2004 BMW 530i

The heated seats start fires and BMW refuses to acknowledge that my car should've been a part of the NHTSA Recall 04V-575. The dealership denies any issue with the car despite knowing about the hole it burned in my seat.

BATTERY CABLE - INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR

Unrepaired Recalls (1) 12V-126:79 Safety: Battery Cable - Insulated Bulkhead Connector Mar 23, 2012 OEM Code 12V-126:79 All the dealerships i contacted to fix this recall never replied to me and The battery connection has ruined my electrical components on my vehicle(Long beach BMW and Cerritos BMW California)

About three years ago, we filed a complaint with BMW North America. A problem with the front passenger seat. There was smoke As a result, a hole burned through. after that an error message about the airbag came on. We also didn't know that there was a recall about this problem. we made several calls to the dealership and at the end, they offered to help with only 50% Quote to repair the seat was $2300.00. The car only had 142,000 miles. all the seats were in mint condition. Thank You.

NEARLY EVERY BMW SUFFERS FROM FAILED WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A RECALLED OINT OF FAILURE AS IT INVOLVES EVERYBODY ON THE ROAD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR TWO HOURS THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF NASHVILLE (1568 MALLORY LN, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027(615) 928-2541) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK COVER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,810.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXEL SEPARATED FROM THE BODY WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONTACT CRASHING THE VEHICLE. CONTACT STATED ALL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD POP BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. 1 PERSON WAS INJURED WHICH RESULTED IN BACK SORENESS, NO MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MOBILE MAINTENANCE & TOWING LLC (2014 W GARDNER LN, TUCSON, AZ 85705 (520) 900-1196) THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19E058000 (STEERING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

SMELL BURNING OR EXHAUSTE FUME IN THE CABIN DURING THE FIRST TWO MILES OF DRIVING THE CAR!

HEATED SEATING IS BURNING MY LEG PASSENGER SIDE. EVEN ON LOW.

THE WIRE HARNESS FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE COMPLETELY FRAYED. BARE COPPER WIRES CAN BE SEEING AND THE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. IN ADDITION TO NIGHT DRIVEABILITY BEING AND ISSUE, THE POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT AND FIRE UNDER THE HOOD EXISTS. A CURSORY INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS COMMON ISSUE WITH SEVERAL BMW MODEL YEARS, POTENTIALLY AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS.

VEHICLE WONT STOP LEAKING OIL.

DRIVER TAIL LIGHT LAMP ASSEMBLY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR OVERHEATED, MELTED AND DESTROYED #1 CONTACT PIN AND WIRE. DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NO LONGER OPERATE. BRAKE AND SIGNAL LIGHTING SYSTEM DEGRADED EXPOSING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO INCREASED RISK OF REAR-IMPACT, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FIRE AND DEATH. NO PART OR THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY EXTREME USE CONDITIONS. NO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE TRUNK AREA WHERE THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED.

ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION, STEERING WHEEL NOT CENTERED

THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ALL CRUMBLING AND EXPOSING THE COPPER WITHIN CREATING AN ELECTRONCAL FIRE OR SHORTING OF THE SYSTEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON ON THE E60 SERIES BMW AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.

THE VEHICLE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE WERE RECALLS RELATED TO THE BMW BUT MY VEHICLE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL WHEN I SEARCH BY VIN NUMBER. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY VEHICLE ISN'T COVERED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND RESTRAINT LIGHT IS ON AND MY HEAD UNIT SAYS THERE IS A FAULT IN MY PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,364.

TRANSMISSION GOES INTO A LIMB MODE WHEN REACHING 30-40 MPH OF SLOWING DOWN FROM OVER 60 MPH AND A BANG HAPPENS LIKE IT YOU GET HIT FROM BEHIND THE CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH GEAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD INCREASE THE RPM THE CAR TOP SPEED WOULD BE 40 MPH WHEN IT MALFUNCTIONS THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS THE CAR RESETS BY TURNING THE ENGINE OF WAITING A WHILE AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMERGE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE UPPER CUSHION OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE HEATER WAS TURNED OFF AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

RESTRAIN SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGE IN MY RADIO SCREEN ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, THIS MESSAGE CAME ON SUDENDLY FOR NO REASON, CAR NEVER ENVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT,

MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 40,000 MILES DUE TO A FAULT. IT WOULD JUMP OR BUMP EVERY TIME I WOULD COME TO A STOP AND IT DOWNSHIFTS INTO 1ST GEAR. I ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE BECAUSE I DID NOT FULLY STOP YET AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. IT FINALLY WOULD GO INTO FAIL SAFE MODE OR LIMP MODE AND THE DEALER INSTALLED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE ISSUE WENT AWAY. I NOW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AT 120,000 MILES WHICH IS ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE NEW TRANNY. I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHERE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED EVEN ONE TIME LET ALONE TWICE AND THEY WERE ALL INEXPENSIVE CARS/TRUCKS. I WILL NEVER BUY A BMW AGAIN BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME EVEN WHEN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. 2 TRANSMISSIONS WITH THE EXACT ISSUES THAT WON'T EVEN MAKE IT TO 100,000 MILES. I ALSO SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND VEHICLE. SHAME ON YOU BMW NA FOR NOT OWNING UP TO THIS ISSUE AND TAKING CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS. YOU HAVE LOST A GOOD CUSTOMER FOR LIFE AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO STEER CLEAR OF YOUR PRODUCTS (PUN INTENDED). *JS

THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY PRODUCED BY HELLA CONTAINS APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE WIRING. THE INSULATION ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRES TO THE HIGH BEAM BULBS AND THE PARKING LIGHT BULBS DETERIORATES AND CRUMBLES OFF LEAVING EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. MOVING THE WIRES DURING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF BULBS CAUSED THE INSULATION TO BREAK OFF COMPLETELY. THE PROBLEM WAS JUST DISCOVERED, BUT WAS OBVIOUSLY IN A STATE OF DECAY FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

SUBJECT: 2004 BMW 535I ON OCTOBER 30,2012 JUST AFTER HURRICANE SANDY HIT THE EAST COAST OF NEW JERSEY, I HAD OCCASION TO USE MY 535I. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED VARIOUS WARNING AND FAULT LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE CONTROL PANEL, LOSS OF POWER AND THE CABIN BEGAN FILLING WITH SMOKE. WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, I MANAGED TO PULL ACROSS SEVERAL LANES TO THE SIDE OF THE MULTI-LANE HIGHWAY I WAS ON (ROUTE 42N). UPON INSPECTION I FOUND 6-8 INCHES OF WATER IN THE TRUNK WHEEL WELL. UNDER THE SPARE TIRE I OBSERVED A BURNING AND SMOKING MSM POWER MODULE. I SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER IN TURNERSVILLE, NJ. THE DEALER REFUSED ANY LIABILITY OR FAULT FOR THE $3000 REPAIR WHICH INCLUDED REPLACING AND RELOCATING THE MSM POWER MODULE, REPLACING THE RADIO SYSTEM, CLEANING WATER STAINS FROM THE HOOD LINER AND TRYING TO ALLEVIATE THE SMOKE ODOR. I CAME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN TO RELOCATE THE MSM POWER MODULE HIGHER IN THE TRUNK FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE DEALER LIED AND TOLD ME WATER HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRUNK VIA LOOSE TRUNK RIVETS. I LATER DETERMINED THE WATER ENTERED THE TRUNK FOLLOWING CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAINS. THE DEALER DID NOT DENY THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED BUT REFUSED TO COVER THE DAMAGES. BMW SHOULD BE SUED AS I'VE DETERMINED THIS ISSUE IS NOT ATYPICAL AND COULD LEAD TO A DISASTER. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

EVERYTIME, COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, TRANSMISSION HAS A NOTICEABLE "BUMP"/ROUGH SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR, PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED TIME AND TIME AGAIN. NOW, APPROXIMATELY OVER A YEAR LATER, TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ON, TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LIMP MODE. BMW DEALER STATES, TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE DUE TO 3-2-1 DOWNSHIFT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED METICULOUSLY AT THE SAME BMW DEALERSHIP.

I OWN A 2004 BMW 530 I MY DAGHTER JUST CAME BACK FRO WORK SHE PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVE WAY AND SHE CAME INSIDE SHE HAD DIINNER AND WE GOT READY FOR BED AT APPROXMENTLY 11PM WE GET A NOCK ON THE SIDE WINDOW WERE FROM THE POLICE DEPT SAY TO EVECUATE AND TO COME OUT NOW WHEN WE CAME OUT THE CAR WAS IN A FIRE AND THE SAINT CLOUD FL MARSHAL SAID THE FIRE START CAUSE DUE TO THE BATTERY OR THE WIRE IN THE TRUNK I CALLED BMW COPPERT OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NEED TO PICK UP THE CAR TO HAV ENGINER TO LOOK AT THE CAR WAS TOTTLED BMW AFTER THEY TOOL 40 DAY FOR EVALUATION THEY CALLED ME TODAY AND ONLY OFFERED TO PAY $5000.00 TOWARD A CERTIF USED OR NEW BMW I TOLD THEM THAT THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND I TOLD THEM I WILL CALL YOUR COPANY AND THEY SEEM NOT TO CARE I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERY OWNER OUT THERE NEED TO KNOW THIS CAN HAPPEN TO THEM AND THAT RECALL THAT BMW HAD BY REPLACING THE ONLY ONLY A RUBER PART ON THE RED WIRE IN THE TRUNK DOES NOT HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME RECOVER MY MONEY ON THE CAR.I DID NOT HAVE FULL COVERGE I ONLY HAD LIBLTY INSURANCE SO THIS DID NOT HELP I HAVE BEEN DOING MY HOMEWORK AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 1.2 MILLION BMW RECALL AND ONLY 1 FIRE MY CAR IS THE 2ND AS I READ MORE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND ALSO FOUND SOME NEWS COMPANY SUCH NBC HAD A ARTICLE ON THIS ISSUE .

BATTERY CABLE/TERMINAL MELTED. CAR WOULD NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER SITTING ...THEN CAR WOULD START. RANDOM START. ALSO, RADIO WOULD COME ON ALL BY ITSELF. CALL HAS JUST OVER 100K MILES (101,200). ALSO CODES RECEIVED FOR CAM SHAFT AND AIR PUMP WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, "PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM, FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AFFECTING AIR BAG BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER" DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT AND THE SEAT BELT SENSOR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ALONG WITH A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,800.

STARTED CAR IN THE MORNING TO LET IT WARM UP AND TURNED ON SEAT HEATER. GOT IN CAR 5 MIN LATER TO HEAD TO WORK AND SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH SEAT MATERIAL ON DRIVER SEAT. SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH LEATHER AND BURNT ME AND MY CLOTHES. BURNT LEFT HAND THUMB AND INDEX FINGER TRYING TO PUT FIRE OUT. FROM SEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NO DEALERS OR MANUFACTURE OF CAR DOING ANYTHING TO PREVENT THIS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I NOTICED A SMELL OF BURNING MATTER RAPIDLY INCREASING IN THE CAR, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A SHARP BURNING SENSATION IN MY RIGHT THIGH. WHILE HALF-STANDING I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER MY CAR TO THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER. (WHICH WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DO SAFELY, GIVEN THE TRAFFIC WAS DENSE AND MOVING WITH HIGHWAY SPEEDS.) AFTER I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED AT THE SEAT, I NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE LEATHER, EXACTLY WHERE MY THIGH WAS WHEN IT GOT BURNED. IT SEEMED THAT THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER. I VENTILATED THE CAR FROM THE BURNING ODOR, WHICH GAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR THE SEAT TO COOL DOWN. AFTER GETTING TO A SAFER LOCATION I TESTED MY THEORY BY TURNING ON THE SEAT WARMER ? THE ISSUES WAS REPRODUCIBLE. I WENT TO STEVENS CREEK BMW DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIRS. THEY CHARGED ME $210.88 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND QUOTED WITH AROUND $1,500 FOR THE REPAIRS, IMPLYING THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE AS ?A GOOD WILL? SINCE MY CAR IS TOO OLD AND HAS TOO MANY MILES ON IT AND THAT IT HAS NONE OF THE WARRANTIES LEFT. I STILL THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED IT AS "A GOOD WILL" SINCE THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE SEAT WARMER. THE SEAT WARMER SHOULD HAVE FAILED IN A FAIL-SAFE WAY BY NOT WARMING OR AT LEAST BLOWING A FUSE (AND AGE & MILES HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH POOR ENGINEERING). *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, WITH MY WIFE AS A PASSENGER, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT IS STILL ON (EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT). I WENT TO THE STEVENS CREEK BMW DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THAT THE REASON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IS BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS NOT SENSING A PASSENGER DUE TO CABLE CORROSION. THAT SEEMS ODD, GIVEN I KEEP MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND IT NEVER HAD ANY WATER DAMAGE. ALSO, I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A POOR ENGINEERING ON BMW'S SIDE, SINCE IN CASE OF CORRODED CABLE OR FAULTY SENSOR THE DEFAULT BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE TO ALWAYS KEEP THE AIRBAG "ON". IT IS BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY AND (IN CASE OF ACCIDENT) DEPLOYING AN AIRBAG WHEN THERE IS NO PASSENGER IS BETTER THAN NOT DEPLOYING AN AIRBAG WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER... THIS IS A CASE OF "POTENTIALLY SAVING SOMEONE'S LIFE" VS "POTENTIALLY SAVING A FEW DOLLARS"... *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY GIRLFRIEND TO WORK WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM MY SURROUNDING AREA, NOT MY CAR. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE NOT THINKING TOO MUCH OF IT. AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE SMELL GOT STRONGER. I DECIDED TO PULL OVER AT A CONVENIENCE STORE JUST AS PRECAUTION. WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR THERE WAS NO SMELL, I OPEN THE HOOD, EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL AND THERE WAS NO SMELL. I CONCLUDED THAT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. I TURN OF THE HEAT, IT WAS VERY COLD THAT MORNING, TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS, AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. TEN MINUTES LATER, I ARRIVED AT MY GIRLFRIEND WORK PLACE, THAT'S WHEN WE REALIZE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER HEAT. WE WHERE SHOCKED TO SEE THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER SEAT HAD A TWO INCH BURNT MARK IT. WHEN I GOT HOME I DECIDED TO DO AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THAT MATTER, AND FIND OUT THAT'S A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS VEHICLE. LUCKY FOR US, MY GIRLFRIEND WAS WEARING JEAN, A COAT, AND HAD HER CELL PHONE IN HER BACK POCKET THAT MORNING. IF THAT WAS NOT THE CASE SOME SERIOUS INJURIOUS COULD HAVE OCCURRED. SHE HAD TO GET RID OF THE HER COAT, JEAN, AND CELL PHONE CASE, BUT THAT'S FAR BETTER THAN GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. I NO LONGER USE THE HEATED SEATS. *TR

PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE. DUE TO FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT. SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLES UNDER RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY - FOR UNCLEAR REASONS MY CAR NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL (CHECKED BY VIN AND WITH DEALER) BUT WAS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. SPOKE WITH BMW AND THEY ARE UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO EXPLAIN WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. FAILURE OCCURRED 2 MONTHS AFTER EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V384000. *TR

MY 2004 BMW 530I HAS BOTH THE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG LIGHT ON DISPLAY AT ALL TIMES ON MY DASHBOARD. THESE LIGHTS ON ARE CAUSED BY A FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WHICH BMW HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON. AFTER DROPPING MY CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP TO GET THIS REPAIRED, I WAS INFORMED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED ROUGHLY 2 MONTHS PRIOR AND I CANNOT HAVE THIS WORK PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CHARGED ME $140 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1050 OUT OF POCKET TO GET REPAIRED. I IMMEDIATELY REACHED OUT TO BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND INFORMED THEM OF MY SITUATION AS THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS HOPING THEY COULD FIX MY CAR IN GOOD FAITH AS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE OR EVEN PROVIDE ME WITH A DISCOUNTED REPAIR. UNFORTUNATELY TWO MONTHS WENT BY WITH NO RESPONSE. WHEN I REACHED OUT AGAIN THEY SAID NO THIS IS NOT THEIR HEADACHE AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS AND REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS. THIS IS A SERIOUS MALFUNCTION WHICH I AM SURPRISED IS NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL. IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IT SPECIFICALLY STATES IF BOTH WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY, BMW RECOMMENDS NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED. ALSO, THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE SAYS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WHICH BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS. A

WHILE DRIVING, A SMELL OF BURNING MATTER RAPIDLY INCREASED IN THE CAR, THEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A SHARP BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT THIGH. I STOPPED THE CAR, GARBED MY EXTINGUISHER AND LOOKED AROUND THE SEAT FOR ANY SIGNS OF FIRE. THEN I NOTICED A BLACK BURNED HOLE ON THE SEAT BOTTOM LEFT BOLSTER EXACTLY WHERE MY THIGH BURNED. IT SEEMED THAT THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED, AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER. TURNING ON THE CAR AND WARMER AGAIN FOR COUPLE SECONDS, RESULTED IN SPARKS APPEARING THROUGH THE HOLE. I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR IS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY ANYMORE, AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE SEATS ISSUED FOR MY CAR. TO CONTACT MY BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND THAT THEY MIGHT COVER A PORTION OF THE REPAIRS. CHECKING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA, I AM SURPRISED BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SEAT HEATERS FOR OUR CARS, SPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

MY VEHICLE IS A 530I WITH A PRODUCTION DATE IN DECEMBER 2003, IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL RCDNN-04V575. DESPITE THE DECEMBER 2004 NOTICE TO NTSHA INDICATING THAT 100% OF VEHICLES WITH THE SEAT HEATING OPTION PRODUCED BETWEEN JUNE 17TH 2003 AND APRIL 30TH 2004. BMW INSISTS THAT MY VEHICLE (PRODUCTION DATE IN DECEMBER 2003 AND CONTAINING THE SEAT HEATER IN QUESTION) IS, ACCORDING TO INTERNAL DOCUMENTS WHICH THEY WILL NOT RELEASE TO ME, NOT IN FACT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. WHAT I FIND INEXPLICABLE AND BEYOND BELIEF, IS THAT THEY WOULD ISSUE A NOTIFICATION TO NTSHA IN NOVEMBER 2004, A FULL SIX MONTHS AFTER ALLEGEDLY REMEDYING DEFECTS IN CARS PRODUCED FROM MID-MARCH 2004 THROUGH APRIL 30TH 2004 WITHOUT CORRECTING THOSE DATES IN THE NOTIFICATION LETTER. BMW REFUSES TO REPAIR OR EVEN INSPECT MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BOLSTER HEATING ELEMENT DESPITE CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT IT IS IN FACT DEFECTIVE AND SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. *TR

I HAD A BULB FAILURE WARNING ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. I BOUGHT THE PARKING LIGHT BULB, WENT TO REPLACE IT, AND FOUND ALL OF THE WIRING INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING CRUMBLING TO BITS. THERE WERE LITERALLY BARE WIRES CROSSING ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER, WHICH IS CLEARLY A FIRE HAZARD. WHEN I ASKED MY BMW DEALER ABOUT THIS, THEY SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM, IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND I HAVE TO BUY NEW HEADLIGHTS. I HAD NEVER HEARD OF INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRING BEING CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM, BUT BMW SAYS OTHERWISE. I HAVE A 30 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ALL OF ITS WIRING INTACT; THIS BMW HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT HAD HIT 10 YEARS OLD. I SPENT APPROXIMATELY $2000 FOR NEW HEADLIGHTS. CLEARLY THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, AS IT PRESENTS A CLEAR FIRE HAZARD. I DO KNOW OF ONE PERSON WHO EXPERIENCED A VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO THIS DEFECT IN A '05 525I. *TR

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR HAS A FAULT WHICH INCAPACITATES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG. THIS CREATES AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE PASSENGER SITUATION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE BMW SBSR SYSTEM SHOWS FAULT 0095B8. THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE IS A KNOWN BMW PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A RECALL, BUT BMW HAS INDICATED MY VIN IS NOT COVERED FOR THIS ISSUE FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 01/20/15*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/20/15*JB

WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY THE DRIVE CONTROL MALFUNCTION ALERT APPEARED, A FEW SECONDS LATER, ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION ALERT OCCURRED. IT DID NOT AFFECT MY DRIVING AT ALL, SO I CONTINUED UNTIL ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND TURN THE CAR OFF, WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, BOTH ALERTS CLEARED. NEXT DAY, AFTER DRIVING FOR 20 MINUTES IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TURNED BACK ON, ALERTS DISAPPEARED AGAIN. SOME DAYS DOES NOT COME ON AT ALL, BUT NOTICED IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENT WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. I LIVE IN PHOENIX, AZ THE TEMPS ARE IN 105-109 RANGE. WHEN COOLER WEATHER THE ALERTS DO NOT COME ON. I AM TOLD IT WILL COST OVER $2000 TO REPLACE BOTH SENSORS. THAT IS NUTS... *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN MY CAR, AS WELL AS SEAT BELT LIGHT. IT APPEARS THE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THAT THE PAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED WITH VERY LOW MILES, AND VERY LITTLE USE. ALL OF THESE CARS WITH THESE PADS IN THE PASSENGER SEATS SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER RECALL. THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL TO REPOSITION THE PAD OR SOMETHING TO AVOID CRACKING, BUT THESE SAFETY RELATED PARTS ARE CLEARLY JUNK THAT WERE INSTALLED WHEN NEW WEATHER THEY WERE REWORKED, OR REPOSITIONED IN THE SEAT. BMW SHOULD BE REPLACING ALL THESE SEAT SENSOR PADS UNDER RECALL AND SOON, MANY OF THESE CARS NOW HAVE NON WORKING AIRBAGS DUE TO THIS ISSUE, AND IT AFFECTS THE SAFETY AND FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR ALL TOGETHER. MODEL YEARS AFFECTED ARE 2004 2005 2006 2007 AT THE VERY LEAST IT SEAMS AFTER READING EXTENSIVELY ON THE ISSUE. *TR

I AM WRITING TO SEE IF I CAN OBTAIN SOME ASSISTANCE WITH A PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON MY 530I, SPECIFICALLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. EARLY IN 2012 I NOTICED THAT WHEN MY WIFE SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE OVERHEAD LIGHT UNIT WOULD OCCASIONALLY COME ON. IT WOULD NOT STAY ON FOR LONG BUT WOULD COME ON AND OFF PERIODICALLY. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BMW ON MAY 12 TO HAVE THE ISSUE LOOKED INTO. THE CAR HAD 87437 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM AS NO CODES WERE STORED FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG. THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY THIS WAS OCCURRING. SINCE THIS TIME THE FREQUENCY OF THE LIGHT COMING ON HAS INCREASED. I RETURNED TO CONCOURS BMW ON MARCH 24, 2014 FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT WORK AND TO FIX IT WOULD COST $1724.00. BMW SAID THE SAFETY INFORMATION MODULE WAS BAD. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.

I PURCHASED A 2004 BMW 530I CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WITH 29,000 MILES ON IT. IT CAME WITH A AUTOMATIC TIPTRONIC TRANSMISSION. I DROVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. I NOTICED WHEN I USED THE SPORT MODE AND DOWN SHIFTED INTO FIRST WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WOULD JERK OR SLAM INTO 1ST GEAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (LAUDERDALE BMW OF PEMBROKE PINES) BUT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 50 MILES OR SO AND THE CAR DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT AND IT GAVE AN ERROR ON THE MAIN SCREEN THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A FAULT DRIVE MODERATELY. IT ALSO STATED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED AT THE DEALER. SO I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND AGAIN THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I WAS GETTING ANNOYED. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 30 MILES AND THE FAULT CAME BACK BUT THIS TIME IT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT AT ALL AND I COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 35 MPH. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE THE CAR WAS FAIRLY NEW. THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A BRAND NEW FACTORY ONE AND IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. FAST FORWARD TO TODAY THE SAME SENARIO AS ABOVE HAPPENED ALL OVER AGAIN, I HAD ABOUT 85,000 MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION AND I NOTICED THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS. I WAS ABLE TO RESET THE CAR AFTER EACH ERROR UNTIL LAST WEEK. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED AND WENT INTO THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND YOU CAN'T DRIVE OVER 35 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. I AM NOW OUT OF WA

MY VEHICLE IS A 530I WITH A PRODUCTION DATE IN MARCH 2004, IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO RECALL RCDNN-04V575. DESPITE THE DECEMBER 2004 NOTICE TO NTSHA INDICATING THAT 100% OF VEHICLES WITH THE SEAT HEATING OPTION PRODUCED BETWEEN JUNE 17TH 2003 AND APRIL 30TH 2004. BMW INSISTS THAT MY VEHICLE (PRODUCTION DATE IN MARCH 2004 AND CONTAINING THE SEAT HEATER IN QUESTION) IS, ACCORDING TO INTERNAL DOCUMENTS WHICH THEY WILL NOT RELEASE TO ME, NOT IN FACT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. THE MALFUNCTION DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE HAPPENED EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED, BURNING A HOLE THROUGH MY DRIVER SEAT SIDE BOLSTER. DESPITE AGREEING TO REMEDY THE DRIVER SIDE DAMAGE TO MY SATISFACTION, BMW CONTENDS THAT THEY ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO REPAIR OR EVEN INSPECT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BOLSTER, WHICH I CONTEND IS DEFECTIVE AND WAS SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. I HAVE EMAILS FROM BMW STATING MY VEHICLE IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECALL AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT NO RECALL REPAIRS HAD OCCURRED THEY ARE CLAIMING I AM NOT ENTITLED TO VIEW THE INTERNAL DOCUMENTATION THAT ALLEGEDLY SHOWS THAT THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED OFF THE PRODUCTION LINE. WHAT I FIND INEXPLICABLE AND BEYOND BELIEF, IS THAT THEY WOULD ISSUE A NOTIFICATION TO NTSHA IN NOVEMBER 2004, A FULL SIX MONTHS AFTER ALLEGEDLY REMEDYING DEFECTS IN CARS PRODUCED FROM MID-MARCH 2004 THROUGH APRIL 30TH 2004 WITHOUT CORRECTING THOSE DATES IN THE NOTIFICATION LETTER. BMW REFUSES TO REPAIR OR EVEN INSPECT MY PA

THIS AN UPDATE OF NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10557262. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALER IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR DID HAVE A FAULTY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT THAT WAS COVERED BY RECALL FOR SOME CARS MY MODEL YEAR BUT NOT MINE. WHAT WAS UPSETTING IS THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THIS PART WAS REPLACED IN 2007. THE RECALLED WAS ISSUED IN 2008 BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. NOW, THE SENSOR MAT IS BAD AGAIN...YET MY VIN DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM? I UNDERSTAND BMW NA COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THIS COST AND AFTER OWNING 4 BMW(S) THIS MAY BE MY LAST. I SPOKE TO BMW ON THE PHONE...AND I MIGHT AS WELL BEEN TALKING TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY OFFERED NO HELP WITH COST OR SERVICE...FOR AN AIR-BAG MALFUNCTION. IF THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT MY PASSENGER'S LIFE.....I DO CARE ENOUGH TO LET THEM KNOW HOW UPSET I AM WITH THEM. *TR

I AM AFRAID TO HAVE ANYONE SIT IN MY CAR BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MIGHT NOT WORK! I WORK WITH THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND I OFTEN TRANSPORT CHILDREN. BMW ISSUED THE BELOW RECALL BUT THEY DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN...BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! --------------------------------- STATEMENT ON VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS - AUGUST 13, 2008 TODAY, BMW ANNOUNCED A VOLUNTARY RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. AFFECTED ARE CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 3-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-06 5-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-06 X3 VEHICLES, DEPENDING UPON SEAT TYPE. BMW HAS FOUND THAT THE SENSOR MAT MAY BECOME DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE USAGE DEPENDING UPON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT. BMW WILL BEGIN SENDING CUSTOMER LETTERS IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2008. AFFECTED OWNERS MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES; HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR BMW CENTER IF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ''ON-OFF'' LAMP ARE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN THIS SITUATION, BMW RECOMMENDS CUSTOMERS NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. AT THE PRESENT TIME, WE ARE UNAWARE OF ANY ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN HE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO SWITCH LANES AND THE TRANSMISSION FAUT CAME ON AND IT ALSO STATED TO DRIVE MODERATELY. THE CAR ALSO WENT INTO A SAFE MODE TO WERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND IT WOULDN'T SWITCH OUT OF THIRD GEAR. CAR THEN WAS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AND CODE FAULT WENT ALWAYS , TWO WEEKS LATER SAME THING POPPED UP TRYING TO GET ON HIGHWAY AND NOW WON'T GO AWAY. *TR

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE COMPUTER INDICATED A FAULT IN THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S SEAT MAT SENSOR EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000. ...UPDATED 07-24-13 *BF