2003 BMW 325I Exterior Lighting Problems

The xenon projector bowls in the headlight assembly on both sides of the vehicle have slowly been burning. The bowl is made of plastic and with the heat of the xenons burns the plastic creating not only a fire hazard but also greatly reduces the effectiveness of the headlight beam, rendering it almost useless. This is specific to the OEM manufacture of the headlight assembly, ZKW. This has also been well documented on various forums for these vehicles over the years.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO GET BMW TO HONOR A REMEDY FOR TAILLIGHT DEFECT CAUSED AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY TAILLIGHT GROUNDING WIRES ARE CAUSING A SHORT ON TURNING SIGNALS. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATED THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. AFFECTED VEHICLES 325I - 2002-2005 BMW WILL NOT HONOR ITS PROPOSED REMEDY WITH NHTSA, CITING THE VIN HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN RECALL. I CONTACTED BOTH DEALERSHIP IN STERLING VA AND CORPORATE BMW OF AMERICA (800-525-7417). BMW OF AMERICA WAS CONTACTED 7.15.2019. OPERATOR ANDREA EMPLOYEE # 6266 INFORMED ME THE CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER REMEDY. MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC MFR'S REPORT DATE: AUG 25, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL SUMMARY: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING. CONSEQUENCE: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. REMEDY: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417. THE RECALL IS FOR MODEL YEARS 2002-2005 OF THE 325I, 325XI, 330I AND 330XI CARS, THE MUNICH-BASED COMPANY SAID TODAY IN A POSTING ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S WEBSITE. LIGHTS INCLUDING TAIL, BRAKE AND TURN SIGNALS MAY ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY ON THE CARS, BMW TOLD THE AUTO-SAFETY REGULATOR.

MY REAR WINDOW AND THE ROOFTOP DONT WORK I CAN HEAR THE MOTORS BUT NOTHING HAPPENS A TECHNICIAN EXPLAIN THAT THE REGULATOR AND LINES ARE BROKEN ITS A COMMON THING ON MY MODEL HE SPECIFIED.

DRIVING AT NIGHT HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE WITH OUT RISK. THE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS HAVE BECOME SO DIM THAT THE FOG LIGHTS NOW PROVIDE MORE ILLUMINATION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TRACED TO BURNED/DISCOLORED PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWLS ON BOTH SIDES WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE BEING SLIGHTLY WORSE. AFTER RESEARCH IT APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD IN ZKW HEADLIGHTS. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS HERE AND IT APPEARS BMW ALSO REALIZED THE PROBLEM AND HAD ZKW SWITCH TO METAL REFLECTOR BOWLS ON NEWER MODELS YET OFFER NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN BUY COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY'S TO THE TUNE OF $1200 A SIDE. MIGHT A POSSIBLE RECALL MOTIVATE BMW TO AT LEAST OFFER THE INDIVIDUAL PART. I UNDERSTAND THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST 13 YEARS OLD BUT TO TREAT A BLATANT SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS IS RIDICULOUS. NHTSA PLEASE HELP SOLVE THIS SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM.

Mileage: 95,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I EQUIPPED WITH ZKW BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED AND DIMINISHED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS A 2003 BMW 325I WITH BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, THE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE XENON HEADLIGHTS HAD DROPPED TO THE POINT WHERE I GET ALMOST NO NOTICEABLE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT (IN AVERAGE CITY LEVELS OF STREET ILLUMINATION). I TURNED TO USING MY FOGLAMPS TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING. MECHANIC INSPECTED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PROJECTOR BOWLS ARE BURNED. THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND PAINTED WITH REFLECTIVE PAINT, BUT THE UPPER ~60% OF THE BOWL IS NOW BROWNED AND NONREFLECTIVE. THIS IS DUE TO AN INABILITY OF THE PAINT TO WITHSTAND THE HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY THE XENON BULBS. ALSO, THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON TO MANY/ALL ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHTS UTILIZED IN 2003-2004 MODEL YEARS OF 3 SERIES (E46) BMW VEHICLES, ACCORDING TO POSTINGS ON THE BMW-OWNER FORUMS. REFLECTOR BOWLS CAN NOT BE PURCHASED AND REPLACED SEPARATELY AND THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPX $2400. ZKW HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN SO THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THEY AND BMW ARE AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND RESULTING SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB MORE THAN ONCE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT THEN LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB MORE THAN ONCE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT THEN LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE WIRING HARNESS AND FOUND THAT THE HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 105,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

THE WARNING LIGHT FOR MY PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR MONTHS AS IF THERE IS A SHORT IN IT. IT STAYED ON PERMANENTLY THIS MONTH, SHOWING A DIMMER LIGHT THAN THE WORKING SIDE TAIL LIGHT, SO I HAD IT CHECKED WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT MY BMW MECHANIC. HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES FOR MY VEHICLE AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALER TO CHECK THE VIN NUMBER. I CALLED THE DEALER LAST FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012 AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE WORK. NO ONE CALLED, SO I CALLED AGAIN TODAY AND THEY SAID THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE OPEN RECALL. THE TAIL LIGHT IS ACTING LIKE THE OTHER TAIL LIGHTS THAT WERE RECALLED SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT CANNOT BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 122,426

LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003 ZKW HID XENON HEADLIGHTS WAS BURN AND SCORCHED AND POSTED AS A FIRE RISK. THE SCORCHED REFLECTOR ALSO REDUCE THE LOW BEAM LIGHT OUTPUT AND POSTS AS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

2003 BMW 325I. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES, TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE REAR LAMPS. THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE SEVERAL OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE TIME FRAME ESTABLISHED BY THE RECALL, SHE WAS ONLY REIMBURSED PARTIALLY. RECALL# 11V438000. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THERE WAS A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 94,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS WAS IGNORED FOR MANY YEARS. UPDATED 02/23/12

Mileage: 53,000

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WHILE I WAS STATIONED WITH THE US AIR FORCE IN GERMANY, TO MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS MADE IN GERMANY UNLIKE MOST 325'S AT THE TIME. IT WAS PRODUCED UNDER US SPECIFICATIONS AS I'D PLANNED TO BRING IT BACK TO THE STATES. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING TURN SIGNAL ACTING INTERMITTENTLY AS MENTIONED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, AND BMW N.A., THEY HAVE INFORMED ME MY VIN ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I BELIEVE I MAY HAVE SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS AS A VIN IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL AS MY BMW WAS PRODUCED OUTSIDE THE NORMAL CHANNELS OF BMWS AFFECTED IN NORTH AMERICA. I BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE EXACT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECALL IN QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE MY VIN INCLUDED ON THE RECALL AS EVEN TODAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE THIS MORNING I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL IS INTERMITTENT. *TR

Mileage: 154,000

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WHILE I WAS STATIONED WITH THE US AIR FORCE IN GERMANY, TO MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS MADE IN GERMANY UNLIKE MOST 325'S AT THE TIME. IT WAS PRODUCED UNDER US SPECIFICATIONS AS I'D PLANNED TO BRING IT BACK TO THE STATES. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING TURN SIGNAL ACTING INTERMITTENTLY AS MENTIONED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, AND BMW N.A., THEY HAVE INFORMED ME MY VIN ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I BELIEVE I MAY HAVE SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS AS A VIN IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL AS MY BMW WAS PRODUCED OUTSIDE THE NORMAL CHANNELS OF BMWS AFFECTED IN NORTH AMERICA. I BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE EXACT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECALL IN QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE MY VIN INCLUDED ON THE RECALL AS EVEN TODAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE THIS MORNING I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL IS INTERMITTENT. *TR

Mileage: 154,000

TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUE TO FAIL ON THIS MODEL. CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BMW, AND THEY SAID THAT EVENTHOUGH A RECALL EXISTS FOR 2003 BMW 325I MODELS FOR TAIL LIGHT FAILURE (ID NO. 11V4380000), MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT CORRESPOND TO PRODUCTION RUN FAILURES UNDER RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE BURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

Mileage: 60,000

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

Mileage: 67,000

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

Mileage: 67,000

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.

Mileage: 110,000

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.

Mileage: 78,600

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

Mileage: 75,172

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE SIMILAR DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS) BY HIS MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE VEHICLE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS BURNED THROUGH THE HOUSING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,250.

Mileage: 60,250

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,346 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 65,000

THE REAR STOPLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE FAILED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. *TR

XENON LIGHTS WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE 50,000 MARK. SHORTLY AFTER CAR KEPT GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE, KEPT GETTING LOW VOLTAGE READINGS ON DIAGNOSTICS. ONE BMW DEALERS KEPT TELLING ME I NEEDED TO REBUILD TRANSMISSION. ALL THEY WOULD DO IS PLUG THE CAR INTO THE COMPUTER AND SEE THE TRANNY READING ON THE SCANNER. THE REASON THERE WAS A TRANNY READING WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN FAIL SAFE MODE. I EVENTUALLY HAD THE TRANNY REBUILT AND I STILL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD CYCLE THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR AND CAR WOULD DRIVE FINE. IT KEEPS GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE EVERYTIME I START THE CAR. ITS HARDER TO GET IT OUT OF FAIL SAFE MODE IN THE WINTER WITH COLDER STARTS. *TT

Mileage: 49,000

MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS A 2003 BMW 325I WITH BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, THE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE XENON HEADLIGHTS HAD DROPPED TO THE POINT WHERE I GET ALMOST NO NOTICEABLE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT (IN AVERAGE CITY LEVELS OF STREET ILLUMINATION). I TURNED TO USING MY FOGLAMPS TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS, I EXAMINED THE HEADLIGHTS MYSELF AND FOUND THAT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PROJECTOR BOWLS SEEM BURNED. THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND PAINTED WITH REFLECTIVE PAINT, BUT THE UPPER ~40% OF THE BOWL IS NOW BROWNED AND NONREFLECTIVE. APPARENTLY THIS IS DUE TO AN INABILITY OF THE PAINT TO WITHSTAND THE HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY THE XENON BULBS. ALSO, THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON TO MANY/ALL ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHTS UTILIZED IN 2003-2004 MODEL YEARS OF 3 SERIES (E46) BMW VEHICLES, ACCORDING TO POSTINGS ON THE BMW-OWNER FORUMS. FOR NOW, I HAVE TRIED TO REMEDY THIS BY LINING THE BURNT PORTION OF THE BOWL WITH ALUMINUM FOIL AND CAN NOW NOTICE SOME ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THIS FURTHER ARGUES THAT THE BURNING/LOSS OF REFLECTIVE COATING IS WHAT CAUSES THE LOSS OF LIGHT OUTPUT. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY NOT WORKING. 2003 BMW 325I. REPLACED LIGHT BULBS AND NOTICED BURNT WIRES AND LIGHT SOCKETS. RESEARCHED REPAIR AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF SAME YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE WITH SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

I BOUGHT MY 2003 BMW 325I NEW. SHORTLY AFTER THE SALE I NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS XENON LIGHT WOULD GO OUT. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE LIGHT BACK ON, IS TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THIS WORKS ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME. ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING IS A FALSE INDICATION THAT MY TAILLIGHTS ARE OUT. THIS IS VERY SPORRATIC AND ANNOYING. A THIRD ISSUE I AM EXPERIENCING IS VERY DANGEROUS RELATING TO MY DRIVERS SEATBELT. THE SEATBELT MAY SEAM LOCKED, BUT IF YOU PULL WITH A BIT OF FORCE, THE SEATBELT WILL COME OUT OF THE LOCKED POSITION.

Mileage: 15,000

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

Mileage: 115,232

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

Mileage: 90,000

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN OUR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILS TO WORK AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT OF FAILURE IS SHOWN ON THE DASHBOARD. THE LIGHT WILL WORK THEN STOP WORKING IN SHORT PERIODS OF TIME. I HAVE REPLACED BULBS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH SOME SUCCESS WHILE OTHER TIMES NOTHING HELPS. THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME TYPE OF ELECTRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS, ESPECIALLY IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 76,000

THE TAIL-LIGHTS OF MY BMW 325I HAVE PERIODICALLY SHORTED OUT EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATES THAT THE LIGHT IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY, AND IS NOT CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE BULB. BEFORE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED BMW REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LAMP MODULE WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, BUT ALREADY THE REPLACEMENT MODULE HAS SHORTED OUT AGAIN. CURRENTLY BOTH TAIL-LIGHTS ARE SHORTING OUT. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

THE ZKW BRAND OF HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE (HID) HEADLIGHTS EQUIPPED IN THE 2003-2004 E46 MODEL 3 SERIES BMW SEDAN HAVE A PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWL IN THE PROJECTOR THAT HAS THE TENDENCY TO HAVE THE CHROME REFLECTIVE PLATING BURNT OFF RENDERING THE HEADLIGHTS ALL BUT USELESS. THIS MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD. THE ONLY REMEDY TO THIS IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FOR $1200 PER SIDE, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR NON WEAR ITEM TO OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BETWEEN 5 TO 7 YEARS OLD, AVERAGING 50K TO 90K MILES. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

I PURCHASED MY BMW 325I IN AUGUST OF 2006. SINCE THAT PURCHASE I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN IT APPROXIMATELY 9-12 MONTHS COLLECTIVELY. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 37500 MILES AND NOW HAS 70,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO TURN OFF AND ON WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR THE PAST 9 MONTHS BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE HAD IT TO NUMEROUS BMW DEALERSHIPS, THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ALL THE ISSUES SEEM TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE AND ARE VERY HARD TO ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS I AM CHARGED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR THE CAR BUT CAR IS STILL NOT SAFE. THE REAR LIGHTS HAVE BURNED OUT AND THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT WILL. THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DEC 2009 WHEN THE CAR LIT UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE (THE ONLY TIME ALL OF THE LIGHTS WORKED.) HOWEVER, WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR ON, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AGAIN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED UNTIL JANUARY 2010. I WAS CHARGED $2700 AND STILL CAN'T GET THIS BEAST INSPECTED. THIS HAS GONE BEYOND THE POINT OF LUDICROUS. I AM COMPLETELY DISGUSTED WITH THE "ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE". IN ESSENCE I AM PAYING 650 DOLLARS A MONTH FOR NOTHING. THE LAST MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR RECOMMENDED THAT WE SHOULD REPLACE THE FRONT LIGHTING SYSTEM BECAUSE THE CURRENT SYSTEM THAT IS FAULTY IS NOT MEANT TO BE REPLACED, SO REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. IN THEORY THE LIGHTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH MY CAR AND TO REPLACE THE XENON LIGHTS WITH THE MORE COMMON HALOGEN LIGHTS IT WILL COST AN ESTIMATED 2,000 DOLLARS. THIS IS NOT FEASIBLE WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND UNTIL THE CAR IS PAID OFF IN 2012. IT WILL SIT IN THE DRIVEWAY, A WASTE OF A PERFECT CAR, MY RETIREMENT CAR. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

WE OWN A BMW 325I SERIES 2003 SEDAN. WHILE MY DAUGHTER STARTED THE CAR SHE NOTED THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. SHE WAS ONLY AROUND 4 BLOCKS AWAY SO PROCEEDED TO DRIVE HOME AND DURING THE DRIVE SHE EXPERIENCED HER BRAKES GRABBING AND STEERING DIFFICULTIES. ALL THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. WE TOOK THE CAR THAT NIGHT TO BMW TO DROP OFF FOR EVALUATION. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE XENON HEADLIGHT FAILED AND TOOK AT THE STEERING SYSTEM PANEL AND HAD TO BE ALL REWIRED. HE SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. I AM CONCERNED THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE WIRING OF THE XENON HEADLIGHT TO EFFECT A STEERING PANEL WHEN THE HEADLIGHT GOES OUT. THE EFFECT ON THE STEERING PANEL IS IMMEDIATE AND GIVES NO TIME TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE COST TO REPAIR WAS 1800.00. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING. 2 MONTHS LATER THE BLINKER HEADLIGHT NEXT TO THE XENON HEADLIGHT FELL COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CAR HELD BY A WIRE WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE BMW 325I SERIES HEADLIGHTS THAT TO ME IS A GREAT SAFETY CONCERN FOR THOSE DRIVING. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR FOLLOW UP TO THE MAKE AND MODEL. I WOULD BE GLAD TO PROVIDE MY NAME FOR YOU TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE SERVICE RECORDS ON THESE EVENTS FROM OUR BMW DEALERSHIP. THANK YOU. *TR

3/26/2010 - OLNEY, MD - 2003 325XI RIGHT AND LEFT REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY SYSTEM FAILING AT TIMES, (TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT WORKS INTERMITTENLY). BMW ACKNOWLEDGED "GROUND" PROBLEM IN ASSEMLY IN TBS:630306, FEBRUARY 1 2007 LOCAL DEALER IN SILVER SPRING MD, TISHER BMW CORRECT THE PROBLEM ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND COMPLETELY IGNORE MULTIPPLE OFFICE VISIT FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON BOTH SIDES AND REFUSE TO CORRECT PROBLEM ON THE LEFT ASSEMBLY. AT THE SAME TIME BMW CORPORATE OFFICE CUSTOMER SUPORT REFUSED TO OFFER OUT OF WARRANTY FREE REPAIR OR TO INITIATE RECALL ON PREVIOSLY ACKNOWLEDGED "GROUND" PROBLEM. I BELIVE THIS ISSUE IS THE SAFTY HAZARD BECAUSE THE "GROUND" RED WIRE IS BURNING IN THE CONNECTOR OF TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. ALSO PEOPLE AND OTHER DRIVERS CAN'T SEE WHEN YOU "BRAKING"

Mileage: 136,000

THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT WILL GO OFF SPORADICALLY AND RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT GOES OFF. THE DEALER COULD NOT CORRECT THE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM. THE TAIL LIGHT PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE CAR WAS IN WARRANTY. NOW TO CORRECT TAILLIGHT PROBLEM THERE IS UPDATE KIT WHICH THEY WANT ME TO PAY. SINCE TAILLIGHT PROBLEM BEGAN IN WARRANTY BMW SHOULD COVER COST. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

OWN A BMW 3251, REAR END STARTED MAKING POPPING NOISE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AND WHEN TURNING CURVES. WHEN ON INTERSTATE REAR END LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING CAUSING MY CAR TO SKID THROUGH ALL LANES OF TRAFFIC. AFTER HAVING CAR INSPECTED THE REAR END HAD BROKE, WE REPLACED THE REAR END. ALSO HAVING TROUBLE WITH HEAD LIGHTS STAYING ON AND BLINKERS. RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT OVER HEATED AND BURNT ITEMS IN TRUNK. RADIATOR HAS BROKE AND DRIVERSIDE WINDOW REGULATOR AND CLUTCH FAN. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

MULTIPLE BLINKER AND BRAKE LIGHTS PERIODICALLY MALFUNCTION ON MY 2003 BMW 325I. I UNDERSTAND FROM TALKING WITH SEVERAL OTHER BMW OWNERS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN INVOLVING THE GROUNDING OF THE LIGHT FIXTURES. FURTHERMORE, I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW SHOULD PAY TO HAVE REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE TAIL LIGHTS STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54000.

Mileage: 54,000

REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, TO INCLUDE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT, ON MY 2003 BMW 325I WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. BMW ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN SYSTEM IN SI B 63 03 06, DATED FEBRUARY 2007 BUT TO DATE HAS REFUSED TO INITIATE A RECALL TO FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT. THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT CAUSES THE LAMP HOUSING TERMINALS TO BURN AND BURNS THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC HOUSING. THIS CAN BE A FIRE HAZARD PARTICULARLY OF THERE IS FLAMMABLE MATERIAL IN THE TRUNK. OBVIOUSLY THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY IS AN OBVIOUS HAZARD. THE REPAIR COSTS APPROX $600 FOR BOTH SIDES. *TR

Mileage: 700,000

POOR CONNECTION AT REAR LAMP CONNECTOR. BMW. MODEL E46. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10020856 ). *TR

Mileage: 40,000

FAILURE OF LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. CONNECTOR ON WIRING ASSEMBLY HAS MELTED. ONE OF THE PINS ON LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY HAS DISINTEGRATED RENDERING ALL LIGHTS INOPERABLE. CONTACTED LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 98,562

RIGHT REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, TO INCLUDE TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT, ON MY 2003 BMW 325I WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. BMW ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECT IN SYSTEM IN SI B 63 03 06, DATED FEBRUARY 2007 BUT TO DATE HAS REFUSED TO INITIATE A RECALL TO FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS FAILING. AND I LOOSE THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2005 ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AND NOW IT HAPPENED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. *TR

Mileage: 37,990

FOUR TIMES SINCE I BUY A 2003 BMW 325I , I HAVE TO GET THE AUTO TO GUARANTEE SERVICE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE STRUCT FRONT BUSHING, NOW , AFTER REPLACE THEM AT 32,000 MILES ABOUT FOUR MONTH AGO, MY CAR AT 37,000 MILES REQUEST A NEW BUSHINGS. THEY SAID ME THAT BMW WAS NO LONGER REPLACE THEM BY GUARANTEE BECAUSE OF THE ROAD CONDITIONS IN PUERTO RICO. WHEN I BUY THE CAR I PAID FOR A GUARANTEE AND I THINK THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT A CAR LIKE THIS , THE ULTIMATE DRIVE MACHINE REQUIRE EVERY FOUR MONTH TO REPLACE THAT PARTS. THEY SHOULD INSTALL A GOOD REINFORCED GENUINE PARTS AND NOT A REMANUFACTURED. I ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID THE HOLES, BUT I ASK WHEN IT'S RAINING IT START A RED LIGHT THAT INDICATED " PLEASE AVOID THIS HOLE" . *TR THE DEALER STATED REPLACED LENS AND COVER DISC FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS, NOISES COMING FROM BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS, REPLACING ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT TENSIONER, TENSIONER AND PULLEYS, AND REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT RUBBER STRIP. UPDATED 10/24/07 *TR

Mileage: 37,763