2005 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 227 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 8 involved a crash and 11 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
227 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 22, 2010
MBW 330CI 2005: ON 3/22/10, @ 3PM PACIFIC, MY BRAKE RESPONSE WENT FROM "GOOD STOP" TO "UNSAFE, BAD, "CRUISE-TO-STOP". I'VE HAD MY CAR INTO IRVINE BMW 5 TIMES SINCE THEN, AND "NOTHING WRONG" COULD BE FOUND. I CONTACTED BMW N.A. ABOUT ONGOING PROBLEM, WHEN I READ ABOUT THE "RECALL" JUST NOW REPORTED, ON THE 5 & 7 SERIES CARS. THE "PROBLEM DESCRIBED" AS THE REASON FOR THAT RECALL, IS WHAT I'VE COMPLAINED TO BMW SINCE 3/30/10! MY "COMPLAINT' TO THEM, AND THIS WEEK, BMW NA, WAS DESCRIBED TO THEM EACH TIME I VISITED, AND ON MY BMWNA CALL THIS WEEK, AS THE SAME PROBLEM AS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE 5 & 7 SERIES, AND I'D COMPLAINED OF THIS BRAKING PROBLEM SINCE 3/30/10, AND THAT IT OCCURRED AROUND 3PM ON 3/22/10! TWO "BODY SHOPS"---TO WHICH I WENT FOR A FENDER REPAIR QUOTE--WERE AWARE OF MY CONCERN, AND AN EMPLOYEE AT THE FIRST ONE CHECKED MY BRAKE FLUID. IT WAS NOT LOW. MY 2005, 330CI BRAKES WERE TRUSTWORTHY, AND STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. AS OF 3/22/10 @ 3PM, I HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN 3+ " FURTHER, TO GET STOPPED, THEN IT'S A "CRUISE TO A STOP", NOT A "STOP". BMW CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY LIFE, AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON FREEWAYS HERE (THE ONLY WAY TO GET FROM A TO B). I HAVEN'T HAD TO WORRY ABOUT FREEWAYS, SINCE MY CAR STAYS PARKED, AND WHEN I DRIVE IT, IT'S TO THE DR. AND BACK. I HAVE 17K MILES ON IT, NO MORE. I WOULD LIKE TO FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR, AND THE BRAKES WORK PROPERLY, BUT SINCE 3/22/10, WHEN THE "LACK OF RESPONSE" OCCURRED, I DON'T FEEL SAFE. FIND THE PROBLEM, AND HELP ME GET IT FIXED. UNRESPONSIVE BRAKES THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT RE THE BRAKE RESPONSIVENESS ON MY CAR YET. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 15, 2010
I HAD A WELL DOCUMENTED EPISODE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR REVVED SUDDENLY, THEN I FLIPPED IT INTO NEUTRAL). THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. NO ONE WAS INJURED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. I HAVE A COPY OF THE RECORDS. I THOUGHT THAT THIS MIGHT BE USEFUL IN OTHER INVESTIGATIONS OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TR
Exterior lighting, Aug 12, 2010, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE HEADLIGHT WIRING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED, IT MELTED THE WIRING. UPDATED 10/27/10
Steering, Suspension, May 26, 2010
CAR PULLS SEVERELY WHEN BRAKING AND MILDLY TO MODERATELY WHEN DRIVING. HAVE ASKED FOR ALIGNMENT AND HAD ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BUT TOLD THAT CAR IS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. *TR
Air bags, Feb 24, 2010
THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON FEB 14TH 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 2320 HOURS. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING STRUCK IT AND THERE WAS NO TIRE DAMAGE. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE HOME AND CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO COVER THE OCT OF THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 27, 2009
CAR PULLS SEVERELY TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AND ASKED FOR AN ALIGNMENT SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT NO ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED BUT NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE CAR PULLED WAS GIVEN. *TR
Visibility, Aug 27, 2009
WINDOW REGULATOR ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKEN 4X IN 4 YEARS ALWAYS IN THE SUMMER. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2009
I HAVE A 2005 BMW 325I AND RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF MY TURN SIGNAL. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD TODAY IT FAILED TO OPERATE AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN ON THE ROAD...THE BUS HAD TO SLAM ON ITS BREAKS AVOIDING MAJOR CATASTROPHE BY INCHES. WE STOPPED AND MADE SURE ALL OF THE CHILDREN WERE OKAY AND WENT OUR SEPARATE WAYS. I HAD SWITCHED THE BULBS OUT JUST LAST WEEK ON VEHICLE AND RECHECKED THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I DISCOVERED CHARRED WIRING AND A CHARRED WIRING PLUG. I CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE...THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR BMW'S DESIGN FLAW WITH THEIR LIFE...20 CHILDREN AND MYSELF ALMOST DID TODAY. THE SERVICE BULLETIN BMW ISSUED ON THIS IS #630306. I ASK THE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Power train, Feb 1, 2009
EACH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR AT LEAST 6 HOURS. THE CAR STARTS BUT DOES NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE CAR WILL ROLL BACK DUE TO A SLOPE OF SURFACE BUT WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE IT ONLY ROLLS FORWARD BUT DOESN'T ENGAGE. I CONTINUE TO PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT FINALLY "LURCHES" FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES RANDOMLY OVER THE PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS CHECKED IT TWICE AND KEPT IT A WEEK LAST MONTH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT SO THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. I AM AFRAID THIS PROBLEM WILL PUT ME OR OTHERS IN DANGER IF I CAN'T MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 30, 2008
I HAVE A 2005 330I BMW AND THE SEATBELT/AIRBAG SENSOR HAVE BEEN LIGHTING UP. I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS AN INTERNAL ERROR IN THE SEATBELT SENSOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE AS STATED BY BMW AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE MODEL PRODUCTION # IS KM42802.*TR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2008, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND LOSE SPEED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE SPEED DID NOT INCREASE. SUDDENLY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF DARK SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR HOSE AND THEY REPLACED ALL THE FLUIDS IN THE VEHICLE. A MONTH AFTER THE REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEATER IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. DARK SMOKE APPEARED ONCE AGAIN UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY KEPT IT FOR OVER A WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT EVERYTHING THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FROM THE FIRST FAILURE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, IN WHICH EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OK. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER JOB WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,859 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,769.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 23, 2008, crash
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY CAR AT MY EMPLOYER'S GARAGE. I WAS TURNING MY WHEEL TO PARK IN A SPACE, MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND MOVING VERY SLOWLY, WHEN MY CAR SEEMED TO JERK FORWARD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WENT FORWARD AT FULL SPEED. IT ACCELERATE ALL OF SUDDEN AND SMASHED INTO THE WALL. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PUSHING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD, BUT TO NO AVAIL. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND THE AFTERMATH RESULTED IN MY AIRBAG DEPLOYING AND CAUSING LACERATIONS, BURNS TO MY ARM, SMOKE AND CAUSING ME TO CHOKE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 13, 2008, crash
WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, MY VEHICLE STRUCK A CEMENT STRUCTURAL SUPPORTING COLUMN. I PUT ON BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. THE IMPACT WAS LATER FOUND TO BE MINIMAL (DENT). SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED AS THOUGH THE FOOT PEDAL HAD BEEN PUSHED DOWN FULL THROTTLE. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE THROTTLE. DURING THIS TIME, INTERMITTENT CLICKING SOUNDS WERE HEARD, THE VEHICLE THEN ENGAGED INTO FORWARD AND DROVE ITSELF, AT FULL FORCE, AND HIT THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WERE NOTIFIED. A TECHNICAL ENGINEER FROM BMW INSPECTED MY VEHICLE ON 4-2-2008. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TEST DRIVEN DUE TO ITS DAMAGES. THE RESULTS FROM WHAT WERE INSPECTED BY BMW REVEALED NO DEFECTS OR VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS. I WAS INFORMED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOTALED I INCURRED A BROKEN RIB AND MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Electrical system, Dec 26, 2006
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2005 BMW X3 2.5I. SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD START VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AND THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE AN AWFUL NOISE WHEN APPLIED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT RADIO/TAPEDECK/CD OVERHEATED WHEN PLAYING CDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 12,000 MILES WHEN BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED. SHE STATED THAT SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY REPLACED 2 ELECTRICAL MODULES AND THE BRAKE ASSIST. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE VIBRATING AND BRAKES SQUEAKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHCILE TO A DEALERSHIP A SECOND TIME, AND THEY ROTATED ALL FOUR TIRES . THE CONTACT STATES THAT THIS DIDN'T RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN ON 12/08/2006 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AXLE SHATTERED, AND THAT THE AXLE WAS GOING BAD DURING THE ENTIRE TIME SHE'S WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VIBRATING. BMW HAS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE SHATTERED AXLE, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
Tires, Wheels, Dec 11, 2006
I HAVE A 2005 BMW 325I THAT CAME WITH 4 CONTINENTAL CONTISPORT TIRES. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 24 MONTHS OLD AND 3 HAVE BLOWN ON ME. THE LATEST HAPPENED TODAY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE REAR RIGHT TIRE RIPPED APART ON THE INNER TREAD AREA FORCING ME TO PULL OVER. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR BUT AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE TIRE WAS 90% REMOVED FROM THE RIM WITH THE OTHER 10% OF THE RUBBER STILL ON THE BACK END OF THE RIM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 9 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A BLOWOUT WITH ANY OF THE PREVIOUS 4 CARS I OWNED. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND I AM FORCED WITH REPLACING ALL THE TIRES TO A DIFFERENT VENDOR. BMW WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AS THEY SAY IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM HOWEVER BOTH BMW AND CONTINENTAL SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAULTY TIRES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS I FOUND FOR THESE TIRES ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AS WELL. *JB
Structure, Nov 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE ENTERING A HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. LATER THAT EVENING, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP BECAME STUCK HALFWAY OPEN. THE TOP HAD TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED WHILE THE SWITCH WAS ACTIVATED TO GET IT TO MOVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.
Electrical system, Sep 1, 2006
THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON A FREEWAY EXIT RAMP, NEAR NOON TIME IN A SUNNY ~80 F WEATHER. DURING THE DRIVING, ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD SUDDENLY STARTED TO FLASH, ACCOMPANIED WITH BEEPING WARNING SOUND. THE WHOLE FLASHING AND BEEPING LASTED FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL, HOWEVER. AFTER THE INCIDENT, CAR'S MEMORY OF CLOCK TIME AND TRIP ODOMETER WERE LOST. MADE A CHECK IN LOCAL BMW DEALER. THE LOCAL DEALER COULD NOT RETRIEVE ERROR CODE FROM THE ON BOARD COMPUTER, AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE SYMPTOM DURING THE CHECK. *NM
Seat belts, Jul 10, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY IT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SEATBELT LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED WHO SENT OUT A TECHNICIAN TO OBSERVED THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED PROBLMS WITH THE LATCH AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO DEALERS WITH A SERVICE WAIVER SIGNED OFF FOR REPAIRS TO THE VEHCILE. WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALER, A COLLISION WITH A DEER WAS AVOIDED BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER'S NECK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS THEY DETERMINED THAT A PIECE OF PLASTIC WAS LODGED IN THE SEATBELT CAUSING THE SEATBELT TO NOT BE ABLE TO LATCH. THE DEALER OFFERED TO SEND THE VEHICLE INTO THE MANUFACTURER FOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TRADED THE VEHICLE INSTEAD.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 6, 2006
EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STARTING MY 2005 BMW 325 XI ON TWO CONSECUTIVE MORNINGS, ON THE THIRD THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON THE PRECEDING DAYS AFTER IT DID START THE CAR RAN NORMALLY THE REST OF THE DAY AND WOULD START WITHOUT HESITATION WITHIN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER NOT STARTING ON THE THIRD DAY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID I HAD "CONTAMINATED FUEL" AND THAT THE FOLLOWING PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, & FUEL FILTER. THEIR INITIAL REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS THAT I PURCHASED CONTAMINATED FUEL FROM A FUEL RETAILER. THEIR STORY CHANGED WHEN PRESSED THAT ETHANOL IN THE FUEL ABSORBS CONTAMINATES AND FOULS FUEL SYSTEM. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT SEEMS THAT A COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK REACTS WITH THE FUEL, POSSIBLY BREAKS DOWN AND FOULS THE FUEL SYSTEM. BMW CORPORATE WOULD ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE SO I GOT MY AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY STATE FARM INVOLVED. STATE FARM IS INVESTIGATING BUT AS OF TODAY I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE $1802.81 REPAIR BILL. I ASKED HOW TO AVOID THIS OCCURRING AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT "...IT PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. THE FUEL YOU USED TO PURCHASE CONTAINED MBTE AND THAT ADDITIVE WAS ABSORBED INTO THE TANK. WHEN THE MBTE WAS REPLACED BY ETHANOL THE ETHANOL REACTED WITH THE MBTE AND CONTAMINATED THE FUEL. SINCE MBTE IS NO LONGER USED THE ISSUE SHOULD NOT ARISE AGAIN. AS I PULLED BEHIND THE DEALERSHIP AFTER PICKING UP THE CAR I COUNTED ELEVEN FUEL TANKS STACKED BEHIND THE BUILDING. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Apr 25, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 2MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE LURCHING FORWARD INTO A TREE. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. A MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE INVESTIGATION WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPAIRED THE BODY DAMAGE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATION.
Tires, Dec 2, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE SIDEWALL. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND CHANGE THE TIRE. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER. *AK
Air bags, Oct 20, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE THAT WAS TWELVE INCHES IN DIAMETER, AND BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. SHE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIRE. SHE STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS CAUSED HER TO HAVE A HEADACHE AND RING IN EAR. IT WAS A LOANER VEHICLE. *AK
Equipment, Sep 14, 2005
WHILE USING THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED JACK ON MY BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE TO REMOVE THE LEFT REAR TIRE FOR REPAIR, THE JACK POPPED LOOSE, STRIKING THE SIDE OF CAR AND CAUSING SOME $800 PLUS IN DAMAGES. FORTUNATELY, THE WHEEL WAS STILL ON THE CAR OR ELSE THE CAR WOULD HAVE COLLAPSED ON ME. CAR WAS BEING JACKED PER MANUFACTURERS DIRECTIONS ON A LEVEL GARAGE FLOOR. THE JACK FAILED APPARENTLY DUE TO THE INWARD MOTION OF THE REAR WHEEL AS THE CAR WAS BEING RAISED. THIS JACK DESIGN IS A HALF SCISSORS AND HAS AN EXTREMELY SMALL FOOT PRINT WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO ITS APPARENT INSTABILITY. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BMW USA AND WISH TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE NHSTA BECAUSE THIS COULD CAUSE VERY SERIOUS INJURY. I ASKED BMW IF THEY HAD A REPLACEMENT TYPE JACK DESIGN (SINCE I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN THE EXISTING ONE AND THINKING THIS MAY BE A KNOWN PROBLEM) BUT THEY DO NOT. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 7, 2005
DT: VEHICLE HAS FEATURE CALLED SOFT STOP WHICH TRIES TO SMOOTH OUT THE BRAKING AND KEEPS THE VEHICLE FROM JERKING AT THE WHILE BRAKING TO A FULL STOP. DEALER IN HONOLULU SAID THAT IT TOOK PRESSURE OFF THE REAR BRAKES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP IT WOULD STOP ONCE THEN TRAVEL A FOOT FARTHER THEN STOPPING AGAIN. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS THE SOFT STOP FEATURE THAT CAUSED THIS MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN VEHICLE YESTERDAY WHEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM STOPPED QUICKLY AND HE WAS FORCED TO STOP QUICKLY, WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE STOPPED IT WENT ANOTHER FOOT FORWARD AND STOPPED AGAIN JUST INCHES FROM THE OTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY HAVE NOT HELPED HIM WITH PROBLEM. BMW 325I, E90 2006. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 300 MILES. *AK
Power train, Electrical system, Mar 23, 2005
THE DRIVER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AT THE DEALER. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND THE CODES REGISTERED ON THE MACHINE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB