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 owned a 2006 BMW 325I. While driving approximately 60 mph, burning fumes and black smoke started to emit from the dashboard. The contact mentioned that flames were coming from underneath the steering wheel. As a result, the doors locked, the windshield glass cracked, and the wiring was severely burned and caused all the warning indicators to illuminate. The fire department was notified. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
Vehicle had a yellow steering wheel and lock display on the dash when I tried to start my car. After multiple attempt to start the car in every possibly way, it still did not start. Put key in, pulled it out multiple times; locked car, unlocked car; wiggled steering wheel while trying to start the car (push start). Noticed when key is pushed into key hole, it latches, but does not give any electrical power to the car, or release the steering wheel. Steering wheel was locked. Car has no power to other functions in car. Car can't be shifted into neutral to move car. The car is pretty much unusable.
Car has automatic door locks, uses a fob. Parked the car, locked the doors with the fob. When I tried to unlock the doors with the fob, it only clicks - did not unlock. Used the key to unlock the drivers door, but found that once locked, no doors will unlock, not even manually from inside the car. The only door that will lock or unlock is the driver's door, and then only with the key from the outside. The post that pops up and down to indicate that the door is locked is impossible to pull up, and pulling the inside door handle does nothing. This is obviously very dangerous. At the very least, they should redesign the locks so that they can be opened from inside manually in case of an electrical failure!!!!
I only have 65K miles on my BMW 325I 2006 it and mostly driven on highways. A few days back my BMW wouldn't start without any rhyme or reason. It had a red steering wheel warning light on and the car wouldn't start at all. The book didn't have any instructions either but to take the car to dealerships. I called the dealership and they were also helpless and had no idea. I had to tow my car to the dealership. Ultimately dealership informed me that there was some manufacturing issue and the whole steering column need to be replaced. This sounded crazy as my car has never been with any accident. I don't understand why a car with only 65K miles needs a whole steering column replaced. It cost me ~$1500 to replace the steering column. On searching google it looks like a lot of customers have the same manufacturing issue where the steering wheel would jam and customers need to replace the whole steering column. I emailed and called the BMW service and they refused to take any action and told me to file a complaint with NHTSA if I wish to do so. This is definitely a manufacturing defect where the car would not even start until the whole steering column is replaced. Please tell BMW to own the manufacturing issue and stop cheating naive customers.
- Vienna, VI, USA
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Took my BMW to the dealership because my battery had to be replaced (due to service light on instrument panel) and was told after I picked up my vehicle it also had two other service problems: 1. oil filter housing needed to be resealed a $400 job and 2. alternator tensioner needed to be replaced a $650 job. I did not do the repair. Came home, got on internet and did research. There are many customers who are complaining about these repairs, and they also stated that they were told of these same two items to be serviced after having a new battery installed in their BMW's. supposedly, BMW is aware of this problem but don't feel the need to recall. I feel that this should be investigated because it doesn't make since that all customers who have to replace their battery is being told to service the same items.
Passenger doors would not unlock. All passengers needed to exit through the drivers door. This would be a safety issue if in an accident and passengers could not open door to exit vehicle.
I took my car in for a standard oil change and front driver side light turning signal not working and I also advised the airbag light would come on when I turned on the car for the past few months. I was advised that the air bag for the passenger side had to be replaced which would cost me more than 800 dollars. I questioned if it was part of the most recent recall but was advised no. Seeing all the complaints on this site of the same vehicle and issue and not being included, this does not make sense. Please advise how cars are picked as it seems the cars that were not notified are the ones that are having the exact or similar issue of what the recall is for. I recently moved as well so I'm wondering what happens if the letter if there was one was sent to the incorrect place.
I own a 2006 BMW 330xi. I'm having problems with the steering column lock which prevents the car from starting. The problem starts with a yellow warning light that indicates the steering column is locked. The starting problem is constant. We are concerned we may get stranded or as some have reported the steering may lock with little or no warning. From what I can find on the internet it appears BMW is aware of the problem. Comments are bad steering column. The problem started in Feb. Of 2012 when the car only had 9000 miles and my extended warranty had just expired. The car now has 11000 miles.the dealer has not been able to help and suggested on several occasions that I contact BMW direct. The problem appears to be common from the comments posted on line by BMW owners of 2006 on. I recently contacted BMW and they suggested I have the dealership perform a diagnostic test.the test result was defective steering column.the fee for this test was $145.91. The estimate they provided to replace the steering column is $1,467.86 plus diagnostic fee of $145.91. Total cost $1,613.77. Your investigation will show the defective steering column is a common problem. As the problem persist the safety concerns become greater. Is a recall coming as this is serious highway safety concern?
The doors to the vehicle locked automatically and could not be opened from inside the vehicle. I had to open the driver side window and use the key from the ignition fob to open the driver door from outside. All other doors remained locked and could not be opened from inside or outside. I consider this a safety issue because vehicle occupants could be trapped in the car with no way to exit besides crawling through a window. I believe BMW should issue a safety recall to remedy this defect.
Passenger air bag warning lights comes on and off sporadically. This will cause air bags not to inflate in event of an accident. BMW issued recall for defective seat mats/sensor but they say my vehicle not covered by the recall and replacement is $1000. It is same defective seat mat as on other 2006 325I cars and should be included in recall.
First the driver side door lock actuator would not unlock so I would have to use the key to unlock the driver door. Bought a new actuator and had it replaced. Not even one month later the back seat driver side door lock actuator went out as well. However there is no key hole for the back door and it cannot be opened from the inside. I was told by a BMW dealer that I would have to have the door torn off and replaced with a new door because there was no way to open the door. But wait there's more! both back window regulators went out as well! got the back seat passenger side fixed. But can't get the driver side done yet. This all happened within a year.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the instrument panel continued to short circuit and various sensors illuminated at random. The ABS, traction control and air bag sensor illuminated at random. The rear back window light also short circuit and was replaced more than one time. The failure was diagnosed by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Doors will not unlock from remote key or unlock button inside car or from doors handle inside or outside car and will trap passengers inside. Only driver side door opens with door key. Doors can not be locked from remote key except driver side door. Totally unsafe to drive for chance getting trapped inside car. No manual door open feature exists.
The rear door lock is not working - the handles do not open the door from the inside - the lock actuator is faulty and needs to be replaced again. So far I have had the front door lock actuators and the rear driver side actuators replaced. BMW will not fix the actuators even though the part has been changed out before, is a known issue, and the actuators have been superseded two times by BMW.
Battery was low and wouldn't start jump started the car and received a message that the seat belt restraint tensioner is bad. Has a seat belt with airbag symbol on the dash...plus the vehicle started showing a symbol with a steering wheel with arrows then the car won't start until I shake the steering wheel several times...was stranded for hours then finally it started. BMW has very low quality and problems. This is becoming very unsafe and not sure if I want my family in this unsafe vehicle.
After pushing the start button I get this message (not an error, a message): "electric steering wheel lock may prevent engine starting. Move the steering wheel so that engine can be started." So the wheel locks itself all of a sudden I have to tow the car for no reason. Now dealer is suggesting to changing a part and some other dealer says it needs to be reprogrammed. Unbelievable. BMW doesn't even know the reason of this issue..
My door lock actuator failed in the garage and I have not been able to open the doors either from outside or inside. It would have been dangerous if this had happened when the vehicle was occupied and there was an accident.
The door locks would not unlock from inside the vehicle using the central door unlock/lock button, key or manual door handle. Had this been an emergency would not have been able to escape quickly. Had to open window, reach outside and use the manual key to open door lock. There should be a recall on this known safety defect.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chapel Hill, NC, USA