BMW 323i Complaints (1999)

136 consumer complaints on file.

#10093295September 29, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
I BELIEVE THAT CARMAX SOLD ME A LEMON. IT IS A 1999 BMW 323CI, WAS PURCHASED USED AT THE INDEPENDENCE BOULEVARD STORE ON NOV 28, 2003, WITH 57,097 MILES. THE PURCHASE PRICE WAS $21,420 INCLUDING A $1,699 EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 3YRS/36000. AUTOMOBILE WARRANTY AGREEMENT NUMBER: 7106508410. *AK SINCE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, THERE HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVE AND EXPENSIVE DEFECTS, INCLUDING SAFETY ITEMS. THE CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN, FAILED TO START, REQUIRED TOWING, AND THE CONTROL PANEL FLASHES SPURIOUS WARNINGS. DESPITE THE WARRANTY, AND DESPITE MY REQUESTS TO CARMAX, CRITICAL REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED. SAFETY DEFECTS STILL OCCUR AND ARE NOT BEING REPAIRED BY CARMAX (I.E. CURRENT CONTROL PANEL WARNING FOR LIGHTS). MAJOR MECHANICAL ITEMS ARE NOT BEING PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY (E.G. TRANSMISSION). THIS HAS ALL OCCURRED IN LESS THAN A YEAR, AND WITH LESS THAN 5,000 MILES OF MY DRIVING. SUMMARY OF REPAIRS SINCE PURCHASE: 12/17/0357,561MI.AIR BAG LIGHT FAULT, SEAT BELT, ELECTRICAL & CONTROL PANEL 12/23/0457,694REAR DEFROSTER, ELECTRICAL, WINDOW REPLACED, WORN BRAKES 06/04/0459,565HORN REPLACED, FUSES & ELECTRICAL 9/10/0461,230CLUTCH REPLACED, WARNING LIGHTS, CONTROL PANEL FAILURE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON (HAS NOT BEEN FIXED) THE CAR IS CURRENTLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE...REFERENCE THE CONTROL PANEL WARNING INDICATOR THAT CARMAX CANNOT ANALYZE NOR REPAIR. THE HISTORY OF SAFETY PROBLEMS INCLUDE FUSES, AIR BAG, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND HORN. SUMMARY: I WAS SOLD A "LEMON" AND HAVE AN UNSAFE AUTOMOBILE. I REQUIRE A SAFE CAR TO DRIVE, AND I WANT TO STOP PAYING FOR REPEATED DEFECTS AND BREAKDOWNS. RECOMMEMDED SOLUTION: I SUGGEST THAT EITHER: (A) THE CAR BE RETURNED FOR A FULL REFUND, INCLUDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF ALL DEFECTS, OR; (B) I BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL DEFECTS AND THAT THE TERMS OF THE 30 DAY WARRANTY BE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 29, 2006.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091348September 20, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION LOCKED TO "LIMP HOME" MODE. CAN BE RESET BY TURN OFF AND ON THE IGNITION, BUT IT WONT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND WILL OCCUR AGAIN. IF YOU RUN AT 75/80 MPH, AND THE "LIMP" MODE IS ON.. THE GEAR WILL BE SHIFT DOWN SUDDENLY AND IT WILL DANGEROUSLY IMPACT THE SPEED OF THE CAR BEHIND ME. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO REDUCE THE SPEED BEFORE IT HITS ME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090624September 8, 2004
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, AIR BAGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRACKED SUB-FRAME AT 104,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY POT HOLES, I DO NOT DRIVE OVER POTHOLES AND TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE VERY MUCH SO. I AM NOT WRECKLESS, AND I HAVE EVERY MAINTENANCE RECORD AVAILABLE AS WELL AS OTHER WARRANTIES. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH AT 75,000 MILES, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND LIGHT INDICATORS TURNING ON FOR NO REASON, AIRBAG LIGHTS LIGHT UP AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR, AND FINALLY A CRACKED SUB FRAME. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT COST AND IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091605September 8, 2004
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT A SQUEAKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHO INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND A CRACKED SUB FRAME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088375August 23, 2004
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
ALL DOOR WINDOWS MAKE A RATTLEING SOUND SINCE AROUND 10,000 MILES.THEY HAVE CHANGED THE MOTORS BUT THOSE ALSO WORK FOR 2-4 MONTHS AND THE SAME SOUND COMES BACK .THE MOTORS ARE OVER PRESSURISED AND IF I LET IT DOWN VERY VERY SLIGHYLY, THE SOUND CUTS DOWN TO ALMOST 75%.THE LINING IS ALSO DEFECTIVE AS IT NEEDS CONSTANT SPECIAL GERMAN LUBRICATION,WHICH WORKS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND THAT MAKES THE DOORS GLASS QUITE. IT"S VERY ANNOUYING.BMW HAS STILL NOT COME UP WITH A PERMANANT FIX FOR THIS. LAST WEEK I TEST DROVE 4 OF THE X3 2.5 AS WELL AS THE 3.0 AND 3 OF THE 4 ALREADY ARE MAKING THIS NOISE WITH THE CARS HAVING FROM 80 TO 200 MILES ON THEM.I HAD THEIR MECHANIC AND THE SALES PEOPLE DRIVE THESE CAR WITH ME AND THEY ALSO AKNOWLEDGE THE NOISE ALONG WITH THE MOON ROOF DEFECTIVE SOUND FOR WHICH I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE AN OPEN CAMPAINE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083174August 2, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
MY 323'S DOOR LOCKS ARE EXPERIENCING OCCASIONAL LOCKING PROBLEMS. THE KEY WILL NOT REMOTELY OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS. I CAN INSERT THE KEY INTO THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR ONLY. PUSHING THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR DOES NOTHING (BUT YOU CAN HEAR A CLICKING SOUND). THE PASSENGER DOORS WOULD OPEN ONLY BY PULLING ON THE INTERIOR LEVERS TWICE. BUT SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T WORK WHICH CAN BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. I CAN STILL OPEN THE TRUNK WITH THE KEY REMOTE AND LOCK ALL THE DOORS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I'VE NOTICED THE PROBLEM HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY DURING WARMER DAYS. I'VE CHECKED BULLETINS WITH OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM BUT WITH NO SOLUTION. I'VE CALLED THE NA BMW SUPPORT NUMBER AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10078975June 29, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CIOLS BAD AND ALL 5 HAVE FALIED, FAIRLY NEW CAR. FAN DOES NOT COME ON CAR OVERHEATS AND AFTER VISITS TO THE DEALER AND MONEY THEY CANNOT TELL ME THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10074548May 31, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AT 19,100 MILES I BROUGHT IN MY 1999 BMW 323IS FOR SERVICE AND MADE A COMPLAINT THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY CHECKED IT BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROBLEM UNTILL SOMETHING ELSE WOULD HAPPEN. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND AT 37,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION WENT BAD. SEVERAL MECHANICS I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT IF THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT WORKING IT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED THE TRANSMISSION. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBLITY AND I AM STUCK DRIVING THE CAR WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION. FUTHERMORE, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS A GM TRANSMISSION THAT IS USED IN AN IZUZU. I THOUGHT I HAD BOUGHT A BMW WITH BMW PARTS. THE SPEEDOMETER CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION AND BMW HAS YET TO FIX THAT PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073028May 23, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
ON MAY 20, 2004, I WENT OUT TO MY 1999 323I BMW, PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE, WHERE IT IS PARKED EVERY NIGHT AND MOST DAYS, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE IS STUCK IN SUCH A WAY THAT NO ONE IS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IF I WANT TO GET INTO THE CAR TO DRIVE IT, I HAVE TO GET INTO THE BACK SEAT OR IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, MAKING SURE THAT THE DOOR DOES NOT SWING BACK EVEN A LITTLE; OTHERWISE, THE DOOR LOCKS. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IN AN ACCIDENT. THUS FAR, I HAVE NOT HAD THIS CORRECTED AS THE DEALERSHIP WOULD LIKE ME TO DRIVE THERE AND CANNOT TELL ME HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM MYSELF OR SEND ME ANYWHERE NEARBY. THE DEALERSHIP IS 30 MILES ONE-WAY AND I DON'T HAVE THE GASOLINE OR THE TIME. ANOTHER PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THE CAR IS THAT IT WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT MY DOING ANYTHING, AND I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, USUALLY HAVING TO APPLY THE BRAKE FULL-FORCE. THIS IS INTERMITTENT, SO I HAVEN'T ALERTED THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10073472May 11, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED A THUMPING SOUND. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO NOTICED THAT REAR SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER MOUNT TORE AWAY FROM THE FLOORBOARD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10066206April 15, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
1999 BMW 323I PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON AROUND 75K MILES. COMPUTER FOR AIRBAG WAS DECLARED MALFUCTION. AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IF THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE ENGINE HESITATION DUE TO FAULTY OXYGEN SENSORS. BMWNA WILL NOT ASSIST IN AIR BAG PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059672February 24, 2004
SUSPENSION, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, STRUCTURE
NUMEROUS BALL JOINT REPLACEMENTS. *PH THE CLOCK BULB, THERMOSTAT, CONVERTIBLE TOP TENSIONER AND POWER STEERING INTAKE WERE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056814February 9, 2004
AIR BAGS
WILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE AIRBAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND ABOVE CAME OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE JMK DEALER TO REPLACE THE GASKET IN THAT DOOR 2 WEEKS AND 3 DAYS FROM THAT DAY IF BLOW OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047694November 27, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
BMW 323I CONTROL ARM (SUSPENSION) DESIGN IS FLAWED AND BMW HAS QUIETLY REDESIGNED THE PART BUT REFUSES TO OFFER REPLACEMENT TO CUSTOMERS. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047299November 21, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AT APPROXIMATELY 64,000 MILES THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING POORLY. ENGINE WOULD QUIT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP UNLESS THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPED AND WOULD MISFIRE INTERMITTENTLY DURING ACCELERATION. AFTER A HUNDRED PLUS MILES OF DRIVING THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A CHECK OF THE FAULT CODES INDICATED MISFIRES ON CYLINDERS NO.1, 2, & 6. A CHECK OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM REVEALED VERTICAL CRACKS IN THE INSULATORS OF ALL SIX, 100,000 MILE, FACTORY BMW NGK R5 SPARK PLUGS. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AT BOTH BMW NORTHWEST & BMW SEATTLE. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH THAT BMW WOULD NOT HELP. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045490November 5, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 323I SINCE 4/30/2003 THAT THE BMW SERVICE TECHNICIANS CANNOT RESOLVE AT TWO SEPARATE BMW DEALERS IN MARYLAND, TISCHER BMW (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR), AND TOWSON BMW. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, EML AND DSC (TRACTION) LIGHTS ALL COME ON AT THE SAME TIME, AND THE CAR LOSES POWER NOT ABLE TO GO ABOVE 40 MPH (APPARENTLY GOES INTO A FAIL SAFE MODE). THE LIGHTS THEN GO OUT ONE BY ONE AFTER TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF ABOUT FOUR TIMES, AND POWER IS RESTORED TO THE CAR. ALL IS WELL SEEMINGLY UNTIL IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN! NOTE: I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT OCCURS WHEN GOING DOWN A STEEP DECLINE SECTION OF ROAD, COASTING AT ABOUT 40 MPH.I CAN REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AT WILL, AND USUALLY WHEN YOU CAN REPRODUCE A PROBLEM, IT IS FIXABLE. THEY CHARGED ME OVER $500.00 AND DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM (THEY PUT A NEW IDLE SENSOR ON). THEY HAVE SINCE REIMBURSED ME FOR THIS TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I TOOK IT TO BMW OF KENILWORTH TOWSON, THEY HAVE HAD IT ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THEY RESET SOME DEFAULT SETTINGS AND CHARGED ME $90.00, NOT CERTAIN IF THIS WOULD FIX IT OR NOT. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT MAY BE A SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING ISSUE, AND A RECALL MAY BE IN THE WORKS. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THEY PUT A NEW MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR ON AND CHARGED ME ANOTHER $400.00 (THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE 99% CERTAIN THAT THIS WOULD FIX IT) IT DID NOT! THE VERY NEXT MORNING WHILE RIDING TO WORK, THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN! TOWSON BMW ALSO SUPPOSEDLY SENT THE DME MODULE UP TO HOME OFFICE TO HAVE IT REPROGRAMMED.THIS DID NOT HELP EITHER. TOWSON BMW FINALLY REIMBURSED ME AS WELL FOR THE PART THAT THEY PUT ON WHICH DID NOT REPAIR IT. MANAGER AT TOWSON BMW, HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE BAFFLED AND CANNOT FIX MY CAR! *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046256November 3, 2003
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD TWO CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT TIRES MADE FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THE TWO TIRES, WHICH WERE LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BLEW OUT. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AROUND 17000 MILES . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026698August 1, 2003
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW PROBLEMS . MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK *TS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10029223July 26, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 1999 BMW 323I ON HWY 101 IN SANTA CLARA, CA. THE CAR SUNDENLY FEELS "WEAK". I IMMEDIATELY PULL OFF THE NEXT EXIT. AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER THE EXIT RAMP THE CAR STALLS. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT, SLOWLY, TO A PARKING LOT. THERE I FOUND THAT A). I LOST THE REVERSE GEAR B). THE TRANSIMISSION PROGRAM LIGHT WAS ON. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN TO SEE IF IT MOVES BUT THE ENGINE KEEPS STALLING - I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSIMISSION DOES NOT APPEARS TO BE SHIFTING. IT IS LIKE STARTING A MANUAL SHIFT CAR FROM THE 3RD GEAR.THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN OF ALL THESE. IT HAPPEN ALL IN A SUDDEN. THE CAR HAD JUST GONE THROUGH THE BMW 60K MILE SERVICE (MAJOR SERVICE) A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.*AK I HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY BMW DEALER AND THERE THEY PRONOUNCE THE TRANSIMISSION DEAD - TRANSMISSION LOCKED-UP. I AM SCARED! I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED THAT DAY!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10020789May 31, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FOR 1999 BMW 323 IC NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (ESTIMATED CHARGE IS $4600.00) - AFTER ONLY 60,000 MILES. THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DID NOT ALERT ME OF THE PROBLEM SOON ENOUGH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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