The wires inside the headlight assembly have literally snapped rendering the headlight inoperable. I’ve repaired in places just for them to break where I haven’t repaired. Access is very difficult. On a longer trip I wouldn’t be able to repair on side of the road. It’s a manufacturing defect.
NHTSA complaint #11576570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 330CI. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH at night, the front headlights were flickering on and off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11565121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2005 BMW 330CI. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was pulled over by law enforcement due to malfunctioning taillights. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that he needed to pay out-of-pocket for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V438000 (Exterior Lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 44,800.
NHTSA complaint #11471420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. I WAS STATIONARY WHILE I DISCOVERED THE FOLLOWING. DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK CONSISTENTLY WITH THE KEY FOB, CONVERTIBLE TOP ALSO, WINDOWS SOMETIMES WORKED, WIPERS ALSO. I READ FORUMS TO REALIZE THE GENERAL MODULE FAILED RELAYS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS KNOWN PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE OPERATOR, PASSENGERS, AND THE PUBLIC, AND A RECALL AND REDESIGN SHOULD BE ORDERED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. I TRIED TO ADD PICTURES, BUT THE FORM CRASHES.
NHTSA complaint #11362589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ADAPTIVE BIXENON HEADLIGHTS USE BIODEGRADABLE WIRING. THIS WIRING CANNOT WITHSTAND THE HEADLIGHTS ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT MOVEMENT. THESE WIRES CAN TEAR OR WORSE THE INSULATION CAN CRUMBLE OFF. THIS LEADS TO A HUGE FIRE RISK. FURTHERMORE, BMW DOES NOT HAVE ANY FORM OF FIXING THE PROBLEM. THEY ONLY SELL NEW HEADLIGHT UNITS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. TO BE CLEAR, NO INCIDENT OCCURRED TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN STANDARD USE OF THE CAR. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB ON ALL CARS USING THIS WIRING, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THE E60 M5 PLATFORM. THE RESULT IS HEADLIGHTS THAT CAN TURN OFF AT ANY TIME OR WORSE THEY CAN SHORT AND CAUSE A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11180685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BROWN WIRE CONNECTED TO THE TAIL LIGHT HAD MELTED. THE DEALER (BMW OF FAIRFAX, 8427 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA 22031) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 242,266.
NHTSA complaint #11142404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEADLIGHTS FAILING WHILE DRIVING. BMW USED POOR INSULATION INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT DEGRADE OVERTIME AND FAIL CAUSING SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11061604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC THAT COVERED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRING STARTED TO PEEL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WIRES COULD BECOME EXPOSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,124.
NHTSA complaint #11024102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING AND/OR PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LAMP TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #10945835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEADLIGHT WIRING ON MY 2004 BMW 330CI DEGRADED PREMATURELY ACCELERATED BY HEAT AND HIGH VOLTAGE UNTIL IT CAUSED MY HEADLIGHT TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE EARLY EVENING. THE SYMPTOM WAS CAUSED BY THE SUPPLY WIRES TO THE IGNITER LOSING THERE INSULATION AT STRESSED HARNESS ATTACHMENT POINT, ARCED OVER, AND CAUSED THE COPPER CONDUCTORS TO BECOME BRITTLE. THIS SYMPTOM WAS SEEN ON THE PROJECTOR ASSEMBLY WIRING AS WELL AS THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT WHICH DID NOT EXHIBIT THE COPPER BREAKDOWN. INSULATION OF BOTH ASSEMBLIES CRUMBLED TO FLAKES WHEN TOUCHED AND RENDERED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY UNUSABLE. THIS FAULT COULD JUST AS EASILY CAUSE A FIRE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DURING WHICH THE SPECIFIED HEADLIGHT FUSES MAY NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION TO THE ASSOCIATED VEHICLE SYSTEMS. THE ONLY PROVIDED SOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS TO BUY A NEW ASSEMBLY FOR A COMPONENT WHICH SHOULD ONLY REQUIRE PERIODIC REPLACEMENT OF THE LAMPS WHEN THEY BURN OUT. FORTUNATELY MY CAR ALSO FLOOD LIGHTS WHICH HELPED TO LIGHT THE WAY WHEN THE HEADLAMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10926533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INSULATION CRACKING ON WIRES TO XENON HEAD LIGHTS LEADING TO HEAD LIGHT FAILURE DUE TO SHORTING OR WIRE BREAKAGE; NOTATION ON WHEN IT HAPPENED IS ESTIMATE BECAUSE I HAD REPLACED ONE HEADLIGHT FOR THIS ISSUE SEVERAL YEARS AGO (NOT KNOWING IT WAS THE CAUSE AT THE TIME). I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AFTER NOTING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT. PHOTOS ARE FROM WIRES TO BOTH LIGHTS. ON LIGHT THAT WAS REPLACED NEW WIRES WERE SPLICED TO OLD WIRES BY DEALERSHIP AND PHOTO IS OF ORIGINAL WIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10916064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT IS INTERMITTENTLY OFF. EACH TIME I STEP ON THE BRAKES, THE TAIL LIGHT RANDOMLY TURNS ON OR OFF. MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS OFF, TOO. I SWITCHED THE BULBS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THEY STILL WORK. I CAN'T CHECK MY FUSES BECAUSE MY GLOVEBOX DOESN'T OPEN ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #10885763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DASH INDICATED LEFT TAILLIGHT WAS OUT WHEN IT WASN'T, THIS WAS RANDOM ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE DASH PANEL INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON. AS I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. I STOPPED, AND NOTICED THE MELTED WIRES FROM THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS. AS I LOOKED AT THEM I COULD SEE THEM SPARKING WHEN CERTAIN MOVEMENTS OCCURRED., VERY DANGEROUSLY AND ERRATIC. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE SIDES MELTED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT IMPEDES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS WHEN TURNING OR STOPPING. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIPS ATTENTION BUT THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THIS AN IMPORTANT ENOUGH ISSUE TO REPLACE IT AS PART OF A RECALL OR SERVICE RECOVERY.
NHTSA complaint #10855727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
NHTSA complaint #10787729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE IN THE LAST WEEK HAS AN TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE DASH. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE PART IT LOOKS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AS MANY HAVE DESCRIBED WITH THE GROUND WIRE BEING SCORCHED. I CONTACTED BMW NA BECAUSE OF THE SIMILAR RECALL ON OTHER BMW VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP UNLESS I WAS WILLING TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR AN 90 DOLLAR DIAGNOSIS. ONLY AFTER THAT WOULD THEY BE WILLING TO WEIGH IN IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR OR NOT. THIS IS NOT A GAMBLE THAT I'M REALLY WILLING TO TAKE. RECALL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09036 SHOULD BE EXTEND TO THE 2001 330CI BMWS. PLEASE OPEN A INVESTIGATION INTO THIS AS IT IS A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10662219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT HEADLIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IGNITER, CONTROLLER, AND BULB HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #10551438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BLINKER WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10520696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL-LIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND OFTEN, THE LIGHTS WOULD APPEAR TO HAVE WEAK ILLUMINATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GROUND WIRE FOR THE TAILLIGHT HARNESS HAD A SHORT AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BLINK CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO REPEATEDLY FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10509305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.