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.
Purchased vehicle new while I was stationed with the us air force in germany, to my understanding it was made in germany unlike most 325's at the time. It was produced under us specifications as I'd planned to bring it back to the states. I have continuously had problems over the years with the exterior lighting turn signal acting intermittently as mentioned in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000. However, after contacting my local BMW dealer, and BMW N.a., they have informed me my VIN isn't covered under the recall. I believe I may have slipped through the cracks as a VIN identified in the recall as my BMW was produced outside the normal channels of bmws affected in North America. I believe this because my vehicle exhibits the exact characteristics of the recall in question. I would like my VIN included on the recall as even today driving the vehicle this morning I didn't feel safe because the turn signal is intermittent.
Zkw xenon headlight reflector bowl is burned resulting in very dim light output. I am often afraid of driving at night because I feel it is a danger to my safety.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 323. The contact stated that the headlights would flicker on and off. The turn signal light would also flicker abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they advised him that the taillight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights). The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Tail lights continue to fail on this model. Called the manufacturer, BMW, and they said that eventhough a recall exists for 2003 BMW 325I models for tail light failure (id no. 11V4380000), my VIN number did not correspond to production run failures under recall.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the rear tail light failed. The contact examined the vehicle and found that the rear tail light wires were burned. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting:turn signal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 161,000.
- Pearland , TX, USA
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The BMW E46 (3 series BMW) that was made from 1999 to 2006. In some cases during these years they used a lighting manufacturer "zkw" for their xenon headlights. Unfortunately these lights have a common failure issue commonly referred to as a "burnt reflector" on the internet and on BMW forums. This is a non-consumer replaceable part. When this part fails it causes the vehicle to not have effective headlights. I personally have had times where my field of vision could not see items on the road due to the dim lights. The only remedy appears to be to replace the entire headlight assembly to the tune of hundreds of dollars (well over a thousand if you do both sides). In my opinion BMW should correct this issue for the consumer. Headlights are an important safety item. To have a part fail that is not consumer replaceable is unacceptable. Many people have this issue but have no way to remedy it. Just google it or check E46fanatics.com. You will see that there are plenty of people that realize this is an issue.
Xenon headlight reflectors are melting/burning causing a significant reduction in light output. Very simple problem for which there is no fix other than to purchase new headlight assembles for $2,000. Seems to affect all xenon headlights produced by zwk for the 2002-2004 3 series BMW.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. The contact was driving 20 mph when the turn signal failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the turn signal wiring and the brake lights burned out. The manufacturer was contacted where they advised that the vehicle qualified for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Tail lights), but the connector was not included. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was unavailable. The failure and the current mileages were 110,000.
My BMW 2003 330I is equipped with zkw headlight assemblies that have plastic xenon projector bowls installed inside the headlight assemblies. After several years of usage these projector bowls burn out and as a result, the reflective coating that allows light to be focused through the projectors are burned off reducing effective light output from the headlight assembly. Upon inspection, both my headlight assemblies suffered approximately 50% loss in effective light output due to burned out xenon projector bowls and I found that my fog lights were putting out more light than both my zkw headlights. This problem affects all 3-series sedans made from 2002 - 2005. There have been many people who have, as a result of BMW inaction to do the right thing and correct this serious safety deficiency, either replaced their original zkw headlight assemblies with depot aftermarket headlight assembles or have replaced the defected zkw projector bowls with al projector bowls or fx-R projector bowls. This problem needs to be addressed as it is a serious road safety issue while driving at night.
Zkw bi xenon headlights reflectors burn out over time. The bowls are shot and they were black, burned to a crisp. They were made out of a plastic material with a chrome coating, instead of a metal reflector. This should be a recall for BMW. They got the tail light which works fine in my car, I need my headlights to see!
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 3series. The contact stated that the rear tail light warning indicator illuminated on the instrumental panel. After checking the rear of the vehicle, the tail light appeared to be operating as designed. The warning light would illuminate on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11V438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights). The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. While making a right turn at approximately 5 mph, the turn signal lights failed to illuminate. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Turn signal) but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 78,600.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the wiring harness was melted. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 122,000.
Right taillamp failure and left taillamp intermittent operation. Electrical system repair: Right rear taillamp connector and bulb carrier corroded. Dealer replaced pigtail harness and bulb carrier with updated design: Socket housing, terminal, contact, cable connector, hose, insulation housing, flat contact, cable socket and bulb socket.
Headlights fail randomly. Headlights flicker, turn off, turn back on. Independent of speed or weather conditions. Bulb testing after this failure indicate that the bulbs are not failing (they are not burned out).
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph and when the brake pedal was engaged, the driver side tail light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently causing the rear driver side tail light to become inoperable. There was a recall related to the similar defect under NHTSA campaign id number 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Tail lights). The VIN was not included in the recall and the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that the tail lights and the turn signal would fail intermittingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer advised that there was a faulty ground wire causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. The contact stated that both rear tail lights failed. The contact was advised of a recall under NHTSA recall campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Tail lights) by his mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted but advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage vehicle was 90,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the exterior tail lights burned through the housing harness. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Tail lights). The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,250.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that the tail lights and turn signals failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Turn signal). The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 124,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dallas, TX, USA