2004 BMW X3

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

• 12/30/2010· SEATSFire

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

• 12/29/2005· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT COMES ON VERY OCCASIONALLY (3-4 TIMES IN 13 MONTHS) WHEN A PASSENGER IS PROPERLY SEATING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE LIGHT STAYS ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND TYPICALLY GOES OUT AND THEN COMES BACK ON AGAIN FOR A FEW MINUTES. THEN, IT WILL NOT OCCUR FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SIMPLY SAY THEY CANNOT FIX A PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN'T FIND. THE HAVE OPENED A "CASE" TO COLLECT INFORMATION BUT HAVE NOT RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THAT BMW IS COLLECTING INFORMATION. THEY CANNOT DEFINITIVELY TELL ME HOW THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL PERFORM IF THE LIGHT HAPPENS TO BE ON WHEN A VEHICLE CRASH OCCURS. THEY DO INSIST THAT THE FRONT AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT SAYS THE AIRBAG IS OFF BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE SIDE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. MY PRIMARY COMPLAINT IS THAT THEY SEEM TO TREAT THIS ISSUE VERY LIGHTLY, BOTH AT THE LOCAL DEALER AND AT THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICES. *JB

• 12/28/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

  DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED THE JACKET WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN THIS CAR. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP (SILVER SPRING BMW OF MD) REPLACED THE SEAT UNDER WARRANTY. IN THIS CASE GOT LUCKY IT DID NOT CATCH FIRE OR CAUSE ANY INJURY TO US. THIS SITUATION EASILY COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A CAR FIRE. I WAS STUNNED TO HEAR HOW LITHELY BMW NA APPROACH TOWARDS MY CONCERN WHEN I CALLED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. AT HIGHWAY SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL SITUATION DUE TO DISTRACTION THIS BURN CREATED WORST CAR ON FIRE. *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· SEATS

  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

• 12/23/2009· AIR BAGS

  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

• 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

• 12/19/2005· VISIBILITY

  DT: THE CONTACT TURNED THE DEFOGGER ON TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS IN VEHICLE. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND REALIZED THE REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE REAR WINDOW. *AK

• 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

• 12/15/2011· 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

• 12/15/2011· 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

• 12/12/2016· 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

• 12/10/2014· SEATS

  MARCH 2013 -DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. NOW, DECEMBER 2014, DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BECOME TOO HOT TO KEEP ON AND A BURNING SMELL IS VERY NOTICEABLE. *TR

• 12/09/2010· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/08/2004· SEATSFire

  HEATED DRIVER'S SEAT IN BMW 745I HAD ELECTRICAL SHORT AND CAUSED SMALL FIRE, BURNING HOLE IN THE SEAT. DEALER REPLACED ALL COMPONENTS BUT DID NOT ISSUE RECEIPT IDENTIFYING SOURCE OF DEFECT AND WORK PERFORMED.*AK

• 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

• 12/04/2011· SEATS

  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

• 12/03/2010· SEATS

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

• 12/03/2010· SEATSFire

  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

• 12/02/2014· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TWO YEARS LATER, THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER IT HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

• 11/24/2018· SEATS

  DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED SKIN AND SCORCHED LEATHER SEAT COVER WHEN TURNED ON.

• 11/24/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WAS HELPING ONE OF OUR CONSUMERS RESOLVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS MFG. WHEN I LOOKED AT THEIR STREET LEGAL MOTORCYCLES, I DISCOVERED THAT THEY HAVE NO EMISSION CONTROL EQUIPMENT AT ALL, YET THEY CLAIM THEY ARE C.A.R.B., D.O.T. AND E.P.A. CERTIFIED. HERE IS A LINK TO THE IMPOSTERS WEB PAGE. HTTP://WWW.BI-TANK.COM/ IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME OR CONTACT ME BY PHONE. RANDY CASTLEMAN PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE II'S (949) 320-2041 *NOTE* I PUT IN VEHICLE INFORMATION FOR A MOTORCYCLE MFG. THAT IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MFG THAT THE COMPLAINT IS ABOUT. YOUR WEB COMPLAINT FORM WOULD NEED AN "OTHER" OPTION WHEN SELECTING VEHICLE MFG INFO. *NM

• 11/21/2013· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM WHEN COMPARED TO ORIGINAL BRIGHTNESS. *TR

• 11/21/2004· TIRES

  SINCE BUYING MY CAR, I HAD ISSUES WITH THE FLAT TIRE MONITOR INDICATOR LIGHT COMING ON. I CONTINUALLY CHECKED THE PRESSURE OF ALL 4 TIRES AND VENTUALLY, THIS PAST SEPTEMBER, AFTER ONLY 1,845 MILES, HAD TO HAVE A TIRE REPAIRED (COST $15). THE DIAGNOSIS WAS SIMPLY A LEAKING BEAD. AT 2,651 MILES, ANOTHER TIRE SUFFERED IRREPARABLE DAMAGE CAUSED. ALSO, FROM A LEAKING BEAD. A REPLACEMENT TIRE WILL NEED TO BE ORDERED ($217+), AND SINCE THERE'S NO SPARE WITH MY MINI, I NEED TO MAKE OTHER TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT LEAKING BEADS, A VERY RARE PROBLEM WITH ANY OTHER CAR BUT THIS ONE, CONTINUE TO BE PROBLEMATIC WITH MY MINI BEING SO YOUNG.*AK I HAVE CHECKED THE MINI OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE DISTANCE AND SPEED DRIVEN WITH THE RUN FLAT PIRELLI TIRES WERE WELL BELOW BOTH THE SPEED AND DISTANCE LIMITS INDICATED. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT BOTH MINI AND PIRELLI ARE SERIOUSLY DEFICIENT IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE. THE ACTUAL MOUNTING OF THESE TIRES WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT DONE VERY WELL, NOR DOES THE ADVERTISED CAPABILITIES OF THE RUN FLAT PIRELLI EUFORI TIRE SEEM TO BE REASONABLE.

• 11/19/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 11/18/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE ADAPTIVE XENON HEADLIGHT WIRING IS FAULTY . WIRE INSULATION IS CRACKING/DETERIORATING AND ENTIRE WIRES ARE BREAKING APART. SYMPTOMS START WITH FLICKERING XENON HEADLIGHT EVENTUALLY (ABOUT A WEEK LATER) STOPS WORKING AT ALL. VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STATIONARY, ENGINE ON. THE FAULTY WIRES ARE IN A WEATHER SEALED COMPARTMENT OF THE HEADLIGHT AND HAVE NEVER (TO MY KNOWLEDGE) EVEN BEEN UNSEALED/ACCESSED SINCE LEAVING THE FACTORY. THE ISSUE IS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, UNKNOWN IF IT IS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AS WELL. THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS BACK SIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING LOOKING DOWN, WITH THE WEATHER-SEALED COMPARTMENT OPEN. ALL EXPOSED WIRE IS AS A RESULT OF THE ISSUE, NOBODY HAS ACTIVELY CUT OR STRIPPED THE WIRES. PROBLEM FIRST NOTICED IN SEPT OF 2016, ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO REPAIR BUT NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, WORSE.

• 11/15/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE REAR TURN SIGNALS REPEATEDLY FAIL. THE WIRING IS MELTED. WHILE THIS ISSUE IS ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000, MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE CARS. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY ARE INDIFFERENT TO THIS ISSUE AND COMPLETELY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUES CREATED BY THEIR NEGLIGENT MANUFACTURING. THANKS, *TR

• 11/15/2011· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  PROBLEM BEGAN WITH REAR RIGHT TAIL LIGHT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. NOW THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING WITH THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT AND FRONT RIGHT SIGNAL. PROBLEM PREVENTS OTHER DRIVERS FROM KNOWING WHEN I AM BRAKING OR MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING BULBS BUT PROBLEM STILL PERSIST AND APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING. I HAVE CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALL AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SOLID INFORMATION ON HOW TO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. *TR

• 11/13/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I FIND THE HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS ON MANY CARS VERY DISTRACTING. I AM NOT SURE BUT I THINK THEY ARE ON GERMAN CARS. I AM TOLD THEY ARE WELL LIKED BY THE DRIVERS OF THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS BUT I FIND THEM HAZARDOUS FOR THE CARS WHICH ARE FACING THEM. THESE HEADLIGHTS SEEM TO ME AS DANGEROUS AS SOMEONE USING THERE HIGH LIGHTS AGAINST ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAVE YOU HEARD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE? IS THERE ANYTHING TO BE DONE? THANK YOU FOR A RESPONSE. EDITH R. MARKS I FOUND YOU ON GOOGLE. *JB

• 11/12/2006· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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

• 11/10/2014· WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  AFTER JUST SPENDING $2400 LAST WEEK ON MY CAR. I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 78 WHEN MY 2004 BMW X3 LOST ALL POWER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GLIDE MY CAR FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD KEPT FLASHING ON & OFF AND CAR WOULD NOT START. AS I SAT IN MY CAR ON BARELY A SHOULDER 18 WHEELER'S AND CARS FLEW BY ME SHAKING MY CAR. I SERIOUSLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. *TR

• 11/08/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  MY VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED ON FIRE AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, AND RESULTED IN THE CAR BEING TOTALED. THE 2004 MODELS NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (NOT THAT IT WILL HELP WITH THE LOSS OF MY CAR).

• 11/06/2014· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  MY ZKW HEADLIGHTS DO NOT REFLECT LIGHT ANYMORE. BMW OFFER NO REPLACEMENT REFLECTOR BOWLS FOR THE HEADLIGHT, SO NO FIX IS AVAILABLE EXCEPT REPLACING THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH THE SAME FAULTY ASSEMBLY FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. HEADLIGHTS PRODUCE TOO MUCH HEAT AND MELT THE REFLECTORS DEEMING THEM USELESS AND AN EXTREME DANGER. RECALL NEEDED FOR EXTREME SAFETY REASONS. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR AT NIGHT ANYMORE. *TR

• 11/03/2017· AIR BAGS

  BMW UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO COMPLETE RECALL NO. 08V384: FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT RECALL AND WARRANTY COVERAGE EXTENSION. NO PARTS AVAILABLE, PARTS NOT ON ORDER, BMW USA NOT ORDERING PARTS FOR RECALL. NO TIMELINE GIVEN, TOLD TO CALL BACK IN TWO MONTHS.

• 11/03/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSFire

  THE HEATING ELEMENT ON MY 2004 BMW X3 CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I DON'T USE IT OFTEN, BUT HAD NOTICED A HOT SMELL WHEN I DID USE IT AND THAT IT WOULD BE TOO WARM IN THE LUMBAR AND HIP REGION. THE FIRE ACTUALLY BURNED ABOUT A DIME SIZE HOLE IN THE DRIVER SIDE LEFT SEAT PANEL (UNDER THE THIGH). AFTER READING OF MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME OR WORSE EXPERIENCES, I AM GLAD I IMMEDIATELY SHUT IF OFF, ALTHOUGH IT STILL BURNED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LEATHER. PLEASE ADVISE ME OF NEXT STEPS I SHOULD TAKE. I HAVE SHUT OFF THE HEATER AND WILL NO LONGER USE IT. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS, I WOULD THINK THIS WOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE. *TR

• 11/02/2018· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  INSULATION ON WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS CRACKING AND FALLING OFF WIRING HARNESS CAUSING A SHORT AND BLOWN FUSE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET.

• 11/01/2022· AIR BAGSCrash

  The contact ownd a 2004 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, she dozed off behind the wheel when the vehicle crashed into the rear of a tow truck. As a result, the front end of the vehicle was damaged. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained an injury to the head and bodily soreness. Medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard however, the vehicle was then towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an air bag specialist and it was determined that the air bag was not connected. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the air bags failed to deploy due to minimal impact. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number 08V384000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact had not received a response back. The failure mileage was unknown.

• 10/30/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WIRE LOOSING COATING ON INSIDE OF ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING SHORTS OR BROKEN WIRES WHERE THE HEADLIGHTS AND OR TURN SIGNALS WILL FAIL TO WORK. WIRE IS VERY BRITTLE AS THIS IS ALSO ROUGHLY 20 GAUGE WIRE. THIS CAN BE AN EXTREME HAZARD ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. THIS SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING BMW'S 3/5/6/ SERIES FROM AT LEAST 2004 TO 2008 FROM MY INDEPENDENT RESEARCH. MANY PICTURES AND COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS BMW FORUMS TO DOCUMENT THIS PROBLEM. MY PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN I LOST ONE HEADLIGHT ON MY WAY HOME IN THE DARK AND AN INDICATOR CAME ON TO IDENTIFY A FAULT IN THE HEADLIGHT. ORIGINALLY I THOUGH IT WAS A BULB, CHANGED BULB AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK. FURTHER INVESTIGATION LED TO A BROKEN WIRE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. I FIXED THE BROKEN WIRE AND THEN NOTICED TWO MORE WIRES WHERE THE COATING ON THE WIRE SEEM TO HAVE FLAKED OFF CAUSING BARE WIRE. I ALSO FIXED THOSE WIRES AND ALL WAS WELL. A DAY OR TWO LATER, THE INDICATOR CAME ON AGAIN POINTING TO THE SAME HEADLIGHT. THIS TIME THE TURN SIGNAL WAS OUT. I OPENED THE ACCESS PANEL TO CHECK THE WIRING AND NOW A FORTH WIRE HAS BEEN SEVERED, HOWEVER I CAN NOT FIX IT AS IT IS DOWN PRETTY FAR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT AND TO REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE REMOVING THE HEADLIGHT AND TAKING IT APART. APPARENTLY BMW USED BIODEGRADABLE WIRE FOR THE HEADLIGHTS?? SOURCE OF THE HEADLIGHT IS BELIEVED TO BE HELLA. SUPPOSEDLY BMW KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT UNWILLING TO FIX UNLESS YOU PURCHASE A $800-1500 NEW HEADLIGHT. THIS IS CRAZY FOR A CAR THAT IS 10 YEARS OLD AND WELL MAINTAINED. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU WILL CAN LOOSE A HEADLIGHT IN THE DARK AND MAYBE BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT, PLUS THE FACT OF BARE WIRES THAT CAN SHORT AND CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

• 10/29/2004· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  COPY OF EMAIL SENT TO BMW USA RE: X3 I LEARNED TODAY THAT MY NEW X3 HAS NO DISPLAY PANEL WARNING LIGHT OR SOUND TO WARN WHEN DOORS ARE UNLATCHED OR AJAR. THIS TYPE OF WARNING -- OFTEN USING BOTH PANEL LIGHTS AND SOUND -- HAS BEEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN MOST CARS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS TO PROTECT PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, FROM ACCIDENTALLY FALLING OUT OF VEHICLES. MY OWN BMW DEALER REFUSED TO BELIEVE THAT MY X3 HAD NO SUCH WARNING DEVICE UNTIL HE FINALLY CHECKED HIS INVENTORY AND FOUND NO X3'S WITH ANY DOOR WARNING LIGHTS OR SOUNDS. HE SAID THERE IS NO APPLICABLE REPAIR OR UPGRADE KIT. THIS EXCLUSION IS SHOCKING IN VIEW OF BMW'S PLEDGE OF SAFETY. YOUR US HEADQUARTERS ADMITTED THE EXCLUSION AND SAID THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR IT, ADDING THAT IT MUST BE INTENTIONAL SINCE "BMW ENGINEERS DON'T DO THINGS ACIDENTALLY." IN THE EVENT AN OCCUPANT IS INJURED OR KILLED IN A LOOSE LATCH DOOR RELEASE ACCIDENT, THIS EXCLUSION COULD ESTABLISH LIABILITY. AS SUCH, IN BMW'S OWN INTEREST, I URGE YOU TO CONTACT ALL OWNERS AND IMMEDIATELY LAUNCH A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF ALL X3'S TO INSTALL A DOOR/TAILGATE LOOSE LATCH WARNING DEVICE ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY PANEL. NO NEED TO CONTACT ME. TO AVOID RETALIATION, I HAVE ELECTED NOT TO DISCLOSE MY NAME. THANK YOU. COPIES TO US NHTSA, CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY AND CONSUMER UNION

• 10/27/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS

  AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT ON THE LOW SETTING, I FELT A SUDDEN BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK OF MY UPPER LEFT THIGH AND SHIFTED SLIGHTLY, PUTTING MY HAND UNDER THE AREA TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER. THE REAR AREA OF THE LEFT SIDE SEAT BOLSTER HAD GOTTEN SO HOT I HAD TO TURN OFF THE SEAT HEATER IMMEDIATELY. I DECIDED NOT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN UNTIL ANOTHER TIME IN LATE MARCH WHEN I AGAIN TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. THE SAME SUDDEN FEELING OF "OVERHEATING" WAS IMMEDIATELY FELT IN THE SAME AREA, I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER, AND I HAVEN'T USED IT SINCE THEN. WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, I MENTIONED IT TO MY SERVICE ADVISOR AND ASKED WHETHER HE KNEW OF OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS OR WHETHER THERE WAS A BMW RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. HE SAID NO TO BOTH QUESTIONS. *TR

• 10/24/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC,STRUCTURE

  2004 BMW 330XI SEDAN (E46) REAR TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT CONSISTENTLY COMES ON, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO TAIL LAMP FAILURE. ONLINE COMMUNITY FORUMS REPORT THAT THIS IS LIKELY DUE TO GROUND WIRE SHORT IN THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. COST OF REPAIR AT DEALERSHIP ESTIMATED AT $700. CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA AS EA09-019, BUT I'M WARY OF BEING OVERCHARGED BY DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

• 10/22/2012· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  EVERY SUMMER SINCE 2008 WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL, FUEL DRIPS FROM THE GAS TANK DURING HOT WEATHER. REPLACING THE SOLENOID AS WAS RECOMMENDED HAS NOT SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND THE GAS DRIPPING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING HOT WEATHER ONLY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL. THIS OCCURS WITH THE CAR BEING PARKED IN THE SUN WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING. LAST MONTH, SEPTEMBER 2012 AFTER RETURNING TO MAY CAR AFTER WORK, I HAD STARTED THE CAR FIRST, THEN WENT TO GET MY THINGS OUT OF THE TRUNK, I SAW GASOLINE POURING LIKE A FOUNTAIN UNDER THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN SLOWED DOWN TO DRIPPING. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. WE TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO OUR MECHANIC. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. BMW WANTS OVER $5000 TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK! THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM! CAN'T DRIVE IT, CAN'T SOMG IT, OR RE-REGISTER IT WITHOUT REPAIRING THE FAULTY GAS TANK! *TR

• 10/22/2008· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  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

• 10/22/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT

  BLINDED BY HIGH INTENSITY HEADLAMPS. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FIRST, LET ME THANK YOU FOR CLOSING DOWN THE DISTRIBUTION OF AFTER-MARKET HI DEVICES MADE BY AMTEX IN DAYTON, TX. THE AFTER-MARKET ONES ARE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE PLACED IN HEADLIGHTS NOT DESIGNED FOR THE HI INTENSITY LAMPS. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE A CONTINUING PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY THE BLUE-WHITE LAMPS. SOME ARE SO INTENSE AS TO CAUSE PAIN - LIKE LOOKING INTO A WELDER'S ELECTRIC ARC. THESE LAMPS MAY BE OK ON THE AUTOBAHN, BUT THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN URBAN CROWDED FREEWAYS. NOT ONLY ARE THE DIRECT BEAMS DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS, BUT EVEN REFLECTED (FROM OTHER VEHICLES AND WET ROADWAYS) LIGHT CAUSES PROBLEMS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND ONE THAT IS ADMITEDLY HARD TO QUANTIFY - WHO CAN SAY HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVERS BLINDED BY THESE LIGHTS. NOTABLE OFFENDERS ARE BMW-LATE MODELS, HONDA - ESPECIALLY ACCORD & ACURA, LEXUS, AND AUDI. MANY OF THE HIGH-END, EXPENSIVE FOREIGN-MADE VEHICLES TEND TO HAVE THESE OBNOXIOUS LAMPS AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! IT'S TIME TO GET THESE DANGEROUS IRRITANTS OFF THE ROAD!*AK

• 10/22/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR IS ABLE TO BE MOVED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE WITHOUT HAVING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND SAFETY. THIS CAN BE DONE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING. *AK

• 10/18/2004· POWER TRAIN

  CAR WAS IN PARK WHILE RUNNING. I PUT IN DRIVE (NOT COLD START) HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 2 HOURS(STOPPED AT STORE). I PUT IN DRIVE AND THE ENGINE REVVED LIKE THE GAS PEDAL WAS FLOORED. I TRIED TO MAKE IT STOP BY PUTTING IN PARK. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO CUT OFF THE ENGINE TO MAKE IT STOP. I AM GLAD NO ONE WAS NEAR THE CAR BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. IT JUMPED FORWARD VERY HARD AND I WAS HOLDIING DOWN THE BRAKE. IT LURCHED FORWARD AND MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND I SHUT THE CAR OFF. I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TRANS. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR NEW 4 DAYS AGO AND THE DEALER AND BMW SAID THIS HAD BEEN FIXED THOUGH A SOFTWARE FIX . I HAD READ ABOUT THE STEPTRONIC PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NO LONGER AN ISSUE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE.*AK

• 10/14/2008· AIR BAGS

  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

• 10/14/2005· AIR BAGS

  2004 BMW - FRONT AIR BAG DISABLE ENABLED BY IT'S SELF. HAS BEEN REPAIR TWICE ALREADY. NOW HAPPENING FOR A THIRD TIME

• 10/13/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A AIR BAG RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW IN JUNE 2015 AND ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER 2016.OVER A YEAR + I HAVE BEEN CALLING SOUTH BAY BMW IN TORRANCE CA. AND THEY KEEP ON TELLING ME THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS YET. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME..