BMW 323i Complaints

564 consumer complaints on file.

#10141177October 28, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2000 BMW 323I WITH 49,000 MILES AND WAS JUST TOLD TODAY THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, TO THE TUNE OF $5200. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO REVERSE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF THIS VERY MAKE AND MODEL BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED ON DIFFERENT WEBSITE. NATURALLY, MY WARRANTY RAN OUT LAST SUMMER AT 36,000 MILES SO I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING THERE. I BELIEVE THERE IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM HERE WHEN A TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. I PLAN ON CONTACTING BMW N.A. TO DISCUSS THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICE THAT I HAVE BEEN QUOTED TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP INTERVENE OR OFFER A SOLUTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138948October 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SUBJECT: INTERMITTENT IHKA BLOWER OPERATION ON BMW E46 PRODUCED PRIOR TO 06/2000. SITUATION: THE IHKA BLOWER WILL INTERMITTENTLY CUT OUT. THE IHKA LCD DISPLAY WILL INDICATE THAT THE BLOWER IS OPERATING EVEN THOUGH THE BLOWER IS NOT FUNCTIONING. CAUSE: IHKA FINAL STAGE RESISTOR (BLOWER REGULATOR). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138404October 3, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I OWN A 1999 BMW 323I. RECENTLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON ALONG WITH THE SIGN FOR THE TRANSMISSION (THE EXCLAMATION IN THE CIRCLE). THEN THE POWER WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED WHICH DIDN'T ALLOW ME TO DRIVE OVER 40 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALER NEAR MY HOME AND AFTER THEY RAN THE EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THEY STILL WEREN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HOWEVER, THEY SAID THEY RECEIVED A BULLETIN FROM BMW TELLING THEM THAT RESETTING THE COMPUTER FOR THE TORQUE AND TRANSMISSION WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX, AS IT ONLY LASTED FOR ONE WEEK. THE LIGHT STILL CAME ON AND THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THIS FRUSTRATES ME THAT THE BMW DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I KNOW OF SEVERAL OTHER BMW OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ALL HAVE TRADED THEIR CARS IN FOR A HONDA OR SOME OTHER JAPANESE MADE CAR, WHICH I AM CONSIDERING TOO! HOWEVER, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO RESORT TO THIS, AS I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS LUXURY CAR AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP IT. NEVERTHELESS, I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AS MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AMONG OTHERS HAVE BEEN REPORTED BY BMW OWNERS AND DEALERS. A CO-WORKER'S HAD A '98 325 AND HAD ONLY ABOUT 70K MILES ON IT AND SHE HAD MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS AND SPENT ABOUT $3500 DOLLARS AND THE PROBLEM STILL WASN'T FIXED. SO, SHE TRADE HERS IN FOR A HONDA. I SPENT ABOUT $400.00 AND MY PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED. I AM HESITANT TO POUR ANY MORE MONEY INTO FIXING MY CAR ESPECIALLY, AFTER MY FRIEND SPENT MUCH MORE AND HERS WASN'T FIXED, AND WHEN THE MECHANICS AREN'T SURE WHAT THE FIX IS. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ACROSS THE BOARD TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH MANY IF NOT ALL BMW'S AND THE MANUFACTURER DOESN'T WANT TO ADMIT IT. JUST GO TO BMWCOMPLAINTS.COM TO SEE FOR YOURSELF. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM AND A RECALL TO FIX THESE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10138281September 30, 2005
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
DT: 2000 BMW 323 CI - THE REAR SUB FRAME MOUNT TORE LOOSE FROM THE CAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS MAKING A POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, AND THAT WAS WHY THE CONSUMER TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HAD ANY PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH THIS CAR. THE COST WILL BE $2500-$3000. TOO VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE CONSUMER DID RESEARCH AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136954September 19, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
EVER SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE ECM HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AND ON MANY OCCASIONS THE DEALER WOULD JUST RESET THE COMPUTER SO THAT THE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF. I AM POSITIVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY SUCH E46 BMW 323I 4 DOOR CARS. THE ECM IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO HEAT OR COLD AND IT GOES OFF ONLY AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES. IT CAN SOMETIME TAKE DAYS FOR THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF. SECOND FAILURE IN THE E46 323I BMW'S IS THE AIR-BAG SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT (PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR). THIS HAS TO BE CHECKED BY THE NHTSA AS I AM FACING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE CAR ARE. BMW OWNER FORUMS ON THE INTERNET HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT DEALERS TRYING TO RIP THEM OFF ON SUCH PART REPLACEMENTS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10134133August 24, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DT: 2000 BMW 323I. THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED. WHEN THIS FAILED IT LOCKED WITH FAMILY IN THE CAR. WENT TO USE THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND THEY WOULD NOT UNLOCK, THEREFORE, WENT TO USE THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. HAD TO GET FAMILY OUT OF THE BACK SEAT FROM THE WINDOWS. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THE ELECTRONIC LOCKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CAR WAS GOING INTO THE BMW SHOP ON FRIDAY. CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR WITH THE DOORS STILL LOCKED. E-MAILED THE MANUFACTURER THIS MORNING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131795August 6, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A BMW 323CI, YEAR 2000. IT HAS AROUND 42000 MILES ON IT. A FEW DAYS AGO, I WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE CAR WENT NOWHERE. IT DIDN'T SHIFT INTO REVERSE AT ALL. I PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE GEAR. IT WENT FORWARD FINE. I DROVE IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY LOOK AT IT AND SAID I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WILL COST THOUSANDS. ON A BMW WITH ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT! MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR AND MODEL YEAR. IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WHICH OUGHT TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10131508August 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I DRIVE A 2000 BMW 323I. I DIDN'T EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND WENT TO WORK AND WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK MY REVERSE WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. LUCKILY I COULD GO FORWARD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION (DEALER WAS VERY COURTEOUS). MANY OWNERS OF THE 2000 BMW 323I HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS DEFECT, PROBLEM IS NO RECALL, AND THE CONSUMER IS PAYING FOR IT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10127703July 6, 2005
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
RECALL ON AIRBAGS IN 8/02. CAR PURCHASED 9/02. RECALL REPAIRED BY DEALER 11/02. 4/30/05 DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE DOOR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. BMW CLAIMING UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE AFTER THEIR REP INSPECTED CAR. THIS OCCURED BECAUSE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS COULD FIND NO DAMAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10127093June 29, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
DECK LID WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACE DUE TO WORN/CUT WIRES. THE CAR IS A 2000 BMW 323CIC WITH 28,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS BEEN OPERATED SINCE NEW ONLY BY MY WIFE. THE CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE AND HAS BEEN SERVICE BY BMW ONLY. A BACK UP LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING AND INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT APPEARS EVIDENT THAT THE DECK LID HARNESS WAS EITHER IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY OR WAS OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. I WAS CONCERNED THAT CUT WIRES COULD HAVE PRODUCED A FIRE IF NOT CORRECTED IN A TIMELY FASHION. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AT OUR LOCAL BMW DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125491June 16, 2005
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I OWN A BMW 323I SEDAN 2000. ALL OF 4 WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. ONCE THE WINDOW SHATTERED AND GLASS FELL INTO THE CAR B/C THE REGULATOR BROKE. WHEN I HAD THE REGULATORS REPLACED I THOUGHT THEY WERE BEING REPLACED WITH A NON-DEFECTIVE PART. HOWEVER, TODAY ONE OF THE REPLACEMENT WINDOW REGULATORS BROKE. I AM CONCERNED B/C OF THE HISTORY OF THE GLASS BREAKING. I HAVE A CHILD THAT OFTEN RIDES IN THE BACK SEAT AND I AM WORRIED THAT SHE MAY GET HURT IF THE WINDOW BREAKS ON HER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125271June 14, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: RECALL 00V048000, CONSUMERS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN ALTHOUGH IT DEALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER FILED THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V048000 CONCERNING BRAKE LAMP. CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF A BRAKE LAMP PROBLEM. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED, BUT ONLY THE REAR RIGHT LAMP ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL. ALSO, WARRANTY EXPIRED. CONSUMER CONTACTED FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION( FTC) AND COMPLAINING OF NOT GETTING ANY SATISFACTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER . CONSUMER WANTED HER VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125013June 11, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE BMW CAR WAS PARKED, WHEN TRIED TO BACK OUT THE REVERSE GEAR DID NOT WORK. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE CAR WAS PARKED DOWN HILL AND CLOSE TO A FENCING. CAR ONLY WORKED IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO MOVE THE CAR IN THE FRONT DIRECTION. THUS CAUSING SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. ON CONTACTING SEVERAL BMW SERVICE CENTRES, FEW OF THEM INDICATED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR SAFETY PROBLEM IS OCCURING IN SEVERAL OTHER SAME MODEL AND YEAR CAR. THEY INDICATED THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE 2000 323I BMW CARS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115804April 25, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V048000 CONCERNING BRAKE LAMP. CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF A BRAKE LAMP PROBLEM. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE ILLUMINATED, BUT ONLY THE REAR RIGHT LAMP ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL DUE TO VIN. ALSO, WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *JB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115713April 18, 2005
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH CONSUMER RAN OVER A POTHOLE. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY, BUT NOT INFLATE. THE CAUSE OF WHY THIS HAPPENED WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK THE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIR BAGS, HEADLINER AND SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114225March 17, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE CEASED WORKING AFTER I HAVE COME TO A STOP AND THEN STARTED MOVING AGAIN. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER THE WIPERS HAVE BEEN IN USE FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED VISIBILITY AND DIFFICULTY EVEN PULLING OFF THE ROAD. IN ONE CASE I HAD TO DRIVE OVER A QUARTER MILE BEFORE FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. IT WAS DARK AND MY WAS VERY POOR. THE WIPERS WILL START WORKING IF I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED OR CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IF IT IS RAINING AND CANNOT USE IT FOR ANY EXTENDED TRIP. I AM NO LONGER CERTAIN OF THE EXACT DATES OF THE INCIDENTS. THE DATE I HAVE ENTERED IS APPROXIMATE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10112958February 23, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT/ACCELERATE IN REVERSE GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102527December 10, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING ON A WELL PAVED ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 45 MPH TWO AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101405November 19, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100028November 16, 2004
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
(1) THERE HAVE BEEN NO EVENTS THAT HAVE LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE. (2) THE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE FAILING ON ALL WINDOWS. THE REPAIR SHOPS WHO HAVE FIXED THE REGULATORS THUS FAR HAVE BOTH CLAIMED THAT ALL OF THE REGULATORS FOR THE BMW E46 WILL FAIL, THAT THEY'VE HAD DOZENS OF VISITORS FOR THIS REASON. --A) DRIVER'S SIDE, FRONT WINDOW - FAILED AND FIXED --B) DRIVER'S SIDE, BACK WINDOW - FAILED AND FIXED --C) PASSENGER'S SIDE, FRONT WINDOW - FAILED (3) FIXED 2 OF THE 3 THAT HAVE BROKEN SO FAR. THE FOURTH WINDOW (PASSENGER'S SIDE, REAR) IS BEGINNING TO MAKE THE CRACKING NOISES ASSOCIATED WITH A BROKEN REGULATOR, AS WELL.*AK (3)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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