31 of the
248 complaints filed about the BMW 330XI
are about the electrical system —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
Power windows Power windows broke on 3 windows. Sometimes the glass has shattered. Sometimes the glass just slides down and becomes non operational. Glass shattering has been scary and dangerous. This has occurred while driving. I live in a state with lots of weather. Thunderstorms. Has occurred with child in car seat during a thunderstorm. At highway speed. I have had them repaired at dealerships and at independent bmw repair shops. Cost has been approx $600. This began as early as 2010 and continues to this day.
NHTSA complaint #11440350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GOING THROUGH MY NEWLY PURCHASED, USED 2006 330XI, I FOUND SEVERAL WARNINGS FOR FRONT HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONS WERE DISABLED AND THE LEFT LOW BEAM WAS STUCK POINTING LEFT. WHILE THE BULBS THEMSELVES WERE STILL FUNCTIONING, THE LIGHT WAS POINTED DIRECTLY AT ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. OPENING THE ACCESS PANEL AT THE REAR OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHOWED MULTIPLE BARE WIRES INSIDE OF THE SEALED HOUSING, THE INSULATION HAD SIMPLY STARTED TO FLAKE OFF OF THE WIRES RENDERING ALL CENTERING AND LEVELING FUNCTIONS OF THE LIGHT INOPERABLE. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH BMW HEADLIGHTS, FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTED DATA AND CASES PLEASE REFERENCE THE FOLLOWING FORUM THREAD : HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/THREADS/
NHTSA complaint #11406217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER READING MANY FORUM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MY VEHICLE PROBLEM IS THE GM5 MODULE. THIS MODULE CONTROLS A WIDE SELECTION OF ELECTRICAL FUNCTION ON THIS CAR. THE FUNCTION THAT IS AT ISSUE IS THE CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING FUNCTION INITIATED BY THE KEY, KEY FOB OR LOCKING CONTROL BUTTON ON THE CONSOLE. BY RESEARCHING ONLINE IT IS APPARENT THAT THE BMW E46 MODEL HAS HAD A LONG PERIOD THAT THIS MODULE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THIS FAULTY MODULE (GM-5) WILL LEAVE YOU LOCKED OUT OF YOUR CAR AND OR ONCE INSIDE NOT ALLOW ANY OTHER DOORS TO OPEN BY ANY MEANS. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU MAY BE THREATENING SITUATION. THE MANUFACTURER KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AS IT SPANS YEARS OF PRODUCTION. I AM JUST REPORTING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WE HAPPEN TO KEEP OUR CARS ALONG TIME AND THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE AND FRUSTRATING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11350918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL EXTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AND NOW THE CAR STAYS ON WHEN THE KEY OUT OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE RECALL WAS FIXED BEFORE ABOUT THE LIGHTS BUT THEY STARTED BACK AGAIN I JUST GOT THE CAR AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT WITHOUT THE BATTERY DYING IF I GO TO WORK OR EVEN THE STORE
NHTSA complaint #11184018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SMELL OF ELECTIRCAL FIRE AND THICK BLACK SMOKE POORED OUT THE LEFT SIDE OF MY STEARING COLUM. FLAMES STARTED TO SHOOT OUT AND ENGUFFED MY BMW TO NOTHING!
NHTSA complaint #11164893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RECALL WAS ORDERED IN OCT 2017 AND HAS STILL NOT BEEN REMEDIED. SAFETY RECALL 17V-676. I BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN PATIENT. WE CANNOT SELL THE CAR AS IS BECAUSE IT CAN CATCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11099091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING OVERHEATS AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN OUT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD A FIX FOR IT YET. I DON'T NEED MY CAR CATCHING ON FIRE, I HAVE A ONE YEAR OLD, IT IS NOT EASY TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11096672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF MURRAY, 4735 S STATE ST, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84107) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11092257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED WIDE WORLD OF CARS BMW AT 845-425-2600 (125 NY-59, SPRING VALLEY, NY 10977) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11081860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR MONTHS BEFORE THE MANUFACTURER SENT NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER (NEWBOLD BMW, 1283 CENTRAL PARK DR, O'FALLON, IL 62269, (618) 628-7300) REPLACED THE WIRING AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA complaint #11075453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL: AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED ON 11/23/16. THE AIR BAG RED LIGHT INDICATOR REMAINED ON AND WAS NEVER RESET BY THE DEALER. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE. TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT IS UNRESOLVED, STILL ON
NHTSA complaint #11054518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER LOCKS FAILED AND A FUSE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR AND THE EXTERIOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO RESET THE ECM. THE FUSE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
NHTSA complaint #10966262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'VE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS NOW BUT NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THESE ISSUES AS CAN BE FOUND WHEN DOING SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET. THIS PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOOR NOT UNLOCKING AFTER BEING LOCKED VIA THE CENTER CONSOLE, KEY FOB, OR AUTO LOCK FEATURE WHEN VEHICLE IS MOBILE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ACROSS MULTIPLE BUILD TYPES DURING THE EARLY 2000'S. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE WHEN OCCUPANTS CANNOT SAFELY AND QUICKLY EXIT THE CAR WITHOUT HAVING THE BREAK THE WINDOW AND CLIMB OUT BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT EVEN UNLOCK WHEN YOU PULL THE LATCH WHICH SHOULD DISENGAGE THE "LOCKED" STATE. I HAD GO TEND TO A PATIENT AT THE HOSPITAL TODAY FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY AND COULD NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR WITHOUT HAVING TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW, THEN USE MY KEY TO UNLOCK MY DOOR FROM THE LOCK CYLINDER ON THE OUTSIDE. HOWEVER I WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE ANYTHING ELSE FROM MY CAR AND HAD TO DO SO FROM THE DRIVER DOOR ONLY. THIS CAN BE LIFE THREATENING IN THE WRONG SITUATIONS. THIS INVOLVES THE GENERAL MODULE 5 OR "GM5" AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR A POTENTIAL SAFETY RECALL AS IT IS INTERMITTENT.
NHTSA complaint #10911077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BEAT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. UPDATE 01/15/16 MA
NHTSA complaint #10780669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REAR EXTERIOR SAFETY LIGHTING DOES NOT WORK DUE TO DESIGN FLAW WHERE TRUNK LID BREAKS GROUND WIRES. RECALL ALREADY DONE ON OTHER MODEL YEARS. BMW SKIPPED RECALL ON 2006 E90S. MANY CONSUMERS ARE STILL HAVING THE SYSTEM SHORT DUE TO GROUND AND CRIMP ISSUES. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH POTENTIAL FIRES AND OR CRASHES
NHTSA complaint #10721145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE MESSAGE 'STEERING WHEEL LOCK' CAME UP AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I HAD TO PAY TO BRING IT HOME. BMW SAYS 'IT HAPPENS TO SOME CUSTOMERS' AND THEY ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER FOR REPAIR. I SEE A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS IN FORUMS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. APPARENTLY IT IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE LOCK MECHANISM.
NHTSA complaint #10627682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING WITH BAG ON PASSENGER SEAT, "RED AIRBAG & RED SEATBELT" INDICATORS LIGHT UP. UPON TAKING TO DEALERSHIP, THEIR CODE READER SUGGESTED "LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE" CAUSED LIGHTS. CLEARED CODE. MONTHS LATER, WITH WORK BAG ON PASSENGER SEAT HAPPENS AGAIN. CLEARED CODE. SUGGESTED TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. BOUGHT A NEW BMW BATTERY, AND SAME THING, HAPPENS AGAIN. I TAKE TO ANOTHER SHOP (BMW CHARGES 100-150 TO CLEAR CODE EACH TIME...) AND THEY CLEAR CODE, STILL "LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE" BUT SUGGESTED I LOOK INTO THIS OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR RECALL. GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY UNLESS CODE READER SAYS AIRBAG FAULT, THEY WILL NOT WARRANTY. THROUGH THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS NOW, THE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON 4 TIMES PRIOR, AND NOW TODAY A 5TH TIME. I HAVE YET TO TAKE BACK TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN, BUT MAKING MY COMPLAINTS. I AM NOT A GENIUS BUT SOMEHOW I THINK THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT MUST BE DEFECTIVE YET THROWS ERROR CODES OF "LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE". WHEN I CHECK THE CODE MANUALLY THROUGH THE DRIVERS STALK, CCID-97 (FROM MEMORY) WHICH ONLINE REFERENCED TO AIR BAG FAULT. ALTHOUGH I HAVE OWNED VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS, IT WAS A "CERTIFIED" PREOWNED FROM DEALER, AND I"M BEING TOLD THAT THE RECALL COVERS ONLY 10 YEARS AFTER THE ORIGINAL SALE DATE. WHICH MEANS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER THIS YEAR OF 2014, I AM OUT OF LUCK. HUNDREDS WASTED EACH TIME, INCORRECT DIAGNOSING. AND BMW REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS RECALL UNTIL A MACHINE TELLS THEM OTHERWISE. AND UNTIL THAT DAY COMES, THEY'LL KEEP SELLING ME NEW BATTERIES AND OTHER FALSE HOPES TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10605227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS OFFLINE. I BROUGHT IT INTO MY MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR MAT AND POSSIBLY MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT SENSOR HAD FAILED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $700-$800 DOLLARS. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION THAT MY VEHICLE MAY BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000. WHEN I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND BMWNA THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MY VEHICLE UNTIL REQUIRED TO DO SO EVEN THOUGH MY AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS ALREADY FAILED AND IT IS SHOWING AS OFFLINE. I'M REGISTERING THIS COMPLAINT TO DOCUMENT THAT THEY ARE NOT ACTIVELY RESOLVING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10563315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE THE WEEKEND AFTER I HAD JUST BOUGHT MY 2003 BMW 330XI MAN IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, I HAD MY GIRLFRIEND WITH ME AT THE TIME. UPON TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WE COULDN'T NOTHING WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS, NOTHING WOULD ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS, THIS WAS EXTREMELY EMBARRASSING TO BE HAPPENING ON A DATE. SHE COULDN'T BELIEVE WE WERE STUCK IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO WAY OUT. LUCKILY HAVING MY CELL PHONE I WAS ABLE TO CALL 911 SO THEY COULD HELP ME. I MANAGED TO HAVE THE SUNROOF OPEN AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO HAND THEM MY KEYS WHERE THEY COULD PLACE THE KEY INSIDE OF THE KEY HOLE AND MANUAL UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST EXPERIENCE I EVER HAD. I ONLY CALLED THE POLICE SO THEY COULD TAKE NOTE OF THE ISSUE OF THE SAFETY. I HAVE TAKEN FAMILY OUT FOR OUTINGS ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY ALL HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF WINDOWS OR THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR. I'VE EVEN HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF MY OWN CAR I REFUSE TO PUT A DIME INTO FIXING THIS AS ITS CAUSED ME EMBARRASSMENT TO THE POINT I HARDLY DRIVE IT UNLESS I GO SOMEWHERE ALONE. I EVEN HAVE A SEAT BELT THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR NO REASON. THE GM5 NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMAGE IF I HAD A CHILD OR FAMILY BACK THERE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM OUT IS TO OPEN THE DOOR AND YOU CAN'T BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10547744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.