BMW 330xi Complaints

193 consumer complaints on file.

#10442394January 4, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NONE OF THE DOORS WOULD UNLOCK EXCEPT FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WAS THROUGH THAT DOOR. IN ADDITION, ON ONE OCCASION THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY FOB AND HE WAS FORCED MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441962December 31, 2011
AIR BAGS
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER ARE CONSTANTLY ON, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH SPORT SEATS. THERE IS A RECALL IN ORDER FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT MY 2006 330XI WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR SOME REASON. HERE IS THE #: NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES FOR 2006 BMW 330 (XI AND I MODELS) THAT ARE NOW HAVING THIS ISSUE. HERE IS A LINK TO A FORUM THREAD ABOUT THIS: HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=358892 *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10441689December 29, 2011
STEERING
I GOT INTO MY CAR ON THE MORNING OF THE 29TH DEC. 2011. I SHOWED A YELLOW STEERING WHEEL LOCK CODE (INDICATING A POSSIBLE PROBLEM). I DROVE THE CAR AFTER WORK WITH NO PROBLEMS ALTHOUGH PLANNING ON GETTING THE VEHICLE INTO SERVICE JUST TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED THE CAR, RETURNED TO IT 15 MIN LATER AND IT WOULDNT START! AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM THE CAR SHOWED A RED STEERING WHEEL LOCK CODE INDICATING IT WOULD NO LONGER START. AFTER DEEP INVESTIGATION I FIND THE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON HUNDREDS OF THE SAME MODEL CAR AS MINE. MOST PEOPLE ARE TOLD TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER AND/OR REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN (SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES) AND THEN MOST STILL HAVE PROBLEMS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10439074December 8, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
IN AUGUST 2011 I GOT A WARNING INDICATOR THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT TAILLIGHT. IN NOVEMBER 2011 (IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND OTHER WORK) BMW MECHANICS AT MY AREA DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT MY TAILLIGHT SUFFERED FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE CURRENT RECALL FOR 2003-2005 3 SERIES TAILLIGHTS THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE. BMW TOLD ME MY VIN "DID NOT APPEAR" TO BE LISTED ON THEIR RECALL LIST AND THAT DESPITE THE ASSESSMENT OF THEIR CERTIFIED MECHANICS, I WOULD HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA IN ORDER TO GET YOU TO TELL BMW TO ADD MY CAR TO THE LIST SO THAT MY DEALERSHIP WILL FIX IT. PLEASE DO SO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437755November 29, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHTS AND RESTRAINT LIGHTS BECAME LIT. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR MAT. ALREADY HAS HAD A RECALL ON SOME OF THE MODELS. NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VEHICLES. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10434424November 7, 2011
STEERING
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WOULD NOT UNLOCK. AN ERROR MESSAGE SHOWS ON THE DISPLAY INDICATING A STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION. THIS ERROR WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR THE CAR TO START. THIS RESULTED IN THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDING REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10430236October 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425271September 13, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING NEAR THE PORT FOR THE IPHONE CHARGER ON THE DASH (LIGHTER.) THE PORTAL WAS COLD TO THE TOUCH. AFTER ABOUT MORE 20 YARDS THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVING FINE AND WAS QUICKLY PULLED TO AN EMPTY PART OF THE PARKING LOT AND WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER PULLING THE HOOD RELEASE I JUMPED FROM THE CAR AND SHUT THE DOOR -- I IMMEDIATELY TRIED RE-OPENING IT TO LET THE SMOKE FROM THE COCKPIT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN BY TOUCH OR WITH THE KEY FOB. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE LOOKED CLEAN. TO THE FAR RIGHT (MY LEFT) ON PASSENGER SIDE, AGAINST THE FIREWALL SMOKE WAS COMING OUT IN A THIN LINE AND THEN I SAW A SMALL FLASH OF FIRE SO I RAN 20 TO THIRTY YARDS AND THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. I CALLED 911 AND WITHIN 3-5 MINUTES IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER IN APRIL 2011, FOUR MONTHS EARLIER. IT HAD NO HISTORY OF ISSUES AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416584August 1, 2011
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
I HAVE A 2006 BMW 330XI WITH 28,000 MILES. IT CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A RUN FLAT TIRES. I HAVE HAD 6 TIRE FAILURES, ONE OF WHICH WAS A BLOWOUT, ALL FROM THE SAME CAUSE ---SIDEWALL BUBBLES/BULGES. THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON TIRERACK.COM. I HAVE SO LITTLE CONFIDENCE IN THESE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES THAT I'VE PURCHASED ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION WITH THE LAST FIVE TIRES AT A COST OF $245. I'VE SPENT A TOTAL OF $1,640.27 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE COVERED BY THE ROAD HAZARD PROTECTION AND BRIDGESTONE AGREED TO REPLACE 2 TIRES AT HALF PRICE. THE HUGE SAFETY CONCERN OF CATASTROPHIC SIDEWALL BLOWOUT IS THE PRIMARY REASON I AM POSTING THIS. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10412293July 14, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V3840 (COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,010. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ UPDATED 09/19/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410726July 6, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THE SECONDARY COOLING FAN FAILED CAUSING THE EXPANSION TANK ON OUR 2001 BMW 330XI SPLIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. WE REPLACED THE EXPANSION TANK AND MANY RELATED PARTS INCLUDING THERMOSTAT. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. WE BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS CLOSE TO, BUT NOT THE SAME AS, THE FAN FAILURE THAT YOU REPORTED ON MAY 16, 2002. (02V138000 , 01V206000 ). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407687June 21, 2011
VISIBILITY
ON THIS DATE MY WIFE COMPLAINED TO ME ABOUT A "BUBBLE" IN HER INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I LOOKED AT IT AND IT IS INDEED A BUBBLE OF AIR IN HER MIRROR. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 BMW 330XI WITH AN AUTO-DIMMING INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR. TODAY I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-831-1117 AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE WHO TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEREFORE BMW FELT NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR, REPLACE, OR HELP IN ANY WAY WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE PART COST FROM MY LOCAL BMW DEALER IS OVER $500.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR FOR INSTALLATION. THIS COST IS FOR THE ENTIRE MIRROR ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES THE HOUSING THE ELECTRONICS MOUNTED ON THE HOUSING AND OF COURSE THE MIRROR ITSELF. THE SERVICE WRITER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN MORE THAN A FEW MIRRORS COME IN LIKE THAT, AND THAT ONE WAS EVEN LEAKING THE FLUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SEAL IN THE MIRROR THAT HAS RUPTURED AND IS NOW LEAKING AIR INTO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE GLASS PLATE AND THE MIRROR SURFACE ITSELF. THE RESULT OF THE "BUBBLE" IS THAT NOW THE MIRROR REFRACT AND REFLECTS BRIGHT LIGHT POINTS (HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT OR SUN GLARE FROM WINDSHIELDS FOR EXAMPLE) INTO MULTIPLE SPOTS SO AS TO MAKE THE MIRROR NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO USE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I FEEL THAT BMW KNOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR MIRRORS AND THAT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY WIFE'S CAR NOW. I BELIEVE THAT IF JUST THE GLASS PORTION OF THE MIRROR WERE REPLACEABLE THIS WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE COST OF REPAIR TO THE CONSUMER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403008May 19, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAILURE OF THE GENERAL MODULE 5 WHICH RESULTS IN FAILING TO OPENING THE DOOR VIA THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE CENTER CONSOLE AND KEY REMOTE. THIS WILL ALSO RESULT IN THE DOUBLE LOCKING MECHANISM TO ACTIVATE TO WHICH PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE PROPERLY EITHER ELECTRONICALLY OR MECHANICALLY (MANUAL LOCKS DO NOT WORK) FORCED TO LEAVE EITHER THROUGH THE WINDOW, TRUNK THROUGH REAR SEAT IF THE CAR HAS THIS FEATURE OR POSSIBLY ONLY THROUGH DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IF THE LOCKS FAIL ELECTRONICALLY THE PASSENGERS INSIDE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRIGGER A MECHANICAL WAY OF EXITING THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370312December 12, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR
BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAVE CRACKED/BROKEN AT APPROX 55,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. BMW WILL NOT WARRANTY A REPLACEMENT SET OF SPRINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362760October 28, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACE THE LIFT REGULATOR AND POWER WINDOW MOTOR ON EVERY WINDOW EVERY SIX MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,192. UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN UPDATED 01/27/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321264March 21, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
THE EXPANSION TANK ON OUR 2001 BMW 330XI SPLIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 48,000 MILES OF USE. WE REPLACED THE ENGINE AND MANY RELATED PARTS INCLUDING THE EXPANSION TANK AND RADIATOR. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON UNTIL AFTER THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND THE CAR WAS IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP. WE BELIEVE THIS FAILURE IS CLOSE TO, BUT NOT THE SAME AS, THE FAN FAILURE THAT YOU REPORTED ON MAY 16, 2002. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10313671February 24, 2010
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330XI. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311127February 16, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CAR HAD NO SYMPTOMS LEADING UP TO THE EVENT. CAR WAS IDLING IN PARKING LOT TO WARM UP AND RANDOMLY TURNED OFF. WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP. FOUND OUT THAT THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM FROZE CAUSING OIL PRESENT IN ALL SIX CYLINDERS. SYSTEM WAS REPLACED ONCE THE MECHANIC HAD ACCESS TO THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED TO SEE BMW HAD NO RECALLS FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW SINCE IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF THE CAR HAD BEEN MOVING WITH 2500-3500 RPMS, MUCH MORE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED WITH ANYWHERE FROM PISTON RINGS TO ENGINE BLOCK IN ADDITION TO AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY DEATH OR INJURY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10307488February 8, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
8-PIN CONNECTOR AT REAR TAIL LIGHTS IN 2002 BMW 330XI HAS PARTIALLY MELTED, CONTACTS APPEAR CORRODED. "LIGHT OUT" INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH TURNS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288865October 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY SON PARKED HIS 2002 BMW 330XI IN A PARKING LOT EARLY AM TO SLEEP. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF HOURS WHILE IDLING, KILLING HIM. HE WAS LAYING DOWN IN FRONT SEATS. EVENT WAS CAUGHT ON SURVEILLANCE CAMERA, NO FOUL PLAY WAS DETECTED. CLAIMED TO BE "ACCIDENTAL FIRE" BY POLICE REPORT. NOTICED 2001 BMW 3-SERIES HAD MAJOR RECALL FOR SAME TYPE OF EVENT WITH FAILURE OF COOLING FANS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1

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