205 of the 1,808 complaints filed about the BMW 325I are about the lighting — 11% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.
205
Complaints
11%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
27
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I cannot use put my windows up/down, cannot open the trunk, cannot use interior lights, cannot unlock my gas lid. Due to a broke. Electronic part called the GM5
NHTSA complaint #11661364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The xenon projector bowls in the headlight assembly on both sides of the vehicle have slowly been burning. The bowl is made of plastic and with the heat of the xenons burns the plastic creating not only a fire hazard but also greatly reduces the effectiveness of the headlight beam, rendering it almost useless. This is specific to the OEM manufacture of the headlight assembly, ZKW. This has also been well documented on various forums for these vehicles over the years.
NHTSA complaint #11446729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I am having a major electrical short in my trunk area affecting my critical tail lights functionalities and common trunk function. I cannot use my turning signals or brake lights or lights in general when driving my vehicle from the rear my lights are not operable. This is a huge safety concern and risk that’s need to be recalled affecting millions I'm for certain. Along with that I am having steering issue with my steering rack called “steering Wander”. Not being able to control you vehicle with supreme confidence is a issue which can easily lead to collisions.
NHTSA complaint #11435461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE REFLECTOR BOWL ON THE HEADLIGHTS BURNS, CREATING A SEVERELY DECREASED OUTPUT. THIS IS AN ISSUE KNOWN BY MANY PEOPLE IN THE BMW COMMUNITY. HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/THREADS/E46-ZKW-REFLECTOR-RECALL-OPEN-NHTSA-INVESTIGATION.552978/
NHTSA complaint #11406257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING MATERIAL WAS DETERIORATED AND PREVENTED THE HEADLIGHTS FROM PROVIDING ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11286471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO GET BMW TO HONOR A REMEDY FOR TAILLIGHT DEFECT CAUSED AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MY TAILLIGHT GROUNDING WIRES ARE CAUSING A SHORT ON TURNING SIGNALS. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATED THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. AFFECTED VEHICLES 325I - 2002-2005 BMW WILL NOT HONOR ITS PROPOSED REMEDY WITH NHTSA, CITING THE VIN HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN RECALL. I CONTACTED BOTH DEALERSHIP IN STERLING VA AND CORPORATE BMW OF AMERICA (800-525-7417). BMW OF AMERICA WAS CONTACTED 7.15.2019. OPERATOR ANDREA EMPLOYEE # 6266 INFORMED ME THE CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER REMEDY. MANUFACTURER: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC MFR'S REPORT DATE: AUG 25, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL SUMMARY: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING. CONSEQUENCE: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. REMEDY: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417. THE RECALL IS FOR MODEL YEARS 2002-2005 OF THE 325I, 325XI, 330I AND 330XI CARS, THE MUNICH-BASED COMPANY SAID TODAY IN A POSTING ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S WEBSITE. LIGHTS INCLUDING TAIL, BRAKE AND TURN SIGNALS MAY ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY ON THE CARS, BMW TOLD THE AUTO-SAFETY REGULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #11231883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY REAR WINDOW AND THE ROOFTOP DONT WORK I CAN HEAR THE MOTORS BUT NOTHING HAPPENS A TECHNICIAN EXPLAIN THAT THE REGULATOR AND LINES ARE BROKEN ITS A COMMON THING ON MY MODEL HE SPECIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #11229396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE TAIL LIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11206582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY LEFT REVERSE/TAIL LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB AND ASSEMBLY AND ALSO HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11192596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CAR SITTING IN DRIVEWAY OF PRIMARY RESIDENCE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER REPEATED HEAVY RAINS AND HURRICANES AND SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE WAS SELF EXTINGUISHED BUT STARTED IN DASH ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL CENTERED ON THE HEAD-LIGHT CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #11152077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FAULTY TAIL LIGHTS- THE RIGHT TAIL BULB ASSEMBLY ON THE CAR GOT SO HOT IT MELTED ALONG WITH THE PLUG. I CALLED THE BMW HOT LINE 800-525-7417, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR HAD 2 RECALLS FOR AIRBAGS, ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD A FAULTY TAIL LITE REPAIR IN 2002. I TRAILERED THE CAR ON 4/11/18 TO SEWELL GRAPEVINE BMW, WHERE SCOTT LORD IN THE SERVICE DEPT TOOK IT IN. I ASK FOR THEM TO FIND OUT ALSO ABOUT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTING & I LEFT THE PART WITH THE CAR. ON 4/11/18 I RENTED THE SAME TRAILER & WENT TO PICKUP THE CAR, (I LIVE 40 MLS FROM THERE). UPON TALKING WITH MR. LORD, THE 2 RECALLS WHERE PERFORMED & HE SAID THE TECHNICIAN LEFT BROCHURES IN THE CAR ON HOW THE MELTED TAIL LIGHT IS REPAIRED & THAT THE CAR IS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO DO IT. FIRST OFF, THANKS TO NHTSA WEB SITE, I LEARNED THAT THERE WHERE 210,000 OF THESE CARS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR OF THIS CAR. 2ND, I 'VE NEVER KNOWN A RECALL TO EXPIRE UNTIL FIXED. I CALLED BMW RECALL BACK 5/2/18 & SHE SAID NO RECALLS ARE SHOWING NOW & THAT I'D HAVE TO CONTACT NHTSA, SO HERE I AM, DO THEY FIX IT, OR SHOULD I CONTACT A LAWYER? THANK YOU NHTSA! I'M GLAD THERE WAS NOT A CAN OF GAS IN THE TRUNK
NHTSA complaint #11091675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHTS HAVE LOST BRIGHTNESS AND COVERAGE AND DO NOT ILLIUMINATE THE ROAD PROPERLY. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH HID XENON LIGHTS PACKAGE AND WHEN NEW WERE EXTREMELY BRIGHT BUT NOW ARE VERY DIM. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH NO MODIFICATIONS OR ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11057782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10986054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS BECAME DIM AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ZEON PROJECTOR IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10944364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, BOTH REAR LIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10908681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AT ANY SPEED, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MESSAGE BOARD DISPLAYED "EXTERIOR LIGHTING FOR THE REAR RIGHT SIDE". THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #10903017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HID (XENON) HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM. CAN BARELY TELL THEY ARE ON WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. (THE FOG LIGHTS ARE MUCH BRIGHTER THAN THE HEADLIGHTS). CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL DETERIORATES INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY LEADING TO VERY POOR LIGHT OUTPUT. ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER AND OVER. I GUESS IT'S NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH UNTIL SOMEBODY DIES BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE, THAT IS IF THAT HASN'T ALREADY HAPPENED....THE RIDICULOUS COST OF FIXING THE ISSUE COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM. SORRY I DON'T HAVE AN EXTRA $2,000.00 LAYING AROUND TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. COME ON BMW STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND FIX THE PROBLEM YOU'RE VERY WELL AWARE OF, PLEASE.
NHTSA complaint #10851828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVING AT NIGHT HAS BECOME IMPOSSIBLE WITH OUT RISK. THE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS HAVE BECOME SO DIM THAT THE FOG LIGHTS NOW PROVIDE MORE ILLUMINATION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN TRACED TO BURNED/DISCOLORED PLASTIC REFLECTOR BOWLS ON BOTH SIDES WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE BEING SLIGHTLY WORSE. AFTER RESEARCH IT APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD IN ZKW HEADLIGHTS. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS HERE AND IT APPEARS BMW ALSO REALIZED THE PROBLEM AND HAD ZKW SWITCH TO METAL REFLECTOR BOWLS ON NEWER MODELS YET OFFER NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN BUY COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY'S TO THE TUNE OF $1200 A SIDE. MIGHT A POSSIBLE RECALL MOTIVATE BMW TO AT LEAST OFFER THE INDIVIDUAL PART. I UNDERSTAND THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST 13 YEARS OLD BUT TO TREAT A BLATANT SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS IS RIDICULOUS. NHTSA PLEASE HELP SOLVE THIS SAFETY RELATED PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10850908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BULB ON ZKW LABELED HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED REFLECTOR BADLY. REMOVED HEADLIGHT BULB DUE TO CHANCE OF CATCHING FIRE. HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND UNABLE TO MOUNT HEADLIGHT BULB. ISSUE NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHERE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT STARTED LOOSING BRIGHTNESS AND SHINING TOWARDS RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. PULLED OVER AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC. HOUSING IS BLACK FROM BURNING.
NHTSA complaint #10823060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR EXTERIOR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AS THE REAR TAILLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION AROUND THE CONNECTOR AND THE PANEL, THERE WERE SCORCH MARKS AND THE CONNECTORS COATING WAS COMPLETELY MELTED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
NHTSA complaint #10817619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.