71 of the 1,808 complaints filed about the BMW 325I are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
71
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO US UNDER FALSE STATEMENTS,WIPER DISPENSER DOES NOT WORK ,KEY FOB DOES NOT WORK,NO TITLE ,THE CAR HESITATES AND VIBRATES,OIL LEAK,ODOMETER ON CARFAX SAYS 86000 ACTUALLY 111,402.WE WRWE TOLD IT WAS EXCELLENT CONDITION .THE CAR IS NOT. BOUGHT IT 3/10 21 7:00PM , CALLED 3/11 8;00 AM ASK FOR REFUND.THOUGHT WE HAD A 3 DAY GRACE PERIOD. THE DEALER LAUGHED NO. WE ARE SENIORS CITIZEN I GUESS HE THOUGHT HE HAD US. CREST AUTO WHOLESALERS OF S W FLORIDA. CRAIG WALLACE. WELL DRIVING IT STARTED TO VIBRATE. AND HUM? COULD NOT DECLINE GOOD. COULD NOT CLEAN WIND SHIELD.IT VIBRATES WHEN STATIONARY.DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL I STARTED DRIVING IT. THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE CAR COLD? BAD OIL LEAK. AND TIRES NEED BALANCED THOUGHT THAT WAS IT BUT NO.WHAT CAN WE DO OUT $4,500. FOR A CAR THAT'S NOT EXCELLENT IT SAYS ON CAR FAX.THIS HAPPENS ON STREET AND EXPRESS. HELP NOT A SAFE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11400402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
MY CAR WAS SITTING IN THE GARAGE WHEN, AT SOME POINT, THE SUNROOF BROKE FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND DISPLAYS NO SIGN OF IMPACT DAMAGE FROM ANYTHING EXTERNAL. THERE ARE PIECES OF THE GLASS SITTING ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS FINE DEBRIS COVERING THE OUTSIDE PORTION OF THE GLASS, SHOWING THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING OR FROM ANY EXTERNAL CAUSE. THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE LOWER 90S AND NO ONE ELSE WAS HOME OR HAD ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11131053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE IN THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH CRITZ BMW OF SAVANNAH (7009 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406, (912) 354-7000) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND BMW WOULD NOT HAVE PARTS FOR SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,650. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENTS) TS
NHTSA complaint #11079590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE BOTTOM PART OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR 'MORE THAN 50%- HAS BECOME UNUSABLE. SOME KIND OF REDDISH FLUID LEAKS IN AND GRADUALLY IS BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE MOST VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS BEHIND US. I REALIZE AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. AS ANOTHER COMPLAINANT ON THIS SITE OBSERVED, 'WE EXPECTED BETTER FROM BMW'. THEY TOLD HIM TO POUND SAND, IT WAS HIS PROBLEM TO FIX AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, AND THEY WOULD ONLY FIX IT IF FORCED TO DO A RECALL (NAMELY, FORCED BY THE PEOPLE ACTING THROUGH THEIR GOVERNMENT.) SO, THUS FAR (13 YEARS) NEITHER BMW NOR THE NHTSA IS WILLING TO ACT ON THIS. SHAME ON BOTH OF YOU. PRAY NOT, BUT EVENTUALLY A POOR DRIVER WILL NOT HAVE REALIZED THAT HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS SO FILLED WITH FLUID THAT HE CANNOT SEE TO THE REAR AT ALL, AND THERE'LL BE SOME HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AS A RESULT. THEN WON'T WE SEE BEVIES OF CORPORATE AND OFFICIAL BOOBIES WRINGING THEIR HANDS AND TELLING THE MEDIA 'HOW COULD THIE HAVE HAPPNED?'
NHTSA complaint #11071824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRRORS WERE DISTORTED. WHILE DRIVING DURING NIGHT, THE MIRROR WOULD DISPLAY DOUBLE OBJECTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MIRRORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10668649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE REAR WINDOW ROLLS DOWN AND WON'T GO BACK UP AGAIN. HA EMAIL BEEN INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT'S BROKEN AND WINDOW REGULATOR NEEDS TO REPLACED. THE WINDOWS ARE RARELY USED. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE FULLY AWARE OF IT. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RECOGNIZE THIS, RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE AS IT IS EXPENSIVE FIX. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY. MY CAR HAS BARELY 60K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10644567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE OVERHEAD SUNROOF CONTROLS SUDDENLY FELL OUT OF THE CEILING WHILE ACCELERATING, CREATING A DISTRACTION AND LOSS OF VISIBILITY FROM THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTROLS/PANEL REMAINED ATTACHED BY WIRING, COMPLETELY BLOCKING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE PLASTIC CLIPS ATTACHING THE PANEL TO THE CEILING APPEAR TO HAVE BECOME BRITTLE AND THEN FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10637284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, THIS WILL BE MY THIRD TIME REPLACING A WINDOW REGULATOR IN MY 2002 BMW 325I. THE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR, AND A FEW MONTHS LATER I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR. THIS TIME I AM REPLACING THE REGULATOR ON THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THIS IS NOT AN INEXPENSIVE REPAIR. IT'S ABOUT $400 PLUS PER WINDOW. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS AND PROVIDE A REIMBURSEMENT TO THE CONSUMER (ME). HOPEFULLY THE NEXT REPAIR WILL BE COVERED BY BMW. I'M SURE THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WILL MOST LIKELY BE NEXT.
NHTSA complaint #10615308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THIS IS THE THIRD WINDOW I HAVE HAD THAT ROLLS DOWN THEN SUDDENLY BREAKS AND WON'T ROLL UP. WHEN I GOOGLE IT I SEE MANY OTHER BMW 325I CAR OWNERS E46 BETWEEN 2001 AND 2006 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN WEAK SPOT IN THESE CARS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE TOLD THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND REIMBURSE US. MY BACK SEAT IS NEVER USED SO THOSE BACK WINDOWS ARE NEVER USED AND IT HAPPENED WITH THE BACK WINDOW - IT HAPPENED WITH BOTH THE FRONT WINDOWS - ONE AT A TIME AND EVERY TIME IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10604978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AIR CONDITION FAILURE. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURES. INCIDENT OCCURRED AT IDLE SPEED AT STOPLIGHT. CURRENTLY WINDOW SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. WINDOW WERE SLOW TO ROLL PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. REPORTED TO BMW DENIED FOR WARRANTY COVERAGE. REAR SIDE HIGHWAY SPEED CONTACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN MEDICAL INJURY ON OCTOBER 11TH 2013. WINDOW NOW INOPERABLE BMW STILL FAILS TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #10566387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10502367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10502367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR WILL NOT MAINTAIN IT'S SET POSITION. ON MY CAR THE MIRROR WOULD CHANGE POSITION EVERY MINUTE. THIS CONTINUED ALL DAY AND NIGHT FOR THREE DAYS. THIS MADE LANE CHANGES, ENTERING A LANE, OR TURNING. VERY DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT. I IMMEDIATELY ACCOUNTED FOR MY MIRROR NOT BEING USABLE AND PLOTTED MY LANES CHANGES AND DRIVING LANES AHEAD OF TIME. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT CAN HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT WARNING. I COULD ENDANGER A DRIVER NEEDING TO CHANGE LANES, WHEN THEY LOOK OVER AND HAVE NO MIRROR, OR IS FACED WITH A MIRROR THAT WILL NOT HOLD POSITION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ===================EXAMPLES BMW BULLETIN ==LINK PROVIDED UPON REQUEST===== SI B51 36 08 BODY EQUIPMENT APRIL 2009 TECHNICAL SERVICE THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN SUPERSEDES SI B51 36 08 DATED FEBRUARY 2009. DESIGNATES CHANGES TO THIS REVISION SUBJECT OUTSIDE MIRROR MOVES WHEN UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE MODEL E90, E91 (3 SERIES SEDAN AND SPORTS WAGON) PRODUCED UP TO 9/2008 AND EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT SEATS, OPTION CODE SA459 S TO A RANDOM POSITION. PRESSING THE SEAT MEMORY BUTTON TYPICALLY WILL RETURN THE MIRROR TO THE STORED POSITION. CAUSE WHEN THE UNLOCK SIGNAL IS SENT TO THE CAR, A MIRROR POSITION SELF-CHECK IS PERFORMED. ONE OF THE FACTORS IN DETERMINING THE MIRROR'S PRESENT POSITION IS AN EXPECTED RESISTANCE VALUE IN THE CIRCUIT. DUE TO A HIGHER THAN EXPECTED RESISTANCE, THE FOOTWELL MODULE (FRM) CALCULATES THE MIRROR POSITION INCORRECTLY. THE MIRROR IS THEN MOVED TO WHAT IS BELIEVED TO BE THE CORRECT POSITION. THE UNEXPECTED RESISTANCE VALUE IS CAUSED BY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: * CORROSION ON THE LIN-BUS CONNECTION AT THE MIRROR, SWITCH BLOCK, OR FRM * POOR CONNECTION AT THE MIRROR, SWITCH BLOCK, OR FRM * DAMAGED MIRROR ELECTRONICS.
NHTSA complaint #10491620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED OR CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOWS WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CRUNCHING SOUND CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. ..UPDATED 11/28/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE WINDOWS, GETTING JAMMED, OR BECOMING STUCK IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION. ALL OF THE REGULATORS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE LOCK SYSTEM NOT WORKING. SOMETIMES, THE BUTTON AND SWITCHES WOULD NOT WORK. UPDATED 11/29/30
NHTSA complaint #10473883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH BI-XENON AUTO LEVELING HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS BELOW ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ON THE ROAD. CARS THAT ARE OVER 20 YEARS OLD HAVE BRIGHTER HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND IT HASN'T HELPED. LOOKING AT IT FURTHER, BROWN SCORCH MARKS ARE VISIBLE IN THE PROJECTOR WHEN THE HEADLIGHT IS ON. THE REAR OF THE PROJECTOR IS COMPLETELY BROWN AND BURNT. AT NIGHT, IT IS BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. AT THIS POINT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10460516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LEAKING INSIDE OF THE GLASS, DISTORTING THE CONTACTS VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING GAS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #10456119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF CLOTH DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEPTRONIC TRANSMISSION GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DS OR MANUAL, ONLY DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #10456078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
I'VE NOTICED SOME DARK TO LIGHT BROWN SMEARS OR SQUIGGLY LINES ON MY REARVIEW MIRROR. I TRIED TO CLEAN IT WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE FAULT IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE MIRROR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY IT ISN'T COVERED YET THE PART CAN COST UP TO $700.00 WITHOUT LABOR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE AUTO DIMMING FLUID LEAKING/FAILING IN THE MIRROR. I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY CURRENTLY HAVE NO PLANS TO RECALL THE PART. I'M DISMAYED BECAUSE I HAVE A CHEVY TRUCK WITH AN AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR THAT IS MUCH OLDER THAN THE CAR THAT DOESN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AS THE ABILITY TO SEE WITH THE REARVIEW MIRROR IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE. I'VE READ ON FORUMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ONLY THEIRS IS WORSE BECAUSE THE FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT OF THE MIRROR AND PROCEEDED TO EAT THROUGH ANY PART OF THE INTERIOR THAT IT DRIPS ON. DOESN'T THAT MAKE THIS A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD AS WELL SINCE THE AUTO DIMMING FLUID IS OBVIOUSLY SOME TYPE OF ACID WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE A FIRE IF IT HITS ANY WIRING? I HOPE THAT SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THIS AS I'VE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH BMW. THANKS!
NHTSA complaint #10454622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH BI-XENON AUTO LEVELING HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE LIGHT OUTPUT HAS STEADILY DECREASED. LOOKING AT IT FURTHER, BROWN SCORCH MARKS ARE VISIBLE IN THE PROJECTOR WHEN THE HEADLIGHT IS ON. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THERE IS ALSO DISTORTION IN THE UPPER HALF OF THE PROJECTOR WHICH LOOKS ALMOST AS IF THE TOP HALF OF THE PROJECTOR HAS MELTED AND DISTORTED. THE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE PROJECTORS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A THIN BEAM OF LIGHT RIGHT BELOW THE CUTOFF, WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE BEING WORSE THAN THE PASSENGER. PARKED 6 FEET AWAY FROM A WALL, THIS STRIP OF LIGHT EXTENDS ONLY ABOUT 8-12" BELOW THE CUTOFF, PUTTING OUT VIRTUALLY NO LIGHT BELOW THAT. AT NIGHT, IT IS BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH NO LIGHT IN THE FOREGROUND; THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10449159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.