GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, OR AIR BAG HAD AN ERROR REGARDLESS OF A PASSENGER PRESENT OR NOT ANY TIME THAT CAR IS TURNED ON. I RESEARCHED IT AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON ON BMWS AND I FEEL AS ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE PRODUCTION OF THE CAR AND THE REPAIR SHOULD NOT BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL HIGHWAY TO WORK THE CAR SHUTDOWN COMPLETLY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOTIC CHECK. THE CAR NEEDED ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP. I CALLED BMW BECAUSE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE WATER PUMP ON MY VEHICLE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED THAT RECALLS ARE VENDOR SPECIFIC. THAT DOES NOT MAKE SINCE TO ME SINCE CARS ARE MADE ON AN ASSEMBLY LINE.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. IT HAPPENED AS SOON AS I TOOK A CORNER AND HIT THE GAS AND LASTED UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF. VERY ROUGH IDLE.

HAD TO REPLACE A HEADLIGHT BULB AND A TURN SIGNAL BULB. WHEN OPENING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO ACCESS THE TWO BULBS MUCH OF THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY JUST CRUMBLED AWAY INTO VERY TINY PIECES AND DUST, WHICH FELL INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE ASSEMBLY. IT'S AS IF THE WIRE INSULATION HAS DRIED OUT AND FAILED IN THE EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. NOW MOST OF THE WIRING IS JUST BARE AND EXPOSED. THE WIRING CAN'T BE ACCESSED FROM OUTSIDE AND THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT COME APART. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WIRING SHORT CIRCUITING AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE HEADLIGHTS. I'M 68 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED 13 DIFFERENT CARS FROM AMERICAN AND GERMAN MANUFACTURERS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I THINK THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRING. I CONTACTED BMW ABOUT THIS AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS MAY BE A SIGNIFICANT DEFECT THAT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. I HAVE DONE SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS SERIES OF BMW CARS. BMW WON'T AKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM AND WON'T PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN TO SUGGEST THAT I BUY NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FROM THEM WHICH WERE MADE WITH THE SAME POOR QUALITY WIRING.

MY 2008 BMW 535I HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND I TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHT BULB, HE TOOK OUT THE HEADLIGHT AND SHOWN TO ME THE WIRING IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAVE FLAKED OFF AND HAD PRESENTED A FIRE HAZARD SITUATION WHICH CAUSED THE FUSE THE BLEW. I RESEARCHED THE BMW FORUMS AND FOUND LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, HENCE, IT IS NOT AN OUTLIER. I CONTACTED BMW USA AND THEY REFUSED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS PAST THE HEADLIGHT WIRING SHOULD NOT GO BAD IN 8 YEARS AND THEY WERE RUDE AND TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. I ALSO LEARNT THAT MOST OF THESE HEADLIGHT WIRES IN THE E60 FLAKED OFF WITHIN 50K MILES AND ARE NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL A SHORT OR BLOWN BULB. HELLA (THE MANUFACTURER OF THE HEADLIGHT) SAID IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM SINCE THE MAKE THE HEADLIGHTS TO BMW SPECIFICATIONS.

STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WAS DETECTED IN OUR GARAGE. UPON CHECKING OUR CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE AND RULING IT OUT WE THEN REALIZED IT WAS OUR 2008 BMW 528I WITH 61,800 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THE ODOR WAS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. WE HAD TO REMOVE THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE WHERE IT NORMALLY PARKS NEAR A GAS WATER HEATER SO AS TO AVOID POSSIBLE IGNITION WITHIN THE CONFINES OF OUR GARAGE. I THEN SEARCHED ON THE INTER NET : "WHY DOES MY 2008 BMW 528I SMELL LIKE GAS ALL THE SUDDEN", TO MY SURPRISE THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF POSTS WITHIN BIMMER FORUMS AND OTHERWISE REGARDING THIS VERY ISSUE. WHAT GAVE ME PAUSE IS THAT IN MY SITUATION AS WITH MANY OTHERS, AN ENGINE AND OR EMISSIONS FAULT CODE WAS NEVER SENT TO THE MAIN SCREEN FOR THE OPERATOR TO IDENTIFY AND TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND GAVE THIS INFORMATION AND ASKED IF ANY RECALLS OR BULLETINS WERE RECORDED AND WAS TOLD THERE WEREN'T. I THEN CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP HERE IN TUCSON, AZ. AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THERE WAS IN FACT A NOTE REGARDING THE CHAR COAL CANISTER BEING UNABLE TO PROCESS THE GASOLINE FUMES WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES REACH OR EXCEED 100-101 DEGREES FARENHEIT. IT HAS BEEN IN THAT RANGE HERE NOW FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS. I NOW AS OF 28 JULY 2016 HAVE MY CAR IN THE BMW SHOP FOR REPAIRS AND WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS LEAKING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE TANK AND A PUDDLE OF GAS HAS FORMED. AGAIN WHY NO ENGINE CODES WHEN A SEALED SYSTEM FAULTS AND LEAKS AND A KNOWN ISSUE LIKE THE CHAR COAL CANISTER EXISTS. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS AGENCY INVESTIGATES AND ISSUES A RECALL NOTICE. I AM GOING TO BE CHARGED $700.00+ FOR AN ISSUE WHICH IS WIDELY KNOWN OF ACROSS THE WEB AND WHICH MY DEALERSHIP FOUND NOT ALL THAT UNUSUAL. THANK YOU. *TR

AT C. 89,000 MILES - WARNING: "DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTION". BMW DEALER, ROCKVILLE, MD, WANTS $660 TO TELL ME IF IT'S A REAL PROBLEM WITH THE BAG, AND/OR ITS HOUSING AND/OR ONLY A FAULTY SENSOR SENDING AN INCORRECT MESSAGE (!!) FOLLOWING THAT SUSPICIOUS DRILL THEY CAN THEN FIX IT - A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS IF IT'S ONLY A SENSOR, MUCH MORE $ IF IT'S SOMETHING ELSE. CAR MOVING OR NOT, THE WARNING REMAINS ON.

THE VEHICLE IS MADE WITH INFERIOR WIRE COATING THAT CAN AND I'M SURE HAS RESULTED IN FIRES. NOT TO MENTION THE FEATURES OF THE LIGHTS CAN AND WILL STOP WORKING UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS ALSO CAUSES SHORTS IN THE WIRING OF THE SWITCH IN THE DASH I BELIEVE AND POSSIBLE BATTERY DRAIN LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED OR EVEN HAVING CAR DIE WHILE IN MOTION. BMW HAD MY CAR FOR 3 WEEKS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ALL THEIR OTHER FAULTY ISSUES - THEY FINALLY HAD THEIR HEAD FOREMAN TAKE THE CAR HOME WITH HIM AND GO OVER IT WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB. HE FIXED MOST OF THE ISSUES. THEY HAD SENT ME HOME WITH MY CAR 3 OR 4 TIMES TELLING ME MY ISSUES WERE RESOLVED ONLY FOR THE CAR TO STALL, SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER OR JUST NOT START. THEY WERE ALSO AWARE OF THE FAULTY WIRING BUT DID NOT LIST IT AS AN ITEM OF EMINENT CONCERN - HOWEVER AFTER TAKING CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC FOR A BLOWN BULB A MONTH LATER THEY EXPRESSED TO ME THE EXTREME FIRE HAZARD THE VEHICLE WIRING POSED AND THAT BECAUSE OF THE NATURE (OR PROBLEMATIC DESIGN RATHER) OF BMW THEY WERE NOT AT LIBERTY TO DELVE INTO SUCH MATTERS. BMW IS THE UTMOST MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE AUTO MAKER I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED FROM START TO FINISH. MY LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A DRIVER IN A LARGE ESCALADE AROUND DUSK A WEEK AGO. WHAT'S WORSE IS WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW I WAS ALSO HAVING THEM FIX THE TAIL LIGHT RECALL THAT IS PRONE TO CAUSE FIRES. I HAVE NEVER MET MORE INCOMPETENT PEOPLE. YOU DO NOT GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I NOTICED ON COMPUTER SCREEN ENGINE MALFUNCTION-REDUCED POWER. SO, I MANUVERED TO GET TO OUTSIDE SHOULDER LANE, AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE.IT WAS SPUTTERING AT THE TIME, AND I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM HAD CLEARED ITSELF, SO I PROCEEDED TO MY HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CHECKED ON THE COMPUTER FOR ONLINE INFORMATION, AND SAW A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE, SAFETY HAZZARD. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED LAST YEAR FROM A DEALER WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT, AND AT THAT TIME THE DEALER SAID, "THE OLD OWNER TRADED IT IN ON A NEW VEHICLE." SO, I HAVE NO RECORD IF THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED THROUGH THIS 1ST OWNER OR NOT? IT ACTED EXACTLY AS THE SAFETY COMPLAINT EXPLAINED, THE LOSS OF POWER WITH ENGINE MALFUNCTION. I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP, WITH LACK OF POWER. IT WAS STRANGE TO SAY THE LEAST, AND THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 45,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER.(I LOOKED UP ON THE SITE FOR RECALLS AND PUT IN THE VIN NUMBER, AND THE INDICATION CAME BACK, NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS IRONIC THAT THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS, ENOUGH TO HAVE AN ABC SAFETY RECALL SPECIAL, AND I EXPERIENCE THE SAME TYPE OF EVENT THAT MANY OTHERS HAD. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF MY NEXT PROCEDURE TO NOT EXPERIENCE THIS AGAIN. TROUBLED DRIVER 7/1/2016

I HAD A PARKING LIGHT GO BAD AND WHILE I WAS REPLACING IT I NOTICED THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER INSULATED. THE INSULATION HAS BECOME BRITTLE AND IS FLAKING OFF. I REMOVED THE COVER FOR THE OTHER HEADLIGHT AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THAT LIGHT. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THESE BARE WIRES COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

BOUGHT A 2008 BMW 550I AND EXPERIENCED HEADLIGHT FAILURE WITH THE HEADLIGHT FUSE BLOWING REPEATEDLY WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULBS NOTICED THAT ALL THE WIRES IN THE HEADLIGHT WERE BARE. USED LIQUID INSULATION TO FIX THE ISSUE HOWEVER HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OF THIS CAR CATCHING FIRE FROM THE ISSUE AFTER SOME RESEARCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION "PLEASE SHUT ENGINE OFF DUE TO OVERHEATING " WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.