Owners have filed 42 complaints
about the 2005 BMW 330I with NHTSA between 2005 and 2019.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the BMW 330I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 33
19% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
13.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
415.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1038.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
415.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
726.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2005peak 5Nov 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2005 BMW 330I
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
1
investigation is
still open.
EA15001Opened 24 Feb 2015Still openAIR BAGS
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
PE14016Opened 11 Jun 2014Closed 2 Mar 2015AIR BAGS
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
EA09019Opened 18 Dec 2009Closed 28 Sep 2011EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Rear Lamp Illumination
In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in th...
PE09036Opened 7 Aug 2009Closed 22 Dec 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEIR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATING.THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONSISTS OF A TURN SIGNAL LAMP, A TAIL LAMP AND A BRAKE LAMP.THE COMPLAINANTS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH AN 8 PIN CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING.THESE COMPONENTS ARE ALLEGEDLY OVERHEATING AND MELTING DUE TO EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CURRENT THAT RUNS THROUGH THE SYSTEM.BMW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) SIB-630306 ON FEBRUARY 2007 TO ADDRESS THE CONDITION BY ADDING SUPPLEMENTARY GROUND WIRING TO THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY.ODI IS UPGRADING T...
DP09002Opened 8 Apr 2009Closed 6 Aug 2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
IN MARCH 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. MARK PETERS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF REAR LAMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES.AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER WAS SENT TO BMW IN APRIL 2009, AND ODI RECEIVED BMW'S RESPONSE IN JUNE 2009.THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CONTAINS LIGHTING FOR THE BRAKE LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, AND TURN SIGNALS.A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) WAS ISSUED BY BMW IN JANUARY OF 2007 INSTRUCTING SERVICE TECHNICIANS TO EXAMINE AN 8 PIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR HEAT-RELATED DAMAGE AND TO INCORPORATE ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRI...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 90,000 milesAtlanta, GAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REFLECTOR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING MELTED AND CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 01/21/15 *BF UPDATED 9/11/2017
NHTSA complaint #10667727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesKingwood, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CONNECTING WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10433162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,885 milesHouston, TX1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
DT: THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE THAT WAS TWELVE INCHES IN DIAMETER, AND BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WENT FLAT AFTERWARDS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. SHE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIRE. SHE STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS CAUSED HER TO HAVE A HEADACHE AND RING IN EAR. IT WAS A LOANER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10140367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Pasadena, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE OEM FACTORY ZKW HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL IS CHEAPLY MADE AND IS KNOWN TO BURN OUT. THE CHEAP PLASTIC USED CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT OF THE BULB AND THE METALLIC REFLECTOR FILM EVENTUALLY STARTS TO GO BAD CAUSING VERY POOR HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CONCERN. BMW NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE AND SHOULD FIND A REPLACEMENT OPTION WITHOUT USING THE POORLY MADE OEM ZKW REFLECTOR BOWL.
NHTSA complaint #11281259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAustin, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE LIGHT INTENSITY HAS STEADILY DECLINED IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS OF MY CAR, TO THE POINT WHERE THEY NO LONGER FUNCTION. MY MECHANIC HAS LOOKED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOUND THAT THE PROJECTOR BOWL REFLECTOR HAS PREMATURELY WORN OUT -- IT HAS LOST ITS REFLECTIVE ABILITY. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC AND BASED ON MULTIPLE REPORTS IN ONLINE GROUP DISCUSSIONS, THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS. THIS DEFECT IN THE HEADLIGHTS COMPROMISES SAFE OPERABILITY AND INCREASES THE RISK OF A NIGHT-TIME ACCIDENT. THIS IS A PART OF THE HEADLIGHT THAT SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT OR NEED REPLACEMENT UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH MY VEHICLE. I HAVE RESORTED TO USING MY FOG LIGHTS OR HIGH BEAMS FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT. BMW AND ZKW ARE DEFLECTING THE ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING A POTENTIAL WIDESPREAD DEFECT IN THESE XENON ZKW HEADLIGHTS. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN ACCIDENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11176532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT KEPT TELLING ME A BULB WAS OUT AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT ALL THE BULBS WERE WORKING. I HAVE REPLACE THE REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE PRONG WHERE STARTING TO MELT. SO I CALL BMWNA AND THEY TOO IGNORED MY FIRST REQUEST FOR THE RECALL ON THE 2005 BMW REAR TAIL LIGHT HAZARD, I HAVE SINCE TRIED TO CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT WITHIN THE RECALL TIME FRAME BUT IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE OTHERS ONES HAVE HAD AND WISH TO GET THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FIXED BECAUSE IF THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL READ ONE THING BUT THE TAIL LIGHT IS SHOWING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THOSE TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I HAVE ENCLOSED THE TWO PHOTOS OF THE BURNT CASING AND HARNESS. I FEEL THIS HAZARD IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN GREAT DANGER BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DEFINITE SIGN WHEN OR WHERE THESE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION THE BLINKER, BRAKE, ETC .
NHTSA complaint #10966610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PRESENTED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT KEPT TELLING ME A BULB WAS OUT AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT ALL THE BULBS WERE WORKING. I HAVE REPLACE THE REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE PRONG WHERE STARTING TO MELT. SO I CALL BMWNA AND THEY TOO IGNORED MY FIRST REQUEST FOR THE RECALL ON THE 2005 BMW REAR TAIL LIGHT HAZARD, I HAVE SINCE TRIED TO CALLED SEVERAL TIMES AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT WITHIN THE RECALL TIME FRAME BUT IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE OTHERS ONES HAVE HAD AND WISH TO GET THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FIXED BECAUSE IF THE LIGHT ON THE DASH WILL READ ONE THING BUT THE TAIL LIGHT IS SHOWING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THOSE TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I HAVE ENCLOSED THE TWO PHOTOS OF THE BURNT CASING AND HARNESS. I FEEL THIS HAZARD IS PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILY IN GREAT DANGER BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DEFINITE SIGN WHEN OR WHERE THESE LIGHTS MALFUNCTION THE BLINKER, BRAKE, ETC .
NHTSA complaint #10966610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canoga Park, CA
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL"- WE RECEIVED A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2016 ABOUT THE RECALL OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND OUR CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IT SAYS " YOUR VEHICLE IS ALSO AFFECTED BY A PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL" AND " WE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THIS RECALL". PRIOR TO THE LETTER ( AUGUST 26, 2016), THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAD CHANGED OIL AT PACIFIC BMW AND CHECKED THE AIRBAG AND NOTED " RECALL: PERFORMS RECALLS/ REPLACE DRIVER'S AIRBAG/ PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME/ UNABLE TO PERFORM RECALL". THEY ADVISED ME TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP ON THIS MATTER, WE CONTACTED ON THE FOLLOWING MONTH BUT THEY SAID " THERE WAS NO AVAILABLE PARTS" AND THEY WOULD CALL US ONCE IT'S AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN 6 MONTHS NOW AND WE HAVEN'T RECEIVE ANY CALL OR ADVICE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ( PACIFIC BMW ) ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SAID AIRBAG RECALL AND WHEN TO REPLACE IT. OUR CAR JUST SITTING IN THE GARAGE OR WE BARELY USE IT BECAUSE OF THIS AIRBAG RECALL AND AFRAID TO PUT MYSELF AND MY FAMILY IN DANGER. I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX] TEL NO [XXX] EMAIL: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10949315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER SEAT BELT IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT RETRACT ALL THE WAY. IT STILL ENAGES IN LOCKED MODE BUT IT IS VERY LOOSE AND NEEDS TO BE MANUALLY PULLED ONTO MY CHEST TO FEEL SNUG AND SECURED.
NHTSA complaint #10936122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, VA
AIR BAGS
CALLED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR AIRBAGS THEY JUST BLOW ME OFF. I HAVE 2 KIDS 9 AND 12 WHO RUDE W ME AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. NO ONE WILL GIVE ME RENTAL!
NHTSA complaint #10898320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesRamona, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), 14V428000 (AIR BAGS), AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10852051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Verne, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10760034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesCopiague, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I BROUGHT MY CAR TO BMW FREEPORT WAS A TAIL LIGHT RECALL & THEY REFUSED TO FIX MY VEHICLE. SAID THE HARNESS & WIRES WERE MELTED TOO MUCH & IT WOULD COST $1400 TO FIX. NOW I HAVE A SAFETY HAZARD AS I'M DRIVING WITH NO TAIL LIGHT OR MY WIRES COULD CATCH ON FIRE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED FOR FREE UNDER A RECALL FROM 2011.
NHTSA complaint #10748480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCentreville, VA
POWER TRAIN
WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AT ANY OTHER SPEED AND IS MORE PRONOUNCE GOING UPHILL THAN DOWN. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2013) FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A REOCCURING ISSUE. REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AND CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS CAR MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN CITY DRIVING WITH MULTIPLE STOPS AND STARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10734098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCentreville, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AT ANY OTHER SPEED AND IS MORE PRONOUNCE GOING UPHILL THAN DOWN. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2013) FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A REOCCURING ISSUE. REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AND CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS CAR MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN CITY DRIVING WITH MULTIPLE STOPS AND STARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10734098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCentreville, VA
ENGINE
WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ENTIRE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR AT ANY OTHER SPEED AND IS MORE PRONOUNCE GOING UPHILL THAN DOWN. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT. THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2013) FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A REOCCURING ISSUE. REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AND CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED AS CAR MAY CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN CITY DRIVING WITH MULTIPLE STOPS AND STARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10734098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesAtlanta, GAFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED EXTREMELY DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REFLECTOR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING MELTED AND CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE DIMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000...UPDATED 01/21/15 *BF UPDATED 9/11/2017
NHTSA complaint #10667727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesLincoln, NE
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PROJECTOR BOWLS ON MY 2005 E46 330I SHOW SIGNS OF BURNING. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL E46 MODELS WITH ZKW XENON HEADLIGHTS. THE BURN BOWLS EFFECT THE LIGHT OUTPUT OFTEN RESULTING IN A POORLY LIT VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10585083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,500 milesSAN Francisco, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2012. NOTICED THAT THE XENON HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT OUTPUTTING AS MUCH LIGHT AS I THOUGHT THEY SHOULD. INSPECTED THE AREA BEHIND THE HEADLIGHTS (THE REFLECTIVE BOWLS) AND DISCOVERED THAT THEY WERE BURNED. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE ZKW XENON EQUIPPED BMW 3 SERIES (E46) VEHICLES, AND THE NHTSA HAS MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALREADY. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY MIND. HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS SHOULD NOT BURN FROM THEIR DESIGNED USAGE. THIS WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM .
NHTSA complaint #10500716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesWakefield, MN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED BUT APPEARED VERY DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10496512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesTrujillo Alto, PR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ZKW BRAND XENON HEADLIGHTS - THE BACK OF THE PROJECTOR BOWL IS MADE OF PLASTIC (VS. METAL IN THE AL/BOSCH BRAND, ALSO USED BY BMW), WHICH OVER TIME BURNS FROM THE HEAT PUT OUT BY THE HEADLIGHTS. THE BURN TURNS THE PLASTIC FROM WHITE TO BROWN/ORANGE, WHICH SEVERELY REDUCES LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. THE HEADLIGHT FROM MY CAR IS SO POOR THAT AT NIGHT I CAN SEE THE SHADOW OF MY CAR PRODUCED FROM CARS BEHIND ME. SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED DUE TO POOR LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10490437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesTrujillo Alto, PR
SUSPENSION
ZKW BRAND XENON HEADLIGHTS - THE BACK OF THE PROJECTOR BOWL IS MADE OF PLASTIC (VS. METAL IN THE AL/BOSCH BRAND, ALSO USED BY BMW), WHICH OVER TIME BURNS FROM THE HEAT PUT OUT BY THE HEADLIGHTS. THE BURN TURNS THE PLASTIC FROM WHITE TO BROWN/ORANGE, WHICH SEVERELY REDUCES LIGHT OUTPUT, MAKING NIGHT DRIVING DANGEROUS. THE HEADLIGHT FROM MY CAR IS SO POOR THAT AT NIGHT I CAN SEE THE SHADOW OF MY CAR PRODUCED FROM CARS BEHIND ME. SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED DUE TO POOR LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10490437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,500 milesPeoria, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DASH MOUNTED WARNING LIGHT INDICATED TAIL LIGHT ISSUES. CHECKED THE LIGHT AND ALL THE BULBS WERE FINE BUT THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I THEN NOTICED THE THE BROWN WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED THROUGH THE CASE AND WAS TOUCHING OTHER WIRES IN THE CONNECTOR WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHORT OUT THE ENTIRE LIGHT. THE BROWN WIRE HAS VISIBLE SIGNS OF MELTING. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TYPE BMW AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. RIGHT NOW MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE NOTICE BUT I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10437829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,500 milesPeoria, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DASH MOUNTED WARNING LIGHT INDICATED TAIL LIGHT ISSUES. CHECKED THE LIGHT AND ALL THE BULBS WERE FINE BUT THE ENTIRE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I THEN NOTICED THE THE BROWN WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR HAD MELTED THROUGH THE CASE AND WAS TOUCHING OTHER WIRES IN THE CONNECTOR WHICH CAUSED IT TO SHORT OUT THE ENTIRE LIGHT. THE BROWN WIRE HAS VISIBLE SIGNS OF MELTING. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY TYPE BMW AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. RIGHT NOW MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE NOTICE BUT I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10437829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesBellevue, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR LIGHT WARNING GAUGE WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING BULBS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME MORE CONSTANT OVER TIME. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 11/28/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH REAR LAMPS STOPPED FUNCTIONING, INCLUDING THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS. UPDATED 11/30/11
NHTSA complaint #10435028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Brunswick, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR TAILLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. NOTICED THAT THE REAR CONNECTORS, SPECIFICALLY THE GROUNDING WIRE WAS MELTED. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT TURN ON.
NHTSA complaint #10434005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Brunswick, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR TAILLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY WORK. NOTICED THAT THE REAR CONNECTORS, SPECIFICALLY THE GROUNDING WIRE WAS MELTED. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT TURN ON.
NHTSA complaint #10434005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesKingwood, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CONNECTING WIRES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10433162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.