FaultScore

BMW headlight problems

Owners have filed 1,479 complaints with NHTSA about the lighting on BMW vehicles — 4% of everything reported about the brand, across 135 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the BMW 325I, worst in 2003.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

1,479

Complaints

4%

Share of all BMW complaints

16

Crashes

96

Fires

Which BMW models have the most headlight problems

325I 205 13.9%

Worst in 2003

330I 162 11.0%

Worst in 2004

3 Series 94 6.4%

Worst in 2004

328I 89 6.0%

Worst in 2011

X5 87 5.9%

Worst in 2008

528I 63 4.3%

Worst in 2008

X3 58 3.9%

Worst in 2011

535I 43 2.9%

Worst in 2008

530I 38 2.6%

Worst in 2007

325XI 35 2.4%

Worst in 2002

330CI 33 2.2%

Worst in 2001

335I 32 2.2%

Worst in 2008

525I 25 1.7%

Worst in 1990

Worst BMW model years for headlight problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2004 BMW 330I 89 64% 98,500 F
2003 BMW 325I 51 20% 77,300 D
2002 BMW 325I 50 25% 75,000 F
2004 BMW 325I 45 25% 79,000 F
2004 BMW 3 Series 43 46% 89,000 F
2008 BMW 528I 34 19% 68,000 D
2003 BMW 330I 29 32% 86,741 F
2001 BMW 325I 25 13% 133,500 C
2005 BMW 330I 20 48% 85,000 F
2005 BMW 325I 18 22% 88,000 D
2011 BMW 328I 18 2% 120,346 A
2003 BMW 3 Series 16 24% 108,128 C
2008 BMW 535I 16 14% 75,000 D
2007 BMW 530I 15 14% 110,000 B
2017 BMW M2 15 83% 532 F
2002 BMW 325XI 13 14% 101,250 C
2007 BMW 328I 13 2% 132,000 D
2008 BMW X5 11 3% 84,000 C
2008 BMW 535XI 11 9% 93,501 A
2014 BMW 328I 11 5% 68,000 A