BMW 330i Complaints (2002)

45 consumer complaints on file.

#10535639August 15, 2013
AIR BAGS
WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR CAR AND FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS IN THE LETTER. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT. TOLD US TO BRING THE CAR IN AT 9:30 AM LAST SATURDAY. WHEN WE GOT THERE, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED US THAT A POLICY CHANGE OCCURRED THE NIGHT BEFORE AND INSTEAD, THEY WANTED US TO LEAVE THE CAR AFTER THE INSPECTION SO THEY COULD ORDER THE VIN SPECIFIC PART WHICH WOULD MEAN LEAVING OUR CAR DISMANTLED AT THE DEALER FOR A "FEW DAYS". WE DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER CAR AVAILABLE. I ASKED FOR A LOANER VEHICLE; THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. I TOLD THEM WE NEEDED OUR CAR AND COULD NOT BE WITHOUT FOR THE FEW DAYS THEY REQUIRED. I CALLED CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS FROM THE PARKING LOT AND SHE CALLED BACK TO THE DEALER AND CONFIRMED THAT THE POLICY HAD BEEN CHANGED AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO INSPECT THE CAR AND REASSEMBLE IT SO WE COULD USE IT WHILE THEY WAITED FOR THE PART. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR SINCE SHRAPNEL WAS IN THE AIRBAGS AND HE TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY, NO ONE HAD EVER BEEN INJURED. I AM PRETTY ANGRY ABOUT THE ENTIRE MATTER. BMW'S COMPLIANCE WITH THIS RECALL IS A FARCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507485April 8, 2013
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS A CHRONIC ISSUE AMONG BMW OWNERS. IF I DO NOT MANUALLY PUSH THE SEAT BELT BACK, IT WILL REMAIN LOOSE ENOUGH THAT I CAN LEAN FORWARD TO TOUCH THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND THEIR OWN RESPONSE IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BELT UNIT, WHICH IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IT WILL ALSO AT TIMES GET STUCK IN THE DRIVERS DOOR WHEN CLOSING WHICH COULD DAMAGE THE BELT EVEN MORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504950March 29, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BATTERY OF THE CAR DRAINS OUT EVERY MORNING AND I NEED TO JUMP START MY CAR EVERYDAY IN THE MORNING. I HAVE GOT THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND THE CHARGING CIRCUIT CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO FAULTS WITH THOSE. THE BATTERY IS ONLY AN YEAR OLD. I SUSPECT THAT SOMETHING IS RUNNING IN THE BACKGROUND AFTER ENGINE STOP OR THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH IS DRAINING OUT THE BATTERY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494395January 23, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER THE RECALL, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA09019 , I BROUGHT IN MY CAR AND THEY ADDED A GROUND WIRE THAT WAS TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH AN INTERMITTENT LIGHTS-OUT WARNING AT THE DASHBOARD. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS, THE ISSUE WAS STILL THERE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO BMW AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ALREADY ADDED THE GROUND CABLE AND THAT'S ALL THEY COULD DO. THE SAME ISSUE STILL EXISTS. UPON READING FURTHER REGARDING THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS THE WIRING HARNESSES HAD "MELTED" DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT CREATED BY A FAULTY GROUND CABLE. THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE AND BMW REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUES CAUSED BY THIS FAULTY DESIGN. THEY QUOTED ME OVER $800 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HARNESS AND CHARGED ME 1 HOUR OF LABOR @$195/HR TO FIND THAT OUT. THE FAULTY GROUND CABLE CREATED THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CREATING ISSUES WITH THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE REAR OF THE CAR LIGHTS. BMW SHOULD PAY NOT JUST TO PREVENT ISSUES BUT TO PAY FOR ISSUES ALREADY CREATED BY THIS FAULTY DESIGN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439934December 14, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT, AND THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I FIXED IT WITH ELECTRICIAN'S TAPE. TODAY, WENT IN TO HAVE THE FIX PRESCRIBED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 11V-438000, WHICH EXACTLY ADDRESSED MY ISSUE. BMW'S RECALL LETTER DATED DECEMBER, 2011 INCLUDES "THE LAMPS WILL ALSO BE CHECKED FOR PROPER FUNCTIONALITY. IF THEY ARE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, THEN THEY WILL BE REPAIRED WHICH COULD INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE LAMP'S 8-PIN CONNECTOR HOUSING, IF NECESSARY". THUS, BMW IS COGNIZANT OF THE INESCAPABLE NEXUS BETWEEN A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE CONNECTOR AND DAMAGE TO THE HOUSING. WELL, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, ONLY THE FIXING OF THE GROUND CONNECTION IS COVERED BY THE RECALL AND BMW WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPLACING THE RUINED HOUSING (AND WITH THE WARRANTY "FIX", MY LIGHTS WOULD NO LONGER WORK BECAUSE MY REPAIR HAD BEEN ELIMINATED, PRESUMABLY BY THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW CONNECTOR WHICH WOULD NO LONGER INTERFACE WITH THE DAMAGED HOUSING). WHILE AT THE DEALER, CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND ULTIMATELY SPOKE TO "BOBBY". SHE VERIFIED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HE HAD GONE UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND AS APPROPRIATE, GOTTEN THE DENIAL, AND TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF RECOURSE WITH RESPECT TO BMW: BMW WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. HAVING GIVEN THEM THEIR SHOT TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AM NOW TAKING THE NEXT STEP (NOTIFYING YOU). SINCE I COULDN'T DRIVE AROUND W/O PROPER FUNCTIONING REAR SIGNAL LIGHTS, I PAID FOR THE NEW HOUSING. THE DEALER ATE SOME OF THE COST SO ONLY CHARGED ME $39.32, FOR $41.68 WITH TAX. UPON GETTING HOME, GOOGLED THE PART # AND GOT A PRICE OF ~$28. SO, THIS IS NOT HUGE DOLLARS (AND FOR ME ITS JUST A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE) BUT BMW SHOULD BE TOLD TO BEHAVE LOGICALLY AND FAIRLY, ADHERE TO THEIR OWN WORDS IN THEIR LETTER, AND REPLACE ANY HOUSINGS DAMAGED BY THE ISSUE CAUSING THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434854November 8, 2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TAILLIGHT ELECTRICAL FAILURE. BRAKE AND TAILLIGHT FAILED AS A RESULT OF MALFUNCTIONING GROUND. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362418October 26, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330I. HE EXPERIENCED A RECURRING FAILURE IN WHICH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO FUNCTION UNTIL HE REMOVED THE REAR LIGHTING COVER IN ORDER TO SHIFT THE WIRES. HE ALSO INTERMITTENTLY RECEIVED A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS WERE BLOWN OUT. WHEN HE EXAMINED THE BULBS HE WOULD NOTICED THAT THEY WERE FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10352966August 31, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
BMW 2002 330I 4 DOOR SEDAN. THE RAIN GUTTERS SURROUNDING BOTH THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAVE COME LOOSE AND PREVENT THE DOORS FROM CLOSING TIGHT. THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON BECAUSE THE DOORS WILL NOT FULLY CLOSE. BMW SERVICE CONFIRMS THAT THE ADHESIVE HOLD THE GUTTER CLIPS IN PLACE FAILS AS DO THE CLIPS THEMSELVES. IN A CONVERSATION WITH BMW THEY CALL THIS WEAR AND TEAR AND REFUSE TO REPAIR THE GUTTERS! IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE REAR DOORS CAN NOT BE PROPERLY CLOSED. NO DEATH OR INJURY YET BUT THE POTENTIAL IS CERTAINLY THERE. BMW SUGGESTED REPLACING THE GUTTERS FOR $450. WHICH ACCORDING TO THEM IS THE ONLY "CURE" FOR THE FAILURE. THIS SAFETY FAILURE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274519June 22, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER IS INQUIRING ON THE STATUS OF THE MARK PETERS DEFECT PETITION DP09002. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE REAR LAMP EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILURES. HE ALSO STATED THAT A REAR LAMP WIRING HARNESS AND CONNECTOR MAY OVERHEAT LEADING TO REAR LAMP BULB FAILURES.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263409March 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SAFETY RELATED DEFECT WITH BMW E46 MODELS; PETITION FOR FORMAL INVESTIGATION PURSUANT TO 49 U.S.C. 30162 AND 49 CFR PART 552 *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE E46 MODELS AS WELL AS HIS 2002 330I HAD PROBLEMS WITH TAILLIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND/OR TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197639July 27, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE LIGHTS AND REAR PARKING LAMPS OF THE 1999-2005 BMW 3 SERIES ("E46"). ALSO NOTED ARE FORWARD TURN SIGNAL LIGHTING FAILURES. THE PROBLEM MAY INVOLVE TWO UNRELATED COMPONENT FAILURES: CHRONICALLY OVERHEATING/PARTIALLY MELTED 7-PIN WIRING CONNECTORS (AT THE REAR LAMP CLUSTER) AND CORRODED BULB SOCKETS (AT THE FRONT TURN SIGNALS). (THE FIRST PROBLEM MAY BE MORE COMMON IN WARM WEATHER STATES.) BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, I HAVE OWNED THREE E46 MODEL BMW'S, ALL PURCHASED NEW. ALL HAVE HAD REPEATED, YET INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNAL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEMS. MOST RECENTLY I NOTED ANOTHER INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE LEFT REAR LAMP CLUSTER OF MY 2002 BMW 330I WITH ~48,000 MILES. AFTER ANOTHER CAREFUL INSPECTION, TO INCLUDE REMOVING EACH BULB AND CHECKING ITS FILAMENT, RESISTANCE AND CONNECTION CLEANLINESS, I FOUND SOMETHING I HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY NOTED--THE 7-PIN WIRING CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AT TERMINAL #2, THE TERMINAL THAT APPEARS TO BE THE COMMON GROUND FOR ALL THE LAMPS IN THE CLUSTER. THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR (FEMALE) AND THE MALE PIN (#2) BOTH SHOW EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE/HEAT DAMAGE. I HAVE REMOVED IT FROM MY CAR AND TAKEN SOME PHOTOGRAPHS FOR SUBMISSION VIA AN EMAIL ACCOUNT TO MR. AJIT ALKONDON AT DOT. THE PART AS INSTALLED IN MY CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING IDENTIFICATION: 63.21-6 907 935 DATE CODE: 19.9.01 (FOR SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2001) TIME CODE: 15:54 AS AN ASIDE, A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP HAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE REAR BULB CARRIER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. WHILE IT HAS HELPED, I AM STILL LEFT WITH CHRONIC, YET HIGHLY INTERMITTENT, LAMP FAILURES, (AS INDICATED BY THE CAR'S WARNING SYSTEM) FOR _BOTH_ REAR LAMP ASSEMBLIES. AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, ALL THREE E46'S I OWNED HAVE HAD FORWARD TURN SIGNAL SOCKETS REPLACED FOR CORROSION, USUALLY WITHIN THE FIRST FEW YEARS OR MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197577July 26, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
TL*THE CONTACT CALLED IN REFERENCE TO A 2002 BMW 330I. AS THE INSURANCE ESTIMATOR WAS ESTIMATING DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT PUSHED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT FORWARD BY PRESSING THE ELECTRIC BUTTON. THE ESTIMATOR WAS SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT AS THE DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE BACKWARDS. THE ESTIMATOR'S TWISTED BODY WAS PINNED BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S AND REAR SEAT. HE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO HIS NECK, LIVER, RIBS, AND LOWER BACK. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT PURCHASE OR OWN THE VEHICLE, THEREFORE THERE IS NO PURCHASE DATE OR DEALER INFORMATION AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,579. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10128948July 15, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE SALESMAN MADE ME SIGN 3 DIFFERENT CONTRACT EACH ONE HAS DIFFERENT AMOUNTS I DONT KNOW IF THEY MADE ME SIGN FOR 3 DIFFERENT CARS OR WHAT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT'S BEEN IN VEIN.I WAS PRESSURED INTO SIGNING THE CONTRACTSAND I DONT WHAT THAT CAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101888January 3, 2005
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
JACK COLLAPSED WHILE CHANGING A REAR TIRE, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER'S ARM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE JACK IS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10110862December 21, 2004
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE WHEN THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT JACK BROKE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE DROPPED, TRAPPING HIS ARM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE. *NM THE PLASTIC PART OF THE JACK BROKE. *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10091663September 8, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
PROBLEMS WITH LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND WINDOW OPERATING MECHANISM. *MR THE A/C WAS NOT COOL ENOUGH IN HOT WEATHER AND THE WIPERS WOULD STREAK THE WINDOWS. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062213March 15, 2004
TIRES
LOW-PROFILE TIRES (SHALLOW ASPECT RATIO) OFFER NO CUSHIONING PROTECTION WHEN ENCOUNTERING POTHOLES. WE HAVE HAD FOUR (4) BLOW-OUTS IN THE FIRST YEAR! TIRE MANUFACTURERS AND CAR MANUFACTURERS PROFIT FROM THIS POOR DESIGN! IT COST US OVER $600 FOR THE FIRST 2 TIRES IRREPARABLY DAMAGED FROM A POT-HOLE! LARGER WHEELS AND LOWER-PROFILE TIRES CAN'T BE CHANGED BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION AND BRAKES ARE TUNED TO THE LOW-PROFILE DESIGN. MY WIFE IS READY TO TRADE IN THE CAR! DRIVERS ARE DISTRACTED LOOKING AT THE PAVEMENT FOR POT-HOLES INSTEAD OF WATCHING OTHER VEHICLES, TRAFFIC SIGNALS, ETC. HAVE THIS SAFETY HAZARD RECALLED! GET RESTITUTION FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CONSUMER WASTE ON THIS! CAR SALESMAN NEVER MENTIONED THIS PROBLEM -- DEALERS ARE LITERALLY KEEPING A LOW PROFILE AND LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050458January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THECONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK *JB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052916January 12, 2004
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
I HAVE A 2002 330CI. I HAVE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM FROM THE TIME I DROVE IT HOME I GET A POPPING NOISE WHEN THE NAVIGATION TRIES TO MUTE THE RADIO. I ALSO CANNOT ADJUST THE NAVIGATION VOLUME AT ALL. IN ADDITION WHEN I TURN THE RADIO POWER OFF THE NAVIGATION VOLUME COMES ON AT A VERY HIGH VOLUME LEVEL. I HAVE BEEN ROUND AFTER ROUND WITH THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE, ETC. BMW HAS BEEN USELESS. AFTER REPLACING NUMEROUS PARTS AND MULTIPLE WEEKS IN SERVICE BMW HAS ONLY MADE IT WORSE. THE BMW REGIONAL REP HAS NOW OFFICIALLY CALLED THIS "A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE SYSTEM." BMW HAS GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SO MANY PEOPLE MOST WHO HAVE PROMISED TO FOLLOW UP AND NEVER DID. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT HAVE JUST BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. THE TECHNICIANS HAVE HEARD IT AND ADMIT IT IS BAD. MY CAR HAS BEEN LOGGED IN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 35 DAYS OVER TWO YEARS TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I HAVE EVEN ASKED BMW TO 1. REMOVE THE SYSTEM AND GIVE ME CREDIT FOR IT, THEY HAVE REFUSED OR 2. UPDATE THE SYSTEM TO A NEWER VERSION THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE ISSUE, THEY HAVE REFUSED. I AM NOW TWO YEAR INTO A THREE YEAR LEASE AND NEED THIS RESOLVED ONCE AND FOR ALL. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049287December 5, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A/C BLOWS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN SET ON MAXIMUM COOLING POWER ABOUT 40% OF THE TIME (INTERMITTENTLY). PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INHERENT IN THE MODEL...BMW SAYS IF THEY CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AT A SERVICE CENTER IN FRONT OF A TECHNICIAN, THEN IT MUST NOT EXIST. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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