BMW 325i Complaints

1,385 consumer complaints on file.

#610349March 8, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN WATER FROM RAIN OR CAR WASH FILLS UP IN THE DRAIN WHERE COMPUTER PROCESSOR IS PLACED. YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#550121March 8, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN WATER FROM RAIN OR CAR WASH FILLS UP IN THE DRAIN WHERE COMPUTER PROCESSOR IS PLACED. YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#857642February 29, 2000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
IN A FRONTAL IMPACT WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60-65 MPH, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. ALSO, INANOTHER FRONTAL IMPACT ON FEB 24, 1999, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#857477February 24, 2000
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RECALL 98V178000; DEALER REPLACED RADIATOR CAP FOR THE RECALL. HOWEVER, HEATER CORE STILL LEAKS COOLANT, CAUSING SMELL AND FOGGING UP OF THE WINDOWS WHICH COULD CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND RESULT IN A CRASH. OWNER IS ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE COOLANT COULD SPILL INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FRONT FOOT AREA. MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE HEATER CORE. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#719024February 21, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THE PROBLEM DEALS SPECIFICALLY WITH THE LOCATION OF THE SUPPLY HOSE (PART OF THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM) FROM THE RESERVOIR TANK TO THE RADIATOR. THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED WAS ON THE DATE OF THIS REPORT. IT WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THE SUPPLY HOSE IS LOCATED RIGHT UNDER THE FAN SHROUD. IT IS HELD UP BY 2 CLAMPS THAT ARE MOLDED ONTO THE FAN SHROUD. THIS WHOLE ASSEMBLY (SHROUD AND CLAMPS) APPEAR TO ME TO BE A PLASTIC MATERIAL. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THE SUPPLY HOSE HAS COME LOSE FROM THE CLAMPS THAT ARE MOLDED ONTO THE SHROUD ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME IT SHEARED OFF 2 FAN BLADES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY BY THE DEALER. THE SECOND TIME IT CAME LOOSE IT THE HOSE SHEARED OFF ALL OF THE FAN BLADES THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT TO THE POITN THE ENGINE WAS RUINED. THE PISTON COMPLETELY TURNED OVER IN THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. APPARENTLY WHAT HAPPENS IS OVER TIME THESE CLAMPS MOLED ONTO THE SHROUD BECOME HOT AND BRITTLE THUS MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO EVENTUALLY BREAK OFF. DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE SUPPLY HOSE ONCE IT COMES LOOSE FROM THESE CLAMPS IT FALLS DIRECTLY INTO THE FAN BLADES. THE LOOSE HOSE CANNOT AVOID THE FAN. I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY OTHER MAKES OF AUTOMOBILES SINCE THIS HAPPENED THE LAST TIME. IN ALL OF THE OTHER AUTOMOBILES THAT I HAVE LOOKED AT THE SUPPLY HOSE IS ENGINEERED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IF IT DID COME LOOSE FROM THE CLAMPS IT CANNOT BECOME ENTANGLED WITH THE FAN BLADES. IT COULDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE! BASED UPON THIS KNOWLEDGE I BELIEVE THAT BMW HAS ERRED IN THE DESIGN OF THE COOLING SYSTEM, AT LEAST ON THE 3 SERIES. IT IS STILL DESIGNED THAT WAY TODAY. I HAVE TALKED TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL! I WOULD APPRECIATE (IF YOU HAVE TIME) A PHONE CALL SO THAT I COULD EXPLAIN THIS PROBLEM BETTER! THANK YOU! SINCERELY, DANNY L. SMITH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#852877November 15, 1999
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER CORE IS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE INTO PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. MECHANIC SAYS THE HEATER CORE AND THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY AROUND IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#852406November 2, 1999
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE FLEW UP CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHICH RESULTED IN A CRACKED WINDSHIELD. *YC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#851471October 21, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALLS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER NOTIFED AND REPAIRED THAT UNIT. AFTER TWO MONTHSAND TWO WEEKS, UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT CONSUMER'S COST. DEALER REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#850850October 15, 1999
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR CORD CRACKED, AND THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, WINDOWS FOGGED UP DUE TO DEFROSTER WORKING IN PROPERLY AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#850851October 15, 1999
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WINDOWS FOGGED UP DUE TO DEFFOGER/DEFROSTER OPERATING IMPROPERLY AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#711355September 14, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5, I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WAS INCREASING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. UPON RETURNING TO THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED DUE TO THE BREAKAGE OF THE IMPELLER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THIS VINTAGE OF BMW SINCE THE MANUFACTURER HAD USED A PLASTIC IMPELLER IN THE WATER PUMP, RATHER THAN A METAL IMPELLER AS IS USUAL IN OTHER MODELS. THE MECHANIC RELATED THAT HE HAD PERFORMED ABOUT 25-30 IDENTICAL REPAIRS ON BMWS AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALWAYS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PLASTIC IMPELLER. I HAVE HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PUMP WITH A METAL IMPELLER, BUT THE EVENT COST ME $458 IN REPAIRS AND APPROXIMATELY $265 FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP, AS WELL AS ABOUT $150 IN UNNECESSARY HOTEL BILLS. I PLAN TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OF THESE COSTS, AS I FEEL THAT THE USE OF A PLASTIC IMPELLER OVER A METAL ONE IS A DEFECTIVE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN. I STILL HAVE THE OLD WATER PUMP AND THE PLASTIC IMPELLER IN MY POSSESSION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#548435September 9, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER CAR WASH DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION/CLOGGING OF THE ECM. MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710959September 5, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD IMMEDIALTELY UPON ENGAGEMENT INTO FORWARD GEAR AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED BEFORE HITTING CONCRETE PLATFORM.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#548251August 30, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE ENGINE COLLANT SYSTEM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND STEERING TO BECOME ERRATIC WHEN THE WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. NLM (98V-178)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710670August 29, 1999
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#710511August 25, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING TO MONTERREY, CA, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, AND WOULD NOT WORK ANYMORE. IT WAS TOWED TO MY BMW IN SEASIDE, CA, WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANICS ALL SAID THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED WITH A BMW. THEY ALL SAID THE FIRST SERVICE REQUIRED ON A BMW WAS AT 100,000 MILES, AND THAT ALL THEY DO IS CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#845759August 24, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER BECAME FLOODED AFTER THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CARWASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#547604July 29, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
RECALL COMPONENT FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (98V-178), CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING REIMBURSEMENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#547528July 26, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL (98V-178) PRIOR TO NOTICE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#708700July 16, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT IS DEFECTIVELY INSTALLED. WATER FROM RAIN AND CARWASHING CAN EASILY GET INTO THE SAID UNIT BOX CAUSING CIRCUIT SHORTS TO THE SAID EQUIPMENT. EQUIPMENT IS $1,200.00 TO REPLACED. BMW DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM AND CAN EASILY MODIFY THE INSTALLATION TO PROTECT IT FROM WATER DAMAGE AND I WONDER WHY IT WAS NOT PART OF THEIR RECALL. I CALLED PARTS DEPT.'S PERSONNEL OF BMW DEALERS AND I FOUND OUT THIS KIND OF DAMAGE IS SO COMMON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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