2003 BMW 3 SERIES Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V172000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO BMW OF PLEASANT GROVE...
BRAKE LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES GETS STUCK ON ONCE THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS PRODUCES NO ERROR CODES. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH. I CHANGED THIS AND IT DID NOTHING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS BRAKING AS THE LIGHT IS ...
Mileage: 117,000
2003 BMW 325I LOW FUEL STALL
2003 BMW 325I LOW FUEL STALL
TRANSMISSION WILL DROP OUT OF GEAR AND SHUT CAR DOWN, WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION DURING NORMAL USE. VEHICLE WILL ONLY WORK WHEN COLD, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF BADLY DESIGNED SMG TEMP SENSOR AND NEGLIGENTLY DESIGNED COMPUTER LOGIC THAT SHIFTS TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL AND SHUTS CAR DOWN.
Mileage: 50,000
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 LIGH...
TAKATA RECALL. AFTER WAITING 9 MONTHS FOR REPLACEMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG I RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG. IT HAS NOW BEEN NEARLY 15 MONTHS AND NO REMEDY IN SIGHT . RECEIVED A " FINAL REMEDY AVAILABLE " LETTER DATED SEPT. 2016 ASKING THAT I CALL DEALER FOR REPAIR. ...
TAKATA INFLATORS. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PURSUED THE EXISTING RECALL IN EVEN A REMOTELY TIMELY MANNER. I WAS NOTIFIED BY LETTER DATED JULY 2015 OF THE RECALL. THAT WAS OVER 14 MONTHS AGO! I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER WHO INFORMED ME THE REQUIRED PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE REPRESEN...
Mileage: 76,000
I SENT YOU MY FIRST COMPLAINT ON OR AROUND AUGUST 10, 2016, AND ONLY RECEIVED A 'THANK YOU' RETURN NOTE, AND THAT YOU WOULD GET BACK TO ME. YOU HAVE NOT! TO RECAPITULATE THE EARLIER COMPLAINT, I RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 15V-318 IN JULY 2015, AND HAVE SINCE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM BMW. I ...
DEAR SIRS: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (15V-318) IN JULY 2015, FOR THE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG RECALL FOR MY 2003 BMW 330I. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE FROM BMW OR ANYONE, TO PROVIDE STATUS. I CALLED BMWUSA, CUSTOMER SERVICE ON AUGUST 2, 2016 - I FIRST TALKE...
THIS IS A CALIFORNIA CAR PARKED OUTSIDE FROM 2003-2014. FROM 2014-2016 IS HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN NORTH CAROLINA. I WOULD THINK A 13 YEAR OLD CAR WITH THIS HISTORY WOULD BE IN THE PRIORITY A GROUP. IT IS BEEN HOT AND HUMID ITS ENTIRE LIFE. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BABY TREND EXPEDITION TRAVEL SYSTEM (NA), MODEL NUMBER: TJ94773. THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON MARCH 10, 2012. THE SAFETY SEAT WAS BEING UTILIZED IN A 2003 BMW 3 SERIES. AFTER BOTH REAR LATCHES WERE CONNECTED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LATCH FRACTURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED I...
"TAKATA RECALL" THE DRIVERS DOOR AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF . SO WE TOOK THE CAR TO BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE. WE WERE GIVEN A RECALL # 15V318 , ITS OVER A YEAR WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR CAR TO BE REPAIRED AND WHEN WE CALL BMW AT 1-800-831-1117 TO CHECK WE...
Mileage: 96,000
PURCHASE A 2003 BMW 325I ON 11-18-2016 . UNABLE TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER DUE TO THE OUTSTANDING TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. THE DEALER IS NOT A BMW STORE AND I DON'T BLAME THEM FOR LETTING A CUSTOMER GET INTO A UNSAFE VEHICLE. BMW IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON THE REPAIR OF THESE DEF...
Mileage: 85,600
I HAVE BEEN ON HOLD SINCE THE FALL OF 2014 ON A DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. THE DEALER HAS NO INVENTORY AND NO ETA. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. DODGE CHANGED MY AIRBAG (ALSO TAKATA) WITHIN 10 DAYS OF MY RECALL NOTICE. IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF WITH BMW. PENALIZE THEM LIKE YOU DID FCA
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY ABOUT TWO AIR BAG RECALLS, ONE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ONE FOR THE DRIVER SIDE, AFFECTING MY CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE VERIFIED THAT THEY HAVE MY CORRECT ADDRESS. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM FOR EACH INCIDENT, TWICE IN 2014 FOR THE FIRST RECALL AND ONCE ON 9/2...
Mileage: 75,000
BMW OF CHAMPAIGN , ILLINOIS HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR MY AIRBAGS. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH THEIR ATTORNEY, DAVID SHOLEM. HIS RESPONSE HAS BEEN TO HANG UP ON ME OR NOT RESPOND AT ALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AS THEY HAVE AGNOLIGED ( COPY AVAILABLE). I HAVE ASKED FOR AT LE...
Mileage: 113
ALMOST 6 MONTHS AGO, I WAS NOTIFIED BY BMW ABOUT A RECALL BECAUSE OF AIR BAG(S) AND WAS ADVISED THAT I WOULD BE CALLED SHORTLY FOR REPAIR/ REPLACEMENT. CONTACTED BMW NUMEROUS TIMES BY PHONE AND MAIL AND EVERY TIME WAS ADVISED THAT PARTS SHOULD BE IN SHORTLY. IF THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS FOR SO LO...
Mileage: 60,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACT...
LAST YEAR WE WERE NOTIFIED BY BMW US THAT OUR CAR WAS BEING RECALLED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION AND BMW DEALERS WERE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN WE HAVE CONTACTED BMW US NUMEROUS TIMES AND OUR LOCAL SAN FRANCISCO BMW DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ...
Mileage: 10,800
ORIGINAR REQUEST CAR GONE FOR REPAIR: MAIN ISSUE; LEAK OF ANTI-FREE, PUMP ISSUE. HOSE REPLACEMENT. 2012 - PACKAGE RESULTS NO INCLUDED IN OUR ORIGINAL REQUESTS. SUSPENSION PROBLEM: TECH FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. NOTE BY CAR'S OWNER: WE WHEN AHEAD AND REPLACED BOTH, ALTHOUGH AROUN...
Mileage: 177,000
ORIGINAR REQUEST CAR GONE FOR REPAIR: MAIN ISSUE; LEAK OF ANTI-FREE, PUMP ISSUE. HOSE REPLACEMENT. 2012 - PACKAGE RESULTS NO INCLUDED IN OUR ORIGINAL REQUESTS. SUSPENSION PROBLEM: TECH FOUND BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN. NOTE BY CAR'S OWNER: WE WHEN AHEAD AND REPLACED BOTH, ALTHOUGH AROUN...
Mileage: 177,000
IN SEPTEMBER 2014 I RECEIVED A NOTICE RE: RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-428 FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG, EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE COULD CAUSE RUPTURE OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING AND POTENTI...
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...
I HAVE CONTACTED A BMW DEALER AND BMW USA REGARDING THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SECURE THE PART AND HAS CONTACTED OTHER DEALERS TO SECURE AN AIRBAG. NONE HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE. THIS RECALL BEGAN IN AUGUST. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY BMW USA REGARDING THE RECALL AND SEARCHED ...
Mileage: 38,000
RE: BMW AIRBAG RECALL CAMPAIGN 14V428 UPON RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER. BMW'S AUTHORIZED AND FRANCHISED DEALERSHIP (CENTURY BMW IN GRENVILLE, SC ) INFORMED ME THAT BMW USA WOULD CONTACT US AS PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. A MONTH PASSED SINCE RECEIVING THE INIT...
Mileage: 119,000
I WAS TRAVELING N/B ON ROUTE 1 IN ELKRIDGE MARYLAND @ INTERSECTION DUCKETTS LANE ON 10/9/14 @ 4:47 PM. I WAS INVOLVED IN A 4 CAR PILE UP CRASH, I WAS STOPPED - THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS STRUCK BY A SPEEDING MOTORIST WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION & STRUCK MY BMW AND KNOCKING ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FR...
Mileage: 139,904
PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ALL PASSENGERS COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLES DID NOT OPEN OR UNLOCK THE DOORS. INTERIOR UNLOCK BUTTONS DID NOT WORK. UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY COMMON ISSUE AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. 4 PASSENGERS HAD TO CRAWL...
Mileage: 153,231
PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. ALL PASSENGERS COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLES DID NOT OPEN OR UNLOCK THE DOORS. INTERIOR UNLOCK BUTTONS DID NOT WORK. UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB DID NOT WORK. THIS IS VERY COMMON ISSUE AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. 4 PASSENGERS HAD TO CRAWL...
Mileage: 153,231
THERE IS LIMITED LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE XENON/HID HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES DUE TO "MELTED" PROJECTOR BOWLS FROM BMW. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT PREVENTS END USERS FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD AND OBJECTS AHEAD OF THEM. *TR
Mileage: 197,300
TRAVELING SOUTH ON 75,DRIVER DOOR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. APPLIED BRAKES AND RAN OFF SIDE OFF ROAD TO KEEP FROM HAVING A CAR REAR END ME AND THEN RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO DROP OFF. CAR SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. AIR BAGS DID NOT COMPLETELY DEPLOY. OVER HEAD STRAP HIT HEAD AND NECK AREA CAUSING SOREN...
Mileage: 140,000
TRAVELING SOUTH ON 75,DRIVER DOOR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. APPLIED BRAKES AND RAN OFF SIDE OFF ROAD TO KEEP FROM HAVING A CAR REAR END ME AND THEN RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO DROP OFF. CAR SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. AIR BAGS DID NOT COMPLETELY DEPLOY. OVER HEAD STRAP HIT HEAD AND NECK AREA CAUSING SOREN...
Mileage: 140,000
TRAVELING SOUTH ON 75,DRIVER DOOR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. APPLIED BRAKES AND RAN OFF SIDE OFF ROAD TO KEEP FROM HAVING A CAR REAR END ME AND THEN RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO DROP OFF. CAR SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. AIR BAGS DID NOT COMPLETELY DEPLOY. OVER HEAD STRAP HIT HEAD AND NECK AREA CAUSING SOREN...
Mileage: 140,000
I ARRIVED HOME WITH MY SON WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN HE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. THE LOCK BUTTON STAYED DOWN AND WOULD NOT OPEN WITH TWO PULLS ON THE HANDLE AS IT SHOULD, WITH USE OF THE INTERIOR LOCKING/UNLOCKING BUTTON , OR WITH THE REMOTE CONTR...
Mileage: 51,000
BMW DID NOT PROPERLY DESIGN THE REAR FLOOR OF THE CAR BODY WHERE IT SUPPORTS THE REAR SUBFRAME. AS A RESULT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING, MANY OF THE BMW E46 3-SERIES CARS (325, 323, 330, IN THE I, CI, OR CIC TRIMS, EXAMPLE 325CI OR 330I) SUFFER FROM TORN SHEET METAL WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHES TO THE ...
BMW DID NOT PROPERLY DESIGN THE REAR FLOOR OF THE CAR BODY WHERE IT SUPPORTS THE REAR SUBFRAME. AS A RESULT UNDER NORMAL DRIVING, MANY OF THE BMW E46 3-SERIES CARS (325, 323, 330, IN THE I, CI, OR CIC TRIMS, EXAMPLE 325CI OR 330I) SUFFER FROM TORN SHEET METAL WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME ATTACHES TO THE ...
THE BMW E46 3-SERIES (1999-2006) SUFFERS FROM A DESIGN FLAW IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. PLASTIC PARTS IN THE COOLING SYSTEM FAIL AS SOON AS 4 YEARS AND 80,000 MILES FROM MANUFACTURE DATE, OFTEN FAILING CATASTROPHICALLY AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. CONTINUED DRIVING OF THE CAR IN THIS SITUATION LE...
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 323CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR D DRUM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FA...
Mileage: 88,000
WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 7MPH HIT BRAKES DIDN'T STOP HIT CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TRW
Mileage: 9,500
THE GENERAL MODULE 5 (GM5) IS ELECTRONIC HARDWARE THAT AMONGST OTHER FUNCTIONS PRIMARILY CONTROLS THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE BMW E46'S. THIS MODULE HAS DECIDED TO STOP WORKING IN MY VEHICLE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE FROM ANY OF THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS (KEY FOB BUTTON, CENTRAL LOC...
THE GENERAL MODULE 5 (GM5) IS ELECTRONIC HARDWARE THAT AMONGST OTHER FUNCTIONS PRIMARILY CONTROLS THE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE BMW E46'S. THIS MODULE HAS DECIDED TO STOP WORKING IN MY VEHICLE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE FROM ANY OF THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS (KEY FOB BUTTON, CENTRAL LOC...
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, EITHER WITH THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH OR THE OUTSIDE LATCH. THE LOCK PLUNGER GOES UP AND DOWN NORMALLY WITH EITHER THE KEY, THE KEY REMOTE, OR THE INSIDE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON, BUT IN NO CASE CAN EITHER DOOR LATCH OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ALL OTHER DOORS OPERATE N...
Mileage: 148,000
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, EITHER WITH THE INSIDE DOOR LATCH OR THE OUTSIDE LATCH. THE LOCK PLUNGER GOES UP AND DOWN NORMALLY WITH EITHER THE KEY, THE KEY REMOTE, OR THE INSIDE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON, BUT IN NO CASE CAN EITHER DOOR LATCH OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. ALL OTHER DOORS OPERATE N...
Mileage: 148,000
REAR SPRINGS WERE REPORTED AND REPLACED WITH BMW PARTS. AT 112,172 MILES (04/23/2013) THEY WERE REPORTED BROKEN AGAIN, BUT NOT REPLACED YET. REPORTED TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA,LLC ON 05/14/2013 WHO FILED THE REPORT AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. *TR
Mileage: 74,268
OEM PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS BURNT BEHIND PROJECTOR CAUSING VERY DIM LIGHTS. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
I WAS LOCKED IN MY CAR FOR 1 HOUR. MY KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK MY DOORS, SO I MANUALLY OPENED THE DOOR, STARTED THE CAR, CLOSED THE DOOR, AND TRIED TO WARM UP THE CAR (IT IS WINTER IN CHICAGO AND MY WINDOWS WERE ALSO FROZEN SHUT). I THEN PRESSED THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON TWICE IN AN ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK TH...
Mileage: 63,000
MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WORK FOR A WHILE THEN QUITE WORKING. THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS RECALL #11V438000 FOR THE SAME TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR AS MY CAR, BUT BMW SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
Mileage: 115,650
MY TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS WORK FOR A WHILE THEN QUITE WORKING. THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS RECALL #11V438000 FOR THE SAME TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR AS MY CAR, BUT BMW SAYS MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
Mileage: 115,650
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT WORK. THE DOOR STAYS LOCKED AND WHEN IT FIRST OCCURED THE PASSENGER HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE WINDOW. NEITHER THE ELECTRONIC KEY LOCK NOR THE PUSHBUTTON LOCK CONTROL ON THE CONSOLE WILL OPEN THE DOOR LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALL OTHER LOCKS WORK FINE, INCLUDING...
Mileage: 120,000
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WILL NOT WORK. THE DOOR STAYS LOCKED AND WHEN IT FIRST OCCURED THE PASSENGER HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE WINDOW. NEITHER THE ELECTRONIC KEY LOCK NOR THE PUSHBUTTON LOCK CONTROL ON THE CONSOLE WILL OPEN THE DOOR LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALL OTHER LOCKS WORK FINE, INCLUDING...
Mileage: 120,000
THE PROJECTOR BOWLS ON THE ZKW HEADLIGHTS WERE BURNT OUT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. I SEE LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. DRIVING IN NIGHT IS REALLY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. *TT
Mileage: 110,304
THE PROJECTOR BOWLS ON THE ZKW HEADLIGHTS WERE BURNT OUT DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. I SEE LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. DRIVING IN NIGHT IS REALLY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. *TT
Mileage: 110,304
DOORS FAIL TO UNLOCK, EITHER USING THE KEYFOB, THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MANUALLY BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS OCCUPANTS ARE TRAPPED INSIDE. NO METHOD OF OPENING THE DOOR WORK. THIS APPEARS TO BE INTERMITTENT AND EVENTUALLY THE DOORS UNLOCK MECHANISM STARTS WORKING AG...
Mileage: 100,000
DUE TO THE PLASTIC BOWELS IN THE HEADLIGHT PROJECTORS, WHICH ARE CHROME LIKE LINED, AND THE HIGH HEAT OF THE HID BULBS, THIS CHROME LIKE COATING HAS BURNED OFF MAKING THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF MY HID HEAD LIGHTS VERY DIM. THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOWELS HAVE GONE FROM A CHROME LIKE COATING TO A BRONZE/CARAMEL C...
BOTH REAR SPRINGS OF MY BMW 2003 325I WERE CRACKED & REPLACED FEB. 23, 2009. THEY NOW BOTH ARE BROKEN AGAIN. ANY TYPE WARRANTY ON THE PARTS ? RIDICULOUS !!!! *TT
ZKW XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL IS BURNED RESULTING IN VERY DIM LIGHT OUTPUT. I AM OFTEN AFRAID OF DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS A DANGER TO MY SAFETY.
Mileage: 50,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 323. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD ALSO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BE...
Mileage: 150,000
THE BMW E46 (3 SERIES BMW) THAT WAS MADE FROM 1999 TO 2006. IN SOME CASES DURING THESE YEARS THEY USED A LIGHTING MANUFACTURER "ZKW" FOR THEIR XENON HEADLIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY THESE LIGHTS HAVE A COMMON FAILURE ISSUE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A "BURNT REFLECTOR" ON THE INTERNET AND ON BMW FORUMS. THI...
Mileage: 80,000
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
Mileage: 90,000
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
Mileage: 90,000
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
Mileage: 90,000
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 N...
Mileage: 111,000
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...
Mileage: 105,952
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...
Mileage: 80,000
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 E...
Mileage: 95,000
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 E...
Mileage: 95,000
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 E...
Mileage: 95,000
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 E...
Mileage: 95,000
HEADLIGHTS FAIL RANDOMLY. HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, TURN OFF, TURN BACK ON. INDEPENDENT OF SPEED OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. BULB TESTING AFTER THIS FAILURE INDICATE THAT THE BULBS ARE NOT FAILING (THEY ARE NOT BURNED OUT). *TR
Mileage: 38,000
THE COOLING FAN BROKE LOOSE SPONTANEOUSLY AND FLEW THROUGH THE AIR CUTTING THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND RIPPING THROUGH THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MOMENTS PRIOR THE HOOD HAD BEEN OPEN WITH PEOPLE STANDING AROUND LOOKING AT THE HOSES. HAD THE FAN BROKE LOOSE AT THIS TIME, I WOULD HAVE SERIOUSL...
Mileage: 69,000
THE LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003-2004 ZKW BRANDED HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE XENON OEM HID HEADLIGHTS ON THE 3 SERIES BMW FROM THAT MODEL YEAR (SEDAN) WERE MADE OF SOME PAINTED MATERIAL THAT DEGRADED WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE OEM XENON BULBS. THIS RESULTS IN A SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED L...
Mileage: 98,000
ON 2003-2004 BMW 3 SERIES E46 SEDANS WITH OEM ZKW MANUFACTURED XENON (HID) HEADLIGHTS, THE REFLECTIVE BOWL FOR THE HEADLIGHTS WILL BECOME DISCOLORED AND NON-REFLECTIVE AFTER NORMAL USE WITH OEM BULBS. OVER TIME, THE HEAT FROM THE OEM BULB WILL SCORCH THE REFLECTIVE BOWL AND DRAMATICALLY REDUCE LIGHT...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 3-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INDICATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A...
Mileage: 81,606
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
Mileage: 55,000
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
Mileage: 55,000
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
Mileage: 115,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE CAUTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKE LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR BULB SEVERAL TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO SPEAK WITH THE ...
Mileage: 50,000
BMW E46 3 SERIES - ZKW HEADLIGHTS- VERY LOW LIGHT OUTPUT THE ZKW HEADLIGHTS HAVE A DESIGN FLAW IN WHICH AFTER 2-3 YEARS OF USE, THEY DIM TO AROUND 20% OF THE ORIGINAL LIGHT OUTPUT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES TO NIGHT DRIVING. SOMEONE DRIVING WITH THIS ISSUE IS NEARLY COMPLETELY BLIND DRIV...
Mileage: 40,000
1. ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING ROUGHLY ON START UP (FOR A FEW SECONDS) FOR A FEW DAYS. ON THE DATE OF INCIDENT, WHILE STARTING CAR TO HEAD BACK HOME, CAR STARTED VERY ROUGHLY (FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME). CAR THEN CLEARED UP. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 55-60 MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR SUDDENLY DIED. I HAD ...
Mileage: 77,217
REAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY (TURN SIGNAL, PARKING LIGHT BRAKE LIGHT) MALFUNCTIONS OCCASIONALLY AND NONE OF THE LIGHTS WORK THUS, POSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN VEHICLE IN MOTION, TURNING AND ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT THE WIRE CONNECTOR IN THE ASS...
Mileage: 70,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED SINCE BOTH LIGHTS FAILED. TSB ACTION NUMBER 10025585 WAS RELATED TO THE TAIL LIGHT FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTU...
Mileage: 46,578
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD MELTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED SINCE BOTH LIGHTS FAILED. TSB ACTION NUMBER 10025585 WAS RELATED TO THE TAIL LIGHT FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTU...
Mileage: 46,578
I WAS THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF A BMW 325I THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. AGE - 2003, MILES 60,000. IT'S UNACCEPTABLE THAT A CAR WITH SO LOW MILES, HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AND DRIVEN GENTLY HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE WEB, I FIND THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ...
Mileage: 60,000
FORMAL PETITION FOR SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION, AFTER REPLACING THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS IN ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE THEY CONTINUED TO BURN OUT, AFTER TAKING THE BULB HOUSING COVER OFF, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THE BROWN WIRE IN THE UNIT HAD MELTED THE ENTIRE CONNECTION. I WAS TOLD BY MY...
FORMAL PETITION FOR SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION, AFTER REPLACING THE TAIL LIGHT BULBS IN ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE THEY CONTINUED TO BURN OUT, AFTER TAKING THE BULB HOUSING COVER OFF, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THE BROWN WIRE IN THE UNIT HAD MELTED THE ENTIRE CONNECTION. I WAS TOLD BY MY...
2003 BMW 325XI SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY WHEN BRAKES APPLIED TO PARK OR APPROACHING LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. NO ACCIDENTS, BUT IT IS SO DANGEROUS THAT IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. ENGINE RAVES TO 4000 - 6000RPM, VERY HARD TO HOLD THE BRAKES. SO FAR I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN A MOV...
ERRATIC IDLE. . . WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, CAR IN NEUTRAL, THE RPMS REV IN SPIKES FROM 500 TO 1500, UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN. THE CAR NEVER RESETS TO A CONSTANT IDLE. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 8 - 9 TIMES OVER 18 DAYS TOTAL. NO SOLUTION. TECH TOLD ME BMW KNOW OF PROBLEM BUT HAS NO PLANS TO FIND ...
Mileage: 1,000
ERRATIC IDLE. . . WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, CAR IN NEUTRAL, THE RPMS REV IN SPIKES FROM 500 TO 1500, UP AND DOWN, UP AND DOWN. THE CAR NEVER RESETS TO A CONSTANT IDLE. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 8 - 9 TIMES OVER 18 DAYS TOTAL. NO SOLUTION. TECH TOLD ME BMW KNOW OF PROBLEM BUT HAS NO PLANS TO FIND ...
Mileage: 1,000
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...
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO FILE A COMPLAINT BUT NOW IT IS WORSE. ONE OF THE TIRES FROM COOPER THAT I FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT BLEW OUT FORCING MY CAR UP ON TWO WHEELS. I MANAGE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT FLIPPING. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I AM KILLED OR SOMEONE IS HURT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THE DEF...
I PURCHASED COOPER TIRES LAST SUMMER AND DO NOT HAVE 10,000 MILES ON THEM AND THEY ARE STARTING TO FALL APART. I HAD TO REPLACE ONE BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS DAMAGE BECAUSE OF A POT HOLE. NOW I HAVE ANOTHER ONE THAT HAS A KNOT IN IT AND I AM TOLD THAT IT IS DUE TO A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE TIRE CAUSE ...
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
Mileage: 21,560
WHILE DRIVING 2003 325XI ON COUNTY HIWAY SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE RIGHT TURN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM TRANSMISSION AREA (PREVIOUS FAILURE OF TRANS. COMP. MODULE @ 1500 MILES-REPLACED BY DEALER) AND VEHICLE LOCKE UP, HARD ENOUGH FOR MYSELF AND MY WIFE TO MOVE FO...
Mileage: 28,000
WHILE DRIVING 2003 325XI ON COUNTY HIWAY SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE RIGHT TURN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM TRANSMISSION AREA (PREVIOUS FAILURE OF TRANS. COMP. MODULE @ 1500 MILES-REPLACED BY DEALER) AND VEHICLE LOCKE UP, HARD ENOUGH FOR MYSELF AND MY WIFE TO MOVE FO...
Mileage: 28,000
WHILE DRIVING 2003 325XI ON COUNTY HIWAY SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE RIGHT TURN TO ABOUT 15-20 MPH. HALFWAY THROUGH THE TURN LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM TRANSMISSION AREA (PREVIOUS FAILURE OF TRANS. COMP. MODULE @ 1500 MILES-REPLACED BY DEALER) AND VEHICLE LOCKE UP, HARD ENOUGH FOR MYSELF AND MY WIFE TO MOVE FO...
Mileage: 28,000