2003 BMW 3 Series

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  GOT A WARNING FROM POLICE ABOUT DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LIGHT BEING OUT. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. BULB REPLACED. IN LESS THAN 12 HOURS THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO REPAIR SHOP THEY PULLED THE LIGHT PANEL OUT LIGHTS CAME ON. I DROVE OFF AND THE INSIDE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IF THE LIGHT WENT OUT AGAIN IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND THE PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR

• 12/31/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I WAS BLINDED TONIGHT BY THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS ON A CAR 100 OR MORE FEET FROM ME THAT WAS COMING OUT OF A GAS STATION. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE GAS STATION AND BECUASE O BEING BLINDED I DIDN'T SEE A ROAD DIVIDER. MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HIT IT A A LOW SPEED AND BLEW THE TIRE AND BENT THE RIM. OBVIOUSLY THE OTHER DRIVER DIDN'T KNOW I EXISTED OR HAD BEEN FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY IMPACTED BY HIS HEADLIGHTS BUT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME WHEN SOME UNEXPLAINED FATAL ACCIDENT WILL HAVE THE SAME ROOTS. THANK YOU, DAN STERNBERG

• 12/29/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 12/29/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 12/29/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS ARE MELTING/BURNING CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN LIGHT OUTPUT. VERY SIMPLE PROBLEM FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES FOR $2,000. SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL XENON HEADLIGHTS PRODUCED BY ZWK FOR THE 2002-2004 3 SERIES BMW. *KB

• 12/29/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

  LENS COVER FOR HEAD LIGHTS ON BMW 325 I WITH ONLY 65K IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE SEVERELY OXIDIZED LIMITING VISION AT NIGHT. CALLED BMW AND BASICALLY STATED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR

• 12/27/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  2003 BMW 325I REAR TAIL LIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY AND REPEATEDLY QUIT WORKING. LIGHT BULBS REPLACED AND WORK WELL. IT APPEARS TO BE A WIRING ISSUE. *TR

• 12/23/2014· AIR BAGS

  RE: CAMPAIGN # 14V-428 I RECEIVED AN 'IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL' REGARDING A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH VIA EMAIL AND PHONE CALLS WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO NO AVAIL. THEY ADVISE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS YET. MY DEALER, HABBERSTAD, HUNTINGTON, NY ALSO ADVISES THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. I AM ON A LIST TO BE SERVICED WHEN PARTS ARE RECEIVED. THIS LETTER IS DATED SEPTEMBER 2014, IT IS NOW DECEMBER 23, 2014 AND I AM STILL RIDING IN A DEATHTRAP. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO HAVE ANY FRONT PASSENGERS OR STORE ANYTHING ON THE SEAT! I CANNOT HAVE MY 3 GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR OR ANY OTHER PASSENGERS. THIS IS ABSURD! I HAVE GIVEN BMW 3 FAIR OPTIONS: 1-SECURE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO MAKE MY AUTO SAFE...2-GIVE ME A LOANER UNTIL SUCH TIME...OR BUY THE CAR FROM ME AT A VERY FAIR PRICE (AS I COULDN'T SELL IT PRIVATELY) SO I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. WHY ISN'T THE CONSUMER'S SAFETY A TOP PRIORITY, AND WHAT IS BEING DONE BY THE NHTSA TO ENSURE THIS??? *TR

• 12/22/2014· AIR BAGS

  BMW ISSUED RECALL 13V-172000 IN MAY 2013 AND EXPANDED TO RECALL 14V-428000 IN SEPTEMBER 2014 TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. IN THEIR LETTER TO NHTSA WITH REGARDS TO RECALL 14V-428000 THEY NOTED THEY SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH PARTS TO PERFORM THE RECALL IN OCTOBER 2014. AN UPDATE TO THE RECALL NOTICE ON THE NHTSA SITE STATES "A SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED WHEN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE, ON DECEMBER 1, 2014", HOWEVER I HAVE NOT RECEIVED SUCH NOTICE AND WHEN I CONTACTED BMW THEY STATED ON 12/15/14 "DUE TO A HIGH DEMAND FOR PARTS, WE ARE EXPERIENCING SHIPMENT DELAYS BUT DO ANTICIPATE RECEIVING AN INCREASE IN INVENTORY SUPPLY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS". THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THEY ESTIMATE THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE. THE RECALL NOTES THAT IN A COLLISION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE AND METAL FRAGMENTS COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE A PASSENGER. BASED ON THE LACK OF ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION FROM BMW, AND THEIR RECENT STATEMENT THAT THE REPAIR COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ON THEIR LACK OF URGENCY TO RESOLVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN AT LEAST SINCE JULY 16, 2014, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN KNOWN ON MAY 2013 WHEN THE ORIGINAL RECALL 13V-172000 AFFECTING A LOWER NUMBER OF VEHICLES WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED. *TR

• 12/21/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 12/21/2011· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF $1000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

• 12/19/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 12/19/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 12/19/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT

  I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH OVER 1 MIL ACIDENT FREE MILES. EVERY YEAR THE HEADLIGHTS GET AIMED WORSE, THE TECHNOLOGY GETS BRIGHTER AND SOMETIMES WIDER DISPERSION (BLINDING) AND MORE DRIVERS DRIVE FULLTIME WITH FOG LIGHTS (NON-LENTICULAR LENS). MANUFACTURERS ARE ENCOURAGING THIS PROCESS WITH THE MANUFACTURE OF AUTOS WITH BIG FOG LIGHTS AND FAILING TO LABEL THEM WITH RESTRICTIVE USE WARNINGS. IN ADDITION, THEIR ADVERTISING ALWAYS SHOWS VEHICLES WITH THESE LIGHTS ON IN THEIR ADVERTISMENTS. BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY I AM FORCED TO BLOCK OUT THEIR LIGHTS (AT THE RATE OF ABOUT ONE IN TWENTY-FIVE) WITH MY HAND, AND THEREFORE WILL HAVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT IF THEY CROSS THE CENTER LINE SINCE I CANNOT SEE THEM. POLICE IN EVERY STATE MUST BE TOLD TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AGAINST FULL-TIME FOG LIGHTS AND MUST REGULATE THE BRIGHTNESS AND AIM OF HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME EPIDEMIC.

• 12/18/2019· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVING ON 12/12/2019 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY ABOUT 65MPH, GOING STRAIGHT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN REAR WHEELS (THIS IS RWD - 2003 BMW 325I) LOCKED UP COMPLETELY - THE VEHICLE WENT FORWARD AT ABOUT 45 DEGREES SIDEWAYS BEFORE IT STRAIGHTENED OUT WHEN THE SPEED DROPPED. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HIT ANYBODY, AND NO ONE HIT ME ALTHOUGH THERE WAS QUITE A BIT OF TRAFFIC ON THIS MULTI LANE INTERSTATE. I GOT AAA TOW IT HOME. HE HAD TO DRAG IT ONTO THE TRUCK BED AS THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUED TO BE LOCKED UP. WHEN I REMOVED AND OPENED THE DIFFERENTIAL TAPERED ROLLER BEARING ROLLERS WERE IN THE OIL SPACE. LOOKING TO SEE WHERE THEY JAMMED THE SYSTEM UP I NOTICED MARKS ON THE CARRIER. IT APPEARS ROLLERS JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE CARRIER AND THE INNER WALL OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BOX - SEE PHOTOGRAPHS. THEY MAY ALSO HAVE JAMMED UP IN BETWEEN THE GEARING BUT I DID NOT NOTICE MARKS ON THE TEETH BUT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SPEND TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY.

• 12/18/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) 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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

• 12/18/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE BY PICKUP TRUCK DARTING OUT FROM INTERSECTING SIDE STREET. TRUCK WAS GOING APROX. 10-15 MPH. BMW APROX. 20-25MPH. THIS WAS A SIDE T-BONE COLLISION, NO SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BMW DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HEAD,FACE,CHEST,NECK,SHOULDER. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BMW LEFT SIDE. *TR

• 12/17/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL DESPITE MULTIPLE CALLS TO OUR DEALER COAST BMW NISSAN OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA (805-543-4423) WE HAVE NEVER BEEN CALLED BACK TO HAVE THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM REMEDIED.

• 12/17/2007· WHEELS

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. AFTER THE CPNTACT HAD THE RIMS CHROMED THEY WOULD CONTINUOUSLY AND SLOWLY DEFLATE. THE TIRES HAD TO BE INSPECTED AND REINFLATED AFTER EVERY TRIP. THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER THE RIMS WERE CHROMED. THE RIMS WOULD NOT HOLD AIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

• 12/16/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAG) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/16/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 12/16/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WIRING AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS), BUT THE CONNECTOR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

• 12/16/2006· POWER TRAIN

  PLEASE REFER TO FR DOC 04-10644. MY PROBLEM CONCERNS THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH MY 2003 BMW X5, IE, DELAYED PARK TO DRIVE ENGAGEMENT ON COLD START. ON 11-11-06 I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVE (I LIVE ON A CORNER LOT) AND IMMEDIATELY AM AT A STOP SIGN. I PULLED OUT, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT FULLY ENGAGE IN DRIVE AND AS A RESULT I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF BEING SMASHED BY A TRUCK THAT WAS COMING DOWN THE ROAD I WAS ENTERING. IN THE DOCUMENT MENTIONED ABOVE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. YOU WERE WRONG. IN THIS DOCUMENT BMW ARGUED THAT THEY HAD A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SIB 24 07 03 TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION BY INSTALLING A NEW TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY, IN JULY '04 THEY REVISED THIS TSB TO REPROGRAM THE EGS MODULE (INCREASING THE PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION SO IT TAKES LONGER TO LEAK DOWN) AND NOT TO PUT IN NEW TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE HAD MY X5 REPROGRAMMED BY BMW AND IT DID NO GOOD. I HAD A BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVISOR TELL ME THAT THE REPROGRAMMING WAS A PARTIAL FIX BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WAS A MATTER OF MONEY FOR BMW. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. I BOUGHT IT USED. THE BMW REPRESENTATIVE, JEFF FITZ, THEN HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME IF I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR NEW I WOULD HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION. HE SAID I SHOULD THINK ABOUT LEARNING TO LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM SINCE HIS EXPERIENCE IS THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT SATISFACTORY EITHER. I ASK THAT YOU REVIEW YOUR FINDINGS ON THE BASIS THAT BMW IS NOT CORRECTING THE SAFETY PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN FR DOC 04-10644. *JB

• 12/15/2017· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. WEATHERFORD BMW OF BERKELEY (735 ASHBY AVE, BERKELEY, CA 94710) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/13/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED ON 11/23/16. THE AIR BAG RED LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON AND WAS NEVER RESET BY THE DEALER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE. TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT IS UNRESOLVED, STILL ON

• 12/13/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WIRING CONNECTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO PERFORMING THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE WIRING CONNECTOR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE RECALL HAD DAMAGED THE WIRING CONNECTOR AND HE FELT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

• 12/13/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. ALL THREE DOORS REMAINED LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE OPEN FROM INSIDE BY USING THE MECHANICAL HANDLES. NEITHER THE REMOTE KEY NOR THE REGULAR KEY WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. *TR

• 12/12/2017· AIR BAGS

  I HAVE HAD BOTH AIR BAGS REPLACED AD THE AIRBAG MAN DOES NOT GO OFF I WAS TOLD THAT THE MRS CONTROL UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE NONE OF MY AIRBAGS WILL WORK UNTIL THE MRS CONTROL UNIT IS REPLACED. I WANT TO KNOW IS BMW GOING TO REPLACE THE UNIT I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MISHAP CAUSED THE MRS CONTROL UNIT TO GO BAD.

• 12/12/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING SINCE 11/2004, AND HAS HAD 6 DOCUMENTED SERVICES. AFTER LAST SERVICE ON 11/18/05, IT STALLED AGAIN ON 12/01/05 WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY. I HAD NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE THEN AND HAD IT TOWED AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON 12/10/05. *JB

• 12/11/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  MY 2003 BMW 325I WILL NOT UNLOCK. I CANT GET INTO THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED THE KEY AND THE FOB AND THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOW TO GET INTO THE CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THE DOORS STILL WILL NOT UNLOCK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE YOU CANT UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AND A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

• 12/11/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. KEY FOB BUTTON WILL NOT UNLOCK ANY DOORS 90% OF THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN ONLY GET IN CAR ON DRIVERS SIDE WITH MANUAL OPERATION OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK (STICKING KEY IN LOCK AND TURNING). ONCE IN CAR, 90% OF TIME I STILL CANNOT UNLOCK ANY OTHER DOORS, EVEN BY PULLING ON DOOR HANDLE (WHICH WOULD ORDINARILY UNLOCK THE DOOR). THE INTERIOR BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WILL NOT WORK. ON FRIDAY, 12/9/11, I COULD NOT EVEN GET OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. (CAR IS SET TO AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE ALL LOCKS ONCE I START DRIVING) I HAD TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN AND REACH OUT AND UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY. WHEN MY SON AND DAUGHTER DRIVE WITH ME, THEY HAVE TO GET IN AND OUT OF CAR EITHER BY CRAWLING ACROSS DRIVER'S SEAT OR GO THROUGH A WINDOW OPENING. MY WIFE CANNOT RIDE IN THIS CAR NOW BECAUSE SHE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. DUE TO THIS DEFECT, PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED IN CAR. ALSO, ENTRY INTO VEHICLE IS DELAYED (BECAUSE FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK DOORS) WHICH ALSO POSES SAFETY RISKS WHEN PARKED AT NIGHT IN DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGES. THERE ARE FIVE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE ON THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED. *TR

• 12/11/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ZKW BI XENON HEADLIGHTS REFLECTORS BURN OUT OVER TIME. THE BOWLS ARE SHOT AND THEY WERE BLACK, BURNED TO A CRISP. THEY WERE MADE OUT OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH A CHROME COATING, INSTEAD OF A METAL REFLECTOR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR BMW. THEY GOT THE TAIL LIGHT WHICH WORKS FINE IN MY CAR, I NEED MY HEADLIGHTS TO SEE! *TR

• 12/11/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY BMW 2003 330I IS EQUIPPED WITH ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT HAVE PLASTIC XENON PROJECTOR BOWLS INSTALLED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF USAGE THESE PROJECTOR BOWLS BURN OUT AND AS A RESULT, THE REFLECTIVE COATING THAT ALLOWS LIGHT TO BE FOCUSED THROUGH THE PROJECTORS ARE BURNED OFF REDUCING EFFECTIVE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES SUFFERED APPROXIMATELY 50% LOSS IN EFFECTIVE LIGHT OUTPUT DUE TO BURNED OUT XENON PROJECTOR BOWLS AND I FOUND THAT MY FOG LIGHTS WERE PUTTING OUT MORE LIGHT THAN BOTH MY ZKW HEADLIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 3-SERIES SEDANS MADE FROM 2002 - 2005. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE, AS A RESULT OF BMW INACTION TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFICIENCY, EITHER REPLACED THEIR ORIGINAL ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WITH DEPOT AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OR HAVE REPLACED THE DEFECTED ZKW PROJECTOR BOWLS WITH AL PROJECTOR BOWLS OR FX-R PROJECTOR BOWLS. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT IS A SERIOUS ROAD SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

• 12/11/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  PASSENGER SIDE XENON HEADLIGHT OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. CAR HAD TO GO TO DEALER FOR REPAIR BUT PARTS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO FIX. FOR SAFETY I HAVE RESTRICTED VEHICLE TO DAYTIME DRIVING ONLY BECAUSE I CANNOT DEPEND ON THE HEADLIGHTS TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. *JB

• 12/09/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE CAR DOORS AT TIMES DO NOT UNLOCK. IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT. A KEY CAN BE USED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR BUT A COUPLE OF TIMES EVEN THE DOOR KEY HAS NOT WORKED. THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE IS THAT I HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS, INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WITH THE MAIN LOCK CONTROL OR EVEN BY TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE PASSENGERS CRAWL OUT OF THE WINDOW TO EXIT THE CAR A FEW TIMES. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE KEY WORKS TO GET IN BUT I CANNOT GET THE OTHER DOORS OPEN EVEN BY ATTEMPTING TO USE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN. *TR

• 12/09/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. AFTER CHECKING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE TAIL LIGHT APPEARED TO BE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

• 12/08/2019· AIR BAGS

  WENT THROUGH A POT HOLE IN THE FREEWAY AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED..AIR BAG ONLY SHOW HALF FILL..MY SPEED ABOUT 60 MPH..IS THIS HOW IT WORKS. NO DAMAGED EXCEPT NEEDED WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

• 12/08/2014· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V280000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 12/08/2014· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT FALL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL /ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 4/29/15*CN UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN

• 12/08/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,600.

• 12/08/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CENTRAL LOCKING WONT WORK, THE KEY DOES NOT OPEN THE DOORS LIGHT COMES ON TO SAY DOOR OPEN BUT THEY DON'T AND ALSO DRIVER DOOR OPENS WITH KEY THE INTERNAL BUTTON ALSO DOES NOT OPEN THE DOORS, INTERMITTENT FAULT. *TR

• 12/07/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  IN 2010 THE SUNROOF WENT BAD I TALKED TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM, IN AUGUST OF 2011 I NOTICED THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND BLINKERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPER,NOR WAS MY HORN,AND THE DRIVERS WINDOW REGULATORS ARE BINDING UP, ALSO A BRAKE HOSE FROM MY BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE ENGINE IS COLLAPSED IN TWO SPOTS. ??*TR

• 12/06/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

• 12/02/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RIGHT TAILLAMP FAILURE AND LEFT TAILLAMP INTERMITTENT OPERATION. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIR: RIGHT REAR TAILLAMP CONNECTOR AND BULB CARRIER CORRODED. DEALER REPLACED PIGTAIL HARNESS AND BULB CARRIER WITH UPDATED DESIGN: SOCKET HOUSING, TERMINAL, CONTACT, CABLE CONNECTOR, HOSE, INSULATION HOUSING, FLAT CONTACT, CABLE SOCKET AND BULB SOCKET. *TR

• 12/02/2010· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WINDOW REGULATORS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY FAIL. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW, THEN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW AND MOST RECENTLY, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V160000 (VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS).THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME FAILURE, HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

• 12/01/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 BMW 325 IN JULY, 2003 FROM PERFORMANCE BMW IN CHAPEL HILL, NC. THE IGNITION COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED TODAY ON THE #2 CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 8,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD BY MEL, THE SERVICE TECH AT PERFORMANCE BMW IN CHAPEL HILL, NC, THAT BMW HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION COILS ON THE 2003 AND 2004 MODELS AND THAT BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS BMW HAS SWITCHED VENDORS FOR THESE IGNITION COILS AND NO LONGER USES THE VENDOR THAT SUPPLIED THE PARTS FOR MY CAR. SINCE THERE A 6 IGNITION COILS IN MY CAR, THAT MEANS THAT AT ANY POINT IN TIME ANY ONE OF THE OTHER 5 IGNITION COILS COULD FAIL AND LEAVE ME STRANDED AS HAPPENED TODAY. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE ALL THE IGNITON COILS IN MY CAR THAT WERE SUPPLIED BY THIS VENDOR SEEING AS I AM A FEMALE WHO TRAVELS FREQUENCTLY FOR BUSINESS THROUGH RURAL AREAS WHERE IT WOULD BE EASY FOR ME TO BE STRANDED. THE DEALER REFUSED SAYING THAT THE OTHER COILS HAVE NOT YET FAILED SO THEY CANNOT REPLACE THEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN QUALITY AND SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS PRODUCT, FOR WHICH BMW IS UNWILLING TO STAND BEHIND IT'S PRODUCT.*AK

• 11/29/2011· AIR BAGS

  I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW 325XI WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT I HIT ANYTHING AND I DID NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I INSPECTED THE CAR AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT. BMW INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND SOME DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND CLAIMED THAT THIS DAMAGE CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, I AM ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THIS DAMAGE DID NOT OCCUR AT THE TIME OF THE DEPLOYMENT. BMW WAS NOT INTERESTED IN FURTHER INVESTIGATING MY CASE AND STUCK WITH THE CONCLUSION THAT THE MINOR DAMAGE FOUND UNDERNEATH THE CAR CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. *KB

• 11/28/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS IN JULY 2015 THE RECALL CAMPAGIN # 15V-318 THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT AVAILABLE, I HAVE BEEN CALLING EVERY TWO MONTHS SINCE I RECIEVED THIS NOTICE, I NEED THIS REPAIRED. THE PASSENGERS SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACED. I DRIVE THS CAR MORE THAN I HAUL PASSENGERS, PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS FIXED.

• 11/28/2005· TIRES

  I WAS TOLD THAT MY TIRE HAD A DEFECT BUT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. ONE PERSON TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A TIRE DEFECT BUT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SAY ANYTHING SINCE HE WORKED FOR THE COMPANY. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD A BULGE CAUSED BY A POT HOLE BUT IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. WHILE DRIVING THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND LITERALLY LIFTED THE CAR UP ON TWO WHEELS. I WAS SO SCARED AND UPSET AFTER I REGAINED CONTROL THAT I CALLED THE COMPANY AND THEY SAID OH WELL. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TIRES SINCE THEY WERE PUT ON LAST SUMMER. THEY BOUNCE CONSTANTLY BUT YET COOPER DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR SO CALLED HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES. *JB

• 11/27/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS HAVE A FLAW IN THE PLASTIC PROJECTOR HOUSING. THE HOUSING GETS TOO HOT AND MELTS AND THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS SEVERELY RESTRICTED. THIS HAPPENS TO 100% OF THE HEADLIGHTS MADE BY THIS MANUFACTURER AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE HEADLIGHTS MELTS AND THE LIGHT CAN NO LONGER BE PROJECTED OUT CORRECTLY. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE NOW BRIGHTER THEN THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BE SAFELY DRIVEN AT NIGHT. SPARE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE ONLY FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHTS AT A COST OF OVER $2000. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE.