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 insulation on the internal wiring of the headlight (left and right) have fallen off the wiring leaving sections of conductor exposed creating shorts in the lighting system. This is a known problem in the BMW community (owners and BMW) since at least 2011. This is due to the use of bio-degradable wiring by BMW that breaks down prematurely. Replacement headlight assemblies (high intensity discharge Xenon) are over $1,000 each. Both halogen high beam lights are inoperable which reduces driver vision at night on suburban roadways. Re-wiring with correctly specified wiring is possible but requires specific skills and experience. This is a known problem which BMW has hoped would go away as few of their cars of this age are on the road. This risk assessment driven policy should not shield BMW from fully addressing their failures in material selection which impact safe use of their cars.
Inside headlight wiring insulation became brittle and falls off leading to potential shorts and equipment failure. Additional wiring throughout engine compart shows similar degradation and failure. Split wire housing to protect wires from engine heat also show signs of decay, exposing wires to excess heat and inducing failure of insulation. This is not a turbocharged engine and has lower engine compartment temperatures. This problem started 7-8 years ago and has gotten worse.
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.
Car shut off middle of highway very dangerous and deadly all because key lost code...how if it's in the ignition and I've been driving over several miles
- Wpb, FL, USA
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My airbag light came on for no reason one day and will not go off I initially got a recall paper for it but was unable to take it to the shop I van no longer find the paper but the transmission is trash
Degradation of headlight wiring. Wire insulation is flaking, cracking, and internal conductor wires are exposed. Causes intermittent headlight issues as wiring shorts during driving.
After a recent heavy rain the vehicle electrical dashboard instruments were erratic, the rear hatch opening/closing mechanism failed, and ultimately the rear air suspension failed with the car sitting on the rear bottoming stops causing difficulty in controlling the vehicle due to the severe bouncing. Further investigation reveled standing water in the spare tire and battery/electrical areas at the rear of the car.
My airbag light is on and my transmission has an issue as if it needs to be replaced after research I found out that mechatronics and other components to be an issue for instance if your trying to pass your car stalls and says transmission failure after shutoff message disappears car will go in limp mode and car starts out in 2nd gear instead of 1st and 1st gear will also lock itself.....this is dangerous for a supposed high end well built performance vehicle. Tranny has no issues computer does that causes shutter and stall limp mode nearly could have died
Speedometer, other electronic and sound indicators, and radio randomly turn off and on while driving. After taking it to several auto repair shops, a corroded computer component under the spare tire was found to be corroded due to water intrusion. Replacing the part made the problem mostly go away, but occasionally get engine and coolant problem indicators.
Navigation display reboots constantly. Works periodically. This display gives me access to all of the cars features including warnings and malfunctions with the vehicle. If the display works when the car is on it may not work if you turn off the card and turn it back on.
Head lights angle lights wires getting very dry from the heat of the light and the insulation coming off the optical wires, lights go out, possible shorting and become very unsafe.
The wiring harness inside the headlights is crumbling away causing lights to intermittently not work. The wires spark when they touch together. This is a fire hazard.
Insulation around the wiring in the headlights has completely crumbled off and bare wire is exposed, could possible touch and cause a fire. Passenger air bag sensor in the seat is faulty and I recieved a recall notice but BMW says there is no recall on my car and refuses to fix.
The contact owned a 2006 BMW 530xi. While driving approximately 25 to 30 mph, the vehicle had an abnormal odor. The contact pulled the vehicle over at a fuel station, opened the trunk, and noticed flames. The fire was extinguished by a patron. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V126000 (electrical system) and 08V384000 (air bags). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000. Updated 11/02/16
Recall campaign no. 12V-126: Battery cable insulated bulkhead connector the issue involves a battery cable bolt connection in the trunk. Specifically, this bolt connection is secured to the trunk floor panel by an insulated bulkhead connector. The insulated bulkhead connector may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel. Over time, this can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection and cause an overheating condition - exactly same thing happend to
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 530xi. The contact stated that smoke emitted into the vehicle from the rear without warning. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and noticed flames coming from the trunk of the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V126000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
Internal headlight wiring insulation flaking off exposing copper wire causing failure of parking and daytime running lights and failure of the front headlight system as well as the risk of fire. Also having issues with intermittent cruise control, power ports and fan inside the car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- New York, NY, USA