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.
Headlights would take turns randomly working, then one night both headlights turned off while I was going around a corner at 55mph. This was in the country no street lights. Just as I came to a blind stop there both kicked back on. After getting home I took apart to find some wires were rotting other already bare, and others cracking. I pray this doesnt happen to anyone else because if this problem isn't fixed someone's going to die. Also if someone does crash I pray to god they can quickly get out of car before all those bare wires behind headlight get smashed together and the fire starts.
Failures of multiple wires/electrical components in the tailgate/rear window wiring harnesses. Search for BMW E61 tailgate wiring problems. The failures are caused by a poor design where the wires entering the hinge guides (4) for the glass and tailgate are repeatedly flexed at a sharp angle until the insulation, then the copper wire breaks. Safety issues - possible electrical short circuit leading to fires (highest load is for rear defroster); lighting failures (rear high brake light, license plate lamps and others); reduced visibility due to loss of wiper/washer/defroster; rear glass latch opening while underway, possibly resulting in loss of cargo or ingress of exhaust fumes. This is not an easily repaired problem and has cost over $2000 so far. I'm worried about driving this car as it is the main transportation for my children and their friends.I discovered it when the remote lock/unlock using the key fobs failed, the trunk inoperable and uncloseable, the radio stopped working, the lights in the rear of the car stayed on permanently and I had to drive home one night with the trunk wide open because the wiring had stopped working and it could not be closed. As I investigated I found many broken ground wires, along with several others with broken insulation, some with broken copper strands etc. I have already had the right and left wire harnesses replaced at an independent dealer for about $2200. This is a safety issue and I'm worried that more will come.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530xi. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the sun roof was defective and allowing water to penetrate the cabin, causing an electrical shortage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 71,000.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 535xi. The contact stated that water leaked through the sunroof and caused the electronics on the instrument panel to blink and not operate properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was informed that water had leaked into the vehicle from a clogged drain that was attached to the sunroof. The dealer cleaned the drain. The failure and current mileages were 48,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530xi. The contact stated that the major electrical failure warning message illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the drain in the sunroof failed, causing moisture to reach the electrical components. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Colorado Springs, CO, USA