2004 BMW 3 Series

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

• 12/31/2017· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS HAVE LOST BRIGHTNESS AND COVERAGE AND DO NOT ILLIUMINATE THE ROAD PROPERLY. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HID XENON LIGHTS PACKAGE AND WHEN NEW WERE EXTREMELY BRIGHT BUT NOW ARE VERY DIM. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH NO MODIFICATIONS OR ACCIDENTS.

• 12/31/2010· POWER TRAIN

  A YEAR AGO, I BROUGHT MY 2004 BMW 325 XI IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP, THE BMW SHOP EXPLAINED THAT THEY FOUND PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CV OUTER AXLE BOOTS. BOTH BOOTS WERE SPLIT AND LEAKING GREASE, AND THE AXLES WERE TURNING DRY.. THEY REPLACED BOTH BOOTS UNDER WARRANTY. IN DECEMBER 2010, CAR WAS VIBRATING WHILE RIDING. THEY STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT CV SHAFT (AXLE). THEY DID THIS AND THE VIBRATION STOPPED. NATURALLY, THIS WAS NOT COVERED SINCE MY CERTIFIED CAR WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JULY 2010. I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD HAVE DISCOVERED THE DEFECT TO THE AXLE WHEN THEY FOUND IT RUNNING DRY IN JANUARY. IN DRIVING THE CAR BEFORE THE REPAIR, I BELIEVE BMW PUT ME IN JEOPARDY BY NOT REPAIRING THE AXLE. THIS COULD DEFINITELY BE A HAZARD, RIDING ON A SHAKY DEFECTIVE AXLE. *TR

• 12/29/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 12/29/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 2/24/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 02/03/15*JB

• 12/29/2014· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRRORS WERE DISTORTED. WHILE DRIVING DURING NIGHT, THE MIRROR WOULD DISPLAY DOUBLE OBJECTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MIRRORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 12/29/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BMW E46 EQUIPPED WITH ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHTS SUFFER FROM A BURNT, MELTED, AND CRACKED REFLECTOR BOWL DRAMATICALLY REDUCING THE BI-XENON LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED FOR DRIVERS AND OTHERS SAFETY DURING NIGHT. *TR

• 12/28/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/27/2017· AIR BAGSCrash

  "TAKATA RECALL" I'VE RECEIVED CONFIRMATION MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE VEHICLE APART OF THE TAKATA RECALL. I'M A SINGLE FATHER OF A 13 YR OLD SON. KNOWING THE DANGER MY SON HAS BEEN IN ALL OF THIS TIME HAS SHAKEN MY CORE COMFORT ZONE TO DUST. I'M NOW IN THE PROCESS TO CORRECT THIS BAD AIRBAG CURRENTLY IN MY VEHICLE. MY SON'S FUTURE HAS BEEN PLACED IN RUSK AND THAT WILL NOT BE LEFT UNCHECKED BY MEANS AVAILABLE. I WAS HIT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR AND THE BAD AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, THANK GOD!

• 12/26/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BI-XENON PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS HAVE VERY POOR ILLUMINATION OUTPUT AND ARE UNSAFE. APPARENTLY, THE UNIT USES A PLASTIC REFLECTIVE BOWL THAT BURNS OVER TIME DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT BULB THEREFORE LOSING ITS REFLECTIBILITY. THE STANDARD HALOGEN FOG LAMPS IN THE LOWER BUMPER MUST BE USED AS HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE ALMOST NON EXISTENT OUTPUT OF THE ACTUAL HEADLIGHTS. THE ONLY THING THE BI-XENONS ARE GOOD FOR AT THIS POINT IS SHOWING THAT A LIGHT IS INDEED ON SO THAT THE POLICE WONT ISSUE A CITATION. BUT AS FAR AS ILLUMINATING THE ROAD, THEY DO NOT. *TR

• 12/24/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 2/4/16 *CN UPDATED 02/16/16*JB

• 12/23/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT VERY BRIGHT AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE REFLECTIVE COATING INSIDE THE LIGHT HAS BEEN COOKED OFF. I HAD A 2001 AND THE LIGHTS WERE MUCH BETTER THEY WERE THE SAME HID XENON TYPE . THANK YOU *TR

• 12/22/2011· POWER TRAIN

  MY CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR ON MY 04 BMW 330CI SMG TRANSMISSION. *TR

• 12/20/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  EXTREMELY LOW OUTPUT. VERY DIM. *TR

• 12/19/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 01/13/15*LJ

• 12/18/2014· SUSPENSION

  REAR SPRING BROKE! COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT A SPRING COULD BRAKE. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND WAS AMAZED THAT THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. A BROKEN SPRING CAUSES HANDLING PROBLEMS AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO GO OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT BMW KNOWS OF THE ISSUE AND THE FAULTY DESIGN. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A CAR COMPANY THAT CHARGES SO MUCH FOR A CAR WOULD NOT OWN UP TOO SUCH A LARGE PROBLEM AND RECALL ALL OF THE AFFECTED CARS. PLEASE HELP US. *TR

• 12/16/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AS THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

• 12/16/2008· AIR BAGS

  I HAVE A PROBLEM ABOUT FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG,BELT TENSIONER AND FORCE LIMITER. DURING DRIVING I'VE GOT A WARNING DISPLAYED ON MY HUD. I HAD BROUGHT TWICE TO DEALER,THEY SAID FIXED,BUT AFTER ONE WEEK LATER THE WARNING LIGHT COME BACK AGAIN. THEY KEEP SAID THAT I NEED PAY FOR FIX IT. IS THIS RECALLS PART? I THINK IT IS SAFETY DEFECTS. THIS MODEL:BMW 2004 530I PLEASE HELP. THANKS, *TR

• 12/15/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/15/2014· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/15/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS EQUIPPED ON THE CAR HAVE A PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWL FOR THE LOW BEAM. THE OEM LIGHT BULB BURNS HOT AND MELTED THE PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWL. THIS CAUSES A SEVERE LOSS OF PROJECTED LIGHT TO THE ROAD. MANY TIMES I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE MORE THAN 10-15 FT IN FRONT OF THE CAR CAUSE ME TO BLIND OTHER DRIVERS. BMW NOR ZKW RECOGNIZE THIS AS AN ISSUE AND MY DEALER SUGGESTED I BUY A WHOLE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR 1.5K (EACH SIDE) TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS A DESIGN FAILURE. THE LATER VERSIONS ON THE ZKW HEADLIGHTS USE METAL REFLECTOR BOWLS (NOT INTERCHANGEABLE WITH EARLIER VERSION) SO THE ISSUE IS KNOW TO THEM. *TR

• 12/15/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY 2004 BMW 330I, WITH ZKW PRODUCED HEADLIGHT COMPONENTS, SUFFERS FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PROJECTOR BULB REFLECTORS BURNING AFTER APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES OF DRIVING TIME. THIS RESULTS IN A DIMINISHED LIGHT OUTPUT, AND IS A DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS I BELIEVE BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, YET WILL DO NOTHING TO REMEDY THE ISSUE WITH IT'S OWNERS. *TR

• 12/15/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  3 OF THE 4 CAR DOORS HAVE LOCKED UP AND CANNOT BE OPENED ELECTRICALLY OR MECHANICALLY FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FIRE, THREE OF THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE. *TR

• 12/14/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKES ID NOT COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS MORE PREVALENT WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE WILL SLOWLY ROLL. THIS DEFECT IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

• 12/13/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE XENON PROJECTOR ASSEMBLY IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND IS BURNING/MELTING. THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS ROUGHLY 20% OF THE ORIGINAL. *TR

• 12/12/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER DATED JULY 2015 CONCERNING THE RECALL OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW ON 11/24/15 AND THEY SAID THEY PUT MY NAME ON THE LIST AND WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE REPLACEMENT CAME IN. I CALLED AGAIN ON 4/14/16 AND [XXX] SAID SHE WOULD CHECK TO MAKE SURE MY NAME IS ON THE LIST AND WOULD CALL ME BACK WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED. IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL BACK. THIS IS SO CONCERNING TO ME AS THIS CAR IS MY MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION AND I AM SO AFRAID I WILL HAVE A FRONT END COLLISION RESULTING IN DEATH OR DISMEMBERMENT. IF THAT SHOULD HAPPEN I OR MY ESTATE WILL MOST CERTAINLY SUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/12/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS ON THIS CAR (AND OTHER OF THIS YEAR MODEL) ARE MANUFACTURED BY ZKW AND THEY HAVE FAILED CAUSING VERY LOW, UNSAFE LEVELS OF LIGHT OUTPUT. THE REFLECTORS ARE BURNT AND CRACKED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET ANY REASONABLE OR SAFE LIGHT OUTPUT FOR NIGHT DRIVING IS TO USE THE FOG LIGHTS AND/OR TO HOLD ON THE PASS TO FLASH LIGHTS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND I AM SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG SOME BUT MOST USERS WILL NEVER REALIZE WHAT IT CASING POOR, UNSAFE LIGHTING AND PROCEED WHILE UNKNOWINGLY ENDANGERING THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. *TR

• 12/12/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS EXTREMELY DIM. THE REFLECTOR WAS DISCOLORED AND BURNED, CAUSING IMPROPER ILLUMINATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. MAIL OUT 01/13/15*LJ

• 12/11/2015· STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  TAKATA RECALL: I AM CURRENTLY IN COMMUNICATION WITH STATE FARM AGENT, TERRY WOOD [(434) 872-2813]. SHE HAS ASSURED ME THAT AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY AT THIS TIME. WE ARE STATING THAT MY BMW'S SIDE AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. AS I APPROACHED AND ENTERED A RIGHT TURN LANE IN AN STREET INTERSECTION LOCATED IN STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. STARTLED, I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT, WITH THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SAFELY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE CURB, I HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO CORRECT FROM IT AND TRY TO MAKE THE UPCOMING RIGHT TURN, BUT WITHOUT POWER STEERING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN SHARP ENOUGH LEADING ME TO MAKE A WIDE TURN INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. AND WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO BRAKE PROPERLY AND SAFELY, THERE WAS NO WAY TO AVOID THE IMPACT. ADDITIONALLY, THE MAIN AREA OF THE CAR WITH ALL THE DAMAGE (DRIVER'S FRONT) FAILED TO DEPLOY THE APPROPRIATE AIRBAG. TERRY WOOD IS MY POINT OF CONTACT WITH THIS INVESTIGATION. WE HOPE TO HAVE BMW TAKE SOME (IF NOT, ALL) BLAME IN THE INCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS AND/OR UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS.

• 12/11/2012· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME ABNORMALLY DIM, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROAD AND OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/11/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BMW 2004 330CI. THE OIL LIGHT COMES UP EVERY 400-500 OR 700-800 MILES DEPENDING IF IT IS DRIVEN IN THE CITY OR HIGHWAYS. 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS CHECKED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE OIL LEVEL SENSOR, CRANKCASE VENT VALVE, VENT PIPE, VENT HOSE, RETURN PIPE, WASH PUMP SO FAR BUT THE CAR STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. CAR GOES TO THE DEALER ONCE A MONTH APPROX. *NM

• 12/10/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKAYUKI RECALL A FEW YEARS BACK, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG.(POTENTIALLY LETHAL CONSEQUENCES IF DEPLOYED). LAST YEAR, I RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL, THIS TIME FOR THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG.I RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY AND WAS PLACATED WITH THE PROMISE OF REPLACEMENT. IT HAS BEEN EIGHTEEN MONTHS NOW AND THE DEALER ASKS ME TO BE PATIENT. I RECENTLY FOUND THAT IT MAY TAKE UNTIL 2020!!! FOR ANY REPLACEMENT!!! I ASK, SIMPLY WOULD ANY PRUDENT PERSON DRIVE MY VEHICLE? LIVING WITH THE THREAT OF DEATH FOR FOUR MORE YEARS? WHAT AM I TO DO? I WANT A SAFE REPLACEMENT AT BMW'S EXPENSE UNTIL MY VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. YES MY VEHICLE IS 12 YEARS OLD ( 60,000 MILES) AND YES I LIVE IN WHAT CONSIDERED A "HUMID" ENVIRONMENT! HELP!

• 12/10/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY 2004 BMW 325I REAR LEFT LIGHTS GO OUT EVEN WHEN THE LIGHT BULBS ARE GOOD. I CANNOT SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS WHEN I NEED TO CHANGE LANES. PROBLEM STARTED SEPTEMBER 2010. STARTED TO OCCUR SPORADICALLY, BUT IT IS CONSTANT NOW. DASH INDICATOR SHOWS INCORRECTLY THAT BULBS ARE BROKEN. *TR

• 12/09/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 12/08/2010· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL BMW CAR. AT JUST UNDER 45K MILES, THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS AT TIMES FAIL TO WORK. THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED ETC. I GET NOTIFIED FROM THE INSIDE DASH BOARD. HOWEVER, AT TIMES IT IS A FALSE POSITIVE (DASH SAYS IT DOESN'T WORK BUT IN FACT IT IS WORKING). THEN AT TIMES THE WARNING LIGHTS SWITCH FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS. I AM NOT SURE WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY WORKING AND WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING - THIS IS DANGEROUS AND BMW SHOULD FIX THIS DESIGN FLAW. THIS FAILURE IS DUE TO POOR MATERIALS USAGE (CORROSION PROBLEM) AND GROUNDING LIKE THE OTHER POSTS HAVE MENTIONED. APPARENTLY THERE IS A CLASS LAWSUIT AGAINST BMW FOR THIS. WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR FIXING B/C FAILURE TO SIGNAL WHEN CHANGING LANES IS A VIOLATION BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS. BMW NEEDS TO FIX THIS. *TR

• 12/08/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK POWER LOSS ISSUE. *SC

• 12/07/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THOUGHT I HAD A LIGHT PROBLEM FIXED IT FIRST TIME. SIGNAL ON THE DASH DID NOT GO AWAY BUT THE LIGHT WAS ON. WENT TO A DIFFERENT PLACE AND FIXED IT AGAIN. AND THE SIGNAL STILL WOULD NOT GO AWAY. THE LIGHT WORKS BUT STILL SHOW ON THE DASH AS IF IT'S BROKEN. I'M AFRAID BY TIME IT'S TIME TO GET A NEW REGISTRATION STICKER THAT IT WILL NOT PASS. *TR

• 12/04/2020· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESFire

  THE GROUND WIRE ON MY BREAK LIGHT HAS BURNED THROUGH THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR NOT ONLY IS THIS LIMITING MY ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS IT IS A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING A RECALL SERVICE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP I DO NOT BELIEVE. THE PROPER STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM AND IF THIS CAN NOT BE RESOLVED INFORMALLY I WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE FORMAL LITIGATION AGAINST ALL PARTIES INVOLVED AND FOR DISCOVERY PURPOSE ALL RELATED CORRESPONDENCE, VIDEO, AND RECORDED EVIDENCE SHOULD BE PRESERVED. CURRENTLY THE BREAK LIGHT IS NOT WORKING AND THERE ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAZARDOUS AIRBAGS.

• 12/04/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

• 12/02/2019· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING MATERIAL WAS DETERIORATED AND PREVENTED THE HEADLIGHTS FROM PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

• 12/02/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ZKW BRAND XENON HEADLAMPS HAVE DEFECTIVE REFLECTOR BOWLS. THE LIGHTS BURN OFF ALL OF THE REFLECTIVE SURFACE CAUSING THE LOW/HIGH BEAMS TO BE SO DIM THAT DRIVING AT NIGHT IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE PART (REFLECTOR BOWL) IS NOT AVAILABLE AS A REPLACEMENT PART, IT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED AS A WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR $1300 EACH LIGHT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, THAT I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT. AS WE HAVE BEEN GETTING INTO WINTER AND THE DAYLIGHT SAVING CHANGE CAUSE EARLIER SUNSET TIMES, I NOTICED MY HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT VERY BRIGHT ON THE ROAD. IT HASN'T BEEN AN ISSUE THAT I NOTICED IN PAST YEARS DUE TO MY <1 MILE COMMUTE, BUT THIS YEAR I PURCHASED A HOUSE 25MI FROM WORK AND THE AMOUNT OF NIGHT DRIVING HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. I FIRST ADJUSTED THE ALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS TO TRY TO CORRECT WHAT I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS, AND ALSO HAVE REPLACED ONE OF THE HEAD LIGHT BULBS WITH NO CHANGE. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON BMW FORUMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, AND IT SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, OR AT LEAST AN OEM REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. *TR

• 12/02/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED 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.

• 12/01/2012· SEAT BELTS

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT REPEATEDLY STOPS WHEN EXTENDING. IT CAN TAKE 10 TO 15 ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO EXTEND LONG ENOUGH. THESE FAILURES CAUSE DRIVERS TO "GIVE UP" AND NOT BOTHER TO USE THE SEAT BELT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BMW AND THEY WANT $500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. I BELIEVE THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A FLAW IN THE DESIGN. *TR

• 12/01/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. RECEIVED A WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH PANEL. REPLACING THE BULBS IN THE ASSEMBLY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I DISCOVERED THERE HAS BEEN AN EQUIPMENT RECALL FOR FAILED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. *TR

• 11/30/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS 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. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ UPDATED 10/24/16.*JB

• 11/30/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RIGHT SIDE SIGNAL LIGHT INTERMITTENT FAILURE. WHEN IT FINALLY FAILED THERE WAS A SCORCHED WIRE. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND THERE IS A TSB FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT ONLY IN WARRANTY. NO RECALL. *KB

• 11/30/2009· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  AT AROUND 20K MILES, THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX W/ PADDLE SHIFTERS) ON MY '04 325CI BEGAN EXPERIENCING MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I'VE READ ABOUT REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER A COLD NIGHT, THE SMG WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT WOULD KEEP "CLUNKING" OVER AND OVER, CONTINUALLY LOUDER, UNTIL I SHIFTED BACK INTO NEUTRAL. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BMW, WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANNY. AT 83K MILES, I'M STARTING TO NOTICE SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. ADDITIONALLY, WITH BOTH TRANNYS, THE CAR DELAYS ITS ACCELERATION FOR ABOUT A SECOND OR TWO WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM. ON TOP OF THAT, MY ALTERNATOR JUST WENT OUT AFTER A COLD NIGHT. IN MY OPINION, BMW'S (AT LEAST MINE) DO NOT LIKE THE COLD! *TR

• 11/29/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 11/27/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  2003 AND 2004 3 SERIES MODELS WITH XENON HEADLAMPS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW HAVE A DEFECT IN WHICH THE HEAT FROM THE XENON HEADLIGHT BULBS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC PROJECTORS OR REFLECTOR BOWLS. THIS CAUSES A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN PROJECTED LIGHT. THE FIRST SIGN OF THE PROBLEM IS DISCOLORATION OF THE CHROME COATED PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWL. EVENTUALLY THE REFLECTOR BOWLS SHOW SIGNS OF MELTING. IT SEEMS THE CAUSE IS LIKELY A COMBINATION OF THE XENON BULBS BEING TOO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC REFLECTORS AND OR THE PLASTIC'S HEAT RESISTANCE IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH. IN 2005 BMW HAD PICKED A NEW MANUFACTURER FOR XENON HEADLAMPS THAT HAVE AN ALUMINUM REFLECTOR BOWL. HOWEVER BMW WILL NOT ADMIT THAT THE ZKW BRAND HEADLAMPS HAVE A DEFECT. THE ONLY SOLUTION BMW HAS OFFERED IS TO HAVE THE HEADLAMPS REPLACED FOR $2400 WITH THE SAME ZKW SEEMINGLY DEFECTIVE LAMPS. THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION AS IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND IS ONLY A TEMPORARY AND EXPENSIVE FIX IN MY OPINION. EVEN THE HIGH BEAM MODE IS NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. THERE ARE ALSO HALOGEN LAMPS THAT ACT AS RUNNING LIGHTS DURING THE DAY AND ARE INTERMITTENT FLASHERS. IN ORDER TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I HAVE HAD TO HOLD DOWN THE FLASHER STICK ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE HALOGEN FLASHERS ON. IT IS TEMPTING TO RE-WIRE THE HALOGEN LAMPS TO THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH SO I DO NOT HAVE TO HOLD THE STICK THE ENTIRE TIME I AM DRIVING. EVEN THOUGH THE HALOGENS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE DRIVING LIGHTS, IT IS MUCH SAFER IN MY OPINION TO USE THEM AS A SUBSTITUTE EVEN THOUGH IT IS DANGEROUS TO ON-COMING TRAFFIC DUE TO THE BRIGHTNESS AND PROJECTION ANGLE OF THE HALOGEN LIGHTS. IT IS RIDICULOUS TO ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THESE LENGTHS JUST TO HAVE SAFE DRIVING LIGHTS. I THINK BMW SHOULD OFFER A RE-CALL FOR THESE XENON HEADLIGHTS AND SUPPLY A NEW PART THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE AS THE ZKW LIGHTS SEEM TO BE.

• 11/25/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  MY 2004 BMW 325XI SEDAN WAS ABOUT TO CAREFULLY BACK INTO A SERVICE BAY FROM JUST OUTSIDE THE GARAGE DOOR. AWARE OF THE NEED FOR PRECISION AND CARE (THERE WERE PEOPLE AND ITEMS NEAR THE BAY), I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THEN VERY GENTLY STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS A MOMENTARY HESITATION, THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO GO BACKWARD SLOWLY FOR ABOUT A HALF SECOND AND THEN, WITHOUT ANY ACTION ON MY PART, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED TO LIFE AND THE CAR WENT BACKWARDS AT TREMENDOUS SPEED. WITHIN ABOUT TWO SECONDS IT HAD GONE BACK SOME 40+ FEET AND, BECAUSE I HAD TURNED THE WHEEL A BIT BEFORE MOVING THE CAR, THE REAR PIVOTED ALMOST 90 DEGREES AND RAN INTO A GARAGE SIDE WALL ANOTHER 40 OR SO FEET AWAY. AN EMPLOYEE MAY HAVE BEEN BRUSHED AS THE CAR HIT THE WALL NEAR HIM. THE EVENT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY THAT I HAD NO TIME TO EVEN STEP ON THE BRAKE. I AM A SKILLED DRIVER AND AT NO TIME DID I STEP HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MAJOR DAMAGE TO TRUNK, REAR PANEL AND TWO DOORS OCCURRED. IN MY CA 50 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE HAD ONLY ONE PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. THAT WAS IN FEBRUARY 2007 WHEN, AS I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IN AN ICY PARKING LOT, A GENTLE PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR RESULTED IN A SUDDEN RACING OF THE ENGINE AND RESULTED IN VERY RAPID BACKWARD RUSH OF THE CAR. IT HIT A BRICK WALL BEHIND IT AND RESULTED IN MAJOR REAR END DAMAGE. IT WAS THE VERY SAME CAR AS IN THE 2009 ACCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE 2007 EVENT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO ICE ON THE PAVEMENT AND NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATED. THE CAR WAS THEN FULLY REPAIRED BY BMW IN ROCHESTER NY. *TR

• 11/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  SAFETY RECALL FOR DIVER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WAS RECEIVED JULY 2015. CALLED FOR A REPAIR SERVICE APPOINTMENT EACH MONTH SINCE RECEIVING LETTER. TO DATE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT BMW DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. HAVE NOT HAD ANY ISSUES BUT VERY DISCONCERTING TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHERE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR. BMW SHOULD BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE SAFETY RECALL AND IT CUSTOMERS WELLBEING.