The headlights have a shadow half way down the windshield making it very difficult to see at night. We don't feel safe driving when it is dark out. We took it to the dealer the end of January they saw what we were talking about. One of the foreman drove it home at night. He saw what we were talking about but gave no solutions. We took it in again the shop foreman adjusted the headlights up. We drove it at night. The adjustment did not help. I have been in contact with BMW of North America. They have offered no solution.
NHTSA complaint #11737246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a catastrophic timing chain failure on my 2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i equipped with the N20 engine. While driving, the timing chain and oil pump drive chain failed without warning. This is a well-documented defect on BMW N20/N26 engines that has been the subject of extended warranties and numerous consumer complaints. This failure can cause sudden engine seizure, immediate loss of power steering and braking assist, and creates a serious risk of crash while the vehicle is in motion. BMW issued an Extended Limited Parts Warranty for this exact defect (timing chain and oil pump drive chain), acknowledging a manufacturing defect. However, BMW is refusing to cover my repair even though this is a known safety issue affecting thousands of vehicles. The vehicle had been properly maintained, and there were no warning signs before the failure. I purchased the vehicle in October 2021, and this defect occurred during normal use commuting to work. The cost of repair is extremely high due to the internal engine damage caused by the timing chain defect. This is not normal wear and tear. This is a known design/manufacturing defect that BMW has been aware of for years. Also, when I purchased this vehicle, the headlights, and taillights on the hatchback were not working. I had brought this up to the dealership they replaced the headlights, but did not address the tail lights. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this defect further, and the tail lights as these failures create a significant safety hazard for drivers and other vehicles on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11732798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When using the headlights there is a shadow across the top half of our windshield. The dealership was not able to fix, they acknowledged they could see what we are referring to. They are going to file a report with BMW. I do not know what to do in the meantime. This is our main transportation. This definitely needs a safety recall.
NHTSA complaint #11711233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This problem has occurred to me now twice. Both occurrences were on very cold days where the temperature was below 20 degrees F. The car starts promptly and runs, but the entire dashboard electronic instrument cluster is non-functioning and dark . In this condition, you cannot tell your speed, engine rpm, fuel level, engine temperature, or any mileage numbers. The turn signals also do not work. The headlights and the iDrive screen and the climate control were all lit properly and functioned. I did not think to check the brake or tailights, unfortunately. Multiple restarts of the car had no effect, and so I drove home without the dash functions. After the car sat overnight in my garage (which is somewhat warmer) the dash lights returned to their proper function.
NHTSA complaint #11708423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The headlights will turn on and off irregularly without any drastic changes in outside lighting conditions while set in the Auto setting. No controls will be touched and the lights will turn on and off completely by themselves. It appears something is wrong with the lights switch assembly, as if something is shorting / wire is pinched. Other owners online forums have experienced similar issues as well. Can become a serious problem if it occurs while driving, especially in dark conditions.
NHTSA complaint #11704640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front headlights were replaced under warranty after daytime running lights both stopped working in Oct. 2021. Similar problem now on 9/4/25 approximately 4 years later, and BMW is leaving me to foot the bill on a barely 7 year old vehicle, forcing me to have 3 sets of lights on a car that is 7 years old.
NHTSA complaint #11686663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The passenger side daylight running light stopped functioning. I called BMW dealership while it was still under warranty and was told that if it was simply a light needing replacement it would be $500. At the next oil change I had a diagnostic test done and was told that the modules for both daylight running lights had overheated and melted and that a headlight also would need replacement. The cost of this was quoted at $4,200. This is a huge safety concern as this could easily cause an electrical fire. BMW was contacted and refused to cover the cost as it was 2000 miles out of warranty when the oil was changed.
NHTSA complaint #11663898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW X3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Additionally, the contact stated that the high-beam headlights failed to operate as needed; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 18,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11661419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The high beams on the car malfunctioned. The sheathing material on the wires is supposedly “Soy based” and breaks down with heat and time. When the wire insulation breaks down beyond a certain point, it will crumble off of the wires, leading to exposed wires, which may touch each other, and cause certain functions of the headlamp to fail. If the headlamp fails while driving at night, vision may be impaired, or completely impossible. The issue likely affects almost every bmw produced from ~2007, to at least 2014. The vehicle was never taken into a shop, or dealership for the issue, as it was repaired by the owner, instead of being replaced. The vehicle was never inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others. The “Lamp faulty” malfunction message would appear on the dash when the adaptive function was activated, the high beams also did not work, but there was no error code present for this issue without the use of a code scanner. One of the codes present when using a code scanner implied that there was a short circuit inside of the headlamp, causing certain functions to cease operation.
NHTSA complaint #11633264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A CUSTOMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAUSE: WIRE REPAIR 0000556 Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system) 5270WPB94 61-13-8-353-748 CABLE CONNECTOR: 619900 61-13-5-A4F-528 SHRINKING HOSE: 619900 12-63-5-A55-720 INTEGRATED POWER SUPPLY Charging battery (at support point in 1299000 W/T GIVEN TO REPAIR ENGINE WIRING HARNESS 1263586 Replacing power distribution module (after vehicle diagnosis) 5270WPB94 PART#: 61-13-8-353-748 COUNT: 1 CLAIM TYPE: AUTH CODE: ARTS duplicated complaint, checked fault memory TOTAL LINE A: and code cd8c23 lin bus code for coolant pump 5 stored, found engine harness rubbed on water pump pulley and shorted. performed wire harness repair and also found fuse 021 blown inside integrated voltage supply module, replaced integrated supply module, and correctly routed harness and cleared codes.
NHTSA complaint #11625787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle began intermittently turning lights on and off while parked and driving. Upon dealer inspection, sunroof frame failed causing water to leak and corrode the VDP module which controls items like the headlights and suspension. Dealer did confirm, vehicle is being repaired at this moment. There were no warning lights about the headlight malfunction, noticed it while driving and while parked. There was a warning light regarding the suspension however it turned off next start and only came back on once more, again disappearing next start. Upon completion of repair, can provide parts inspection, receipts and video of the lighting issue while parked.
NHTSA complaint #11624584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Headlights cycle on and off. Does this frequently. Checked on BMW site Bimmerpost and other people have had the same problem. Google 2019 BMW x3 headlights tuning off and on after shut down.
NHTSA complaint #11621499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Headlights flash on and off for no apparent reason which is distracting to other drivers both in front of me or approaching my vehicle. This has happened dozens of times now most recently 4/19/24 but I first noticed it more than a year ago. Headlights also go on and off and start to self level multiple times after car has been turned off. This has happend on a number of occasions as well. Normally the rotary light switch is always set in the AUTO position in my car .
NHTSA complaint #11584200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have records of over 900 other consumers including myself that have been asking BMW to fix a potential deadly lighting malfunction that leaves you with no dash lighting or a whiteout. This problem effects all the dash and HVAC controls where you can't see any the dash and safety components. I've reached out to BMW and they refuse to acknowledge the problem and have asked me to stop.
NHTSA complaint #11577050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This issue affects nearly ALL modern vehicles that support ONLY dark mode for backlit/light-imitting dashboard/infotainment screens. Back-lit, white text on a black background is very difficult to read for some people with certain medical conditions. For example, my wife has an intraocular lens implant. She can read road signs and physical 'white on black' text fine, but the LED backlit screen white text on a black screen causes the white lettering to glare and be blurry, making it difficult to read. I see this as a safety issue as she has to spend more time trying to read the dashboard and AC/Radio controls. Simple fix - require all auto manufacturers to include both a dark mode and a light mode for electronic displays. Currently the only ones I'm aware of who have a light mode display are Tesla and Hyundai.
NHTSA complaint #11564380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The 2023 BMW X3 is equipped with automatic high beams that includes an anti-dazzle feature. The anti-dazzle/non-glare (matrix) feature have been available on non US Spec vehicles since 2013 but US legislation did not allow this feature to enabled in the United States. In the meantime legislation has changed however my BMW has been decoded by the manufacturer so that my car does not have that feature and they cite legislation as the issue. My car is capable of the feature but bmw is refusing to enable it thus reducing night time visibility and safety for myself and others on the road. I’m also reading there are people and shops who will enable the feature but with only an 80% solution which means there’s a potential to have a lot of cars on the road that are not correctly providing anti-glare to other vehicles. I think BMW should stop decoding (removing) this feature and recall all cars that have been decoded to have the feature re-enabled. This is 100% a safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11551244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The headlights will flicker on and off randomly. They will also go from low beams to high beams randomly. This is with the headlights switch set to automatic. I've never tried any other settings.
NHTSA complaint #11516878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.