BMW 325i Complaints (2003)

199 consumer complaints on file.

#10626613August 20, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
REMOTE UNLOCKING/LOCKING WILL NOT FUNCTION. DOORS CAN NOT BE OPENED OR UNLOCKED FROM INSIDE VEHICLE WITH CENTRAL LOCK SWITCH OR WITH DOOR HANDLE, TRAPPING PASSENGERS INSIDE. THE DRIVERS WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN AND KEY USED TO UNLOCK DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO EXIT VEHICLE. CLIMBING OUT OF WINDOWS OR CLIMBING TO DRIVERS SEAT IS THE ONLY WAY OUT OF CAR, BMW STATES "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10610030July 12, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY CURRENT VEHICLE IS A 2003 BMW 325I WITH BI-XENON HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO, THE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE XENON HEADLIGHTS HAD DROPPED TO THE POINT WHERE I GET ALMOST NO NOTICEABLE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD AT NIGHT (IN AVERAGE CITY LEVELS OF STREET ILLUMINATION). I TURNED TO USING MY FOGLAMPS TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING. MECHANIC INSPECTED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE UPPER PORTION OF THE PROJECTOR BOWLS ARE BURNED. THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND PAINTED WITH REFLECTIVE PAINT, BUT THE UPPER ~60% OF THE BOWL IS NOW BROWNED AND NONREFLECTIVE. THIS IS DUE TO AN INABILITY OF THE PAINT TO WITHSTAND THE HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY THE XENON BULBS. ALSO, THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON TO MANY/ALL ZKW BRAND HEADLIGHTS UTILIZED IN 2003-2004 MODEL YEARS OF 3 SERIES (E46) BMW VEHICLES, ACCORDING TO POSTINGS ON THE BMW-OWNER FORUMS. REFLECTOR BOWLS CAN NOT BE PURCHASED AND REPLACED SEPARATELY AND THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPX $2400. ZKW HAS CHANGED THE DESIGN SO THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THEY AND BMW ARE AWARE OF THE DESIGN FLAW AND RESULTING SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556554December 18, 2013
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER SIDE BY PICKUP TRUCK DARTING OUT FROM INTERSECTING SIDE STREET. TRUCK WAS GOING APROX. 10-15 MPH. BMW APROX. 20-25MPH. THIS WAS A SIDE T-BONE COLLISION, NO SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BMW DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HEAD,FACE,CHEST,NECK,SHOULDER. SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BMW LEFT SIDE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10555381December 9, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR DOORS AT TIMES DO NOT UNLOCK. IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT. A KEY CAN BE USED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR BUT A COUPLE OF TIMES EVEN THE DOOR KEY HAS NOT WORKED. THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUE IS THAT I HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS, INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WITH THE MAIN LOCK CONTROL OR EVEN BY TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE PASSENGERS CRAWL OUT OF THE WINDOW TO EXIT THE CAR A FEW TIMES. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN THE KEY WORKS TO GET IN BUT I CANNOT GET THE OTHER DOORS OPEN EVEN BY ATTEMPTING TO USE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SCARY SITUATION TO BE IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551392November 7, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB MORE THAN ONCE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT THEN LEARNED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551393November 7, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DISPLAY THAT SHOWS THE ODOMETER, TEMPERATURE, TRIP METER, ETC. STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. A PIXEL OR TWO WILL SHOW UP, BUT NO LEGIBLE INFORMATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508138April 13, 2013
SEATS, AIR BAGS
SRS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. PASSENGER DISCRIMINATING SENSOR DEFECTIVE, REPLACEMENT REQUIRED TO ELIMINATE MIL AND RESTORE SRS TO OPERATING CONDITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502367March 11, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN OR CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10497625February 10, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME INCIDENT ABOUT A DOZEN OF TIMES IN THE LAST 4-5 YEARS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT ON, ENGINEER STARTED TO KNOCKING, SPEED FORCED DOWN TO LESS THAN 30 MPH WITHIN IN SECONDS. IT WAS QUITE SCARING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEED AT ~50-70 MPG. MY DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS, CHANGING EVERYTHING IN THIS SPEED CONTROLLING SYSTEM MULTIPLE TIMES ACCORDING TO THE BOOK, INCLUDING THROTTLE BODY TWICE, ELECTRIC HARNESS THREE TIMES, AND CONTROL COMPUTER UNIT ONCE, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS. OCCASIONALLY, RESETTING THE SYSTEM AND/OR RESTARTING THE CAR, AND SOMETIMES RECONNECTING EVERY PARTS OF THE SYSTEM CAN AVOID THE PROBLEM FOR A WHILE (FROM A DAYS TO 1-2 YEARS). ALTHOUGH IT IS UNPREDICTABLE IN WHEN, IT WOULD COME BACK. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO COME MORE OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER BECOME MORE WET. THIS MIMICS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE POOR ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS CONTROLLING THE TAILS AND TURNING LIGHTS OF THE SAME MODEL, WHICH WAS RECALLED BY BMW A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. IT SEEMS THAT THE SAME ELECTRIC CONNECTORS ARE USED IN THIS SPEED CONTROLLING SYSTEM. OBVIOUSLY, THIS PROBLEM IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SIGNALING LIGHT ISSUE SINCE IT IS MORE LIKELY TO LEAD TO SEVERE ACCIDENTS/CRASHES IN THE HIGHWAY; I MIGHT BE DEAD OR SEVERELY INJURED IF I DID NOT RESPONDED QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN WAS IN I-95 FOR EXAMPLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494486January 23, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE WIRING HARNESS AND FOUND THAT THE HARNESS WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484502November 13, 2012
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478591October 4, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463612June 29, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE WARNING LIGHT FOR MY PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR MONTHS AS IF THERE IS A SHORT IN IT. IT STAYED ON PERMANENTLY THIS MONTH, SHOWING A DIMMER LIGHT THAN THE WORKING SIDE TAIL LIGHT, SO I HAD IT CHECKED WHEN I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT MY BMW MECHANIC. HE INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES FOR MY VEHICLE AND TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALER TO CHECK THE VIN NUMBER. I CALLED THE DEALER LAST FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012 AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE WORK. NO ONE CALLED, SO I CALLED AGAIN TODAY AND THEY SAID THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE OPEN RECALL. THE TAIL LIGHT IS ACTING LIKE THE OTHER TAIL LIGHTS THAT WERE RECALLED SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT CANNOT BE PART OF THE RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462700June 22, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO ACCESS THE EXTERIOR FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB AND ALSO MANUALLY HOWEVER, THE LOCK MECHANISM WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DOOR LOCK, REMOTE KEY FOB AND POWER DOOR ACTUATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456624April 26, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003 ZKW HID XENON HEADLIGHTS WAS BURN AND SCORCHED AND POSTED AS A FIRE RISK. THE SCORCHED REFLECTOR ALSO REDUCE THE LOW BEAM LIGHT OUTPUT AND POSTS AS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449879March 2, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
2003 BMW 325I. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES, TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE REAR LAMPS. THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE SEVERAL OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE TIME FRAME ESTABLISHED BY THE RECALL, SHE WAS ONLY REIMBURSED PARTIALLY. RECALL# 11V438000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448885February 22, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL PUMP WENT BAD ,AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON A BUSY STREET,IT SUPPOSE TO HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FOR 15YEARS OR 150,000 MILES FROM BMW, BUT THEY DON'T HONOR IT AT THE DEALER,I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS SEALED INSIDE THE TANK,WHICH LEAVES NO ACCESS TO CHANGE THE PUMP,AND THE DEALER IS STATING THAT WE HAVE TO PAY 6500.00 FOR THE WHOLE TANK.. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448203February 16, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THERE WAS A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 94,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS WAS IGNORED FOR MANY YEARS. UPDATED 02/23/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10447909February 14, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WHILE I WAS STATIONED WITH THE US AIR FORCE IN GERMANY, TO MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS MADE IN GERMANY UNLIKE MOST 325'S AT THE TIME. IT WAS PRODUCED UNDER US SPECIFICATIONS AS I'D PLANNED TO BRING IT BACK TO THE STATES. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING TURN SIGNAL ACTING INTERMITTENTLY AS MENTIONED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, AND BMW N.A., THEY HAVE INFORMED ME MY VIN ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I BELIEVE I MAY HAVE SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS AS A VIN IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL AS MY BMW WAS PRODUCED OUTSIDE THE NORMAL CHANNELS OF BMWS AFFECTED IN NORTH AMERICA. I BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE EXACT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECALL IN QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE MY VIN INCLUDED ON THE RECALL AS EVEN TODAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE THIS MORNING I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL IS INTERMITTENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10444711January 20, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
MULTIPLE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LOCKS FAILING TO OPEN EITHER BY KEY FOB, DEPRESSING BUTTON INSIDE CAR, OR BY PULLING INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. TO EXIT CAR, MUST LOWER WINDOWS AND INSERT KEY INTO OUTSIDE KEYHOLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD! PROBLEM ARISES WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, THEN WILL DISAPPEAR A FEW DAYS LATER WITH FOR NO APPARENT REASON. BMW REPLACED ACTUATOR (?) AND THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE DISAPPEARED, BUT IT COST ME $1400. OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS WITH AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMING ON AFTER CAR SITS UNDRIVEN FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE OF DAYS. WAS TOLD THAT AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK WITH LIGHT ON. NO REASON FOUND. BATTERY CHECKS OUT FULLY CHARGED. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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