2004 BMW 325i complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED; HOWEVER WITHIN FIVE MILES THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A CRACK. THE VEHICLE MAY POSSIBLY BE REPAIRED FOR THE DEFECT. IN 2007, THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OIL AND AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE AND WATER WAS ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE OF $12,000. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 MILES. *TR

THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH BI-XENON AUTO LEVELING HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS IS BELOW ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE ENCOUNTERED ON THE ROAD. CARS THAT ARE OVER 20 YEARS OLD HAVE BRIGHTER HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS AND IT HASN'T HELPED. LOOKING AT IT FURTHER, BROWN SCORCH MARKS ARE VISIBLE IN THE PROJECTOR WHEN THE HEADLIGHT IS ON. THE REAR OF THE PROJECTOR IS COMPLETELY BROWN AND BURNT. AT NIGHT, IT IS BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. AT THIS POINT I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LEAKING INSIDE OF THE GLASS, DISTORTING THE CONTACTS VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING GAS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000.

I'VE NOTICED SOME DARK TO LIGHT BROWN SMEARS OR SQUIGGLY LINES ON MY REARVIEW MIRROR. I TRIED TO CLEAN IT WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE FAULT IS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH THE MIRROR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY IT ISN'T COVERED YET THE PART CAN COST UP TO $700.00 WITHOUT LABOR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE AUTO DIMMING FLUID LEAKING/FAILING IN THE MIRROR. I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY CURRENTLY HAVE NO PLANS TO RECALL THE PART. I'M DISMAYED BECAUSE I HAVE A CHEVY TRUCK WITH AN AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR THAT IS MUCH OLDER THAN THE CAR THAT DOESN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AS THE ABILITY TO SEE WITH THE REARVIEW MIRROR IS DEFINITELY AN ISSUE. I'VE READ ON FORUMS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ONLY THEIRS IS WORSE BECAUSE THE FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT OF THE MIRROR AND PROCEEDED TO EAT THROUGH ANY PART OF THE INTERIOR THAT IT DRIPS ON. DOESN'T THAT MAKE THIS A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD AS WELL SINCE THE AUTO DIMMING FLUID IS OBVIOUSLY SOME TYPE OF ACID WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE A FIRE IF IT HITS ANY WIRING? I HOPE THAT SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THIS AS I'VE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH BMW. THANKS! *TR

MY CAR IS SUBJECT TO RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 11V-438: LAMPS IN REAR QUARTER PANEL. I HAD THIS REPAIRED ON 10/28/11 AT MURRAY MOTORS IN GLENDALE COLORADO. THE INVOICE # IS[XXX] AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR IS [XXX] (303-759-4646). I CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE DOCUMENTATION. I HAD THIS REPAIR DONE AT AN AUTHORIZED BMW CENTER, SUBMITTED THE INVOICE DETAILING THE COST AND NATURE OF THE REPAIR TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS IN WESTWOOD, NJ VIA US MAIL, AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY IT. I RECEIVED ONLY A PHONE CALL FROM "[XXX]" AT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAYING THAT THEY WON'T PAY IT. IT IS DISAPPOINTING THAT BMW REFUSES TO ABIDE BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE IN GETTING BMW TO ABIDE BY FEDERAL LAW. THANKS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY BMW 325I XENON HEADLIGHT BOWLS HAD MELTED AND DIMMED TOA DANGEROUS POINT, THEY ARE ALL ORIGINAL AND UNALTERED. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES WHEN WE WERE ALERTED BY THE FIRE ALARM IN OUR CONDO BUILDING. UPON EVACUATING THE BUILDING, WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR 2004 BMW 325I WAS ON FIRE. WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN ANY SPECIFIC CAUSE FOR THE FIRE, EXCEPT THAT IT WAS PROBABLY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. SPECIAL AGENTS FROM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WERE ALSO CALLED IN, WHO, IN TURN, CALLED IN TWO MORE EXPERTS. EVIDENCE WAS BAGGED AND THE CAR WAS SHRINK WRAPPED TO BE TAKEN TO A LOT WITH AT LEAST THREE OTHER BMW'S WHICH HAD ALSO CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING THINGS TO EVER HAPPEN TO US. WE ARE POSTING THIS HOPING IT CAN HELP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO ATTENTION OF NHTSA THAT MY CAR'S REAR COIL SPRINGS CRACKED DUE TO RUST. I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT IT WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR OIL CHANGE AT BRIDGEWATER NJ BMW DEALERSHIP. I GOT THE PART REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS THE DEALER'S QUOTE WAS WAY HIGH. I HAVE THE REMOVED PART IF NHTSA WANT?S FOR ANALYSIS. I HAVE DONE SOME ONLINE SEARCH ON THIS ISSUE AND FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO KIND OF PAINT AND COATING BEING USED FOR THE SPRINGS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A QUALITY OF WORKMANSHIP ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY A RECALL AND REQUEST NHTSA TO URGE BMW NA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE COMPONENT IN QUESTION AS IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. *TR

BOUGHT MY BMW BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER ABOUT 5 YEARS OF HAVING MY CAR, I NOTICED THAT MY XENON HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT SHINING AS BRIGHT AS THEY USUALLY DID. HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT IN ORDER TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER HAVING ONLY ONE HEADLIGHT REPLACED DUE TO COST. HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN A DASH WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATES NO HIGH BEAMS. HAD LIGHTS CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE HIGH BEAM WAS NOT GETTING POWER IN THE LIGHT THAT WAS REPLACED DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS WAS A BRAND NEW HEADLIGHT WITH WIRING HARNESS. AFTER HAVING OTHER LIGHT CHECKED, IT WAS FOUND THAT ALL THE WIRES IN THE LIGHT HAD DRY ROTTED AND ALL THE PROTECTIVE COVERING HAD JUST ABOUT COME OFF THE WIRES OBVIOUSLY DUE TO THE HEAT THAT IS GENERATED BY THE XENON LIGHT. CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA REGARDING THE MATTER AND GOT NO RESOLUTION DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS CLEARING A DEFEAT IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT'S WIRING. HAVE HAD THE IGNITER, BALLAST AND CONTROL BOX CHECKED BY SWITCHING IT OUT WITH THE NEW HEADLIGHT PARTS AND THE UNREPLACED HEADLIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED DIM AS IT DID BEFORE SWITCHING OUT THE PART. *TR

THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED FROM THE FACTORY WITH BI-XENON AUTO LEVELING HEADLIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY ZKW. THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS, THE LIGHT OUTPUT HAS STEADILY DECREASED. LOOKING AT IT FURTHER, BROWN SCORCH MARKS ARE VISIBLE IN THE PROJECTOR WHEN THE HEADLIGHT IS ON. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THERE IS ALSO DISTORTION IN THE UPPER HALF OF THE PROJECTOR WHICH LOOKS ALMOST AS IF THE TOP HALF OF THE PROJECTOR HAS MELTED AND DISTORTED. THE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE PROJECTORS HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A THIN BEAM OF LIGHT RIGHT BELOW THE CUTOFF, WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE BEING WORSE THAN THE PASSENGER. PARKED 6 FEET AWAY FROM A WALL, THIS STRIP OF LIGHT EXTENDS ONLY ABOUT 8-12" BELOW THE CUTOFF, PUTTING OUT VIRTUALLY NO LIGHT BELOW THAT. AT NIGHT, IT IS BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH NO LIGHT IN THE FOREGROUND; THIS PROBLEM IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. *TR

THE BI-XENON ZKW LIGHTS KEPT GETTING DIMMER AND DIMMER. BULB REPLACEMENT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE FOUND OUT THAT THE ZKW PROJECTOR BOWLS HAVE BURNED UP AND DO NOT PROVIDE ANY REFLECTION FOR THE LIGHT OUTPUT ANYMORE. DRIVING AT NIGHT AT THIS POINT WITH LIGHTS ON IS ALMOST LIKE DRIVING WITH THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FAILED AS THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THE BI-XENON ZKW LIGHTS KEPT GETTING DIMMER AND DIMMER. BULB REPLACEMENT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WHEN LOOKED INTO THE ISSUE FOUND OUT THAT THE ZKW PROJECTOR BOWLS HAVE BURNED UP AND DO NOT PROVIDE ANY REFLECTION FOR THE LIGHT OUTPUT ANYMORE. DRIVING AT NIGHT AT THIS POINT WITH LIGHTS ON IS ALMOST LIKE DRIVING WITH THE LIGHTS TURNED OFF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE ENGINE AND WATER WAS ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF $10,000. THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ALSO FAILED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000: (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

DURING A MASSIVE RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS, RADIO AND CENTRAL LOOKING SYSTEM STOP FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. LOOKS LIKE GENERAL MODULE 5 HAS FAILED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE GROUND WIRE IN THE ELECTRICAL PANEL HAD SHORTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO INFORMED THE CONTACT IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 10/04/11 *BF UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN

REAR TURN-SIGNAL INDICATORS BEGAN FAILING TO OPERATE, ESPECIALLY IN HOT, HUMID CONDITIONS. INSPECTION OF WIRING HARNESS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WIRING-CONNECTION DEGRADATION BY HEAT OR CORROSION. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DAMAGED OR FLOODED IN ANY WAY. IT IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. SINCE BOTH REAR BLINKER ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, I BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGN OR ENGINEERING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF TURN SIGNALS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ON REMEDYING THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

BOTH TAILLIGHTS HAVE BEEN OUT DUE TO CORROSION IN THE 8 PIN CONNECTOR. THIS HAS PREVENTED THE SIGNAL AND OCCASIONALLY THE BRAKE LIGHT TO WORK. WHILE MAKING HIGHWAY TURNS I HAVE COME CLOSE TO ACCIDENTS NUMEROUS TIMES. I CANNOT MAKE A TURN WITHOUT TAKING MY EYES OFF THE ROAD. THE BULB WARNING IS ALSO ON DISPLAY ON THE DASH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS WET AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO RAINY CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE VAPOR BARRIER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

2004 BMW 325I - SAFETY DEFECT. REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING, MISSING ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE TO AVOID BURNING BULB CARRIER. BMW SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN ISSUED 2/2007 REVEALS BMW WAS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND FAILED TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS. PURCHASED CAR CPO IN MARCH 2007 AND WAS NOT TOLD. REPLACED SEVERAL TAILLIGHT BULBS DUE TO INTERMITTENT FALSE INDICATOR LIGHTS. FINALLY IN 2011, 1 YEAR AFTER CAR CAME OUT OF WARRANTY...REMOVED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE BULB CARRIER AND FOUND IT TO BE MELTING. CONTACTED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT COULD DEFINITELY START A FIRE IF LEFT TOO LONG. BMW DEALER ALSO STATED THIS IS A DEFECT ON CARS PRODUCED FROM 2001 TO 2005. AFTER DOING RESEARCH FOUND THAT BMW HAS USED FAULTY WIRING AND THERE IS A ADDITIONAL GROUND WIRE NEEDED TO FIX. NEEDLESS TO SAY , HAD TO PAY 300.00 TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND AND REPAIR. *KB

TAIL LIGHT WORKING INTERMITTENTLY IN BMW 2004 325 4 DOOR SEDAN. *TR

TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS HAVE SHORTED OUT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE 2 TIMES EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED. HAPPENS TO BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR, BUT ONLY IN THE REAR. IT KEEPS BURNING THROUGH THE PLUG / CONNECTOR AND SHORTING OUT. *TR

JUST PAID $419.53 FOR REPAIR ON MY 2004 BMW 3 SERIES FOR TAIL LAMP CONNECTIONS AND GROUNDS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN NUMBER EA09-019. PLEASE INCLUDE ME AND INFORM ME WHEN I CAN SUBMIT PAID BILL, AS I WAS TERRIFIED WHILE DRIVING IN FL ON TURNPIKE WHEN A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD SHOWED MY REAR BRAKES WERE FAILING. I IMMEDIATELY FOUND FIELDS BMW JIN WINTER PARK FL AND BROUGHT IT THERE. THEY WERE AWARE OF DEFECT AND TOLD ME THAT THEIR FIX WOULD INCLUDE GROUNDING OTHER REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO PREVENT OTHER SIDE FROM FAILURE. THANK YOU *TR

THE TAIL / BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2004 BMW 325I WERE MELTING. THE DEALER CHARGED ME CLOSE TO $800 TO REPLACE THEM. ALTHOUGH I REPORTED THE PROBLEM BEFORE, I DID SO BEFORE KNOWING ABOUT THE $800 PRICE TAG TO FIX THE ISSUE. BMW SHOULD PAY FOR THIS DEFECTIVE (POORLY ENGINEERED) SAFETY COMPONENT. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH OF 'AN INVESTIGATION' FROM THE NHTSA TO MAKE BMW ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. *TR

3 OF THE 4 CAR DOORS HAVE LOCKED UP AND CANNOT BE OPENED ELECTRICALLY OR MECHANICALLY FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND/OR FIRE, THREE OF THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS WOULD BE TRAPPED INSIDE. *TR

MY 2004 BMW 325I REAR LEFT LIGHTS GO OUT EVEN WHEN THE LIGHT BULBS ARE GOOD. I CANNOT SIGNAL OTHER DRIVERS WHEN I NEED TO CHANGE LANES. PROBLEM STARTED SEPTEMBER 2010. STARTED TO OCCUR SPORADICALLY, BUT IT IS CONSTANT NOW. DASH INDICATOR SHOWS INCORRECTLY THAT BULBS ARE BROKEN. *TR

DOCUMENTED FAILURE OF 2004 BMW 325I REAR BRAKE LIGHT, PARKING LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY. OCCURRED ON MY PERSONAL BMW ON OR ABOUT 6/2010. OCCURS SPORADICALLY, RESULTING IN TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL THREE LIGHTS ON LEFT SIDE AND ALSO RIGHT SIDE. DASH INDICATOR SHOWS THAT BULBS ARE OUT BUT BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *TR

OFTEN, THE DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK ON OUR 2004 BMW 325I SEDAN, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE CONSISTENTLY LOCKABLE. THIS INCLUDES USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB, THE CENTRAL CONSOLE UNLOCK BUTTON AND ALSO MANUALLY PULLING THE DOOR LATCHES FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS MEANS THAT ONLY BY BREAKING A WINDOW WILL WE BE ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. REPEATEDLY TOGGLING THE UNLOCK BUTTONS WILL EVENTUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS, BUT SOMETIMES ONLY AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. WE JUST FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BMW'S GM5 MODULE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT. A POPULAR WEBSITE THAT EXPLAINS THE PROBLEM IN MORE DETAIL IS HTTP://WWW.BMWGM5.COM/. NOW WE ARE FACED WITH A COSTLY REPAIR IF WE WANT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER. *TR

REAR TAILLIGHT,BRAKELIGHT CONNECTOR HAS MELTED CAUSING BRAKELIGHT NOT TO WORK. *TR

I HAVE A MAJOR BMW PROBLEM. IT CURRENTLY HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN # SI B 63 03 06 LIGHTS BUT BMW WILL NOT FIX THIS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS WHEN MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET FULL SERVICES. I WANT A FORMAL INVESTIGATION. *TR

2004 BMW 325I TAIL LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON AND OFF. BMW DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED THE CAR TO HAVE A FAULTY GROUND WIRE - BMW S IB (SERVICE BULLETIN) 63 03 06 WHICH PREVENTS THE TAIL LIGHTS FROM WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY (RIGHT SIDE). DASH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES. ALL LIGHTS IN ASSY. WORK. REMOVE TAIL LIGHT ASSY, SCREW ALL BULBS OUT AND IN, REPLACE PLUG AND WARNING LIGHT IS OUT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY WAS INFORMED OF A SILL THAT APPLIED ONLY IF WIRING OR PLASTIC ASSY WAS OBVIOUSLY DAMAGED! FAULT OCCURS RANDOMLY AT VARIOUS INTERVALS FROM WEEKLY TO MONTHLY.. *TR

AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS DEFECTIVE LIGHT BULBS (ONE FROM TWO DIFFERENT SETS FAILED WHEN ONE SET WAS INSTALLED FOR MY TURN SIGNAL AND THE OTHER FROM MY BRAKE LIGHTS), BUT AS I BEGAN TO DO MORE RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING AN ISSUE SIMILAR TO MINE. THEY REPORTED THAT THERE SEEMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT WOULD CAUSE CORROSION AND A LOOSE CONNECTION. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK MY CAR OUT AS WELL AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD AFFLICTED MY VEHICLE AS WELL. I THEN FOLLOWED THE LINK TO THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY BMW, AND THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS JUST AS THEY HAVE DESCRIBED. ONE OF THE 8-PIN REAR LAMP CONNECTORS HAS MELTED CAUSING A LOOSE CONNECTION AND MY CAR CONTINUING TO TELL ME THAT I HAVE A DEAD BULB, WHEN IN FACT IT IS THE CONNECTION. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 BMW 325I. THE REAR INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THE LIGHT WAS OUT. THE LIGHT WAS NOT OUT. I HAD TO GET A STATE INSPECTION AS I LIVE IN VIRGINIA. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PASS MY CAR DUE TO THE DASHBOARD INDICATOR BEING ON. THE ESTIMATE WAS $367. I DECLINED THE WORK AND TRIED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG ON MY OWN. I DISCOVERED YOU ALL STARTED AN INVESTIGATION ON 4/9/09 ON THIS ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND INTERNAL DOCUMENTS FROM BMW ON THE WEB DESCRIBING THE "DEFECT". THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH GROUNDING WIRES AND IT CAUSES MELTING AND CORROSION. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ARE RIPPING OF THE PUBLIC FOR ROUGHLY $350 TO $400 A TAIL LIGHT TO FIX THE DEFECT. THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE A PART NUMBER FOR THE EXTRA GROUND WIRE. THE SAY IN THEIR DOCUMENT TO PURCHASE "BROWN WIRE" FROM A LOCAL SOURCE AND CHARGE $1 TO $2 FOR IT. I HAVE LOOKED INSIDE MY TAIL LIGHT AND IT IS MELTING IN SPOTS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT A FIRE AND FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY HAVE ADMITTED A DEFECT. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. HERE IS THE DOCUMENT HTTP://WWW.BMWTIS.COM/TSB/BULLETINS/BULLETIN_GRAPHIC_TEMP/B630306G.HTM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAULTY LAMP WARNING INDICATOR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE REAR OF THE LAMP HARNESS FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING HAD A FAULTY GROUND IN THE CONNECTOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRES COULD NOT TAKE THE HEAT DISTRIBUTION, WHICH CAUSED THE WIRES TO FRY INSIDE THE CONNECTOR. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS AND REAR LAMPS TO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS PERTAINING TO THE ISSUES (NHTSA ITEM NUMBERS 10025585 AND 10020856). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON 2004 BMW 325I 4-DOOR SEDAN WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, NO IMPACT TO CAR, WHEELS, OR ANYTHING. TRAVELING ABOUT 38 MPH. *TR

I OWN A 2004 BMW 325I AND MY REARVIEW MIRROR WITH AN AUTODIMMING FEATURE LEAKED ONTO MY CENTER CONSOLE AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF MIRROR FAILURE BEFORE I NOTICED THE BROKEN MIRROR AND SPOTS ON THE SEAT AND CONSOLE. THE FLUID ACTUALLY BUBBLED UP AND ATE THROUGH MY CONSOLE AND CUP HOLDERS AND LEFT PERMANENT STAINS ON THE SEAT. THE DEALER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SO IS MAGNA DONNELLY AS IT HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS CARS AS CAN BE SEEN MY TALKING TO BMW, ACURA, MAGNA DONNELLY AND INTERNET FORUMS. WE SPOKE BOTH TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND BMW CORPORATE AND MAGNA DONNELLY AND WHILE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT MY MIRROR LEAKED AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO FIX IT. I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE MIRROR BECAUSE MY CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE WITHOUT IT, HOWEVER, THEY ALSO INDICATED I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE IT WITH AN IDENTICAL MIRROR WHICH MAY LEAK IN THE FUTURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE. THE CONTACT CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT CAN BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CENTRAL CONTROLLERS FOR THE DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST EXCEEDED $1,000. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT OFFERED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE DOORS ARE LOCKED, ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE CAN BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY OR SWITCH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER AND REAR DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. SOON AFTER, THE DOORS WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY. UPDATED

SPEEDOMETER READING OFF BY ~5 MILES PER HOUR - GIVE OR TAKE. TWICE REQUESTED DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT BMW ALLOWS FOR A +/ - 10 MPH DISCREPANCY. THIS SPEED VARIANCE OR INEXACT SPEED INFORMATION COULD MISLEAD DRIVERS AS TO THE APPROPRIATE SPEED IN ICY OR RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AS WELL AS OTHER INSTANCES WHERE SPEED NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. DEFECT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AS MIGHT VIOLATE VARIOUS STATE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS AS WELL. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELARATED WITHOUT EFFORT. THERE WAS EMERGENCY BRAKING WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A CONCRETE SUPPORT PARKING STRUCTURE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST CONTINUED OVER THE EDGE OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE WHICH WAS TWO STORIES ABOVE THE GROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN HOME THE REAR ABS BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE BRAKES LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. DURING THIS PERIOD, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS EXAMINED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT A CHARGE BEFORE THE BRAKES CHIP CAN BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL CODE IN THE COMPUTER.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THE BRAKES ID NOT COMPLETELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS MORE PREVALENT WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT. WHILE BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE WILL SLOWLY ROLL. THIS DEFECT IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL CONCERNING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK

THE OE BRIDEGSTONE TURANZA ER30 TIRES ON MY 2004 BMW 325I ARE DEFECTIVE ON THE SIDEWALLS. THE SIDEWALLS ARE WAY TOO WEAK TO BE PUT ON THE ROAD. MY SIDEWALLS HAVE A BUBBLE AFTER 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT MY NEW CAR. THIS IS INCREDIBLY A RIPOFF SINCE IF IT CAN'T EVEN LAST A YEAR, THEN IT SHOULD ONLY BE MADE FOR TOYS.

SAND COLOR STRIP THAT MEETS THE DASHBOARD IS IN CONSUMER'S LINE OF VISION.*MR THE CONSUMER LIVES IN AN AREA WHERE THE TEMPERATURE IS HOT THEREFORE DECIDED TO PURCHASE HER VEHICLE WITH SAND LEATHER INTERIOR BECAUSE IT WOULD BE COOLER. THE CONSUMER LIKES THE INTERIOR BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE DASHBOARD IS BLACK WITH A SAND COLORED STRIP THAT MEETS WITH THE BLACK DASH. THE TWO COLORS CAUSE A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH RESULTS IN POOR VISIBILITY. DURING BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SUGGESTED THAT THEY REPLACE THE DASHBOARD AND THE STRIP TO ALL BLACK OR ALL SAND. *NM