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 2004 BMW 325I. The contact was driving 25 mph and attempting a left turn when the turn signal and the brake light failed as the brakes were depressed. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact that the VIN did not qualify for the repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Tail lights). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 73,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.
My 2004 BMW 330I, with zkw produced headlight components, suffers from what appears to be a known issue with the projector bulb reflectors burning after approximately 50,000 miles of driving time. This results in a diminished light output, and is a definite safety concern. Please address this issue as I believe BMW is aware of the issue, yet will do nothing to remedy the issue with it's owners.
Zkw xenon headlights equipped on the car have a plastic reflector bowl for the low beam. The oem light bulb burns hot and melted the plastic reflector bowl. This causes a severe loss of projected light to the road. Many times I have to drive with high beams on to see more than 10-15 ft in front of the car cause me to blind other drivers. BMW nor zkw recognize this as an issue and my dealer suggested I buy a whole new headlight assembly for 1.5K (each side) to fix the issue. This should be recalled because it is a design failure. The later versions on the zkw headlights use metal reflector bowls (not interchangeable with earlier version) so the issue is know to them.
The driver's side rear tail light assembly failed. Received a warning indicator light on the dash panel. Replacing the bulbs in the assembly failed to correct the problem. Researching this issue I discovered there has been an equipment recall for failed tail light assemblies.
Right side signal light intermittent failure. When it finally failed there was a scorched wire. Upon investigation found there is a tsb from the manufacturer but only in warranty. No recall.
- Higganum, CT, USA
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The bi-xenon zkw lights kept getting dimmer and dimmer. Bulb replacement did not correct the problem. When looked into the issue found out that the zkw projector bowls have burned up and do not provide any reflection for the light output anymore. Driving at night at this point with lights on is almost like driving with the lights turned off.
Problem began with rear right tail light working intermittently. Now the problem is occurring with the left tail light and front right signal. Problem prevents other drivers from knowing when I am braking or making a right turn. I have tried replacing bulbs but problem still persist and appears to be a problem with the wiring. I have called BMW North America to inquire about recall and I have not received any solid information on how to have my vehicle repaired.
The rear turn signals repeatedly fail. The wiring is melted. While this issue is addressed in NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000, my car is not included in the recall. The recall should be expanded to include more cars. I called BMW customer service. They are indifferent to this issue and completely unconcerned about the safety issues created by their negligent manufacturing. Thanks,
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that when the brakes were depressed, the brakes light failed to illuminate. The left turn signal also failed to illuminate on the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed that the VIN did not qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000: (exterior lighting: Turn signal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000 and the current mileage was 135,000.
Rear turn-signal indicators began failing to operate, especially in hot, humid conditions. Inspection of wiring harness revealed evidence of wiring-connection degradation by heat or corrosion. The car has not been damaged or flooded in any way. It is kept in a garage. Since both rear blinker assemblies have been affected, I believe that the design or engineering was defective. The intermittent failure of turn signals is a serious safety hazard.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake lights would not illuminate when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the ground wire in the electrical panel had shorted due to corrosion. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but they were unable to informed the contact if the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights). The failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 10/04/11 updated 3/30/12
Both taillights have been out due to corrosion in the 8 pin connector. This has prevented the signal and occasionally the brake light to work. While making highway turns I have come close to accidents numerous times. I cannot make a turn without taking my eyes off the road. The bulb warning is also on display on the dash.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330. The contact stated that the plastic reflector bowl used for the headlights were burned and scorched by the heat of the bulbs used on the vehicle. The contact replaced the covering before and within a year, it burned through again. The contact stated that the brand covering that was failing was the zkw brand. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 71,000.
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. Updated IVOQ 07/26/11
Tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals have shorted out on the rear of the vehicle 2 times even though it has been repaired. Happens to both sides of the car, but only in the rear. It keeps burning through the plug / connector and shorting out.
2004 BMW 325xi sedan; taillight fails intermittently according to dashboard indicator, then failed solid. The wires melted inside the connector to the light housing and melted housing post - no easy way for home repair as this is not just a bad lightbulb. BMW has service bulletin on repair, but is a pure design defect from the factory. There is no owner-induced problem here. They will not accept responsibility for repairs or recalls. A "google" reveals that this is a widespread issue with BMW 3-series and some 5-series cars. They should be forced to recall these cars for repairs.
Rear tail light intermittently show failure. Upon inspection, appears connection shows signs of premature wear and burning/overheating due to inadequate grounding.
2004 BMW 325I with the factory bi-xenon headlights manufactured by zkw. The lights have extensive damage to the reflective bowls such that the light output is quite dim. This is apparently a weel documented problem with these lights by this manufacturer. No replacement is available other than complete replacement at $1000 per light or retrofitting another type of projector in its place. BMW refuses to recognize this very common problem.
The tail / brake lights on my 2004 BMW 325I were melting. The dealer charged me close to $800 to replace them. Although I reported the problem before, I did so before knowing about the $800 price tag to fix the issue. BMW should pay for this defective (poorly engineered) safety component. I hope it doesn't take much of 'an investigation' from the NHTSA to make BMW accountable for this.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Winter Park, FL, USA