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: exterior lighting
114 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Mar 10, 2011
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
Exterior lighting, Feb 27, 2011
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
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2011
RECENTLY I BOUGHT A 2003 BMW 330I WITH XENON PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS. THE LOW- AND HIGH-BEAM OUTPUT OF THESE LIGHTS IS VERY POOR, WITH VERY LITTLE USABLE LIGHT WHEN DRIVING ON LIT OR UNLIT ROADS AT NIGHT. COMPARED TO STANDARD HALOGEN LAMPS ON MY OTHER CARS (1990 BMW 525I, 2004 SATURN ION) I WOULD RATE THEM AT 40% AND 30% OUTPUT RESPECTIVELY, AND BOTH OF THE OTHER CARS USE STANDARD HALOGEN LAMPS. RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE FOUND THE HEADLAMP REFLECTOR USED BY BMW FOR THESE LIGHTS (ZKW BRANDED) IS MADE OF PLASTIC INSTEAD OF METAL AND BEGINS TO OVERHEAT AND MELT OVER TIME, REDUCING LIGHT OUTPUT AND EVENTUALLY FAILING COMPLETELY. BMW DOES NOT OFFER REPLACEMENT REFLECTORS, PLASTIC OR OTHERWISE, AND THE ONLY OPTION USING MANUFACTURER PARTS IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE UNIT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $2000 (FOR THE PAIR). I FIND THIS COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE CONSIDERING THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND A $2K 'WEAR PART' IS GROSSLY EXCESSIVE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seat belts, Feb 15, 2011
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.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 31, 2010
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
Exterior lighting, Visibility, Dec 29, 2010
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
Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2010
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
Exterior lighting, Nov 12, 2010
AROUND NOVEMBER 2009 I STARTED TO NOTICE THE UNMODIFIED FACTORY XENON HEADLAMPS IN OUR CAR SEEMED DIM. OVER THE NEXT YEAR THEY SEEMED TO DIM CONSIDERABLY AND AFTER THE RECENT END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MY NIGHT-TIME DRIVING, I HAVE FOUND THE HEADLAMPS TO PROVIDE NEARLY NO PROJECTED LIGHT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT BMW BUILT THESE HEADLAMPS USING A CHROME-COATED PLASTIC REFLECTOR TO DIRECT THE LIGHT FORWARD TO THE ROAD. IT APPEARS THE DESIGN USED PLACED THE BULB TOO NEAR THE REFLECTOR OR USED PLASTIC WITH INADEQUATE TEMPERATURE RESISTANCE AND THE BOWL ITSELF HAS GRADUALLY BURNT TO THE POINT WHERE IT NO LONGER REFLECTS LIGHT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIRE AT THIS POINT BUT THE PLASTIC APPEARS TO BE FAILING STRUCTURALLY NOW (BURN THROUGH) AND I FEAR WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I ALLOWED IT TO PROGRESS FURTHER. THE LIGHT PROJECTED WITH LOW BEAMS ON NOW IS SO INADEQUATE THE CAR CANNOT BE SAFELY USED FOR NIGHT DRIVING. BMW DOES NOT SELL REPLACEMENT REFLECTOR BOWLS TO ALLOW REPAIR OF THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY AND THE ONLY OPTION TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE IS TO PURCHASE A PAIR OF NEW HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES AT APPROXIMATELY $1,200 EACH. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND BMW CARS NORTH AMERICA AND NEITHER HAS OFFERED AN ENGINEERING OR CUSTOMER SERVICE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
Exterior lighting, Oct 25, 2010
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 MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2010
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
Exterior lighting, Sep 26, 2010
INTERMITTENT FUNCTION OF LEFT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, DESPITE FUNCTIONAL LIGHT BULBS. ASSEMBLY REMOVED AND 7 PIN CONNECTOR NOTED TO HAVE OVERHEATED AT PIN 2, MELTING SURROUNDING PLASTIC. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2010
PLEASE LET THIS NOTICE SERVE AS A FORMAL PETITION FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF A SAFETY-RELATED DESIGN DEFECT. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS AREN'T WORKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE GROUND WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR, CONNECTING TO THE BULB CARRIER SEEMS TO BE DAMAGED DUE TO A BAD GROUND. I HAVE BEEN REPLACING BULBS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 23, 2010
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
Exterior lighting, Sep 7, 2010
I OWN A 2003 BMW 330I SEDAN THAT CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH XENON HEADLIGHTS. THESE HEADLIGHTS WERE MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. OVER TIME, THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BURNS AND DEGRADES. THIS IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT ZKW USED A PLASTIC REFLECTOR HOUSING WHICH CANNOT WITHSTAND THE HEAT OF THE XENON BULB. WHEN BURNED, THE HEADLIGHTS NO LONGER PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING TO SAFELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE SUGGESTED RESOLUTION PER BMW IS TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AT $1200 PER SIDE. NOTE: BMW USED ANOTHER MANUFACTURER (AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING, AL) FOR LATER MODELS AND THOSE VEHICLES WITH AL LIGHTS DON'T SUFFER FROM THIS FAILURE DUE TO THE FACT THAT AL USED METAL REFLECTORS NOT PLASTIC LIKE ZKW. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2010
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 DRIVING AROUND AT NIGHT. THIS IS DUE TO THE PROJECTOR REFLECTOR BOWL BEING MADE OUT OF PLASTIC, AND MELTING FROM THE HEAT. THIS CAUSES THE LIGHT TO BLEED OUT FROM THE BACKSIDE OF THE LIGHT INTO THE HOUSING, INSTEAD OF FORWARD ONTO THE ROAD. BMW NOTED THIS FLAW BY REPLACED THE ZKW HEADLAMPS WITH AL BRANDED HEADLAMPS IN ALL THE NEWER BMWS IN 2005 AND ON. THE AL BRANDED HEADLIGHTS REPLACED THE PLASTIC BOWL WITH METAL BOWLS. HOWEVER, ALL E46 3 SERIES SEDANS FROM 2003-2004 STILL HAVE THESE FAULTY ZKW HEADLAMPS. THERE IS NO EASY FIX TO THIS PROBLEM, AS BMW DOES NOT SELL THE BOWLS SEPARATELY. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS, WHICH COSTS AROUND $2000. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I CAN GUARANTEE THAT NEARLY EVERY 2003-2004 3 SERIES SEDAN WITH OEM XENON HEADLAMPS FACES THIS ISSUE. OWNERS DO NOT FIX THE ISSUE DUE TO THE HEAVY COSTS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 10, 2010
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
Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2010
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 MANUFACTURER REGARDING A RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO FURTHER ESCALATION PROCESS TO FOLLOW REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE TAIL LIGHTS SINCE A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,578. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/21/10*JB THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO RECALL 11V438000 BEING ISSUED. UPDATED 05/17/12
Exterior lighting, Jul 23, 2010
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 ASSEMBLY IS BURNING OUT THUS CAUSING A SHORT, I HAVE TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY CLEANING THE BURNED PARTS OF THE WIRE AND RECONNECTING AND PROTECTING WITH ELECTRIC TAPE. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Jul 17, 2010
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
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 5, 2010
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
Exterior lighting, Jun 18, 2010
I RECENTLY PURCHASE A 2003 BMW 330I WITH FACTORY XENON LIGHTS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THESE HEADLAMPS IS THE WORST BY FAR I HAVE EVER SEEN FROM A MODERN VEHICLE. XENON HEADLAMPS NORMALLY HAVE SUPERIOR BRIGHTNESS OVER HALOGEN HEADLAMPS. MY FOG LIGHTS PUT OFF MORE LIGHT THAN THE ZKW HEADLAMPS. I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT A BULB ISSUE, BECAUSE THEY BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE BOWLS THAT REFLECT THE LIGHT TURN BROWN BECAUSE OF THE HEAT AND LIGHT OUTPUT GOES WAY DOWN OVER TIME, FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON MANY FORUMS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW ONLY SELLS THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOT JUST THE BOWL THAT BURNS AND DISCOLORS. THE HEADLAMPS FROM BMW ARE OVER $1,000 EACH AND I REALLY CAN'T JUSTIFY SPENDING THAT RIGHT NOW. HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT A WEARABLE ITEM AND I NEVER EXPECTED TO HAVE TO REP. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 26, 2010
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"
Exterior lighting, Feb 23, 2010
MODEL 2003 BMW 330I E46 (3 SERIES) SEDAN SITUATION ONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS IS INOPERATIVE. CAUSE MINOR CORROSION AT THE 8-PIN REAR LAMP CONNECTOR CREATES HIGH RESISTANCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CONNECTOR HOUSING (IT ACTUALLY BURNED THROUGH THE PLASTIC HOUSING POTENTIAL FOR FIRE) CORRECTION REPAIR THE DAMAGED WIRE(S) AND REPLACE DAMAGED CONNECTOR HOUSING. INSTALL ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRES TO BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR LAMPS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 11, 2010
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
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Jan 21, 2010
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