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
489 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Nov 20, 2014
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 THE SAFECAR.GOV DATA AND FOUND MY VEHICLE WAS IMPLICATED. THE DEALER ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH A PASSENGER INSIDE UNTIL THE PART IS REPLACED. I CONTACTED BMW USA THIS WEEK INQUIRING AS TO WHEN THIS PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. I INFORMED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. FORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT MY PRIMARY VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED THAT BMW IS DILEGENTLY WORKING TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND THERE IS NO TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. WHEN I VOICED MY CONCERN THAT (1) I WAS THE ONLY OWNER OF THE VEHICLE (10 YEARS) AND HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD MY FILE HAD BEEN RECENTLY UPDATED. (2) I WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THIS UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE AND CONCERNED THAT I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT SHE HAD NO FURTHER INFORMATION TO PROVIDE AND THAT I WAS RUDE; THIS WAS NOT A PERSONAL ATTACK ON ME AND THAT I HAD NO REASON FOR ATTACKING HER FOR THE INFORMATION THAT SHE PROVIDED. I IMPLORE YOUR ORGANIZATION TO ENSURE THAT BMW USA EXPEDITE THIS RECALL AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS SO THAT I CAN DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT FURTHER SAFETY CONCERNS. I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *TR
Air bags, Nov 19, 2014
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 INITIAL NHTSA 14V428 NOTICE (TANAKA AIRBAG) AND I HAD NO FOLLOW UP. THEREFORE, I CALLED CENTURY BMW AGAIN THIS MORNING : THIS TIME THEY TOOK MY INFO AND ARE ORDERING THE PARTS. BMW MAY A HAVE CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AS SOME PEOPLE ARE MOST LIKELY WAITING FOR ANOTHER NOTICE FROM BMW USA; BASED ON THE DEALERS INITIAL REPRESENTATIONS . RECALLS ARE NEVER A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE BUT THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SAFETY DEFECT MERIT SERIOUS ACTION AND FOLLOW-UP AS SOME OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED TO WAIT FOR A 2ND NOTICE FROM BMW USA...AND NONE HAS COME IN 30+ DAYS. I UNDERSTAND OEMS AND TANAKA ARE PROBABLY SCRAMBLING TO GET "GOOD PARTS" BUT THIS "TACTIC" OR ERROR IN MISINFORMING OWNERS IS PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK. PEOPLE HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT AND OWNERS ARE AWAITING A 2ND NOTIFICATION THAT MAY NEVER COME. I AM GLAD I FOLLOWED-UP MYSELF. PLEASE FORCE BMW TO INFORM THE PUBLIC CORRECTLY ON PARTS AVAILABILITY. BMW HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT REGISTERED OWNERS. OWNERS ARE PRESENTLY WAITING. MISINFORMED AND DRIVING (LITERALLY) A TICKING TIME BOMB THAT CAN, AND HAS, EXPLODED AND INJURED/KILLED PEOPLE.. *TR
Air bags, Nov 10, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT PANICKED AND CRASHED SIDEWAYS INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO STANDARDS AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Engine, Oct 30, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY MY ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF AND CONTINUES TO DO SO EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. SO, MY BRAKES AND STEERING LOCK UP BECAUSE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL DME MS45 - FC28B2, 28AA, 28AC; INTERNAL RAM FAULTS MODEL E46 M54 WITH MS45.1 FROM 9/00 TO 7/06 E83 M54 WITH MS45.0/MS45.1 FROM 9/03 TO 9/06 E85 M54 WITH MS45.0 FROM 10/04 TO 1/06 E60 M54 WITH MS45.1 FROM 9/03 TO 3/05 SITUATION CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT A CRANK/NO START OR A ROUGH START SITUATION. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" OR THE DSC LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, AND ONE OF THE 3 SCENARIOS MAY APPLY: FC 28B2 "RPM LIMITING RESET " IS STORED IN THE DME TOGETHER WITH ONE, OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FAULTS WHICH ARE CAUSED BY THE 28B2: FC 28AC - "NOMINAL TORQUE", FC 2796 - "THROTTLE FLAP: ADAPTATION WRONG", FC 27A1 - "THROTTLE FLAP: START CHECK", FC 2869 - "DME SELF DIAGNOSTIC: RAM CHECK FAILED". FC 28AA "IDLE SPEED REGULATOR" IS STORED IN THE DME. FC 28AC "NOMINAL TORQUE" IS STORED IN THE DME. CAUSE FAULT CODES 28B2, 28AA AND 28AC INDICATE AN INTERNAL DME RAM FAULT. PROCEDURE PERFORM THE APPROPRIATE DIS/GT1 TEST MODULES FOR THE 28B2, 28AA OR 28AC. REPLACE THE DME IF PROMPTED BY THE DIS/GT1 TEST MODULE RESULTS. IMPORTANT: DO NOT REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY FOR THE THROTTLE FAULTS, STORED IN CONJUNCTION WITH FC28B2, EVEN WHEN THE TEST PLAN RECOMMENDS TO DO SO. PLEASE CAN I GET THIS REPAIRED AND COVERED FOR ALL THE COST BEFORE I KILL MYSELF OR MY GRANDCHILDREN... AT COURTESY MOTORS CHICO 2520 COHASSET RD. CHICO,CA 95973 THANK YOU KINDLY *TR
Air bags, Oct 28, 2014
I FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ON THIS WEB SITE, BUT IT HAS SINCE BEEN REMOVED. THE ODI# I WAS PROVIDED WAS 1011031. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHY THE COMPLAINT WAS REMOVED. *TR
Air bags, Oct 24, 2014, crash
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 FRONT OF ME. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS EXPLODED WITH CAUSED A SEVERE BURN TO MY RIGHT HAND. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE AT-FAULT DRIVER'S INSURANCE HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WITH OTHER INJURIES. APPROPRIATELY TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, AND PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE, AND I WOULD BE CONTACTED AT A LATER TIME. I CALLED AND REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BMW NORTH AMERICA THIS MORNING - THEY STATED THAT AN EXECUTIVE WOULD GET BACK TO ME IN 1-3 BUSINESS DAYS.....UPDATED 11/18/14 *BF UPDATED 8/4/2015*JS
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 11, 2014
MY 2003 BMW 325IT STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, I LOOSE POWER STEERING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I THEN PUT IT IN PARK AND START THE ENGINE AGAIN. THIS STARTED TO HAPPEN IN 2011 AND NOW OCCURS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN 2014, INCLUDING TODAY OCTOBER 11, 2014, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD AT ABOUT 40 MPH. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT MY PERSONAL SAFETY AND HOPE TO HAVE AN EARLY RESPONSE FROM YOU ABOUT THIS CRITICAL MATTER. I HAVE ALSO WRITTEN TO BMW CORPORATION. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR, BOUGHT ON OCTOBER 22, 2002 FROM VOB AUTO SALES 1396 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852 USA. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2014
THIS CAR SUFFERS FROM THE KNOWN BURNT XENON LOW BEAM BOWLS, ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT AND IS NOT SAFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY BMW IMMEDIATELY, HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND NEW BULBS WERE PUT IN AND DOES NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. ITS VERY COMMON FOR THESE XENON HEADLIGHTS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN ALOT OF 2003+ BMW 3 SERIES. *TR
Air bags, Sep 20, 2014
THERE IS A RECALL ON OUR CAR FOR AIR BAGS, BUT WE RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET THE PARTS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 18, 2014
BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW HAVE A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. AFTER ONLY 80,000 MILES, THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE AT NIGHT TIME. UPON INSPECTION, THE REFLECTIVE BOWL IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS BURNT, BLACKENED AND MELTED. NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT, BUT IT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A FIRE HAZARD. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM, EVIDENCED BY MANY COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS BMW MESSAGE FORUMS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE IT LEADS TO FIRE OR ACCIDENT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND WERE DETACHED FROM THE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE HOUSING COMPARTMENT AND BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 20, 2014
REMOTE UNLOCKING/LOCKING WILL NOT FUNCTION. DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED OR UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE VEHICLE WITH CENTRAL LOCK SWITCH OR WITH DOOR HANDLE, TRAPPING PASSENGERS INSIDE. THE DRIVERS WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN AND KEY USED TO UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO EXIT VEHICLE. CLIMBING OUT OF WINDOWS OR CLIMBING TO DRIVERS SEAT IS THE ONLY WAY OUT OF CAR, BMW STATES "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE". *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 24, 2014
XENON HEADLIGHTS. DIM TO DARK AT BEST. WORK WHEN THEY WANT. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 20, 2014
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 OUT THE DRIVER DOOR. *TR
Air bags, Jul 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Exterior lighting, Jul 12, 2014
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
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN THEN THE EML WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Air bags, Jun 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS AN IGNITION CIRCUIT AIR BAG INDICATOR FAULT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,692 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,692.
Exterior lighting, May 21, 2014
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
Electrical system, Air bags, Wheels, May 20, 2014
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 SORENESS AND HEADACHE. DOOR AIR BAG CAUSED FRAGMENTS TO HIT HAND AND TORE OFF SKIN.I THOUGHT CAR WAS ON FIRE DUE TO SMOKE SMELL OF WIRES BURNING,REMOVED STRAP OFF NECK AND GOT OUT OF CAR. IF TRAFFIC HAD BEEN HEAVY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR WRECK. IF I HAD BEEN ON 2 LANE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE HIT HEAD ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. MONDAY CALLED BMW AND THEY SAID SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK. I CALLED EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK AND WAS TOLD TO LEAVE MSG WITH CASE MGR WHICH I DID. 10 DAYS LATER CASE MGR CALLED AND SAID BAGS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO FULLY DEFLATE AND SHE WOULD HAVE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER FOR ENGINEER TO LOOK AT AND ONCE THEY HAVE CAR IT COULD BE ANOTHER 2-3 WEEKS BEFORE HE LOOKS AT CAR AND NOT TO EXPECT ANY REPAIRS. SHE ALSO SAID SHE DOES NOT FIND ANY RECALLS FOR THIS CAR. I TOLD HER I FOUND INFO ON INTERNET.NOW I AM OUT OF CAR AND WAITING ON BMW TO LOOK INTO. BMW CASE #[XXX]. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V172000. + USA TODAY MAY 7,2013. + SUIT CLAIMS AIR BAGS DEFECTIVE (HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW.HTML). + LOS ANGLES TIMES-BMW RECALL AIR BAGS THAT COULD SPRAY SHRAPNEL DEC 16,2013. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, May 20, 2014
GM5 ELECTRIC MODULE STOPPED COMMUNICATING WITH REMOTE CONTROL. VARIOUS INTERMITTENT ACTIVITY FOR DRIVER DOOR UNLOCK MECHANISM AND PASSENGER UNLOCK MECHANISM BY ANY AVAILABLE INTERNAL HARD-WIRED OR REMOTE BUTTON. 100% FAILURE OF FOOTWELL TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON. *TR
Suspension, May 15, 2014
BILSTEIN IS A MAKER OF AFTERMARKET SHOCKS. THE REAR BILSTEIN SHOCKS FOR THE BMW 3-SERIES FROM 1999-2006 ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. BILSTEIN HAS UPDATED THE PART TWICE IN AN EFFORT TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SHOCKS CONTINUALLY FAIL. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PREMATURE FAILURES OF THESE SHOCKS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. REAR SHOCK FAILURE CREATES DANGEROUS HANDLING PROBLEMS, LOSS OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE, AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. STOP BILSTEIN FROM SELLING ANY MORE OF THESE DANGEROUS SHOCKS! I HAVE HAD NINE REAR SHOCKS FAIL, AND BILSTEIN KEEPS SENDING OUT THE SAME PART AS PART OF THE LIFETIME WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, May 1, 2014
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 CONTROL KEY FOB. IT HAS NOW REMAINED NON-FUNCTIONAL. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY TO LEAVE THE CAR OR RECEIVED HELP WITHOUT BREAKING A WINDOW AND TRYING TO SLITHER OUT THROUGH BROKEN GLASS. IN ADDITION, SOMEONE WHO WAS INFIRM (E.G., BACK TROUBLE) AND COULD NOT CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE AND DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD BE STUCK IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON LINE, IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME. BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THIS SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD. *TR
Engine, Apr 7, 2014
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 LEADS TO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER (INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES), POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TYPICAL FAILED PARTS INCLUDE THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK, RADIATOR END TANKS, AND WATER PUMP IMPELLERS OR BEARINGS. (BMW CAME UP WITH AN IMPROVED WATER PUMP DESIGN AROUND 2004 THAT IS MORE RELIABLE.) CARS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ALSO SUFFER FAILURES OF THE MECHANICAL FAN CLUTCH AND THE TRANSMISSION COOLING THERMOSTAT. FAILURE OF THE FAN CLUTCH (FOUND ONLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS) CAN CAUSE THE FAN BLADES TO BREAK OFF AND DAMAGE THE RADIATOR, SERPENTINE BELT, AND WATER PUMP, AS WELL AS THE CAR'S HOOD. AT HIGHER MILEAGES (>150,000 MILES) THE PLASTIC COOLANT PIPES OFTEN FAIL, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND REQUIRING MAJOR WORK TO REPLACE. ON MY CAR THE COOLANT EXPANSION TANK AND RADIATOR BOTH FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. THE THERMOSTAT ALSO STUCK OPEN RESULTING IN LOWER GAS MILEAGE UNTIL IT WAS REPLACED. NOW ONE OF MY PLASTIC COOLANT PIPES IS LEAKING. BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR FAILED PLASTIC COOLING SYSTEM PARTS ON THE E46 3-SERIES WITH HIGHER-QUALITY PARTS DESIGNED TO LAST AT LEAST 10 YEARS AND 100,000 MILES FROM MANUFACTURE DATE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Apr 7, 2014
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 BODY. THIS EVENTUALLY CAUSES A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AS THE REAR SUBFRAME AND ASSOCIATED SUSPENSION CAN SEPARATELY ENTIRELY FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND SEVERE CRASH. THIS CAN AFFECT ANY E46 3-SERIES CAR BUT IS MOST COMMON IN MODELS BUILT FROM 1999-2001 AND MORE COMMON IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS. THE REPAIR COSTS ANYWHERE FROM $800 (PRE-EMPTIVE STRENGTHENING OF SHEET METAL IF IT HAS NOT TORN ALREADY) TO $5,000 (REPLACEMENT OF REAR BODY SUBFLOOR). BMW SETTLED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2009 ALLOWING 3-SERIES OWNERS TO HAVE THEIR CARS INSPECTED AND IN SOME CASES REPAIRED BY BMW BUT THIS DID NOT COVER ALL AFFECTED CARS AND EXPIRED IN DECEMBER 2010 SO NOT ALL OWNERS WERE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR CARS INSPECTED OR REPAIRED BY THAT DATE. IN ADDITION MANY CARS HAVE EXPERIENCED SUBFRAME MOUNTING FAILURES AFTER DEC 2010. BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND REINFORCE ALL E46 (1999-2005) 3-SERIES BODIES WHERE THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. *TR