The contact owns a 2009 BMW 535i. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for servicing, he was informed that the vehicle was leaking oil. The oil filter housing and the valve cover gaskets were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs and the coil pack needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the coil pack needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the turn signals and the horn were no longer operatives. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering column had failed. The contact also stated that the rear passenger's side and the rear driver's side windows were no longer operating as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,600. The consumer stated there is a recall for this vehicle.

- Camden, NJ, USA

Within 15 min of arriving home in said vehicle, wife started car in driveway to go shopping. Immediately, dense black smoke began pouring from under the dash. She turned the car off, but left key fob in column. She summoned me from inside our house and when I arrived the smoke was still pouring out from under center to driver side of dash. I removed the key fob from column and approx. 1 to 2 min later the smoke stopped - was going to disconnect the battery, but smoke stopped before I was able to open garage and gather tools. No flames were ever seen and absolutely no smoke from under hood area - all inside car. Many warning lights are now illuminated - AWD sys, dsc, ABS, 4X4, lighting sys (check displays, turn signals, high beams, headlamp flasher and fog lamps). None of the exterior lights seem to function. This all occurred without warning and fortunately happened while stopped in the driveway. Checked recall log on NHTSA for VIN and found "0" recalls. The vehicle also includes "X-drive" (all wheel drive system).

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

The grounding wire in the connector to the tail light bulb holder melted and melted parts of the connector. This resulted in no signal, brake and running rear lights. A recall has been called for BMW E46 3 series for this exact problem (see below). The recall should be expanded to cover the 5 series as well.

- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

Currently have a 2009 BMW 550I. Vehicle has had an ongoing and unidentifiable electrical issue causing the vehicle to often and without initial notice "loose power" and go into a "safety mode" operating at a reduced power by not going above 30mph and/or 3000rpm's. vehicle with often start "bogging" and "shuttering(shaking)" and will often attempt to "surge" forward while sitting in traffic often trying to cause a rear end accident with the vehicle infront. The driver of the BMW often has to "stand" on the brakes in order to prevent the vehicle surges from allowing the vehicle to shot forward at stops. Issues started in January of 2011, took it to fairfax BMW where they determined the vehicle had some sort of electrical issue with the battery. No fix was provided in the shop for 3 days. Issues persisted through January and took it to BMW of alexandria where they replaced a transmission solenoid and a intake sensor, in the shop for roughly 7 days. Electrical issue reappeared in March in with the same problems. Vehicle was in the shop for over 7 days and had the entire vehicle wiring harness replaced. Vehicle issue resurfaced several weeks later and a engineer from NJ came down and determined a faulty oil sensor was causing the vehicle to often "think? it was out of oil vehicle was in the shop for 7 days. Vehicle potentially was flooded with oil from service tech's adding more oil each time the vehicle "thought" it was out of oil. Vehicle as of 5-21-2011 suffered again from the same issue and was dropped back off at BMW of alexandria with vehicle engine light identifying ?engine malfunction". sent several emails to BMW corporate with little response.

- Alexandria, VA, USA