2005 BMW 325Ci

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

Defect. CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

RT REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,120. VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST.

I was driving one night and the headlight out indicator on the dash lit up showing the passenger headlight to be out. This limited my ability to see the road as I now only had one headlight operational. Upon further inspection, the halogen bulb was found to be in working order, but the wiring harness has lost its insulation. On both the driver and passenger side the insulation on the internal wire harness to the headlights has dried out and fallen off, exposing bare copper making an electrical short highly likely.

On the night of 8/21/22, the fire department was callled to my detached garage when someone saw smoke comimg form the garage. The fire department determined that my car caught fire because of the cooling fan. The car was not running nor was the key in the ignition. The car was started 36 hours prior and had not been driven on a regualr basis for some time. The investigating office mentioned that the fan kept running, over heated causing the car and the contents of the garage to catch on fire.

PLEASE REMOVE THIS VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL LIST FOR TAKATA AIR BAG REPLACEMENT.. I HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG REPLACED IN 2016, AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN WILMINGTON, NC. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE REPLACEMENT WASN'T REPORTED, BUT THAT DEALERSHIP DID HAVE AN OWNERSHIP CHANGE AFTER MY REPLACEMENT. I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE DOZENS OF NOTIFICATIONS FOR THIS RECALL, THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. I'VE CONTACTED BMW AT LEAST 3 TIMES, BUT SOMEHOW I'M STILL ON THIS LIST. PLEASE REMOVE MY VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL LIST IMMEDIATELY.

DRIVING VEHICLE AND ALL POWER CUTS OUT ...NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES ...JUST STOPS DEAD ... I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL...BUT OBVIOUSLY HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE...THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS...AND I AM AT THE POINT WHERE I AM AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE IT...

SUSPENSION- SWAY BARS, BUSHINGS, EVERY PART OF SUSPENSION BREAKING. BRAKES-EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. LIGHTING-ISSUES WITH HEADLAMPS. REARVIEW MIRROR-DEFECTIVE, NOT CLEAR ENOUGH TO SEE OUT OF. AIRBAGS-REPLACED, BUT WHEN THE CAR WAS IMPACTED THE ROLL BARS DEPLOYED WHILE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT SALES LOCATION THAT SOLD THE VEHICLE MADE NO MENTION OF TWO RECALLS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

HEADLIGHT RIGHT HAND SIDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ UPDATED 10/25/16.*JB

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 06/01/16 *BF UPDATED 06/10/16*LJ....UPDATED 06/15/16 *BF UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB UPDATED 06/27/16.*JB

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/17/2016*LJ UPDATED 06/14/16.*JB

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V31800 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

I RECEIVED A WRITTEN RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, IN JULY 2015 ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN "METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING THE FRONT DRIVER ... [AND] POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH" IF THE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REMOVE THE FAULTY AIRBAG, LEAVING ME WITH LAP AND SHOULDER RESTRAINT, AND INSTALL THE CORRECT AIRBAG MODULE WHEN IT WAS RECEIVED. I WAS TOLD THAT, BY LAW, AIR BAGS COULD NOT BE REMOVED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT DO SO. I FEEL THAT MY REQUEST WAS VALID UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WOULD NOT BE A VIOLATION OF THE LAW UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WAS A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION SINCE, AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2015, THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT NEW BAGS WILL BE RECEIVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE DEALER'S POSITION RESULTS IN MY HAVING TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT COULD KILL ME IN A COLLISION AT NO MORE THAN 25 MPH, THE SPEED I WAS TOLD WOULD CAUSE ANY AIRBAG IN THAT CAR TO DEPLOY. THERE HAS BEEN NO AGREEMENT BY THE DEALER OR BMW USA TO PROVIDE, AT NO COST TO ME, ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR MY NORMAL AND CUSTOMARY USE. MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME HAS PASSED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM SINCE, EVEN PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL WRITTEN RECALL NOTICE, BMW KNEW THAT SPECIFIC PART TO BE DEFECTIVE AND NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHOP REPAIR. THIS POSITION IS SUPPORTED BY THE FACT THAT AN EARLIER RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND RELATIVELY QUICK REPLACEMENT WAS MADE. I AM NOW GOING ON THREE MONTHS WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT A REMEDY WILL BE PROVIDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER A BUMP, THE WIRING HARNESS BELOW THE PASSENGER OR DRIVER SEAT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A HIGH RESISTANCE IN THE SRS SYSTEM AND CAUSING THE SRS ERROR LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND AN ERROR CODE TO BE SAVED, THE SYSTEM MAY BECOME INACTIVE, AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SRS SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND MAY LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD THE CONNECTORS NOT COME LOOSE AND DEACTIVATED THE SRS SYSTEM. THIS HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON NUMEROUS E46'S OF VARIOUS YEARS. *TR

IN SEPTEMBER 2014, I RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL FROM BMW USA. [RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 14V-428: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG]. ACCORDING TO THE NOTICE, THE AIR BAG SUPPLIER ADVISED BMW THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG, EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE COULD CAUSE RUPTURING OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUSLY INJURING THE FRONT PASSENGER OR OTHER PASSENGERS. UNBELIEVABLY, BMW STATED IT DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. HOWEVER, I WOULD BE NOTIFIED "AS SOON AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE." AFTER HEARING NOTHING FROM BMW, IN FEBRUARY 2015 I CONTACTED MY DEALER, SAN DIEGO BMW, WHO SAID I NEEDED TO BE ON A LIST SO THEY COULD CALL WHEN PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. I GAVE THE INFORMATION AND AGAIN WAITED. IT IS NOW APRIL 24, 2015. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING MORE FROM BMW AND SAN DIEGO BMW. I WROTE TO BMW AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED LAST MONTH AND OF COURSE, GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT INVOLVE 8 MONTHS OF WAITING. RECENTLY, MY MOTHER IN LAW DIED FROM JUST THIS SITUATION [NOT INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL]. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A CAR COMPANY CAN BE REQUIRED TO RECALL A CAR FOR A SAFETY ITEM AND THEN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THIS FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ..UPDATED 05/19/15*BF UPDATED 7/6/2015*JS

I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY PASSENGER AIR BAG REPLACED, AS PER THE RECALL, ON NOVEMBER 28, 2014. I GET THERE AT MY SCHEDULED TIME AND WAS TOLD THEY RAN OUT OF AIR BAGS AND IT COULDN'T BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT 18,000 AIR BAGS HAVE BEEN ORDERED. I REQUESTED TO BE PUT BACK ON THE LIST AND HAVEN'T HEARD NOTHING. I WOULD LIKE THE AIR BAG REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V348000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN NOVEMBER OF 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL REMEDY BUT AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THAT HOUSES THE AIR BAG WAS BULGING AND PROTRUDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 03/17/15*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/10/15*LJ UPDATED 6/18/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE.

THE HEADLAMP GOES OUT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY STAY ON! I WAS TOLD BY BMW EMPLOYEE THEY HAVE HAD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS THE LAMP GETS TO HOT AND MELTS THE WIRING AND THE WHOLE LIGHT HAS TO BE REPLACED $1200 OR BETTER! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE YOU HAVE NO IDEA IF YOU WILL HAVE FULL LIGHTS AT NIGHT. I READ BLOGS ON THE INTERNET WITH MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS DEFECTIVE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE AT THE VEHICLES REAR. THE DEALER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY, THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE HEADLIGHT WIRING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED, IT MELTED THE WIRING. UPDATED 10/27/10

WINDOW REGULATOR ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKEN 4X IN 4 YEARS ALWAYS IN THE SUMMER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 325CI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND LOSE SPEED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE SPEED DID NOT INCREASE. SUDDENLY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF DARK SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR HOSE AND THEY REPLACED ALL THE FLUIDS IN THE VEHICLE. A MONTH AFTER THE REPAIRS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HEATER IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. DARK SMOKE APPEARED ONCE AGAIN UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY KEPT IT FOR OVER A WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT EVERYTHING THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FROM THE FIRST FAILURE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, IN WHICH EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OK. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HEARD NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER JOB WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY PARKED. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,859 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,769.

WHILE USING THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED JACK ON MY BMW 325CI CONVERTIBLE TO REMOVE THE LEFT REAR TIRE FOR REPAIR, THE JACK POPPED LOOSE, STRIKING THE SIDE OF CAR AND CAUSING SOME $800 PLUS IN DAMAGES. FORTUNATELY, THE WHEEL WAS STILL ON THE CAR OR ELSE THE CAR WOULD HAVE COLLAPSED ON ME. CAR WAS BEING JACKED PER MANUFACTURERS DIRECTIONS ON A LEVEL GARAGE FLOOR. THE JACK FAILED APPARENTLY DUE TO THE INWARD MOTION OF THE REAR WHEEL AS THE CAR WAS BEING RAISED. THIS JACK DESIGN IS A HALF SCISSORS AND HAS AN EXTREMELY SMALL FOOT PRINT WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE TO ITS APPARENT INSTABILITY. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BMW USA AND WISH TO FOLLOW UP WITH THE NHSTA BECAUSE THIS COULD CAUSE VERY SERIOUS INJURY. I ASKED BMW IF THEY HAD A REPLACEMENT TYPE JACK DESIGN (SINCE I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN THE EXISTING ONE AND THINKING THIS MAY BE A KNOWN PROBLEM) BUT THEY DO NOT. *NM