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 owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact was driving 35 mph when the rear driver's side brake light and turn signals failed. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights) and the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis however he was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable.the failure and current mileages were 112,000.
Recently my rear taillights were noticeably darker and less responsive. Taking my BMW to my authorized BMW dealership/service center, resulted in a diagnosis that the rear wire harness needed to be replaced at a cost of ~$300. Following the visit to the dealership/service center, resulted in the rear light failing completely. Researching this incident online produced many similar problems w/other 330I models and I also discovered that NHTSA had issued a recall of BMW 3-series from my 02-06. My BMW is a 01. It is apparent, from the many postings on BMW boards and websites, that this defect also occurs in older bmws of the same E46 series earlier than model yr 2002. I ask that NHTSA extend the previous recall to earlier model years of the E46 series of bmws.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325 ci. The contact stated that the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. The tail light warning light illuminated during the failure. The contact confirmed that the bulb wire connector was melted. The contact believed that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign id number:11V438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 167,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
The left rear brake light started to dim and triggered a warning indicator but went away. After a month or two, all the lights on rear left has failed. No brake lights, turn signal, or reverse light on the left side. After researching this looks likes NHTSA action number : EA09019. I currently see the burn harness and lightbulb carrier burnt as well. After the lights going out it has caused the headlights to flicker. The recall isn't just sedans, 2001 coupes should be added to the list. Currently I have no rear tail lights and strobbing headlights.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that when depressing the brakes, the brake light would not illuminate on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they advised her that the rear tail light carriage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the rear tail light carriage. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised her that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
- Belvue, WA, USA
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Rear left turn signal blinking fast indicating bad bulb but all bulbs are good. Rear left turn signal bulb has a lower luminous intensity than the other bulbs. Replacing the bulb with a new bulb makes not difference. Right turn signal intermittently blinks fast indicating a bad bulb but all bulbs are working.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, an error message illuminated on the instrument panel and alerted to her that the rear quarter panel lights were not functioning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was advised to replace the lights because they created a fire hazard. The vehicle was repaired, but the error message continued to illuminate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 11V438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights) but did not advise if the vehicle was included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
For BMW E46 2001, rear turn signal light brown grounding wire arches and damages the socket causing the light to flicker on occasion. This problem is also evident in later models of BMW E46 and an recall has been issued on E46 2002-2006 models. It's problematic that they also didn't address this on E46 2001 models because it seems to occur in the earlier model as well as evident with my car.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the ground wires for the tail light assembly burned out, causing the lights to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The repairs would include adding a ground wire to the tail light assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised teh contact that there were no recalls for his vehicle and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 186,000.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the rear driver's side tail light would not illuminate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 177,236. Updated 02/09/12 updated 02/13/12
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the rear brake lights failed and would not illuminate when depressing the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised him that the wires in the brake lights were burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vehicle was not inlcuded in any recalls. The failure and the current mileages were approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the rear tail lights failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was told that the wiring had burned out and needed to be repaired. The current mileage was 175,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that the tail light failed. The contact replaced the tail light bulb, but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed a diagnostic test and diagnosed the failure as the tail light wires being corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the tail light, brake lights and turn signals failed. The resistance in the electrical components caused the rear lamp functions to fail. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,500.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that when he was advised that his tail lamps were not functioning he took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was advised that the rear tail lamps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that there were no recalls related to his VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Exterior lighting: Tail light. Left rear tail light eight-pin connector has melted at pin number 5 and has caused failure of the tail light, brake light and turn indicator.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. When the contact purchased the vehicle, the brake lights were working. A couple of days later, the lights stopped working. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not determine the cause of the failure. The contact has learned of multiple issues regarding BMW brake lights. The failure mileage was 93,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cincinnati, OH, USA