2004 BMW X3 Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEZING TEMPERATURE, WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE ROOM. I STOPPED THE ENGINE AND FOUND HUGE LEAK OF OIL FROM THE VALVE COVER. I NEEDED TO ADD 1 QUART OIL WHICH MEAN 1 QUART OF OIL WAS LEAKED OUT. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LEAK WAS CAUSED BY FREEZING OIL SEPARATOR. SINCE THE OIL SEPARATOR WAS DESIGNED INCORRECTLY, IT STOPS WORKING BY THE FROZEN CONDENSATE IN COLD CLIMATE. AND, IT CAUSE HIGH PRESSURE IN THE CRANKCASE AND CONSEQUENTLY OIL LEAK THROUGH THE VALVE COVER GASKET. THE PROBLEM MAY CAUSE A COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. *KB

FAULTY OIL SEPERATOR - CHRONIC PROBLEMS. *TT

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT OVER HEATS AND BURNS YOUR BUTT AND A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AS WELL AS CLOTHES. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATS AND BURNS SEAT AND CAUSES BURNS ON LEGS. DO NOT USE SEAT WARMERS WHEN DRIVING. CALLED BMW, CLAIMED THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE - WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. *JS

I HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING, HAD TURNED THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT HEATER TO LOW, AND ONLY WENT ABOUT HALF A MILE WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION UNDER LEFT BUTTOCK/THIGH AREA. TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER QUICKLY AND PULLED OVER - LEATHER WAS PUCKERED AND DISCOLORED IN ONE CONCENTRATED SPOT. IT IS APPARENT IF IT WAS LEFT ON FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME IT WOULD HAVE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH AND POSSIBLY CAUSED A FIRE OR INJURY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE MORNING, I HAD THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON AND FELT IT GET VERY HOT ON ONE SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT HURT AND I TURNED IT RIGHT OFF. I NOTICED THIS A WEEK BEFORE ALSO. THE NEXT NIGHT WE WENT OUT AND I LOOKED DOWN AT THE DRIVER SEAT AND THERE WAS AN ACTUAL HOLE THAT WAS BURNED RIGHT THROUGH THE LEATHER! *TR

WHILE I AM DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHT TURN OFF, ALL DIGITAL DISPLAY ON CLUSTER DISAPPEARED ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND TURN BACK ON. IT SEEM LIKE ALL HEADLIGHT AND TAIL LIGHT ALSO TURN OFF. IT SEEM LIKE HAPPENED 1 OR 2 TIMES A YEAR. *TR

WITHOUT CAUSE OR INCIDENT, THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT OF OUR AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS FAILED AND DISABLED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM FOR OUR VEHICLE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR OF MANUFACTURE, BUT OUR VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE EXTRAORDINARY AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. FURTHERMORE, THE MANUFACTURER IS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND HOW THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WORKS. THE VEHICLE HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE SERVICE ENGINE AND EML LIGHTS WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE DME MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. UPON RESTART, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE BRAKE, 4X4, AND FUEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

BMW X3 HEATED SEAT BURNED FOAM & LEATHER AND CAUSED MINOR BURN TO LEFT LEG OF DRIVER. *TR

LEFT SIDE OF HEATED DRIVERS SIDE SEAT GOT REALLY HOT WHILE DRIVING AND BURNED THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT AND ALSO MY LEFT LEG. LEG FELT EXTREMELY HOT AND I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE SEAT WAS SMOKING IN THE AREA OF THE BURN. I PLAN TO TAKE THIS CAR INTO FIELDS BMW OF NORTHBROOK, IL (WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE) TO DETERMINE HOW THEY PLAN TO FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL IN SNOWY CONDITIONS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,700. UPDATED 02/08/11*LJ UPDATED 03/11/11*JB

I HAVE BEEN ALERTED BY MY LOCAL MECHANIC A FEW YEARS AGO AND IN 2011 BY MY LOCAL BMW DEALER THAT MY LEFT REAR COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN DUE TO RUST. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE LOCAL BMW DEALER THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE FOR ALL BMWS THAT OPERATE IN THE NORTHEAST DUE TO SALT. THE DEALER'S MEMO TO ME STATES: "IF NOT REPLACED, WORN COIL SPRINGS WILL NOT ALLOW THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM TO MOVE AND ADAPT TO CHANGING ROAD IRREGULARITIES". THE BMW DEALER WANTS $640.24 TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS. MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 80,000+ MILES ON IT AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED, AS HAS BEEN OUR OTHER VEHICLES, NONE OF WHICH THAT HAS HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS DUE TO SALT/RUST. ONE VEHICLE HAS 280,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN/PERFORMANCE FLAW THAT MAY HAVE BAD CONSEQUENCES FOR BMW OWNERS. *TR

HEATED DRIVER SEAT STARTED BURNING MY LEG/BUTTOCK AND SMELLED ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. TURNED OFF HEATED SEAT. *TR

MY 2004 BMW X3 HAS HEATED SEATS WHICH BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND ALMOST BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS. I WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST WRECKED FROM THE PAIN. AFTER I PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT I SAW A BURN IN THE SEAT THAT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. BMW WANTS TO MAKE $700 TO REPLACE THE HEATER AND ANOTHER $700 TO REPLACE THE LEATHER. TOOK IT TO CHARLESTON, SC DEALERSHIP. *TR

AUGUST 1, 2010 TOOK CAR TO LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP NORTHPOINT TO HAVE AIR CONDITIONER CHECKED PRIOR TO 100,0000 MILE WARRANTY EXPIRING. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REPEAT DIAGNOSIS OF WHY AIR WAS NOT COOLING. ON 11-15-2010 AT 107,215 AFTER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED A 3RD PARTY DIAGNOSED CAR AS NEEDING A EVAPORATOR COIL WHICH IS A $2000-$2500 REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION TO ANOTHER PROBLEM OF THE ENGINE BURNING AND LEAKING OIL WHICH IS $6000 TO REPLACE. *TR

BMW 2004 X3 SEAT HEATER ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH LEATHER CAUSING BURNING AND DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION OR FIRE POSSIBILITY. *TR

FRONTAL DIFFERENTIAL AND WINDOW MOTOR WENT BAD AT THE SAME TIME. THE SUV ONLY HAS 80, 000 MILES AND IS HAVING ALL KINDS OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ALREADY. I BOUGHT A BMW BECAUSE I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY BUILD GOOD CARS NOT LEMONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ASSUMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY AIR BAG SENSORS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,200.

BROKEN REAR SPRING ON 2004 BMW X3 WITH 50,000 MILES. DEALER STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 3 SERIES AND THEY ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE X3. *TR

I AM A MILITARY MEMBER STATIONED IN RAMSTEIN GERMANY FROM JAN 2001 - JUNE 2005. IN MAY 2005, I PURCHASE A US-SPEC 2004 BMW X-3 FROM AN AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER ON BASE. I SHIPPED MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE STATES IN JULY 2006. RECENTLY, I NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND PASSENGER ON-OFF LAMP ARE ILLUMINATED--PROBLEM IS IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL SUMMARY 08V384000 IN THIS WEBSITE. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED BMW, THEY SAID THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LISTS. CAN YOU HELP ME GET MY VEHICLE FIXED UNDER THIS RECALL PROGRAM? MY VIN # IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000. UPDATED 01/06/11*LJ UPDATED 01/24/11*JB

SHORT CIRCUIT IN HEATING ELEMENT FOR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. SHOCKS OCCUR THROUGH LEATHER WHEN HEATER IS ACTIVE. TURNED OFF HEAT AND DISCONTINUED USE OF HEATING ELEMENT TO AVOID DAMAGE/BURNS. PASSENGER SIDE HEATING ELEMENT IS STILL OK. *TR

THE MANUFACTURER SUPPLIED SCISSOR STYLE AUTO JACK COLLAPSED JUST BEFORE IT REACHED FULL EXTENSION. TIRE NOT YET CLEAR OF GROUND AND NO BODY PARTS NEAR JACK SO NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO CAR OCCURRED. POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE AFTER WHEEL REMOVED ARE HORRIBLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 BMW THAT HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS A SEAT WARMER THAT BURNS THROUGH THE LEATHER AND SCORCHES THROUGH CLOTHING. THIS IS A DANGER TO ANYONE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE SEAT HEATER ACTIVATED. IT HAS CAUSED NEAR MISSES WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH BOTH MY WIFE AND I DRIVING. OUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DOUBT IF THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE THE SEAT. THERE ARE SCORCH MARKS ON THE SEAT WHERE IT OVERHEATS AS WELL AS BURN MARKS ON OUR CLOTHES. WE HAVE STOPPED USING THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO AVOID ANY FURTHER INCIDENTS. WE HAVE CALLED BMW HEADQUARTERS ON MANY OTHER ISSUES AND THEY REFUSED HELP WITH ANYTHING CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. THE ISSUE LIST FOR THIS VEHICLE IS A LONG ONE AS YOU MAY KNOW. WE THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN OFFER. *TR

HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/INVESTIGATION/2004/BMW/X3/AIRBAG BMW HAS ONLY RECALLED A PARTIAL LIST OF VEHICLES FOR THE ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT FUNCTIONING. THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO THE ENTIRE VEHICLE LINE. I HAVE A 2004 BMW X3 AND IT IS EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUE DOCUMENTED IN RECALL LIST AND ITS NOT BEEN ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE. IT APPEARS BMW HAS LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF VEHICLES COVERED BY THE RECALL NOTICE TO SAVE ON DOLLARS. THIS IS SERIOUS, IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SAFETY SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION. *TR

1. NO ADVANCE WARNING. 2. FAILURE OF PCV VALVE SYSTEM, WITH RESULTING IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL THROUGH COMBUSTION PROCESS. ENGINE STALLS AND VEHICLE IS BROUGHT TO COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS. 3. PCV RELATED HARDWARE REPLACED IN FIRST INCIDENT, WITH CLAIM THAT "REDESIGN" WOULD PREVENT RECURRENCE. SAME IN SECOND AND THIRD INCIDENT. THIS IS NOT ONLY AN INCONVENIENT PROBLEM, IT IS ALSO SAFETY RELATED, AS THE PROBLEM CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING IMMOBILIZED IN TRAFFIC. IT IS ALSO NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, BASED ON WHAT BMW TECHNICIANS AND OTHER MECHANICS HAVE RELATED. *TR

I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NOT MOVING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WITHOUT WARNING, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND HOPPED FORWARD, ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO PRESS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED UP OR SQUEALED, LASTING FOR ABOUT FORTY SECONDS. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED IT 'UNINTENDED ACCELERATION' AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 BMW X3. THERE IS A RECALL ON MY YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE FOR FAULTY AIRBAG SENSORS THAT CAUSE THE AIRBAGS NOT TO FUNCTION IN A CRASH. MY CAR IS DISPLAYING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. BMW IS NOT INCLUDING MY PARTICULAR CAR IN THE RECALL. THIS DEFECT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MY WIFE AND I. IT IS MY WISH THAT BMW WILL EXPAND THE RECALL TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES THAT HAVE THIS DEFECTIVE CONDITION. *TR

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE WHEN SOMEONE OF THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SO, WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE LIGHT SHOWING PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT ACTIVATED LIGHT WOULD STILL BE ILLUMINATED. THIS WOULD HAPPEN ON AND OFF, NOT CONSTANT. THEN ONE DAY IT REMAINED ON CONSTANT AND ON THE DASH A RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. BOTH OF THESE LIGHTS HAVE STAYED ILLUMINATED SINCE THE PROBLEM BEGAN HAPPENING. I CONTACTED BMW BASED ON THE RECALL THAT IS LISTED, THEY STATE THAT EVEN THOUGH THE ERROR THAT OCCURRED AND PROBLEM MATCHES THE RECALL, MY VIN IS NOT EFFECTED. THEREFORE, I WOULD LIKE A REVIEW TO SEE IF MY VIN NUMBER SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL OR IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO MORE VEHICLES THAT ARE EFFECTED. (NHTSA EA08001) I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR THE DEFECT AT NO COST TO ME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MAIN OFFICE AND DEALERS. THEY CONTINUE TO STATE THAT MY VIN WAS NOT EFFECTED AND I WILL NEED TO PAY TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. *TR

STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LAMP CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. THE AIRBAG HAS NOT BEEN DEPLOYED AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP IS ALSO ON ALL THE TIME. I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAGS ARE NOT WORKING. THE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. SHE STATES THAT SHE NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE HER VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE VIN RANGE FOR RECALL #08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. BL

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND MY HUSBAND IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. CALLED LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND 800 NUMBER- AS AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE IT IS A RECALL. THEY SAID IT DIDN'T PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL STATES FOR MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2006 BMW X3. I HAVE A 2004 BMW X3 AND AM WONDERING HOW IT DOESN'T PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE. *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED AND THE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE DRIVER SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, HEAD AND UPPER BACK. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE IS 68000. JP UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE RIGHT REAR POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP. UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB

MY TRANSMISSION/VEHICLE AT 40MPH ON FLAT OR SLIGHT DECENT WILL JERK BACK AND FORTH WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. BMW HAS REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION, TRACTION UNIT, ABS SENSOR UNIT, TO SAY THIS IS NORMAL WITH THE 2.5 ENGINE. I FIND IT SURPRISING THAT THIS IS THE CASE. NOW, SINCE THE REPAIR MY REAR SUSPENSION MAKES NOISES, LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY HAVE TIGHTENED IT UP, BUT IT IS BACK TO THE SAME PROBLEM. I SEE THERE IS PENDING LAWSUITS OVER THE REAR SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES. NEEDLESS TO SAY, NOTHING IS FIXED AND NOW NEW PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED. THE LOCAL BMW DEALER HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD ABOUT THIS, IT SEEMS THEY ARE UNDER ADVICE FROM BMW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHENEVER A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATES THAT THE AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEING EXCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WITH SEATBELT BOTH ON OR OFF. *TR

THE HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT. THIS EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE, HAD I NOT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE HEATER MUST HAVE SHORTED OUT. THE SPOT WHERE THE SHORT OCCURRED, ON THE SIDE BOLSTER IN THE SEAT BOTTOM, GETS VERY HOT AND BURNED THE LEATHER. *TR

MY 2004 BMW X3.0I HAS A HESITATION ON ACCELERATION. WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP, AND BEGIN TO ACCELERATE ON THE GAS PEDAL, LIGHT MOVING OFF FROM A RED LIGHT, THE CAR DOES A HORRIFIC AMOUNT OF HESITATING ON ACCELERATION, ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE IS COUGHING, AND DOES THIS EACH AND EVERY TIME I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AS \I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER, 2007, TIL THIS PRESENT DAY, BUT KNOW ONE COULD SEEM TO FIX IT, UNTIL I REVIEWED THE QUESTION IN A BMW FORUM, AND HERE IS THE LINK THAT STATES THE REASON WHY: HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/7237/BMW/X3/BMW-X3-HESITATION-ON-ACCELERATION MY CAR HAS 192K, IS PAID FOR. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO LOOK FOR ANSWERS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR AT THIS TIME, BUT PAID 29K FOR THIS HIGH-END, EXPENSIVE VEHICLE. I AM WONDERING IF YOUR LOOK INTO THIS WITH BMW. WILL CORRECT THIS ISSUE AS A MANUFACTURERS ERROR BECAUSE I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY CAR. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN CORRECTING THIS ISSUE.

A PIECE OF THE STRUT COIL SPRING FELL OFF WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED. IT APPEARS TO BE RUSTED AND JUST CRACKED OFF. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP SHOWING THEM THE PIECE I FOUND AND THEY ADVISED THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE AND IT WILL COST ME OVER $500.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I ONLY HAVE 57,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AS THE COIL APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. *JB

I PURCHASED A 'CERTIFIED" BMW 330I IN DECEMBER OF 2006 AND HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED, INSTRUMENT CARRIER REPLACED, BOTH PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED, SUNROOF REPAIRED, HEADLINER REPAIRED (IT JUST FELL DOWN ONE DAY). THE CAR WON'T START RIGHT UP, AND WHEN IT DOES IT RUNS REAL HARD AND THE RPM GOES UP SUDDENLY, THE CAR TAKES A MINUTE BEFORE IT WILL EVEN MOVE & THEN IT DOES SO FAST! I HAVE HAD IT IN SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS COMPLAINT AND THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER ISN'T SHOWING ANYTHING, SO IT WILL HAVE TO GET WORSE BEFORE THEY CAN DIAGNOSE IT. WOW! I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 8 MOS. AND I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER. I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW THEY DETERMINE A CAR TO BE CERTIFIED? IT SURE DOESN'T SEEM AS THOUGH IT WAS CHECKED TOO THOROUGHLY TO ME. AND OH DID I MENTION I HAD TO TAKE IT TO GOODYEAR TODAY FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES, THAT BMW WOULDN'T COVER. THANKS GOODYEAR AT LEAST YOU STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCTS! THIS IS MY 2ND BMW AND MY LAST! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA!!! *TR

I HAVE A 2004 330CI WITH A 6 SPD TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST BUT THIS PAST WEEKEND MY CAR WAS IN IDLE IN TRAFFIC. MY VEHICLE WOULD DO ROUGH IDLING AND THE ENGINE RPM WOULD DIP THEN SURGE EVENTUALLY LEADING THE CAR TO LOSE ENGINE POWER AND DIE. THIS CAN BE A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN THERE IS A POSSIBLY OF SOMEONE REAR ENDING YOU IF THE CAR JUST LOSES ENGINE POWER. IT'S NOT A HUMAN PROBLEM BUT ENGINE DEFECT. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILED DRIVING ON THE MORNING OF 01/17/06, THE THERMOSTAT ON HER SEATS TURNED ON HIGH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE THEN TURNED OFF THE HEATER IN THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SHE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND STARTED DRIVING WITHOUT THE CAR HEATER ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ABOUT 1/2 MILE LATER SHE FELT BURNING ON HER LEGS. SHE JUMPED OUT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DRIVER SEAT WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE WIRES IN THE SEAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE OR END THE LEASE ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS OFFERED TO TAKE CARE OF ANY MEDICAL EXPENSES AND REPLACE HER CLOTHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID INFORM HER THAT THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. *JB

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 BMW X3 DURING COLD WEATHER, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I PULLED MY CAR OVER, TURNED OFF THE HEAT AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE SMELL HAD DISSIPATED AND I COULD SEE NO SMOKE OR ANY EVIDENCE OF FIRE. I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH THE HEATER TURNED OFF, AND SHORTLY AFTER, FELT A STRONG BURNING SENSATION ON MY HIP AND REALIZED THAT MY COAT WAS ON FIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR AND JUMPED OUT AND USED A LARGE BOOK TO SMOTHER THE FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. FIELD'S BMW IN NORTHBROOK, IL TOOK THE CAR BACK THAT SAME DAY, AND THE NEXT DAY CONFIRMED A SEAT HEATER FIRE. I WENT TO MY DOCTOR TO CONFIRM THE BURN ON MY LEG. AS OF TODAY, FEB. 1, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OFFER, SETTLEMENT, OR SATISFACTION FROM BMW. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA MYSELF, AND RECEIVED A RETURN CALL FROM JAY HANSEN, WHO SEEMED RESPONSIVE, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM SINCE. AMAZINGLY, SINCE THE DAY AFTER THE FIRE, WHEN THEY CALLED TO CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE SEAT HEATER, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *JB

FAILURE OF CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE IN 2004 3 SERIES BMW. THIS FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY MOISTURE BUILD UP IN THE VALVE, WHICH THEN FROZE AT AN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. APPARENTLY, BMW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AS THE REPLACEMENT VALVE IS "RE-ENGINEERED". APPARENTLY, THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS IN THE SIX CYLINDER ENGINE, AT EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURE, AND IN CARS WHICH ARE USED ONLY IN "SHORT TRIPS". THE CAR HAS BEEN DOWN FOR OVER TWO WEEKS, AWAITING PARTS. *NM

SE HA DANADO EL CARRO 5 VECES PORQUE CADA CIERTO TIEMPO EL CARRO NO QUIERE PRENDER, SE HA LLEVADO EN GRUA AL SERVICIO DE BMW Y SE TARDAN MUCHO EN ARREGLARLO, YA EL CARRO VA A PERDER GARANTIA Y ME HANDICO DE PARTE DE AUTOGERMANA BMW Q DE PERDERSE LA GARANTIA YO CUBRIRIA LOS GASTOS DE AHI EN ADELANTE, EL CARRO TIENE PROBLEMAS, ADICIONAL A ESO EN UNA DE LAS OCASIONES SE QUEDARON CON UNA DE LAS LLAVES MASTER Y AL CAMBIAR DE GERENCIA NO ME LA QUIEREN DEVOLVER, DICEN Q NO SABEN NADA. *NM

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 BMW X3 2.5L SAV IN WHERE THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WILL ILLUMINATE INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED WHILE MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE BROUGHT MY TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP (JMK BMW IN SPRINGFIELD, NJ) ABOUT 4 TIMES AND UNFORTUNATELY EACH TIME THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE IN CONTACT WITH MY DEALER AND EVEN REQUESTED TO HAVE MY TRUCK BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT ON MORE TIME (BY THIS TIME IT WOULD BE THE 4TH TRIP BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM). AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME STATING THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED. BUT IT HAS NOT. I REPORTED THE ISSUE AGAIN TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HAVE USED EVERY POSSIBLE SOLUTION ON MY TRUCK AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THAT??S RIGHT! BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TOLD ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD ENGINEERS FROM GERMANY LOOK INTO THE ISSUE, THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS TECHNICIANS SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TO SEE IF THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATES (MIND YOU THEY PROBABLY WEIGH AT LEAST 75LBS MORE THEN MY WIFE), THEY MOVED THE SENSORS ON THE SEAT, REPLACED THE SENSORS, AND MORE. YET THE PROBLEM REMAINS. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH THE MANAGER AT THE PARTS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP AND I AM WAITING WORD BACK TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS IN REGARDS TO MY PROBLEM BECAUSE I WILL NO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA IS TELLING ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT THEIR PRODUCT IS HAVING. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION HELPS YOU AS I HOPE IT WILL HELP ME IN GETTING MY PROBLEM FIXED AND HOPEFULLY GET THIS INFORMATION OUT THERE TO OTHER DRIVERS OF THE X3 TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW OF THIS ISSUE AND TRY AND GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME FAILURE REPAIRED TWO YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,347. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08.*JB

STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT DURING VERY HOT WEATHER. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANY KIND OF STEERING ADJUSTMENT. *JB