Page 2 of 3 · complaints 51–100 of 112

2000 BMW 328i complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2000 record →

Electrical System
Filed Jan 4, 201170,000 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES/HR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED HAVING ISSUES: TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK ON DASHBOARD (WORKING OUTSIDE), TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WHILE ENGINE IS ON (CAR IS STOPPED IN NEUTRAL), ON STARTING THE CAR SOMETIMES AC WILL NOT WORK, AND IF CAR IS STARTED WITH A DOOR OPEN, OPEN DOOR DISPLAY WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR. BMW DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT LIGHT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WOULD COST $575 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. *TR

Visibility
Filed Jan 4, 201165,000 milesFL

ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOME OF THEM WERE MAKING NOISE (FOUND BROKEN PIECES INSIDE DURING REPAIR) AND SOME WINDOWS GOT STUCK HALF OPEN. DEALER ESTIMATED $600/- PER WINDOW TO REPLACE THE REGULATORS. I HAD IT FIXED OUTSIDE FOR $250/- PER WINDOW, TOTAL COST $1000/-. DEALER INDICATED THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE OF TEXAS HOT WEATHER. I GUESS WE NEED TO KEEP THE CAR IN AIR CONDITION. THIS PART IS FAULTY AND BMW SHOULD RECALL IT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 4, 201165,000 milesFL

TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE HAS ALL LIGHTS LIT-UP EXCEPT THE DRIVE THOUGH DASHBOARD HAS D LIT UP. I KNOW I AM IN DRIVE MODE. NO PROBLEM DRIVING THE CAR. IT IS VERY CONFUSING AND DEFINITELY VERY CONCERNING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 17, 2010149,000 milesCT

THIS MORNING I WENT TO BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE IN MY 2000 328I BMW AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE...NOTHING HAPPENED, IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE WOULD REV UP WHILE APPLYING GAS PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, GOT A RIDE TO WORK AND RETURNED 8 HOURS LATER. MY SON HELPED ME PUSH IT INTO STREET BECAUSE DRIVE STILL WORKED. I DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK THEN PULLED IN FRONT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO PUSH IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND TRIED REVERSE.......AMAZINGLY REVERSE WORKED. I LOOKED-UP THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN NJ IN 2008, CASE 2:07-CV-05755-DMC-MF. APPARENTLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jul 23, 2010152,630 milesCA

MY 2000 BMW 328I BRACKET WHICH CONNECTS THE BELT THAT HOLDS THE MY GAS TANK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND A RESIDENTIAL STREET. I HEARD A NOISE AND STOP. THE BRACKET CONNECTED TO THE RIGHT INSIDE SHEET METAL WAS MISSING. THE BELT WAS DRAGGING AND MY TANK DROP A FEW INCHES. BMW WHICH NO LONGER MAKES THE PART QUOTED ME $1.800 AND SAID THEY HAVE HAD 3 SIMILAR INSTANCES. THE REPAIR REQUIRES WIELDING; REMOVAL OF GAS TANK; BACK SEAT AND RUG. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND HE HAS ENCOURAGE ME TO WRITE THIS LETTER. HE FEELS THIS IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 29, 2010124,000 milesAR

I HAVE OWN MY 2000 328I SINCE 2000 WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW FROM BMW OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS. ON LAST WEEK WHEN PICKING UP MY SON FROM DAYCARE I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT PF A PARKING SPACE AND IT IGNORED THE GEAR SHIFT TO REVERSE. I THOUGH IT WAS ME ANT PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND TRIED REVERSE AGAIN ONLY TO GET NOTHING. I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT WORKED, I PUT T THROUGH ALL THE OTHER GEARS AND THEY APPEAR TO WORK, BUT NOTHING IN REVERSE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BEGAN AGAIN FROM START UP PUT IT IN DRIVE AND DROVE A BIT AND THEN BACK TO REVERSE AND IT REVERSED. NO PROBLEMS AGAIN UNTIL A WEEK LATER AND ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NO REVERSE EXCEPT THIS TIME I CAN'T PUT IT IN DRIVE AND DRIVE FOR A BIT BECAUSE IT IS STUCK IN THE GARAGE WITH NO DISTANCE TO GO OTHER THAN BACKING OUT. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB AND SEE THAT THIS IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM AND THAT SO MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME THING. BMW REALLY NEEDS TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS REALLY NOT "CUSTOMER SERVICE" AS THEY REALLY DO NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN GIVE YOU A BIG FAT REPAIR ESTIMATE. PLEASE HELP !! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 17, 2010CA

2000 BMW 328I (E46) DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN TEMPERATURE RISES (WEATHER GETS HOT) AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THE MG5 OR MODULE MUST BE CHANGED AND REPROGRAMMED BY BMW DEALER. THE RELAYS ON THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE WHOLE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. BMW SAYS THE WHOLE JOB WILL COST AROUND $800.00 DOLLARS. THE RELAYS ARE $14.00 DOLLARS EACH AND THEY TEND TO GO BAD VERY OFTEN. A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CREATED BY A KIND PERSON THAT DOES HELP PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM TO LESSEN THE COST OF FIXING THE PROBLEM BY HAVING SOLDERING WORK ON THE MODULE BOARD WHICH REQUIRES LOTS OF SKILLS TO DO SO. I AM COMPLAINING THAT BMW SHOULD REPLACE ALL MODULES THAT DO GIVE THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED OVER. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A FAULT ON BMW'S END. WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE RISES THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK BY USING THE REMORE THEREFORE CUSTOMER CAN NOT GET INTO CAR AND SOMETIMES PASSENGERS HAVE TO CLIMB INTO CAR FROM THE WINDOW. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 16, 2010143,300 milesAZ

HAVE A 2000 BMW 328I. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING A FEW WEEKS AGO. WHEN I DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, I GET TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT THAT COMES ON. AS EXPLAINED IN THE MANUAL, I STOP, TURN CAR OFF FOR 30 SECONDS THEN RESTART AND IT GOES OUT. THEN LAST WEEK AFTER DRIVING HOME, WHEN I WENT TO GARAGE TO GO BACK OUT, THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE. I PUSHED IT OUT OF GARAGE AND IT DRIVES FORWARD FINE. AFTER A MILE OR 2 I PULLED OVER AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE. NOT HAPPENING ALL OF THE TIME, IT'S HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN PAST 5 DAYS. HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICE OR ANYTHING YET. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 4, 2009118,713 milesAL

NO REVERSE ON 2000 BMW 328I. WENT TO GET THE OIL CHANGED AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND LET OFF THE BRAKE THEN GAVE IT GAS TO PULL OUT AND INSTEAD ROLLED FOREWORD AND BUMPED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 2009930,000 milesCA

2000 BMW 328I TRANSMISSION WON'T GO INTO REVERSE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 11, 200967,000 milesMI

DRIVING ON FREEWAY ~75 MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLS (COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER)

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 10, 2009131,100 milesCA

MY 2000 BMW 328I WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FLAW WITH THE BMW'S AS LISTED ON THE NOREVERSE.ORG SITE. BMW REFUSES TO RECALL THE TRANNY. NO REVERSE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I PERSONALLY FELL DOWN TRYING TO PUSH MY CAR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 2009187,286 milesTN

PLAIN AND SIMPLE, SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE HAVING! THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF ARE LOSING THE REVERSE GEAR AND FACING $5000 PLUS IN REPAIRS. YOU CAN FIND WEBSITE AFTER WEBSITE AND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING HARD ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AS IT IS, THEN GETTING SLAPPED IN THE FACE BY RIDICULOUS REPAIR COST FROM BMW. THIS IS AN INJUSTICE TO ALL THOSE WHO TRUSTED IN BMW TO DELIVER THE QUALITY PRODUCT THEY BOAST ABOUT! THINK OF IT THIS WAY, YOUR WIFE OR DAUGHTER IS STUCK IN A DARK PARKING LOT AND CAN'T MOVE HER CAR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WON'T GO INTO REVERSE. NOW SHE HAS TO SIT AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME TO HER RESCUE. NOW HERE'S THE KICKER, ITS IN A BAD LOCATION AND HER SAFETY IS THREATENED! HMM, WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN NICE IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OFF THEIR BUTTS AND DONE SOMETHING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? THINK ABOUT IT.......THEN PASS IT ALONG TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP US INNOCENT VICTIMS!! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 2009187,286 milesTN

PLAIN AND SIMPLE, SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE HAVING! THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF ARE LOSING THE REVERSE GEAR AND FACING $5000 PLUS IN REPAIRS. YOU CAN FIND WEBSITE AFTER WEBSITE AND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE FACING HARD ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AS IT IS, THEN GETTING SLAPPED IN THE FACE BY RIDICULOUS REPAIR COST FROM BMW. THIS IS AN INJUSTICE TO ALL THOSE WHO TRUSTED IN BMW TO DELIVER THE QUALITY PRODUCT THEY BOAST ABOUT! THINK OF IT THIS WAY, YOUR WIFE OR DAUGHTER IS STUCK IN A DARK PARKING LOT AND CAN'T MOVE HER CAR BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WON'T GO INTO REVERSE. NOW SHE HAS TO SIT AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME TO HER RESCUE. NOW HERE'S THE KICKER, ITS IN A BAD LOCATION AND HER SAFETY IS THREATENED! HMM, WOULDN'T IT HAVE BEEN NICE IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OFF THEIR BUTTS AND DONE SOMETHING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? THINK ABOUT IT.......THEN PASS IT ALONG TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP US INNOCENT VICTIMS!! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 9, 2009101,901 milesCA

MY 2000 BMW 328I REVERSE GEAR JUST WENT OUT. WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK UP THERE IS NO POWER. I REV THE ENGINE AND IT DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. I HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPOT TODAY. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR OF BMW CARS. THE SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH RUNS 4-7 THOUSAND DOLLARS, RIDICULOUS. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 29, 2009108,000 miles00

REAR SUB FRAME MOUNTING POINTS ARE TEARING THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND A RESULT OF INSUFFICIENT STRUCTURAL SUPPORT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 26, 2009132,472 milesCA

NONE, NO ACCIDENTS. A FEW DAYS AGO MY CAR DID NOT GO INTO REVERSE IN THE MORNING AND I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS TO COLD OR MAYBE I PUT IT IN REVERSE TOO SOON. SO I TRIED SWITCHING THE GEAR INTO PARK OR IN DRIVE AND BACK TO REVERSE AND NOTHING. I EVEN RESTARTED THE CAR AND STILL NO REVERSE. SO I JUST SAT THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED AGAIN AND IT REVERSED VERY VERY SLOW EVEN WHEN I TAPPED THE GAS. ANYWAY, SO CAR HAD BEEN GOING INTO REVERSE FINE UNTIL THIS EVENING. I HAD MADE A MORNING TRIP AND AN AFTERNOON TRIP AND REVERSE WAS WORKING BUT THIS EVENING I GOT IN MY CAR AS USUAL AND PUT MY 00' BMW 328I INTO REVERSE AND NOTHING. I CAN'T EVEN FEEL THE GEAR SWITCHING LIKE USUAL BUT ALL OTHER GEARS ARE WORKING. I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS SO BMW HAS HAD TO HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME NOW CONSIDERING THAT MOST COMPLAINTS COME FROM BMW CARS THAT WERE MADE IN 99' AND UP. QUESTION IS, WHEN IS BMW GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. IF IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM LIKE SO MANY OTHERS IT WOULD COSTS THE BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR MY CAR JUST TO FIX AND ITS NOT WORTH IT. MY FIRST BMW AND PROBABLY MY LAST IF "BMW" DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AS THEY SHOULD! I MEAN IF MY REVERSE GOES OUT WHAT'S NEXT TO GO? I AM KIND OF AFRAID TO DRIVE NOW. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 19, 200873,000 milesTN

REVERSE DOES NOT WORK; THIS IS INTERMITTENT. IT IS NOT CONSISTENT AND THE BMW DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET, I PRINTED OUT INFORMATION FROM ONE SITE AND GOT 98 PAGES OF RESULTS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 24, 2008127,999 milesKS

THE REVERSE ON MY 328I SERIES BMW WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT CAME BACK ON A DAY LATER AFTER HAVING TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. IT HAS SINCE GONE OUT AGAIN WITH NO WARNING. AFTER RESEARCHING REASONS WHY ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER BMW OWNERS WITH A 2000 328I SERIES. BMW DOES NOT CLAIM ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN UPDATED. THE ONLY RECOURSE FOR THE BMW OWNERS IS TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REBUILT OR A NEW ONE PUT IN AT A VERY HUGE COST, OFTEN TIMES MORE THAN THE CAR IS EVEN WORTH. BUT YOU CANNOT SELL A CAR WITHOUT REVERSE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING DESIGNED PART. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS SAME FRUSTRATION AND EXPENSE. I WAS TOLD THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL DO NOTHING AND DOESN'T EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM ON THEIR PART. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN ISSUE. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE? *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 12, 200892,000 milesWA

COMMON FAILURE ON 2000 BMW 3 SERIES CARS: THE REAR SUBFRAME TEARS AWAY FROM UNIBODY. I JUST RECEIVED A REPORT FROM THE DEALER THAT MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED BY BMW AS A DEFECT IN THE MATERIALS BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY COVERED BY BMW. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION AND WILL REQUIRE UPWARDS OF $5000 IN REPAIR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 17, 2008112,000 milesMD

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2000 328I BMW WITH 112,000 MILES. I AM VERY METICULOUS ABOUT THE CARE OF MY CAR. MY CAR LOOKS AND RUNS EXCELLENT. LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF A BMW, I ALSO SUDDENLY LOSS THE REVERSE GEAR AFTER ARRIVING TO WORK ONE EVENING RECENTLY. MY VEHICLE NEVER SHOWED ANY SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION TROUBLE. THE VEHICLE GOT GOOD GAS MILEAGE AND NEVER SLIPPED. LATER THE NEXT DAY, THE REVERSE GEAR IN THE CAR WORKED FINE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE MECHANIC ON DUTY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE. AFTER TALKING WITH THE MECHANIC, HE AGREED TO KEEP THE CAR FOR THE DAY AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I GOT A TELEPHONE CALL FROM THE MECHANIC TELLING ME I NEEDED TRANSMISSION WORK. HE SAID THE REVERSE GEAR WENT OUT ALONG WITH 5TH GEAR. THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE WAS $1,400.00 BUT AFTER THEY PULLED THE TRANSMISSION OUT THE CAR, THEY REALIZED THE TRANSMISSION WAS MADE IN FRANCE. THE NEXT ESTIMATE WAS FOR $6,300.00 DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING MADE BY GENERAL MOTORS FRANCE.(ZF5HP19 ) AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS TRANSMISSION HAS THE SAME COMPLAINT BY MANY OTHER PEOPLE. THE REVERSE GEAR GOES OUT WITH NO WARNING AND WILL OCCASIONALLY WORK BUT WILL CONTINUE TO NOT WORK. THE BMW DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS BMW NORTH AMERICA. THE FACTORY HAS RELEASED AN UPDATED PART THAT SO FAR APPEARS TO BE A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE ZF5HP19. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 26, 2008128,524 milesLA

NO REVERSE IN MY BMW!!!! I AM THE 2ND OWNER OF A 2000 BMW 328I. WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, THE PREVIOUS OWNER SUPPLIED ME WITH ALL BMW DEALER MAINTENANCE/SERVICE RECORDS. AS THE 2ND OWNER, I NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR REPAIRS. ONLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. MY CAR LOOKS AND RAN IMMACULATELY UNTIL, OUT OF THE BLUE, MY CAR REFUSED TO GO INTO REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A DEPARTMENT STORE. AFTER SHOPPING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE...MY CAR WOULD MOVE INTO DRIVE JUST FINE BUT NO REVERSE. THERE WEREN'T ANY NOISES OR ANY WARNINGS THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PEAKE BMW OF KENNER, LA WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $5,854.90. BEFORE PUTTING MY CAR IN THE REPAIR SHOP, I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE BMW 3 SERIES YEARS 1999-2001. I ALSO LEARNED THAT DESPITE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS, BMW REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS AND WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE'S A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I'M TRULY APPALLED AT BMW'S LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY. IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE FAULTY GM 5L40E TRANSMISSION AS IT HAS FAILED IN OTHER MAKES OF CARS AS WELL LIKE CADILLAC. RIGHT NOW, I'M TRYING TO DECIDE IF I SHOULD ALLOW THE BMW DEALER TO REPAIR MY CAR OR TRY TO FIND AN AUTHORIZED BMW REPAIR SHOP THAT'LL HOPEFULLY SAVE ME A LITTLE MONEY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 200860,000 milesCA

TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 16, 2007CA

I OWN A 2000 BMW 328I. AROUND FEBRUARY 2007, I PARKED THE CAR IN A PARKING STALL. WHEN I RETURNED, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE STALL. SINCE THEN, THE CAR EITHER HESITATES TO REVERSE OR COMPLETELY FAILS TO GO IN REVERSE ABOUT HALF THE TIME I DRIVE IT. MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I AM ABOUT TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,000. I DISCOVERED TODAY THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD IN CIRCA 2000 BMW 3 SERIES CARS. ONE WEBSITE I FOUND CONTAINING OVER ONE HUNDRED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IS: WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML. THERE IS APPARENTLY A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. BMW N.A. DENIES ANY PROBLEM, DESPITE THE FACT THEY DISCONTINUED USE OF THE PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IN LATER MODELS. I AM INFORMED THAT IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP. THE DANGER IS OBVIOUS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed May 4, 200751,500 milesIL

I HAD BEEN HEARING A NOISE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE CLUTCH, I TOOK THE CAR INTO A BMW-APPROVED BODY SHOP AND THEY POINTED OUT THE FLAW IN THE SUBFRAME AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND HOW THE METAL HAD TORN DUE TO STRESS. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 21, 200785,000 milesCA

MY 2000 BMW 328I WITH 85000 MILES WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE ANYMORE. A SEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM AT CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM SHOWED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR. HERE IS THE LINK. *AK HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML PLEASE NOTE THIS CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO BMW GUIDELINES AT EITHER A BMW DEALER OR A BMW SPECIALIST. ALSO THIS CAR IS DRIVEN BY ADULTS ONLY AND IN A GENTLE FASHION. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A RANDOM PROBLEM BASED UPON THE INTERNET SEARCHES I HAVE CONDUCTED. I'M QUITE SURE THERE ARE MANY MORE FOLKS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT REGESTERED A COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 13, 200752,000 milesKY

IN MAY '06 I PURCHASED MY (E46) 2000 BMW 328I. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER (I DON'T RECALL THE EXACT DATE) I NOTICED A SUBTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM THE REAR END. THINKING IT WAS NOTHING SERIOUS, I IGNORED IT FOR A WHILE AS MY LIFE WAS VERY BUSY AT THAT TIME. AFTER CONSULTING SOME VEHICLE-SAVVY FRIENDS AND A VISIT TO MOTORSPORTS OF LEXINGTON (THE PLACE TO GO IF YOU LIVE NEAR LEXINGTON, KY); THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SQUEAK AS IT WAS WINTER AND JUST MY LUCK, THE SQUEAK WAS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT THAT DAY. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IT BACK DURING WARMER WEATHER. SO TODAY 3/13/2007 (70 DEGREES AND SUNNY) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. TO MY UTTER DISMAY I WAS SHOWN THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH E46'S. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600-$1000. OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED THE DEALER (DON JACOBS BMW) HERE IN LEXINGTON, TO SEE IF MY POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SUCH DAMAGE. TO NO SURPRISE IT DOES NOT. HOWEVER, THE SHOCKING PART WAS THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR OTHER BMW OWNERS WHO MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM, I FOUND MANY WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AS WELL AS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFLOOR AND NOT JUST ON THE E46. THIS HAVING RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2005, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. I CAN SEND PICT

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 13, 200752,000 milesKY

IN MAY '06 I PURCHASED MY (E46) 2000 BMW 328I. A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SUBTLE SQUEAK COMING FROM THE REAR END. THINKING IT WAS NOTHING SERIOUS, I IGNORED IT FOR A WHILE AS MY LIFE WAS VERY BUSY AT THAT TIME. AFTER CONSULTING SOME VEHICLE-SAVVY FRIENDS AND A VISIT TO MOTORSPORTS OF LEXINGTON (THE PLACE TO GO IF YOU LIVE NEAR LEXINGTON, KY); THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SQUEAK AS IT WAS WINTER AND JUST MY LUCK, THE SQUEAK WAS ALMOST NON-EXISTENT THAT DAY. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IT BACK DURING WARMER WEATHER. SO TODAY (70 DEGREES AND SUNNY) I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. TO MY UTTER DISMAY I WAS SHOWN THAT THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS. THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH E46'S. TOTAL REPAIR COSTS WERE ESTIMATED BETWEEN $600-$1000. OUT OF CURIOSITY I VISITED THE DEALER (DON JACOBS BMW) TO SEE IF MY POWERTRAIN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED SUCH DAMAGE. TO NO SURPRISE IT DOES NOT. HOWEVER, THE SHOCKING PART WAS THAT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR OTHER BMW OWNERS WHO MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM, I FOUND MANY WHO HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AS WELL AS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SUBFLOOR AND NOT JUST ON THE E46. THIS HAVING RESULTED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2005, FROM WHAT I'VE READ, MANY PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 17, 200656,000 milesLA

RE. BMW 328I, YEAR 2000. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THIS IS "MORE THAN IT'S FAIR SHARE". THESE FAILURES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL OR TSB ON THIS? THANK YOU, SAM KELLER. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Nov 13, 200680,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. ON ONE OCCASION IT STALLED ON A COUNTERCLOCKWISE HIGHWAY ON RAMP. POWER STEERING ALSO SHUT OFF WHEN CAR'S ENGINE STOPPED. NEAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY STATES NO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 1, 2006112,000 milesMI

AT ABOUT 112K MILES I NOTICED A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATIONS AT THE POINT WHERE THE MOUNT WAS WELDED TO THE UNIBODY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS AT NORMAL INTERVALS. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THE REST IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS. IT IS A FAMILY CAR AND HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS PERIOD. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A BMW NA CPO WARRANTY THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO COVER ANY REPAIR COSTS ( ESTIMATED AT >3000 DOLLARS) BMW NA HAS IGNORED REPEATED REQUESTS FROM OWNERS TO FIX THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. IN FACT, BMW GERMANY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND COVERS THE COST OF REPAIRS, THEY EVEN HAVE A METHOD OF REPAIR. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THE SUSPENSION SHOULD NEVER SEPARATE FROM THE BODY BECAUSE OF TORSION FORCES FROM THE TRANS/DIFF. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I PERSONALLY HAVE A LIST OF OVER 100 NAMES WITH DOCUMENTED SUBFRAME CRACKING/FAILURE OF THE E46 BODY YEARS 1999-2000. THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE HAVE SUBFRAME DAMAGE AT THE SAME REAR DRIVERS SIDE DIFF MOUNT, IN OTHER WORDS, OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE FAILURE POINTS, THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE IS NEARLY ALWAYS THE FAILURE POINT !! I IMPLORE THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES !!*JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Aug 9, 200680,000 milesCT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A VIBRATION WAS HEARD AND FELT WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT CONTINUED TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10MPH. THE NOISE WAS CONTINUOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE SAME SOLUTION AS THE DEALER.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed May 12, 200652,000 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CONTROL SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO AVOID FUTURE AIRBAG FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Apr 13, 200680,000 milesCA

REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE (2000 328I, 80,000 MILES). *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 28, 2006CA

THE EXACT DATE UNKNOWN. IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAINS IN SAN DIEGO. INSURANCE CO. SAID I NEED A DATE. WE PUT DOWN NOV 02 2005. DURING HEAVY RAIN SAN DIEGO DEVELOPS HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF POT HOLES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, THE CAR RAN INTO A LARGE POT HOLE. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ACCORDING TO THE MAN THAT INSTALLED NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. AT LATER WEEKS THE CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, I THOUGHT IT WAS REAR SHOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO BMW REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE INSPECTION MY SON WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SHOCK BUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE CONTACTED BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS METAL FATIGUE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. (THE INSURANCE CO.) BMW DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR FRAME THAT OTHER CARS DO. ALL THE WHEELS AND OTHER PARTS ARE HELD UP BY SOME KIND OF JOINT THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. HE GAVE ME AN EXAMPLE "IF YOU HAVE A TOWEL RACK IN THE BATHROOM AND SOME ONE PULLS IT DOWN YOU KNOW HOW SCREWS AND DRY WALL WILL LOOK LIKE?" HE BLAMES IT ON MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. *NM UPDATED *JB ON FEBRUARY 6, 2006 BMW ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLES DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Feb 16, 2006120,000 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH THERE WAS A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT VIBRATED THROUGHOUT. THE NOISE BECAME MORE COMMON AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING IN GENERAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE SUB FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE BODY ALONG THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS CRASHES OR DAMAGE TO CAUSE THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

Exterior Lighting › HeadlightsCrash
Filed Jan 28, 200656,000 milesMI

CRASH - NO INJURIES. XENON HEADLIGHTS OF A 328I 2000 BMW. LOW FLAT BEAM NOTED TO BE A PROBLEM - I CAME UP UPON FOUR VERTICAL STICKS IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD, A RURAL 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD, ON A DARK NIGHT. WHEN I WAS APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THEM, THE LIGHT REFLECTING FROM THE ROAD, ILLUMINATED THE UNDERSIDE OF A DEER. LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I ASKED THE BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ,AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE RAISED BECAUSE THE XENON LIGHTS WOULD BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS, AND THEY WERE AT THE CORRECT HEIGHT. ONE YEAR LATER, MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, AND HIT A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK. CONDITIONS - NIGHT, RECENT SNOW PLOWED STREETS CAUSED THE PICKUP TO PARK A FOOT AND A HALF FROM THE CURB. THE TRUCK WAS A DARK GREEN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, FARM PICKUP (HIGH BUMPER)(MID BUMPER MEASURES 27" OFF PAVEMENT). MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. NEITHER SEEN THE PICKUP UNTIL THE LAST SECOND. MY DAUGHTER SPOTTED IT FIRST AND SCREAMED. MY SON LOOKED OVER AT HER AND LOOKED BACK JUST AS THEY HIT IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE HE EVEN HIT THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, HE STARTED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. THE BUMPER OF THE CAR WENT UNDER THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK , HITTING ONLY THE TRUCK'S SPARE TIRE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE TRUCK'S BUMPER DID HIT THE RADIATOR AND VALVE COVER OF THE ENGINE. THE BMW WAS TOTALED - THE RIGHT SHOCK TOWER WAS MOVED BACK BY ABOUT 5 INCHES. THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF - DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IS BEC

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Jan 12, 200651,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE AND THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP BELIEVED THE CRACK OCCURRED FROM DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE. *AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 8, 200585,000 milesCA

REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE WHERE REAR SUSPENSION CONNECTS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MISTREATED OR RUN ON ANYTHING BUT STREET ROADS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN RACED, PRIMARILY A FAMILY VEHICLE. *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Sep 1, 200580,000 milesME

MY 2000 BMW 328I IS ALL STOCK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A HIGH-END AFTERMARKET INTAKE... IT IS ONE OF MANY E46 BMW'S TO HAVE THE DREADED "BODY FAILURE AT REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINT". LET ME BRIEFLY DESCRIBE THE ISSUE AT HAND: "...THE REAR MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE SUBFRAME CAN RIP OUT FROM THEIR SPOTS IN THE SHEET METAL. ...THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMITS THE TORSIONAL LOAD FROM THE ENGINE THROUGH THE SUBFRAME, THEN INTO THE CHASSIS. THIS CONSTANT LOADING AND UNLOADING WEAKENS THE SHEET METAL AND CAUSES IT TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS. THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN MANY FAILURES OF THE CHASSIS ON LOW MILEAGE STREET CARS.." THAT IS A QUOTE FROM THE RESPECTED BMW SPECIALISTS AT TURNER MOTORSPORT (WWW.TURNERMOTORSPORT.COM). THAT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT I'VE HAD. BMWAG (GERMANY) RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE AND HAS ADDRESSED IT... BMWNA (NORTH AMERICA) HAS BLOWN A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF US OFF... STATING THAT WE ARE POST WARRANTY AND THAT IT'S DUE TO ROAD HAZARDS OR JUST WEAR AND TEAR. THE FRAME, SUBFRAME, AND IT'S MOUNTING POINTS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, WITHOUT QUESTION. I'VE ALREADY GOT A LAWYER WHICH WILL BE PERUSING THIS - AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER BMW UNTIL THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND ISSUE A RECALL ON ALL E46 BMWS. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE - WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SUSPENSION / FRAME COLLAPSES ON A WINDY ROAD OR ON THE HIGHWAY? IT WILL ABSOLUTELY LOSE CONTROL AND MOST LIKELY HEAD LEFT - TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE NO OTHER VEHIC

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 10, 200550,000 milesCA

1. THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW WOULD MAKE A CLICK SOUND WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE/OPEN. 2. THE WINDOW STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE POWER BUTTON AND WOULD NOT GO UP/DOWN. THE WINDOW GLASS THEN SLID DOWN BY ITSELF. SINCE I WAS DRIVING I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. MY INFANT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW GLASS CAME DOWN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE WIND WAS COMING CREATING SAFETY HAZARD. I STOPPED TO BRING THE GLASS UP BY HAND BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY UP AND SLID DOWN ALL THE TIME. 3. II HAD TO GET THE WINDOW REGULATOR CHANGED WHICH COST $260. THIS WINDOW WAS VERY RARELY USED FOR UP/DOWN THROUGH THE POWER SWITCH. *JB

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › CaliperCrash
Filed May 31, 200553,100 milesTN

WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN BRAKES GAVE OUT. CAR HIT 2 TREES AND CAME TO STOP. $6500 BODY DAMAGE. BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. BREAKS AFTER INSPECTION REQUIRE OVER $1500 REPAIR. BREAK CALIPERS BENT. TECHNICIAN ATTRIBUTES BREAK FAILURE TO CALIPERS BEING DEFECTIVE AND WEAK IN ALL 3 SERIES AND 5 SERIES BMW.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jan 13, 2005NJ

THE FUEL HOSE IS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH COULD DANGEROUS BECAUSE A FIRE CAN EASILY OCCUR. OWNER WILL TAKE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *NM

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Dec 16, 2004CA

A KNOCKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM REAR AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME CRACKED,AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

Air Bags
Filed Dec 14, 200446,000 milesMN

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON MY 2000 BMW 328I HAS FAILED (RED WARNING LIGHT ON) 3 TIMES. ALTHOUGH THE RED LIGHT HAS BEEN ON, MY WIFE AND I ALWAYS DRIVE WITH OUR BELTS FASTENED AND DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM (TWO TIMES IT HAS REQUIRED RETURNING THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME DUE TO AVAILABILITY OF REPLACEMENT PARTS), WE HAVE OPTED TO DRIVE WITH THE LIGHT ON UNTIL THE NEXT SCHEDULED VEHICLE SERVICE. THE LAST TIME THE AIR BAG FAILED WE WERE CHARGED APPROXIMATELY $500 FOR THE REPAIR. THIS REPAIR WAS OCTOBER 2004. THE DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVE TOLD US THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS DECEMBER 2003 WHEN WE HAD THE NEXT MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE REPAIRS WERE NOT RELATED AND THEREFORE NOT WARRANTABLE. WHEN WE SAID WE DID NOT AGREE WITH HAVING TO PAY FOR A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT, THEY TOLD US TO CONTACT BMW. WE THEN CONTACTED BMW, WE WERE TOLD THEY COULD NOT HELP US, SEE THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN BMW'S SRS SYSTEM. THE ONLY OTHER VEHICHLE WE HAVE HAD ON WHICH THE AIR BAG LIGHT LIT INDICATING AN SRS FAILURE WAS A 1994 BMW 325TD WE OWNED WHEN WE LIVED IN EUROPE. WILL THE SRS SYSTEM WORK IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH? IN ADDITION, WE HAVE READ THAT US LAW REQUIRES THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT, AND WE FEEL THAT 3 FAILURES IN 4 YEARS INDICATES A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK

Air Bags › Side/Window1 injured
Filed Mar 4, 200450,000 milesUT

2000, 328I BMW. MY DRIVERSIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT. BMW HAS OFFERED TO SETTLE IF I SIGN A BROAD RELEASE SAYING I CAN'T TALK TO ANYONE IN THE MEDIA, ETC. THEY INSIST I HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD WHICH I DID NOT. MY SON WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NEXT TO ME WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD BEEN SHOT, MY ARM HURT SO BAD. BUT MY SON SCREAMED, "MOM IT IS YOUR AIRBAG". WE CALLED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND TOWED IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP. I THOUGHT THAT WE DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. BUT, BMW IS CALLING ME A LIAR. THEY SAID THERE IS LEFT STRUT TOWER DAMAGE. WHEN I TALKED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE ANY DAMAGE AND WAS THERE WHILE BMW WAS INVESTIGATING. I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE, YET THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT LOOKS LIKE 2000 WAS A BIG YEAR FOR RECALLS ON AIRBAGS. THE BMW IS NOT LISTED AND I WONDER IF THEY HAVE COVERED UP OTHER PROBLEMS. I ASSURE YOU I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, THE DEPLOYEMENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A WELL MAINTAINED ROAD. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR FINDINGS, THANK YOU.*AK

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Jan 22, 200447,000 milesNJ

WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH SIDE AIRBAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 17, 2003CA

THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES. PER MY SERVICE ADVISORS, THE PARTS/DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. THE FIRST SEVEN WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE LAST TWO ON NOV 14, 2003 WERE NOT. THE COST TO REPLACE WAS $ 456.38. *LA

Structure
Filed Sep 11, 2003NY

DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO WINDSHIELD, CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTIVE VIEW. *AK

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed May 1, 2003GA

WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED A CORNER THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NLM

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2000 BMW 328i → · Every 328i year → · How the figures are calculated →