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.
Wiring of front headlights flaking off and exposing bare wire. The short of the wires caused the plastic of holding headlamp to bubble and melt as a consequence.
Passenger side airbag/ seatbelt lite on dealer said that the bsd cable going to the airbag is detached...but it must be replaced at a cost of about close to $900....not repaired as of yet
( I am the original owner this vehicle) while replacing a burnt out headlight, I noticed that the insulation in the sealed headlight was missing. When I checked the opposite side, I found the same thing, the insulation was broken and missing. Being that this is a sealed headlight housing, I am unable to remove and repair the problem. BMW parts stated that the wiring harness is not sold for those lights. One has to purchase a completely new headlight assembly at a average cost of $700+.
Insulation of the wires in the head light assembly flaking off. Almost all of it is now missing. Worried it will cause a fire. Smells like it is burning.
- New Orleans, LA, USA
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This otherwise fine automobile seems to go through batteries quickly. I purchased the vehicle new in May 2007. Since then batteries have needed to be changed as follows: 2009 2011 2013 and now in 2015 the new BMW battery installed in 2013 is badly discharged. In 2011 the dealer ran this car through an exhaustive electrical analysis and found no problems. Then why are batteries dying so quickly? counting the original battery I've been through 4 already and the 5th one seems about to die. BMW took care of the 1st two replacements under warranty, but the 3rd and pending 4th replacements are on my tab. Something appears to be faulty with the electrical charging system and possibly the vehicle's sleep mode. BMW should find the defect and repair it at no or nominal charge to customers like me who buy car batteries more often than flashlight batteries. Thank you.
Our 2007 BMW 530xi developed a steering wheel lock malfunction warning. A red steering wheel with a padlock appears on the dash screen with a warning on the computer. The steering wheel locks and unlocks perfectly every time. The car is drivable. The dealer says the steering lock module must be replaced for $600. I found that this is a rampant problem on bmws and that BMW corporation is aware of the problem. There should be a recall for this problem.
On or about May 2013 I was traveling at 60mph on the freeway when suddenly I heard a loud bang sound and my vehicle came to an automatic stop. Scared as vehicle behind me screeched and turn away avoiding me. I remained in the middle of the road for approximately 30 minutes before the vehicle restarted and I traveled fearfully to complete my assignment. Same day on my return home vehicle stopped about 3 times but I drove straight to dealership. Without inspecting my vehicle I was told my alternator and battery was gone. I was quoted very high amount but something told me a bad alternator and battery would not start a vehicle so I offered to take my vehicle home. My vehicle stayed home for about 4 months without use only warm ups reverse and park. I did extensive research to avoid the frivolous amount the dealers quoted and found that the integrated module (ivm) was bad. I got it for $144 and replaced it and problem was fixed after 4 months. Until April 2014 I drove the out to work and barely two miles away from home I stopped at a traffic light and when released the vehicle sounded a huge banged sound this with transmission malfunction light active brake lights and several other lights on dash board. Once again I survived being ran over in the early morning rush. Took vehicle to BMW dealership. Told gear shifter was bad and replaced for $915 and thereafter I received a call the transmission was out. I was advised cost will be $15000 then later that it cannot be fixed and advice to sale it as is to some guy. I owe $17900 on vehicle. Called BMW North America to complain was told new transmission cost $9200 and I'm asked to pay $7400 best deal. There's no reason for transmission on 2008 to go out. Since dealers took my car they gave me a rental for 4 days and took it from me but kept my vehicle for additional 2 weeks and are still holding it calling to accept deal.
Malfunction of left headlight. Dealer inspection revealed"headlight wires leading to bulb socket have corrosion on them and casing around the wires is coming off". there was a recent vehicle safety recall for this model car for similar issues with rear lamp bulb carrier: Recall campaign no. 13V-407 potentially serious safety issue with malfunction of headlights leading to dangerous driving conditions or crash can occur especially at night or in bad/inclement weather.
While driving on the highway, the right taillight has malfunctioned completely (brake lights and right turn signal). The issue is well known to BMW dealerships however they claim it's not covered under cpo (certified pre-owned) warranty and my model is not included in the recall. The tail light connector is melted due to faulty tail light grounding. BMW has issued a recall for this specific issue (some models) but I don't know if I will ever get notified.
My rear right bulb housing has malfunctioned causing my car to not have a rear right turn signal, rear right brake signal and right side back up light.
Passenger side rear tail light (back up and turn signal) wire harness connector melted. Per ntbsb and web search, numerous people have had exact same problem. Dash indicated that first tail light failed, then back up light failed. Inspection showed melted wire connector. This is a manufacturing defect and safety issue that needs to be addressed. Was nearly collided when making a right turn.
Rear exterior lights(brake, tail, & turn signal) - melted wire assembly is causing malfunction. While driving I noticed a "burning" smell. Shortly thereafter, all at once my dash indicated that my passenger side tail light, brake light, and turn signal had simultaneously malfunctioned. The wiring harness that attaches to the light assembly is melted. BMW did a recall of over 2,500 3-series vehicles for the exact same issue but has not recalled the 5-series ("??") this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed.
I have a 2008 BMW 528I with 56,000 miles with a certified pre-owned warranty (the full factory warranty expired less than a year ago). The vehicle computer identified 3 faults and the entire rear passenger tail light cluster is non-operational. I attempted to replace the bulbs and the issue was not resolved. I then took the vehicle to a BMW dealer for diagnosis and repair; I was surprised when the advisor informed me the issue is not covered under warranty (cpo) and will cost $400+ to repair. The rear lights are a critical safety component for any automobile and must be operational at all times. I am disappointed that this repair will not be covered under the cpo warranty. I chose to contact BMW and challenge the warranty coverage based on the component criticality. BMW did not agree with my position and stated the repair will not be covered by BMW. Upon further inspection of the vehicle and tail light assembly I identified that a wire has shorted and melted several plastic parts relating to the tail light cluster. Both the light housing and the wire adapter are no longer operational due to the burned area. I am lucky this electrical short did not start a fire because it is located close to the battery and gas port. I performed a quick search online and realized several other BMW 5-series owners have experienced the very same issue with their vehicles.
On or about 25 May 2013, I started hearing a intermittent beeping sound inside the car, however there was no warning on the dash board screen therefore it was hard to trace the problem. The intermittent beeping would start and stop, while driving making me very nervous because I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The beeping sound changed to sound of something trying to reset itself like a reset pattern. Next on 6 Apr 2013, while inside a parking I thought I seen my right tail light blink on & off. Then on 8 Apr 2013, I notice my right tail was out, so I purchased and installed a new tail bulb but it didn't fix the problem. After researching, I found it was led problem and could only be fixed by a BMW shop. The BMW manual suggested taking the car to the BMW dealership, on 16 Apr 2013 I took the car to I.G. burton that's when their inspection found " right rear tail light is out ( found that ground wire is burnt and bulb holder is burnt) recommend replacing bulb holder and ground wire. It cost me $374.48 to have the problem fixed.
The warning came on that the right rear tail light malfunctioned. Within the next few days the warning went away but then came back intermittently and also stated that the right rear brake light and turn signal had malfunctioned. These warnings go on and off so my husband pulled the housing for the light out and discovered the connector plug and housing had melted because the brown wire was burnt and melted. So he went to the dealer ship to get another housing unit and new connector to fix the problem. And a few months later the other side had the same issue and he replaced it as well... now both are burnt again. I called the dealer ship to take my car in for this issue and they want $140 to look at it and they said they have not heard of this issue before. This is a safety issue and now that I look online it looks like a lot of people with this year, make and model have the same thing going on. This needs to be a recall. I feel like this will keep happening since both have been replaced already and it's happening again. Something is wrong.
Failure of the right rear tail light assembly due to the grounding wire connector (inside the 8 pin connector which attaches to 8 pin receiver on the light) melting which rendered the brake light, turn signal, reverse light, and lightning inoperative. Also resulted in the light assembly needing replacement. As connection was failing, the ground connection was likely intermittent leading to lighting malfunction warning indications on dash and intermittent operation of right rear lights, dimmed brightness of right rear lights. The intermittent operation/failure reduces the ability to warn other cars/drivers of my car's intentions. Could result in vehicle rear end collisions. My failure mode seems very similar to NHTSA 11V438000 recall for certain BMW 3 series models. Pictures available if needed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Austin, TX, USA