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 2003 BMW 325I equipped with zkw bi-xenon headlights. While driving 70 mph, the headlights dimmed and diminished the contact's visibility. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the headlights needed to be replaced. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The projector bowls on the zkw headlights were burnt out due to a design flaw. I see lot of complaints online with the same issue. Driving in night is really difficult and dangerous.
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.
On 2003-2004 BMW 3 series E46 sedans with oem zkw manufactured xenon (hid) headlights, the reflective bowl for the headlights will become discolored and non-reflective after normal use with oem bulbs. Over time, the heat from the oem bulb will scorch the reflective bowl and dramatically reduce light output to unsafe levels for night time driving. BMW has not notified owners of the design flaw, and no replacement parts are available other than the entire expensive, new headlight assemblies that will suffer from the same problem in time. Though BMW refuses to acknowledge that an issue exists, BMW changed the xenon headlight reflector design for later model years to a metal reflector assembly that does not degrade when exposed to the normal operating temperatures of the oem xenon bulbs. These newer designed headlight assemblies to not suffer from any reduction in light output with use.
Four times since I buy a 2003 BMW 325I, I have to get the auto to guarantee service for replacement of the struct front bushing, now, after replace them at 32,000 miles about four month ago, my car at 37,000 miles request a new bushings. They said me that BMW was no longer replace them by guarantee because of the road conditions in puerto rico. When I buy the car I paid for a guarantee and I think that is impossible that a car like this, the ultimate drive machine require every four month to replace that parts. They should install a good reinforced genuine parts and not a remanufactured. I always try to avoid the holes, but I ask when it's raining it start a red light that indicated " please avoid this hole". the dealer stated replaced lens and cover disc for both headlights, noises coming from both rear shock absorbers, replacing alternator drive belt tensioner, tensioner and pulleys, and removing and installing left or right rubber strip. Updated 10/24/07
- Mayaguez, PR, USA
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Passenger side xenon headlight operates intermittently. Car had to go to dealer for repair but parts not immediately available to fix. For safety I have restricted vehicle to daytime driving only because I cannot depend on the headlights to operate as designed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Los Angelos, CA, USA