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.
I have an issue with my 2003 BMW 325xi. The fuel injectors are leaking/squirting gasoline out of the housing. I did some research and found that I am not the first with this issue. Every person I've seen post this issue lives in a colder part of the U.S. and it happens when it gets cold. I happen to live in Wyoming where it's been getting abnormally cold. Not good for me. What I've been seeing is the problem lies with the injector itself where parts of the housing shrinks in the cold. Once the vehicle is warmed up after some driving the injectors will return to its proper state and stop leaking. The best advice I've found is... "for the time being... turn your vents to circulate mode and low fan speeds to prevent the fumes from entering the cabin. Your windows will fog a bit but you'll be able to drive and the leak will stop once the temp needle hits center. Once the fumes die off in your engine bay you can open your vents and heat on again." Or replace the injectors with 2004+ fuel injectors the reasoning behind the 2004+ is that I've also found that after 2003, BMW updated the injectors to a material that doesn't shrink in the cold. To me, that sounds like a recall issue. I don't think I should be paying to fix something that has been recognized as an issue and that they fixed.
The fuel pump went bad, and left me stranded on a busy street, it suppose to have a manufacturer warranty for 15years or 150,000 miles from BMW, but they don't honor it at the dealer, I feel this should be a recall due to the fact that the fuel pump is sealed inside the tank, which leaves no access to change the pump, and the dealer is stating that we have to pay $6500 for the whole tank.. this should be a recall..
While travelling on route 50 in Maryland at 55mph engine cut out completely. I lost power steering and brakes. Fortunately, I was able to pull over to side of road, turn off vehicle and restart it. I brought it to the dealership where I purchased it. They cannot diagnose it without at least $1100 worth of work (they think its a transmission problem). After $1100 they state it would be an easy $200 fix or a substantial $6-8000 fix. I will be bringing it to another mechanic for second opinion. I was fortunate I was not in traffic and could pull over safely.
1. engine had been running roughly on start up (for a few seconds) for a few days. On the date of incident, while starting car to head back home, car started very roughly (for a short period of time). Car then cleared up. While driving at speed of 55-60 mph on highway, car suddenly died. I had to steer the car from the left-hand lane onto the right hand shoulder in the midst of traffic (difficult to steer). 2. the engine died suddenly while driving on the highway. This was the only time that the engine died while I drove the car. 3. I had the vehicle towed to the shop. The fuel pump was replaced. Even though there was gas in the tank, the fuel tank was empty.
Engine stalled in traffic; had to coast to side of the road. Would not re-start, despite strong cranking. Computer read "38 miles to empty" and gauge read approximately 1/4 to 1/8 tank of fuel remaining. Car was towed in and several faults were found: 240, 243. Dealer tech (vista BMW, fl) stated in service receipt: Fuel sending units. Checked fuel pressure... pressure was 3.5 bar. Checked return fuel pressure at fuel tank... pressure was 1.0 bar. Removed both fuel sending units & performed resistance sweep of both resistance cars... both left & right sending units had an open. Replaced left & right fuel sending units. Parts replaced: Fuel sensor, suction unit. Safety consideration: Sudden engine stopage can be extremely dangerous, yet this is not an isolated event. Internet web sites relate other BMW's with similar problems. Especially troublesome is the complete lack of warning. Please feel free to contact me if you would like additional information. Mark peters bedford, tx pylt@comcast.net
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sheridan, WY, USA