2004 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 558 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 26 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 29 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
558 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Seats, Feb 1, 2013
NO IN PASSENGER SEAT WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. TURNED CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WAS OFF. WENT ABOUT 15 FEET AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. TURNS ON AND OFF WITH OR WITHOUT ANYONE IN THE SEAT. BMW REPRESENTATIVE STATED RECALL ID# 81074 DID NOT RELATE TO MY VIN. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2013
THE HOUSING FOR THE XENON LIGHT BULBS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE LIGHTING OUTPUT IS VERY BAD. THE XENON BULB ITSELF IS FINE BUT THE HOUSING IS BURNT AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 21, 2013
DOOR LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH SWITCH OR REMOTES. CENTRAL LOCKING DOES NOT WORK EVEN WHEN USING THE KEY FOB. MY KIDS AND I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE CAR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR UP TO 10 MINUTES. THIS IS A SERIOUS RISK TO MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. BMW REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE VIDEO OF ME TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I ADDRESSED HIS PROBLEM WITH BMW BEFORE MY WARRANTY WAS UP BUT THEY STATE SINCE THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTITY ANY PROBLEM IT'S NOT COVERED. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH OTHER CUSTOMERS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 9, 2013
BURNT BOWL IN THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE XENON LIGHT TO HAVE DIMINISHED LIGHT OUTPUT. NIGHT DRIVING IS VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO THE HEADLIGHT NOT BEING BRIGHT ENOUGH ANYMORE. REPLACEMENT OF THE ASSEMBLIES WILL ONLY FIX THIS TEMPORARILY UNTIL THE BOWLS BUT AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jan 7, 2013
THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WILL NOT MAINTAIN IT'S SET POSITION. ON MY CAR THE MIRROR WOULD CHANGE POSITION EVERY MINUTE. THIS CONTINUED ALL DAY AND NIGHT FOR THREE DAYS. THIS MADE LANE CHANGES, ENTERING A LANE, OR TURNING. VERY DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT. I IMMEDIATELY ACCOUNTED FOR MY MIRROR NOT BEING USABLE AND PLOTTED MY LANES CHANGES AND DRIVING LANES AHEAD OF TIME. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING. I COULD ENDANGER A DRIVER NEEDING TO CHANGE LANES, WHEN THEY LOOK OVER AND HAVE NO MIRROR, OR IS FACED WITH A MIRROR THAT WILL NOT HOLD POSITION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ===================EXAMPLES BMW BULLETIN ==LINK PROVIDED UPON REQUEST===== SI B51 36 08 BODY EQUIPMENT APRIL 2009 TECHNICAL SERVICE THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SI B51 36 08 DATED FEBRUARY 2009. DESIGNATES CHANGES TO THIS REVISION SUBJECT OUTSIDE MIRROR MOVES WHEN UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE MODEL E90, E91 (3 SERIES SEDAN AND SPORTS WAGON) PRODUCED UP TO 9/2008 AND EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT SEATS, OPTION CODE SA459 S TO A RANDOM POSITION. PRESSING THE SEAT MEMORY BUTTON TYPICALLY WILL RETURN THE MIRROR TO THE STORED POSITION. CAUSE WHEN THE UNLOCK SIGNAL IS SENT TO THE CAR, A MIRROR POSITION SELF-CHECK IS PERFORMED. ONE OF THE FACTORS IN DETERMINING THE MIRROR'S PRESENT POSITION IS AN EXPECTED RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE CIRCUIT. DUE TO A HIGHER THAN EXPECTED RESISTANCE, THE FOOTWELL MODULE (FRM) CALCULATES THE MIRROR POSITION INCORRECTLY. THE MIRROR IS THEN MOVED TO WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE THE CORRECT POSITION. THE UNEXPECTED RESISTANCE VALUE IS CAUSED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: * CORROSION ON THE LIN-BUS CONNECTION AT THE MIRROR, SWITCH BLOCK, OR FRM * POOR CONNECTION AT THE MIRROR, SWITCH BLOCK, OR FRM * DAMAGED MIRROR ELECTRONICS. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 29, 2012
BMW E46 EQUIPPED WITH ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHTS SUFFER FROM A BURNT, MELTED, AND CRACKED REFLECTOR BOWL DRAMATICALLY REDUCING THE BI-XENON LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING IT DIFFICULT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED FOR DRIVERS AND OTHERS SAFETY DURING NIGHT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME ABNORMALLY DIM, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE THE ROAD AND OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Seat belts, Dec 1, 2012
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT REPEATEDLY STOPS WHEN EXTENDING. IT CAN TAKE 10 TO 15 ATTEMPTS TO GET IT TO EXTEND LONG ENOUGH. THESE FAILURES CAUSE DRIVERS TO "GIVE UP" AND NOT BOTHER TO USE THE SEAT BELT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH BMW AND THEY WANT $500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. I BELIEVE THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A FLAW IN THE DESIGN. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS LOCK FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND THE REAR DOORS COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY WITH THE KEY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE UNLOCKED MANUALLY WITH THE KEY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT VEHICLE GENERAL ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.......UPDATED 12/20/12 *BF
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 23, 2012
DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LAMP HAS GONE OUT. IN RESEARCHING, FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL IN THE LED TAIL LIGHT AND CAN CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO OTHER DRIVERS NOT BEING ABLE TO TELL THAT YOU ARE STOPPING. FOUND RECALL INFORMATION ON NHTSA SITE AND CONTACTED BMW. I WAS INFORMED THAT MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, YET THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS 241,000 OTHER CARS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT MY SITUATION (AND VIN) BE EVALUATED AND INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE! *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 22, 2012
EVERY SUMMER SINCE 2008 WHEN THE GAS TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL, FUEL DRIPS FROM THE GAS TANK DURING HOT WEATHER. REPLACING THE SOLENOID AS WAS RECOMMENDED HAS NOT SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND THE GAS DRIPPING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING HOT WEATHER ONLY WHEN THE TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL. THIS OCCURS WITH THE CAR BEING PARKED IN THE SUN WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING. LAST MONTH, SEPTEMBER 2012 AFTER RETURNING TO MAY CAR AFTER WORK, I HAD STARTED THE CAR FIRST, THEN WENT TO GET MY THINGS OUT OF THE TRUNK, I SAW GASOLINE POURING LIKE A FOUNTAIN UNDER THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN SLOWED DOWN TO DRIPPING. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE. WE TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO OUR MECHANIC. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. BMW WANTS OVER $5000 TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK! THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THIS PROBLEM! CAN'T DRIVE IT, CAN'T SOMG IT, OR RE-REGISTER IT WITHOUT REPAIRING THE FAULTY GAS TANK! *TR
Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2012
E46 BMW'S WITH ZKW XENON HEAD LAMPS SUFFER FROM POOR BULB PROJECTORS WHICH BURN TO THE POINT THAT LIGHT OUTPUT IS NEARLY NONE. THIS IS DEFECT IS KNOWN BY BMWNA BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT IT. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2012
THE GENERAL MODULE 5 IN E46 3 SERIES MODEL YEARS 2004-2006 FAIL CAUSING FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS, CENTRAL LOCKING, WIND SHIELD WIPERS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS. THIS DEFECT IS KNOWN BY BMWNA BUT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 2, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 325 BMW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY TO 35 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Engine, Aug 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ENGINE COOLING ELECTRONIC SENSOR SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CRACK. THE CONTACT ALSO CONSULTED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHOM ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC COOLING SENSOR WAS MADE WITH DEFECTED ALUMINUM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Aug 10, 2012
MODULE THAT CONTROLS CENTRAL LOCKING, WIPERS, AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS (THE GM5) STARTED TO DEVELOP A FAULT. WE HAD PROBLEMS UNLOCKING DOORS, LOCKING DOORS, USING WINDOWS, AND WORST OF ALL - THE WIPERS WERE HIT OR MISS. BMW WANTED $750 FOR THE PART REPLACEMENT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2012
IT APPEARS THAT A DESIGN DEFECT HAS CAUSED HOUSINGS FOR BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS TO BE SUBJECT TO HEAT STRESS, RESULTING IN DISCOLORATION AND CRACKING. AS A RESULT VISIBILITY DURING NIGHTTIME DRIVING IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED WHEN USING BOTH LOW-AND HIGH-BEAMS. APPROXIMATE COST FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS IS IN EXCESS OF $2,000, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 27, 2012
THE HEADLIGHTS OF THE CAR GET PROGRESSIVELY DIMMER OVER TIME. CHANGING HEADLIGHT BULBS (XENON HID D2S 4300K) DOES NOTHING BECAUSE THE REFLECTIVE COATING ON THE HEADLIGHT BOWLS HAS MELTED / BURNT OFF. THERE IS A SCENT OF HOT PLASTIC WITH THE HEADLIGHTS RECENTLY ON AND PROTECTIVE COVERS REMOVED. THE HEADLIGHT BOWLS APPEAR DARKLY CHARRED JUST ABOVE THE BULB AREA. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2012
AFTER PURCHASING MY 330I IN NORTH SALEM, NY, I SPENT ABOUT 30 HOURS DRIVING THE CAR HOME TO FLORIDA. I MADE IT HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND PULLED THE CAR INTO MY GARAGE. ONCE INSIDE, I NOTICED SMALL WISPS OF SMOKE EXITING THE HOOD, JUST ABOVE EACH HEADLIGHT. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SMELLED A FAINT BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH AND INVESTIGATION ON THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THE PROJECTOR HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWLS WERE SEVERELY 'BURNT', SOMETHING VERY COMMON ON THESE STYLE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR. I RESEARCHED MORE AND FOUND THAT THESE REFLECTORS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC, AND OVER TIME WOULD OVERHEAT AND BURN, LOSING THEIR REFLECTIVE COATING. THIS LOSS OF REFLECTIVE COATING EVENTUALLY LEADS TO SEVERELY DIMINISHED LIGHT OUTPUT. I RESEARCHED HOW TO REPLACE OR REPAIR THE LIGHTS, AND EVENTUALLY RETROFITTED NEWER METAL PROJECTOR BOWLS FROM A 2006+ BMW. THIS RETROFIT WHILE NOT PERMANENT, HAS HELPED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION TO THE LACK OF HEADLIGHT OUTPUT, THERE IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD INVOLVED WITH THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 16, 2012
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS NOW AND HAVE NOTICED A GRADUAL DECREASE OF THE BRIGHTNESS OF MY HEADLIGHTS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. I TOOK THE CAR TO BMW AND THEY SAID I HAVE A MODEL OF CAR THAT THE REFLECTORS BREAK DOWN DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE XENON BULBS. IT APPARENTLY OCCURS IN MY MODEL CAR WITH ZKW REFLECTORS FROM YEARS 2003 - 2004. I ASKED THE MECHANIC IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS GOING TO BE RECALLED AND HE LITERALLY LAUGHED. THIS DEFECT COSTS WELL OVER $2000 IN PARTS ALONE AND IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN I AM ON ROADS THAT ARE NOT WELL LIT, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH MY FOG LIGHTS ACTUALLY PROVIDE BETTER ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD THAT MY HEADLIGHTS DO. IN MY OPINION THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND WARRANTS A RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jul 13, 2012
DEAR NHTSA, THE HEADLIGHT DESIGN OF BMW'S E46 BODIES ARE JUST HORRIBLE. LIGHT OUTPUT IS CLOSE TO NONE CREATING A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM REGARDING VISIBILITY. THE REASON IS DUE TO BMW'S REFLECTOR BOWL THAT DETERIORATES THROUGH OUT TIME DUE TO ITS PLASTIC MATERIAL AND FINALLY ENDS UP BURNING. IT IS SO BAD THAT THE FOG LIGHTS PRODUCE MUCH MORE LIGHT THEN ITS LOW BEAMS. WE DEFINITELY NEED YOUR HELP NHTSA BECAUSE BMW SURE DOES NOT WANT TO HELP, THEIR SOLUTION IS THAT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT WHICH IS 1200 A PIECE. MILLIONS OF E46 OWNERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. NHTSA INVESTIGATORS MUST GO AND INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY KNOW HOW BAD IT REALLY IS. YES THAT MEANS BMW WILL LOOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BUT IT IS SAFETY THAT MATTERS, WE DON'T WANT ANY PERSON OR CHILD TO BE KILLED JUST BECAUSE OF A POOR HEADLIGHT DESIGN. ONLY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS UP TO YOUR GUYS, NHTSA. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ MY MESSAGE, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Jul 2, 2012
BOTH BIXENON HEADLAMPS ASSEMBLIES HAVE FAILED ON THE VEHICLE THEY EMIT LITTLE TO NO LIGHT DUE TO THE KNOWN BOWL BURN ISSUES WITH THE PLASTIC REFLECTORS (SHOULD HAVE BEEN FABRICATED FROM METAL), INSIDE THESE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. IN LOOKING AT THE LIGHT ASSEMBLIES, THEY SEEMED TO HAVE FAILED A LONG TIME AGO. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS SITUATION THAT RENDERS THE VEHICLE BASICALLY INOPERATIVE AT NIGHT TO THE OWNER, BECAUSE FELLOW DRIVERS, PEDESTRIANS, AND/OR BICYCLIST MAY BE NOT ABLE TO SEE YOUR HEADLIGHTS. THIS COULD CAUSE OR MAY HAVE ALREADY LEAD TO FATAL VEHICULAR ACCIDENT(S) OR THE DEATH OF A PEDESTRIAN(S) AND/OR BICYCLIST(S) BECAUSE OF THE LOW TO NO LIGHT EMITTED BY THESE FAULTY HEADLAMPS. WHILE PERFORMING IN DEPTH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL AT ALL MILEAGES. THE BMW FORUMS ARE FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND AN OPEN COMPLAINT SEEMS TO BE OPEN AND IN PROCESS WITH NHTSA SINCE 2009 SOME THREE YEARS AGO. NEITHER BMW OR ITS SUPPLIER OF THIS FAULTY PART MAKE A REASONABLY PRICED SERVICE PART THAT CAN BE PURCHASED TO CORRECT THIS KNOWN PRODUCT AND SAFETY PROBLEM. NOT EVEN THE AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY MAKES A SERVICE PART TO CORRECT THIS PRODUCT PROBLEM. TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, YOU MUST PURCHASE TWO NEW COMPLETE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $ 1,200.00 EACH FROM BMW WHICH IS OUTRAGEOUS ESPECIALLY FOR SUCH A KNOW PRODUCT AND SAFETY PROBLEM. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN INITIATED FOR SUCH A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SO MANY VEHICLES THAT HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR SO LONG.. I CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA FOR RELIEF WITH THIS KNOW SAFETY AND PRODUCT PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PRODUCT AND SAFETY PROBLEM. *JS
Seat belts, Jul 2, 2012
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT EXTEND FROM THE HOUSING. IT STOPS REPEATEDLY AND ONLY AFTER SEVERAL TRIES WILL IT EXTEND LONG ENOUGH TO BE LATCHED. THE SITUATION MAY CAUSE A DRIVER TO NOT USE SEAT BELTS AS THIS CAN TAKE A LONG TIME TO FINALLY EXTEND. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST IT MIGHT BE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WHICH THEY ARE WILLING TO DIAGNOSE FOR $150 AND THEN FIX FOR AN UNKNOWN AMOUNT. IT WOULD THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN OTHER BMWS BUT NOT THIS MODEL. FOR EXAMPLE, REFER TO NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10041411 AND NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10037487 *JS
Exterior lighting, Jun 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED VERY DIMLY. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE HEADLIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB BURNED A HOLE THROUGH ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 07/25/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAND OF HEADLIGHTS ON HIS VEHICLE WERE FACTORY INSTALLED. XENON BULBS. THE PROJECTOR BOWLS WERE THE PIECES THAT BURNED AND NOT SOLD SEPARATELY, BUT INSTEAD WERE SOLD WITH COMPLETE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING IN THE DARK, AND HE HAS TO USE THE FOG LAMPS IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD. UPDATED 07/30/12