2003 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 489 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 17 involved a crash and 21 involved a fire. 26 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Nov 7, 2013
THE DISPLAY THAT SHOWS THE ODOMETER, TEMPERATURE, TRIP METER, ETC. STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. A PIXEL OR TWO WILL SHOW UP, BUT NO LEGIBLE INFORMATION. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 13, 2013
I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE THE WEEKEND AFTER I HAD JUST BOUGHT MY 2003 BMW 330XI MAN IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, I HAD MY GIRLFRIEND WITH ME AT THE TIME. UPON TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WE COULDN'T NOTHING WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS, NOTHING WOULD ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS, THIS WAS EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING TO BE HAPPENING ON A DATE. SHE COULDN'T BELIEVE WE WERE STUCK IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO WAY OUT. LUCKILY HAVING MY CELL PHONE I WAS ABLE TO CALL 911 SO THEY COULD HELP ME. I MANAGED TO HAVE THE SUNROOF OPEN AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO HAND THEM MY KEYS WHERE THEY COULD PLACE THE KEY INSIDE OF THE KEY HOLE AND MANUAL UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST EXPERIENCE I EVER HAD. I ONLY CALLED THE POLICE SO THEY COULD TAKE NOTE OF THE ISSUE OF THE SAFETY. I HAVE TAKEN FAMILY OUT FOR OUTINGS ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY ALL HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF WINDOWS OR THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR. I'VE EVEN HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF MY OWN CAR I REFUSE TO PUT A DIME INTO FIXING THIS AS ITS CAUSED ME EMBARRASSMENT TO THE POINT I HARDLY DRIVE IT UNLESS I GO SOMEWHERE ALONE. I EVEN HAVE A SEAT BELT THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR NO REASON. THE GM5 NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMAGE IF I HAD A CHILD OR FAMILY BACK THERE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM OUT IS TO OPEN THE DOOR AND YOU CAN'T BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 31, 2013
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 LOCKING BUTTON, OR DOOR DOUBLE LOCKING HANDLE). THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO QUICKLY ESCAPE THE VEHICLE DUE TO INABILITY OF THE DOORS TO UNLOCK. AFTER THOROUGH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE, YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER TO ADDRESS THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS FLAW. THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY OVERRIDE THE GM5 TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SO WITHOUT IT PASSENGERS ARE ESSENTIALLY TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MODULE ALSO CONTROLS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, POWER WINDOWS, AND TRUNK RELEASE. HAVING THESE FEATURES INOPERABLE ON TOP OF THE INABILITY TO UNLOCK FOR ANY GIVEN AMOUNT OF TIME IS UNACCEPTABLE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS A RECALL AND REPLACEMENT. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Jun 30, 2013
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 NORMALLY. THIS MAKES ENTERING OR EXITING THE CAR DIFFICULT, NECESSITATING EITHER CLIMBING IN/OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW OR BY CLIMBING ACROSS THE CONSOLE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. IF THERE WERE AN EMERGENCY, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. NO EVENT APPEARED TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE, DROVE IT, EXITED THE VEHICLE A FEW TIMES DURING THE MORNING BEFORE DRIVING, PARKING, STOPPING THE VEHICLE, AND THEN HAVING THE DOOR STICK SHUT. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 1, 2013
DROVE FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. LEFT THE CAR PARKED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. WHEN I TRIED TO UNLOCK PASSENGER DOOR VIA REMOTE KEY FOB IT DID NOT. I GOT INSIDE THE CAR AND TRIED TO UNLOCK IT MANUALLY BUT IT STILL DID NOT LET ME. I HAD MY HANDICAPPED SISTER WITH ME AND IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HER INSIDE THE CAR. I HAD SOMEBODY COME TO PICK HER UP AFTER OVER 3 HOURS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANOTHER CAR THAT WILL NOT UNLOCK AT LEAST MANUALLY WHEN YOU PULL THE DOOR LEVER ON THE INSIDE OR LIFT THE LOCK MECHANISM MANUALLY. NEXT DAY THE LOCK WORKED IN THE MORNING BUT AS THE DAY GOT HOTTER IT STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK EVEN MANUALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 18, 2013
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE DATE AND MILEAGE NOTED ABOVE AS THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO ALSO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM. I REPORT THE DATES AS WHEN I RECEIVED THE CAR WHEN IT CAME INTO MY OWNERSHIP ONLY. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK FAILED TO ELECTRONICALLY AND MECHANICALLY UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH A KEY. THIS POSES A POTENTIALLY GRAVE SAFETY CONCERN AS NO ONE CAN OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE - ESSENTIALLY PASSENGERS MAY BECOME LOCKED-IN. CULPRIT APPEARS TO BE BMW E46 GM V MODULE FACTORY CODING WHERE GLITCH PREVENTS DOOR LOCKS FROM BEHAVING APPROPRIATELY. AFTERMARKET REPROGRAMMING FIXES THE ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE FOR BMW E46 VEHICLES - INTERNET SEARCH "BMW GM V CONTROL MODULE" FOR DETAILS AND TESTIMONIALS. BMW SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2013
THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO OPERATE; PROBLEM IS INFLUENCED BY TEMPERATURE EXTREMES (HOT AND COLD); SYMPTOMS VARY FROM REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK TO A COMPLETE FAILURE OF ALL DOORS TO UNLOCK. WHEN THE PROBLEM MANIFESTS ITSELF, THE CENTRAL ELECTRIC DOOR LOCK BUTTON (MOUNTED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE BESIDE THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH) IS INOPERABLE. BMW CRASH SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE MECHANICAL DISCONNECT OF DOOR LATCHES WHEN LOCKED; WHEN THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM MANIFESTS, SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS WILL REMAIN MECHANICALLY DISCONNECTED, MEANING THAT THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED AT ALL. IN A WORST CASE SCENARIO, IF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE FOR ESCAPE DUE TO DAMAGE OR BEING BLOCKED, THE ONLY WAY TO ESCAPE FROM THE VEHICLE IS BY SMASHING WINDOWS. BMWS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH A GLASS BREAK DEVICE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A BODY MODULE CALLED THE GM5, WHICH IS MOUNTED ABOVE/IN FRONT OF THE GLOVE BOX; ALL LOCK POWER CIRCUITS RUN THROUGH THIS MODULE; THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A VOLTAGE DROP IN THE MODULE, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT VOLTAGE TO THE LOCK MECHANISMS, AS YOU CAN HEAR THE LOCKS ATTEMPTING TO CYCLE WHEN AND CAN SEE THE LOCK BUTTONS MOVING WHEN THE KEY FOB IS USED IN AN ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. A GOOGLE SEARCH OF THE TERMS "BMW","DOORS WON'T UNLOCK" GETS AT LEAST 10 PAGES OF RESULTS ON THE ISSUE, INCLUDING SEVERAL THAT IDENTIFY THE GM5 MODULE AS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAYS TO FIX IT. REPAIR REQUIRES A NEW GM5 MODULE THAT NEEDS TO BE PROGRAMMED PRIOR TO INSTALL. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 10, 2013
MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME INCIDENT ABOUT A DOZEN OF TIMES IN THE LAST 4-5 YEARS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, ENGINEER STARTED TO KNOCKING, SPEED FORCED DOWN TO LESS THAN 30 MPH WITHIN IN SECONDS. IT WAS QUITE SCARING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEED AT ~50-70 MPG. MY DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS, CHANGING EVERYTHING IN THIS SPEED CONTROLLING SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES ACCORDING TO THE BOOK, INCLUDING THROTTLE BODY TWICE, ELECTRIC HARNESS THREE TIMES, AND CONTROL COMPUTER UNIT ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. OCCASIONALLY, RESETTING THE SYSTEM AND/OR RESTARTING THE CAR, AND SOMETIMES RECONNECTING EVERY PARTS OF THE SYSTEM CAN AVOID THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE (FROM A DAYS TO 1-2 YEARS). ALTHOUGH IT IS UNPREDICTABLE IN WHEN, IT WOULD COME BACK. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO COME MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER BECOME MORE WET. THIS MIMICS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE POOR ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS CONTROLLING THE TAILS AND TURNING LIGHTS OF THE SAME MODEL, WHICH WAS RECALLED BY BMW A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. IT SEEMS THAT THE SAME ELECTRIC CONNECTORS ARE USED IN THIS SPEED CONTROLLING SYSTEM. OBVIOUSLY, THIS PROBLEM IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SIGNALING LIGHT ISSUE SINCE IT IS MORE LIKELY TO LEAD TO SEVERE ACCIDENTS/CRASHES IN THE HIGHWAY; I MIGHT BE DEAD OR SEVERELY INJURED IF I DID NOT RESPONDED QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN WAS IN I-95 FOR EXAMPLE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2013
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 THE DOORS AND AT THAT POINT I LEARNED I WAS LOCKED IN MY CAR. I TRIED DRIVING THE CAR A BLOCK TO SEE IF THE LOCKS WOULD RESET AND NOTHING WORKED (NEITHER THE DOOR LEVERS, KEY FOB OR LOCK BUTTON). I CALLED A DEALER AND THEY SUGGESTED I DRIVE IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE SERVICE CENTER AN HOUR LATER, MY WINDOW WAS NO LONGER FROZEN SO I HANDED THE KEY TO THE AGENT AND ALTHOUGH THE MANUAL DOOR HANDLES AND UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD NOT WORK, THE KEY FOB WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE AGENT AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED. I DROVE THE CAR HOME. TWO DAYS LATER I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. WE JUMPED IT AND I DROVE THE CAR TO A DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED THE GENERAL MODULE BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. THEY SAID THAT IT HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOORS AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE BMW REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT SEEM SURPRISED BY THE PROBLEM, BUT I WAS QUITE FRIGHTENED BY THE FACT THAT I HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR WHILE LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2012
ABOUT 2 OR SO YEARS AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE MY NIGHT DRIVING WAS BECOMING UNPLEASANT AND UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WERE LOSING OUTPUT. AFTER REPLACING THE PLASTIC LENSES NEW FROM BMW I THEN WENT ON TO BUYING NEW BULBS THINKING THAT WOULD MAKE A DIFF. IT DIDN'T. 10-12-12 TODAY MY LIGHTS ARE YELLOW/FOGGY ON THE INSIDE LIKE SMOKE HAS MADE THE LENSES OPAQUE AND MY OUTPUT IS BARELY SEEN, I LOOKED ON THE BACK WHERE THE BULB IS INSERTED AND IT SURE LOOKS BROWN IN THERE, I GET MORE LIGHT REFLECTED ON THE GROUND WHEN I TURN MY TURN SIGNALS THAN I DO ON THE HEADLIGHTS. AFTER GOING ONLINE AND SEARCHING, MY CAR CAME FROM FACTORY WITH A DEFECT ZKW XENON HEADLIGHT SYSTEM, WHICH 99% OF THE ZKW HEADLIGHT OWNERS OF E46 SEDANS FOUND ONLINE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOOGLE "E46 ZKW BURNT BOWLS" . I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD LITTLE GIRL, I CANNOT IMAGINE DRIVING WITH HER IN THE CAR ON A RAINY NIGHT AND MY CONCERN IS NOW MY BABY. I CAN SEND YOU PICTURES IF NEEDED PLEASE, THANK YOU FOR READING AND I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 11, 2012
CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM IS GOING CRAZY. IF I WERE IN A CRASH, THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS, TURN ON THE FLASHERS, ETC. THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN WITH THE CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. IF I AM INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT IT MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT FOR PARAMEDICS TO GET TO ME. I WAS ACTUALLY LOCKED IN MY CAR TODAY WHEN I ARRIVED AT SCHOOL. I HAD TO CRAWL OUT THE WINDOW AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW WITH THE KEY IN THE DOOR. I HAVE READ THAT THIS MAY STOP WORKING AS WELL. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING, ONLINE I HAVE READ THAT THIS CAN COST AROUND $750.00 TO FIX AT THE LOCAL BMW STEALERSHIP (WHOOPS, DEALERSHIP). BMW SHOULD FIX THIS IF THEY ARE CONCERNED WITH THEIR DRIVERS SAFETY. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 10, 2012
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE REGARDING THE DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2003 BMW 325 XI. THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO GEAR. WHICH I ASSUME IS AS DESIGNED. ? HOWEVER THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE IS PLACED BACK IN PARK (ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT) NEITHER BY MANUAL MANIPULATION OF THE LOCK BUTTONS ON THE DOORS OR BY PRESSING THE DOOR UNLOCK SWITCH ON THE CONSOLE. ? FURTHERMORE, WITH THE SINGLE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER?S DOOR, ALL OTHER DOOR LATCHES ARE RENDERED NON-FUNCTIONING (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE) ? NO ONE BUT THE DRIVE CAN OPEN A DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ALL DOORS ARE RENDERED INOP, YOU CAN?T OPEN THEM FROM EITHER THIS INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE O NO, THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ENGAGED. AS A MEMBER OF THE FIRE SERVICE AND FIRE MARSHALL FOR THE CITY OF CARVER, MN I SEE THIS AS A HUGE LIFE SAFETY ISSUE. IF THERE WERE EVER A FIRE, THE OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SELF-EXTRICATE (OPEN THE DOOR TO ESCAPE SMOKE AND FIRE). FURTHERMORE, GIVEN THE LIKELIHOOD AND GREAT POTENTIAL FOR RAPID FIRE SPREAD IN CAR FIRES IN GENERAL?. ANY PASSENGERS, CHILDREN/INFANTS STRAPPED INTO IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEATS WOULD MOST CERTAINLY PERISH. BASED ON A MULTITUDE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET BOARDS, I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE AN ISSUE SPECIFIC TO MY CAR, BUT MUCH BROADER IN SCOPE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Jul 10, 2012, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330 XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS ON FILE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2012
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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 23, 2012
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
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, May 4, 2012
THE DOORS ON OUR BMX 330XI WILL LOCK AND WE CANNOT UNLOCK THEM FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE USING THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES OR THE KEY FOB. MY WIFE AND KIDS HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. I CALLED THE BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT TOWED AND THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 300 SERIES. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. I HOPE NO ONE GETS HURT BECAUSE THEY GET TRAPPED IN THEIR VEHICLE. THANK GOD THAT MY FAMILY WAS PHYSICALLY ABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF THE WINDOWS ,IF THEY WERE ELDERLY OR DISABLED THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, ADDRESSED AND REMEDIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2012
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 AGAIN. THE GM5 MODULE SEEMS AT FAULT. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 20, 2012
MULTIPLE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LOCKS FAILING TO OPEN EITHER BY KEY FOB, DEPRESSING BUTTON INSIDE CAR, OR BY PULLING INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. TO EXIT CAR, MUST LOWER WINDOWS AND INSERT KEY INTO OUTSIDE KEYHOLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD! PROBLEM ARISES WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, THEN WILL DISAPPEAR A FEW DAYS LATER WITH FOR NO APPARENT REASON. BMW REPLACED ACTUATOR (?) AND THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED, BUT IT COST ME $1400. OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS WITH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON AFTER CAR SITS UNDRIVEN FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF DAYS. WAS TOLD THAT AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK WITH LIGHT ON. NO REASON FOUND. BATTERY CHECKS OUT FULLY CHARGED. *TT
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 13, 2011
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
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 11, 2011
MY 2003 BMW 325I WILL NOT UNLOCK. I CANT GET INTO THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED THE KEY AND THE FOB AND THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOW TO GET INTO THE CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THE DOORS STILL WILL NOT UNLOCK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE YOU CANT UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING AND A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 11, 2011
DOORS WILL NOT OPEN BECAUSE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. KEY FOB BUTTON WILL NOT UNLOCK ANY DOORS 90% OF THE TIME. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN ONLY GET IN CAR ON DRIVERS SIDE WITH MANUAL OPERATION OF DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK (STICKING KEY IN LOCK AND TURNING). ONCE IN CAR, 90% OF TIME I STILL CANNOT UNLOCK ANY OTHER DOORS, EVEN BY PULLING ON DOOR HANDLE (WHICH WOULD ORDINARILY UNLOCK THE DOOR). THE INTERIOR BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WILL NOT WORK. ON FRIDAY, 12/9/11, I COULD NOT EVEN GET OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION. (CAR IS SET TO AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE ALL LOCKS ONCE I START DRIVING) I HAD TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN AND REACH OUT AND UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY. WHEN MY SON AND DAUGHTER DRIVE WITH ME, THEY HAVE TO GET IN AND OUT OF CAR EITHER BY CRAWLING ACROSS DRIVER'S SEAT OR GO THROUGH A WINDOW OPENING. MY WIFE CANNOT RIDE IN THIS CAR NOW BECAUSE SHE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. DUE TO THIS DEFECT, PASSENGERS ARE TRAPPED IN CAR. ALSO, ENTRY INTO VEHICLE IS DELAYED (BECAUSE FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK DOORS) WHICH ALSO POSES SAFETY RISKS WHEN PARKED AT NIGHT IN DOWNTOWN PARKING GARAGES. THERE ARE FIVE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE ON THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. RECALL SHOULD BE INITIATED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 7, 2011
IN 2010 THE SUNROOF WENT BAD I TALKED TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM, IN AUGUST OF 2011 I NOTICED THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS AND BLINKERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPER,NOR WAS MY HORN,AND THE DRIVERS WINDOW REGULATORS ARE BINDING UP, ALSO A BRAKE HOSE FROM MY BRAKE BOOSTER TO THE ENGINE IS COLLAPSED IN TWO SPOTS. ??*TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 2, 2011
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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 13, 2011
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO BURNT CONNECTOR PINS AND CONNECTOR HOUSING. INADEQUATE CONNECTOR/WIRE RATING. SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FROM A RESPONSIBLE CAR MANUFACTURER. UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE DARK. BLEMISH ON THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE MOSTLY PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT. OCCASIONAL FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SIDE HEAD LIGHT. NORMALLY THE LIGHT BULB WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, BUT OFTEN THE WHOLE LIGHTING UNIT IS CONSIDERED FAILING BY THE DEALER. COST OF REPLACEMENT IS EXTREMELY HIGH. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 16, 2011
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