This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
: the contact stated while driving 30mph the airbag warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the dealership determined the airbag sensor needed to be replaced again. The sensor was replaced three times before by the dealer.
Ever since I have bought the car, I have always had problems with the engine control module (ECM) on the instrument cluster. The ECM has been replaced twice already and on many occasions the dealer would just reset the computer so that the malfunction lights would go off. I am positive that this is a problem with many such E46 BMW 323I 4 door cars. The ECM is extremely sensitive to heat or cold and it goes off only after driving for a few miles. It can sometime take days for the lights to go off. Second failure in the E46 323I BMW's is the air-bag sensor under the passenger seat (passenger occupancy sensor). This has to be checked by the NHTSA as I am facing the same problem as many other owners of the car are. BMW owner forums on the internet have many complaints about dealers trying to rip them off on such part replacements.
I believe that carmax sold me a lemon. It is a 1999 BMW 323ci, was purchased used at the independence boulevard store on Nov 28, 2003, with 57,097 miles. The purchase price was $21,420 including a $1,699 extended warranty for 3yrs/36000. Automobile warranty agreement number: 7106508410. Since shortly after purchase, there have been excessive and expensive defects, including safety items. The car has broken down, failed to start, required towing, and the control panel flashes spurious warnings. Despite the warranty, and despite my requests to carmax, critical repairs have not been performed. Safety defects still occur and are not being repaired by carmax (I.e. current control panel warning for lights). Major mechanical items are not being performed under warranty (e.g. transmission). This has all occurred in less than a year, and with less than 5,000 miles of my driving. Summary of repairs since purchase: 12/17/0357,561mi.air bag light fault, seat belt, electrical & control panel 12/23/0457,694rear defroster, electrical, window replaced, worn brakes 06/04/0459,565horn replaced, fuses & electrical 9/10/0461,230clutch replaced, warning lights, control panel failure light intermittently comes on (has not been fixed) the car is currently unsafe to drive...reference the control panel warning indicator that carmax cannot analyze nor repair. The history of safety problems include fuses, air bag, electrical system, and horn. Summary: I was sold a "lemon" and have an unsafe automobile. I require a safe car to drive, and I want to stop paying for repeated defects and breakdowns. Recommemded solution: I suggest that either: (a) the car be returned for a full refund, including reimbursement for the cost of all defects, or; (B) I be reimbursed for all defects and that the terms of the 30 day warranty be extended to November 29, 2006.
1999 BMW 323I problems with the air bag light coming on around 75K miles. Computer for airbag was declared malfuction. Air bags won't deploy in an accident if this problem persists. Other problems include engine hesitation due to faulty oxygen sensors. Bmwna will not assist in air bag problem.
Airbag sensor mat was replaced 3 times on passenger side (2/9/01, 12/20/01 and 10/31/02) as a result of the airbag warning light being on. Currently 4/10/03 the same problem is occurring resulting in fourth time there has been a problem with this item.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fayetteville, AR, USA