BMW 325i Complaints

1,385 consumer complaints on file.

#10262573March 20, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2005 BMW 325I AND RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF MY TURN SIGNAL. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD TODAY IT FAILED TO OPERATE AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN ON THE ROAD...THE BUS HAD TO SLAM ON ITS BREAKS AVOIDING MAJOR CATASTROPHE BY INCHES. WE STOPPED AND MADE SURE ALL OF THE CHILDREN WERE OKAY AND WENT OUR SEPARATE WAYS. I HAD SWITCHED THE BULBS OUT JUST LAST WEEK ON VEHICLE AND RECHECKED THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. I DISCOVERED CHARRED WIRING AND A CHARRED WIRING PLUG. I CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE REGARDING THE DESIGN OF THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL IN PLACE...THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEBODY HAS TO PAY FOR BMW'S DESIGN FLAW WITH THEIR LIFE...20 CHILDREN AND MYSELF ALMOST DID TODAY. THE SERVICE BULLETIN BMW ISSUED ON THIS IS #630306. I ASK THE HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262560March 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WENT TO START MY VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND IT STARTED AND THEN TURNED BACK OFF ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES,BEFORE IT STAYED ON. I THEN DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 40 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSIONS STARTED TO THUMP. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100K MILES. I KEPT UP ON ALL ITS MAINTENANCE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BOTH CAME ON. I WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST 6,500 TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259471February 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2001 325I BMW WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE GEAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258615February 13, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR SCHEDULED INSPECTION APPOINTMENT. WHILE AT THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THE TIRES ON MY BMW 325I NEEDED ROTATING. I AGREED AND I WAS CHARGED $165 FOR THE SERVICE. WHILE DRIVING HOME, I NOTICED A LOUD HUMMING COMING FROM THE TIRES. IT WAS LOUD ENOUGH THAT I MADE A SECOND APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE SPECIALIST, ELY, AT HASSEL BMW OF FREEPORT N.Y., THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. I ASKED HER WHAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE AND SHE STATED THE TIRES WERE "FEATHERING." I INFORMED HER THAT I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD THAT I COULD NOT HAVE A NORMAL CONVERSATION INSIDE THE CAR. SHE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND IF I WISHED TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR BRAND AND MODEL OF TIRE, WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THE FACT THAT HASSEL BMW OF FREEPORT NY DID NOT BOTHER TO INFORM ME OF THE PROBLEM. THEY KNEW, I FOUND OUT, AND THEY STILL PUT THIS BRAND OF TIRES ON THEIR VEHICLES. I SPOKE WITH THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT,JOHN, AND INFORMED HIM OF MY FINDINGS. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN SI BULLETINS, WHICH I HAD ALREADY OBTAINED FROM A TIRE SPECIALIST, ABOUT THE IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR OF THIS TYPE OF TIRE. JOHN INFORMED ME THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE WITH HASSEL BMW BECAUSE MY CAR HAD MORE THAN 20000 MILES ON IT. I TOLD JOHN THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 14775 MILES AND THE CAR HAD FOUR NEW TIRES INSTALLED, AND SINCE THE CAR HAS 28375 MILES ON IT, THE TIRES HAVE ABOUT 15000 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND HASSEL BMW SEEMS TO THINK THAT BY QUOTING THE CAR MILEAGE INSTEAD OF THE TIRE MILEAGE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO HONOR THE SI RECOMMENDATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE SI B 36 06 06 I SHOULD BE, AT A MINIMUM, ABLE TO PURCHASE TIRES AT 50% OF THE VALUE. JOHN TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD TAKE THIS UP WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT BUILD THE CAR OR THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. HIS DEMEANOR WAS VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257261February 2, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DASHBOARD PANEL SHOWED A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WAS HAVING AN ISSUE. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE CENTER THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY MAY GET HOT ENOUGH TO MELT THE PLASTIC IN THE HOUSING AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE WIRE HARNESS HAD MELTED AND THE POWER SUPPLY WIRE FOR ONE OF THE LIGHTS HAD MELTED THE PLASTIC AND THE WIRE HAD COME FREE. ONCE FREE, IT ARCED TO THE CONNECTOR PIN ON THE BULB HOLDER ASSEMBLY AND DEGRADED THAT PIN UNTIL THE CONNECTION WAS LOST. ALL PLASTIC PIECES IN CONTACT WITH THE PARTS ARE MELTED AND BURNED. I CONTACTED THE BMW SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE PARTS. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF THE PARTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257096February 1, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EACH TIME I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR AT LEAST 6 HOURS. THE CAR STARTS BUT DOES NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE. THE CAR WILL ROLL BACK DUE TO A SLOPE OF SURFACE BUT WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE IT ONLY ROLLS FORWARD BUT DOESN'T ENGAGE. I CONTINUE TO PUSH ON THE GAS PEDAL AND IT FINALLY "LURCHES" FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES RANDOMLY OVER THE PERIOD OF ONE YEAR. THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS CHECKED IT TWICE AND KEPT IT A WEEK LAST MONTH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT SO THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. I AM AFRAID THIS PROBLEM WILL PUT ME OR OTHERS IN DANGER IF I CAN'T MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256685January 29, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE CAR LOCKS FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK, ONE TIME LOCKING ME INSIDE MY CAR. THE MANUAL LOCKS ALSO STOP WORKING SO USING A KEY OR OPENING FROM THE INSIDE WITH THE HANDLE IS IMPOSSIBLE. I HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME IN DECEMBER AND THEY REPLACED THE LOCKING MECHANISMS FOR THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR AND GAS CAP DOOR. IN JANUARY, MY LOCKS FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME FORCING ME TO CRAWL IN AND OUT MY FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO MY CAR. THE DEALER THIS TIME REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK FUSE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD IF THERE WERE TO BE AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD BE STUCK IN MY CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256575January 28, 2009
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GASKET FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND CAUSED THE SYSTEM PRESSURE TO INCREASE, WHICH CAUSED THE GASKET TO BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 93V015000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:HEATER CORE), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE GASKET. INSTEAD, THEY WILL INSTALL A REVISE RADIATOR CAP AND A BYPASS VALVE AT THE COST OF $1,000-$1,500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WILL NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/29/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256416January 26, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BRAKE LIGHT MALFUNCTION DUE TO CORROSION OF WIRES WITHIN THE HOUSING OF THE BRAKE LIGHT. BMW CORPORATE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS YET TO RECALL IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255912January 21, 2009
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AND THE TEMPERATURE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ACCURATE TEMPERATURES. LATER, THE HEATING UNIT FAILED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL, BUT WAS UNSURE IF HER VIN WAS INCLUDED BECAUSE SHE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255424January 17, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON 2004 BMW 325I 4-DOOR SEDAN WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, NO IMPACT TO CAR, WHEELS, OR ANYTHING. TRAVELING ABOUT 38 MPH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253816January 5, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH TO TRIGGER THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE REFUSED TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT WERE IDENTICAL TO HIS FAILURE AND TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253631January 2, 2009
AIR BAGS
BMW HAS RECALLED SOME MODELS AND YEARS IN NORTH AMERICA TO FIX A POSSIBLE DEFECT THAT MAY KEEP THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG FROM OPENING IN A CRASH. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED MY 2001 325 I. , ( ) MY WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY. I HAVE MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REQUEST A GUARANTEE THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN A CRASH REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. I WOULD JUST LIKE SOME TYPE OF GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IN ALL CASES. THE CURRENT RECALL CONCERNS THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR MAT IN CERTAIN 2004-2006 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. SINCE I HAVE A 2001, THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING TO ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I DO NOT HAVE 700 OR 800 DOLLARS TO JUST REPLACE A MAT WITHOUT A GUARANTEE THAT THE AIRBAG ITSELF IS FUNCTIONING. MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY BMW WAS IN JUNE OF 2008. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM COMPETITION BMW IN JUNE OF 2001AT 599 EAST JERICHO TURNPIKE SMITHTOWN NEW YORK 11787. I HAVE SERVICED MY VEHICLE THERE FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS. I AM VERY DISGUSTED THAT THE DEALER HAS JUST IGNORED MY CONCERNS. MY SON WILL BE DRIVING THIS CAR SHORTLY AND HE WILL BE TRANSPORTING OTHER STUDENTS IN A CARPOOL TO SCHOOL. HE ATTENDS ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL IN HUNTINGTON AND IT IS A 25 MILE DRIVE EACH WAY TO SCHOOL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I SHOULD APPROACH THE DEALER OR BMW TO FIX THIS SAFELY ISSUE FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER FOR YEARS NOW. I HAVE ALWAYS USED THE SAME DEALER FOR SERVICE OVER THE YEARS I HAVE THE CAR. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251893December 15, 2008
AIR BAGS
AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10250970December 7, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I WAS AT THE STORE WHEN THE CAR LOCKS JAMMED. THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO THE CAR WAS BY MANUALLY USING THE KEY. THE KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE REAL ISSUE WAS THAT THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE OPENED WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE USING THE MANUAL KEY. ALL THE OTHERS WERE JAMMED SHUT. THERE WOULD BE NO WAY FOR THOSE DOORS TO BE OPENED IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE. ITS ATTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY DESIGN. SEE THREADS AND YOUTUBE VIDEO. HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?P=3080752 HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=3V04L-ISYCS THE CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS NO WAY TO GET TO PASSENGERS, ALSO, FIRE SITUATIONS WOULD BE DEADLY, SUBMERGING IN WATER COULD ALSO PROVE TO BE A DISASTROUS. THE ONLY REPAIR IS REPLACEMENT WITH THE SAME ACTUATOR, BUT THE PROBLEM IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. OVER TIME IT WILL REOCCUR. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. EMPLOYEE: KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM (UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE) SAFETY, QUALITY, AND MISSION ASSURANCE ENGINEER *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250063November 28, 2008
WHEELS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WOBBLING AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE OTHER OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WHIPLASH. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10247916November 7, 2008
STEERING
MY COUSIN WAS ON HIS WAY TO GET ON INTERSTATE.....ALL OF SUDDEN HIS 2003 BMW 325I STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS HE TRIED TO LEAVE FROM A PARKING LOT...HE HAD TO BRAKE HARD AND GLAD THERE WAS NOTHING ON HIS WAY...I M JUST GLAD THAT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS IN INTERSTATE.....THIS ALL HAPPEN AROUND 6PM-7PM...SO HE CALLED BMW AND HAD TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER...THEY CALLED US BACK ON 3RD DAY AND TOLD US OUR POWER STEERING PUMP WENT BAD AND WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE IT....AND THEY WANT ME PAY FOR THIS AND PRICE TAG IS ABOUT $1200....PLEASE CHECK ON THIS ISSUE AND SEE IF THIS CAN BE MAJOR RECALL....I M SURE THIS MUST HAVE HAPPEN IN PAST OR MAY HAPPEN TO CARS THAT ARE ON OUR INTERSTATE WHICH MAY CARRY LITTLE CHILDREN'S OR YOUNG KIDS LIKE MY COUSIN.... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247931November 7, 2008
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TEMPERATURE SENSOR IS LOCATED IN FRONT RIGHT WHEEL WELL WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM ROAD -- I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247739November 5, 2008
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HAD TO USE GREATER FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS INOPERABLE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247577November 3, 2008
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON FRIDAY, OCT. 31, 2008, AT 5 P.M., IN HOUSTON,WHEN MY 2006 BMW 325I BEGAN SMOKING IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND BURST INTO FLAMES BY THE TIME I GOT IT PARKED. I FIRST NOTICED THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THEN SMOKE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN FILLING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOTALED BY THE TIME THE HFD ARRIVED. THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAD NO RECENT SERVICE OR PROBLEMS. IT HAD NO PREVIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE AC JUST BEGAN BLOWING WARM AIR, AND SMOKE STARTED POURING INTO THE COMPARTMENT FROM ABOVE AND BELOW THE DASHBOARD - NOT FROM THE AC. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE UNTIL IT BURST INTO FLAMES. IT HAD TO BE A MECHANICAL DEFECT OR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OF SOME KIND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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