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 xenon headlights burn and discolor the reflective housing and the lens cover discolors. This makes the headlight virtually useless when driving at night. You would be better off mounting two fisher-price toy flashlights up front. This is a major safety hazard. In order to see I must turn on my fog lights or drive with my highbeams on.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330I. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact noticed that the visibility of the headlight reflectors was very poor. After inspecting the headlights the contact noticed that the area around the headlight reflectors was burned. The contact replaced the bulb. The failure continued after the replacement of the bulbs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the headlight assembly would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330I. The contact stated that the exterior lights would only work intermittently with the illumination of an unknown warning light. The dealer was notified of the failure who advised that her VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting: Tail lights). The manufacturer was also contacted who confirmed that her VIN was not included in the recall and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 115,000.
I have noted that the zkw brand hid headlights on my BMW are less than adequate at providing significant lighting for night driving conditions. I found upon disassembly of my headlight assembly the reflective base or "bowl" is a coated plastic part that has been significantly discolored from normal use. I am filing a report to have NHTSA look further into the problem and recommend the party responsible offer a reasonable fix. Currently the factory (BMW) recommends replacement of a $1200 (each, two total) headlight assembly. I request a mandate by the NHTSA for replacement of the affected headlight assembly's by BMW, at BMW own cost. I feel the sub standard manufacturing process of this vital part may cause significant safety risks for people who require the proper function of the headlight.
Bi-xenon headlights gradually grew dimmer after about 100,000 (6 years) the lights were unsafe to use after dark. The lights were repaired by an automotive lighting specialty shop by installing aftermarket headlight projectors. The original reflector bowls on the zkw manufactured projectors were burned and partially melted by the xenon bulbs and was no longer projecting the light ahead of the vehicle.
- Wilson, NC, USA
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The zkw-brand xenon headlights that came equipped on the vehicle (a 2004 BMW 330I) have lost their brightness intensity, resulting in nighttime light output that is dangerously low. The problem specifically is that the heat from the projector bulbs melt or discolor the reflective bowls, which decreases the high- and low-beam light output. The heat also discolors the plastic headlight lenses. The bulbs still throw a very low level of light, but without the reflectivity they do little to illuminate the road at night. Service records indicate that BMW noted the problem on my vehicle in the first three months of 2009, but if the parts were replaced they have failed again since then. This is a non-wear item. Many other vehicle owners have also reported this problem.
Xenon (zkw) headlamps in the car are burnt, thus diminishing 80% of light that is supposed to be coming from the lamp. Very dangerous for night travel.
The xenon headlamps on my 2004 BMW 330I completely failed. The headlamp rear projector bowl on this model is prone to overheating which leads to the delamination of the projector reflective materials resulting in complete headlamp assembly failure. Replacement assemblies from the dealer list at ~ $600 for each side of the car. This a commonly known issue in the BMW enthusiast community - I have also witnessed the problem firsthand on two other BMW 330is of the same model year. When the issue happened to me, I was unable to drive the car safely at night as the only illumination available was from the parking lights. This is clearly a safety issue and a product defect.
Low-beam hid headlight reflector bowls on both sides of car have burned and melted causing very low light output and dangerous night driving conditions. The reflector bowls are zkw brand and appear to be made of plastic of some kind.
1. bought the car with zkw bowl reflective material deficient. 2004 BMW 330I zhp. 2. can't see safely at night to drive. 3. nothing has been done...as replacement oem lights are $1000 each.
The reflector portion of the vehicle's xenon headlights appear burned/discolored, which significantly reduces their brightness thereby reducing nighttime visibility.
Having recently purchased my 2004 BMW 330I with xenon headlamps, I have been researching the car and any recalls that may have occurred or are ongoing. It was brought to my attention that the xenon headlamps designated zkw were under possible investigation for scorching within the assembly that can lead to decreased light output and pose a safety hazard to nighttime driving. I confirmed that my car is equipped with the zkw headlamps, and noted that some discoloration within the assembly was occurring. I want to make sure this problem is sufficiently documented so that a proper investigation can lead to the resolution to this relatively common occurrence.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sharpsburg, GA, USA