2003 BMW M3

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 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and convertibles; 2001-2005 330xi sedans; and 2001-2006 M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure that could cause the air bag inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge. An interim notice was mailed to owners in September 2014. A second notice was mailed when an adequate supply of parts became available, on December 1, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

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. BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2003 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans; 325Ci and 330Ci coupes and convertibles; 325iT and 325xiT Sports Wagons; and M3 coupes and convertibles to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW intends to issue initial notifications to owners informing them of the safety defect in June 2013. Once replacement parts are available, estimated for July, BMW will notify owners again to contact their dealers and schedule a replacement of the passenger air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE MIGHT NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.

Risk. OCCUPANTS COULD BE PINCHED BY A WINDOW THAT IS BEING CLOSED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FOR THE WINDOW LIFTING ANTI-PINCHING DEVICE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 27, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

On May 01, 2026, at approximately 0230 while traveling on hwy. I75 I heard a loud pop towards the rear for the vehicle as the car started to slide. I pulled over to the right side of the road nearly hitting another vehicle. I exited my vehicle and noticed the right rear passenger tire tread had separated from the side wall completely. It should be noted there was no warning before the tire failed. I then contacted Continental Tires who advised a take them to Discount Tires for inspection. The service center confirmed the tire tread had separated from the sidewall. The tire has not been inspected by anyone else, but I do have numerous pictures.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V018000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND LOST POWER. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED AND A PART ON THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

MSG PUMP FAILURE

SMG HYDRAULIC PUMP: I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH IN THE #1 LANE AND MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN DROPPED OUT OF GEAR AND MY CAR STARTED TO COAST LOSING SPEED VERY FAST, I LOOKED AT MY SPEEDOMETER AND IT WAS 45 MPH. CARS WERE HONKING AND HIGH BEAMING ME BUT I WAS HELPLESS AND WAS TRYING TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR KICKED BACK INTO GEAR, I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND EXIT THE HIGHWAY. I WENT TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT IT IS A VERY COMMON SCARY PROBLEM THESE CARS HAVE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SUBJECT. VERY SCARY SITUATION, I AM GLAD MY KIDS OR WIFE WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME. I HOPE BMW STEPS UP TO THE PLATE AND PROACTIVELY TAKES CARE OF THIS BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES.

REAR SUBFRAME SUPPORT IS SEPARATING FROM THE BODY WHERE IT MOUNTS TO. CRACKS AROUND THE SUBFRAME BOLTS CAN BE SEEN. PINCHWELD AROUND REAR FENDER IS SEPERATING.

REAR SUBFRAME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE PER CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BACCA V. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC, CASE NO. [XXX]. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR MAINTENACE REPAIRS AND INSPECTION AT A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP AND NOTIFIED ME THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF REAR SUBFRAME DAMAGE DURING THEIR INSPECTION. BMW DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF THIS VERY TYPICAL ISSUE OF THEIR BMW 3 SERIES MODELS 1999-2006. THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL ISSUE IN AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO BE ADDRESS BY BMW NORTH AMERICA DUE TO THE COMPROMISE OF SAFETY TO THE OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC OF THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE ATTACHED A PDF OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT LETTER REGARDING THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT ADDRESSED BY BMW PROPERLY AND SHOULD BE CONTINUED TO BE ADDRESSED AS THE ISSUES ARE STILL RELEVANT UP TO NOW. THIS STILL RAISES A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THESE MODELS ARE STILL BEING SOLD TODAY. I'VE ALSO ATTACHED A CURRENT PHOTO OF MY VEHICLE THAT SHOWS THE EVIDENCE OF STRUCTURAL DAMAGE UNDER THE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU HELP IN GETTING THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AS SO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE AND PREVENT ANY MAJOR ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING. THANK YOU! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

TAKATA RECALL. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET TO MY 2003 BMW M3, BUT READING ABOUT THE TAKATA RECALL AND WHAT THE AIRBAGS ARE CAPABLE IS SCARING ME TO DEATH. MY 5 YEAR NEPHEW LOVES RIDING AROUND TOWN IN HIS UNCLE'S "RACE CAR". EVEN THOUGH I RARELY GO FASTER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT, YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW BY THE LOOK ON HIS FACE AS THE AIR WASHES ACROSS HIS FACE. IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT AND HAVE ONLY PUT 5K MILES ON IT IN THIS 4 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. THE FACT THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD GO WRONG DESPITE MY METICULOUS CARE TAKEN OF THE CAR IS REALLY CAUSING ME PANIC. SHOULD I QUIT DRIVING THE CAR AND LEAVE IT IN THE GARAGE ASAP UNTIL THINGS GET FIGURED OUT? PLEASE INFORM ME ON WHAT I SHOULD DO.

TAKATA RECALL - THIS IS A 2003 CAR I USED TO LEASE. BMW STILL HAS ME AS THE LESSEE OF THIS VEHICLE WHICH WAS TURNED IN TO BMW IN 2006. SOMEONE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT GET THIS RECALL BECAUSE OF POOR RECORD KEEPING. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INCIDENCE. I HAVE OTHER LEASED BMW'S THAT STILL HAD ME AS THE LESSEE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

DRIVING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED RAN OVER SMALL/MINOR POTHOLE RESULTING IN PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN/HEAD AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. NO WEIGHTED OBJECT WAS IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT FROM VEHICLE START TO TIME OF INCIDENT. MOVED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD TO INSPECT. NO TIRE DAMAGE. NO BODY DAMAGE. NO EVIDENCE OF RIDE HEIGHT CHANGE (TO SUGGEST SUSPENSION COMPROMISE). I WAS IRONICALLY ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL WORK AND THEY DID A CURSORY INSPECTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE RACK. NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE WAS IDENTIFIED. CAR WAS MECHANICALLY SOUND AFTER INCIDENT ON THE WAY TO DEALERSHIP AND HOME ~30 MILES DRIVEN. NO RATTLES. NO DRIFTING. NO CHANGE IN HANDLING. CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE A PHANTOM DEPLOYMENT OR MALADJUSTED SENSOR / SRS SOFTWARE ISSUE. THIS IS SIMILAR TO OTHER INCIDENTS REPORTED ON VARIOUS ONLINE DISCUSSIONS FOR THIS BODY STYLE (E46). BMW NA HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I AM AWAITING A REPLY FROM THEM (ESTIMATED IN A FEW DAYS PER THEIR REPRESENTATIVE).

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. 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 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) IN JULY OF 2015. 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 AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WOULD BE SENT WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BASED ON THE LOCATION, THE HIGH HUMIDITY LOCATIONS WERE THEIR PRIORITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM 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 08/11/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 08/17/16.*JB

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW NOTIFYING ME OF THE RECALL IN JULY 2015. IT IS MAY 2, 2016 AND MY DEALER (BMW OF SILVER SPRING, MD) AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LLC STILL DO NOT HAVE THE PART(S) TO IMPLEMENT THE RECALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IF NHTSA IS ALLOWING BMW TO CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE AND SELL CARS IN NORTH AMERICA WITH INFLATORS THAT SHOULD BE INSTALLED IN CARS ALREADY IN SERVICE. IT SEEMS THAT MONEY IS THE ISSUE RATHER THAN PARTS SUPPLY FOR CARS IN SERVICE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THERE HAD BEEN A LIGHT RAIN. TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES F. DOORS WERE UNLOCKED. UPON SHUTTING THE IGNITION KEY OFF IN A PARKING LOT, BOTH DOORS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY AND IMMEDIATELY. LOCK BUTTON ON CONSOLE WAS NOT PUSHED. BOTH DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, BY USE OF THE BUTTONS ON THE KEYS OR BY THE CONSOLE BUTTON. TWO DIFFERENT KEYS WERE TRIED. THE DOOR HANDLES MOVED, BUT WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS. I DON'T BELIEVE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES WOULD HAVE OPENED THE DOORS EITHER BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE "LOCKED" . THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR BEGAN TO RISE RAPIDLY SO THE ENGINE WAS STARTED TO PROVIDE AIR CONDITIONING. RESTARTING THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES DID NOT CHANGE THE CONDITION OF THE LOCKED DOORS. AFTER 10 TO 12 MINUTES I DECIDED TO LOWER THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND USE THE KEY IN THE DOOR LOCK ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS FINALLY UNLOCKED BOTH DOORS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE AND I HAD PULL OVER THE CAR AND SHUT THE KEY OFF. THE DOORS MAY LOCK. A DISABLED OR WEAK PERSON MAY NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO BREAK THE GLASS OR CLIMB OUT THE WINDOW IF THEY PANIC. I AM VERY SCARED TO USE THE CAR AT THIS POINT...EVEN TO DRIVE IT TO GET REPAIRED.

I WAS IN A SERIOUS AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2003 BMW M3. I SUSTAINED SERIOUS FACIAL TRAUMA THAT RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF VISION IN MY LEFT EYE. I HAD FACIAL STITCHES AS WELL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT DEBRIS WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. 2 SURGERIES WERE REQUIRED AFTER THE ACCIDENT TO REPAIR DAMAGES WITH NO VISION RESTORED IN MY LEFT EYE. IT WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A SOLID OBJECT. *TR

P133 CODE HAS COME UP AFTER DRIVING 100 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC IN WHICH HE REPLACED ALL OXYGEN SENSORS. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE CODE CAME BACK UP. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANIC IN WHICH HE SAID IT HAS TO DO WITH A FAULTY ECM. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO FAIL SMOG TEST UNLESS I ERASE THE CODE. THE ECM HAS ALREADY BEEN REFLASHED BY BMW BACK IN 2012. *TR

WHILE TURNING AT A SLOW SPEED LEFT OR RIGHT THE DIFFERENTIAL BEGINS TO MAKE GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISE. INSPECTION II SERVICE HAS ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED IN WHICH THE DIFF FLUID IS REPLACED. HOWEVER, IF TURNING A HARD RIGHT OR HARD LEFT THE REAR TIRE BEGINS TO VIBRATE AND FEELS LIKE ITS RUNNING OVER A BUMP. *TR

XENON HEADLIGHTS MY XENON HEADLIGHTS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN THEY DO WORK THEY JUST BARELY LIGHT THE ROADWAY. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. I WENT TO THE BMW DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS MALFUNCTION COULD ONLY BE REPAIRED AT MY COST AND THAT THE XENON LIGHTS HAD SIMPLY WORN OUT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW. REAR TURN SIGNAL LGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING. THE INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH FROM THE REAR.

MY CAR WAS IN A COLLISION WHERE THE DRIVER OF CAR 1 WAS MAKING A TURN INTO THE MAIN STREET , SHE TURNED TOO WIDE AND COULD NOT COMPLETE THE TURN AND DECIDED TO BACK UP..SHE SLAMMED INTO MY CAR ,DAMAGE WAS LEFT FRONT BUMPER ,BROKEN PARKING LIGHT, DAMAGE LEFT FRONT FENDER , XENON HEADLIGHT MODULE,(CAUSES THE LEFT HEAD LIGHT TO TURN OF SOMETIMES) AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON , DIAGNOSIS FOUND DRIVERS SEAT BELT TENSIONER FAULT ,SINCE THERE WAS THE IMPACT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE DRIVER OF CAR 1 WAS CITED FOR HE INCIDENT AND ALSO FOR DRIVING ON A LEARNERS PERMIT ALONE. STATE FARM ONLY COVERED THE BODY REPAIR AND DECLINED THE REPAIR OF THE AIR BAG AND THE HEAD LIGHT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ANY ONE INSIDE THIS CAR IF THERE WAS ANY REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG AND IT DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME. MY CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED AND FEEL SAFE DRIVING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON A RELATIVELY HOT DAY (92 DEGREES F), MY VEHICLE'S SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX) MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON AND I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY DROPPING OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL OR "0" FOR 6-15 SECONDS AT A TIME. WHEN OUT OF GEAR, THERE WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. ON ONE INSTANCE OF DROPPING OUT OF GEAR, I WAS TURNING RIGHT AT AROUND 10-15 MPH WHEN I FOUND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND AN ONCOMING VEHICLE ALMOST RAN INTO ME. SINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS, THIS TYPE OF "STALLING" HAS HAPPENED MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE REACHES ABOVE 90 DEGREES, AND NOW I CANNOT DRIVE LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES WITHOUT THE SMG MIL TURNING ON AND GEARS START DROPPING. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND LEAVE ME STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY OR EVEN IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC, WHERE IT SEEMS TO OCCUR VERY FREQUENTLY. I'VE RESEARCHED MANY FORUMS FOR THIS AND HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH OTHER M3 SMG OWNERS. THERE IS SOME INDICATION FROM OTHER OWNERS THAT THE ISSUE MIGHT BE LINKED TO A HYDRAULIC TEMPERATURE SENSOR LOCATED ON THE MAIN SMG HYDRAULIC PUMP BUT I HAVE NOT FOUND ANY INFORMATION FROM BMW DETAILING A REPAIR FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. THE ONLY OPTION SEEMS TO BE A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE HYDRAULIC PUMP, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE ON MY VEHICLE ONCE BEFORE FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE. THIS TYPE OF REPLACEMENT COSTS ALMOST $4000 AS QUOTED BY THE DEALER. I THINK BMW SHOULD GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND CONDUCT

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 BMW M3 COUPE, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RACED OR TAKEN TO THE TRACK AND HAS SEEN MOSTLY CITY DRIVING. ALL SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE STOCK OR OEM REPLACEMENT PARTS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CAR, A TRAINED TECHNICIAN FOUND HAIRLINE FRACTURES STARTING FROM THE SPOT WELDS ON THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINTS RENDERING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY UNTIL EXPENSIVE REINFORCING PLATES CAN BE WELDED INTO THE TRUNK. IF A CAR COMPANY MAKES STREET-LEGAL RACE CARS AND MARKETS THEM TO THE PUBLIC IN THAT WAY IT SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW SUCH AS THIS WOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE COMPANY. AGAIN, THIS CAR WAS NEVER RACED OR TRACKED AND IS EXPERIENCING THE START OF A CATASTROPHIC STRUCTURAL FAILURE BECAUSE IT WAS DRIVEN ON NORMAL ROADS. *TR

FAILED REAR VIEW MIRROR WHERE A LIQUID INSIDE FORMS A BUBBLE MAKING THE MIRROR TOTALLY UNUSABLE. THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MOST WITH SIMILAR VEHICLES AND BMW NA HAS REFUSED TO OWN UP AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE LIQUID THAT SPILLS CAUSES IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE PARTS THAT IT SPILLS ON AND IS ALSO TOXIC. *TR

REAR VEHICLE SUBFRAME BEGINNING TO SEPARATE FROM CHASSIS. SHEET METAL DIRECTLY ABOVE SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINT PEELING AWAY FROM REST OF CAR. WOULD LEAD TO EVENTUAL DESTRUCTION OF REAR END AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE IF NOT FOUND IN A TIMELY MANNER. CONSUMER UNTRAINED IN AUTO MECHANICS MAY NOT EVER DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. *TR

RE: SMG PUMP FAILURE I HAVE CONTACTED BMWNA IN THE PAST IN REGARDS TO THE SMG (SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARSHIFT) PUMP FAILURE IN SOME BMW E46 M3'S 2002-2006. BMWNA APPEARS TO BRUSH THIS PROBLEM ASIDE. THE SMG IS AN ELECTRO HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED CLUTCH. IT CHANGES THE GEARS (UTILIZING HYDRAULIC PUMP) WITHOUT AN ACTUAL CLUTCH PEDAL BY UTILIZING THE SHIFTER LEVER LOCATED ON THE CENTER CONSOLE OR THE SHIFTER PADDLE LEVERS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE SMG FAILS YOUR VEHICLE LOSES ENGINE POWER AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO PROCEED. THIS COMMON PROBLEM APPEARS TO OCCUR IN THESE MODEL YEARS WITH AS LOW AS 40,000 MILES OR AS IN MY CASE 75,000 MILES. ON JULY 6, 2010 I TOOK MY M3 TO WEBER BMW IN FRESNO, CA. DUE TO THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT". I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE NEEDING A NEW SMG PUMP, WHICH I HAD NO CHOICE, BUT TO PAY THE COST OF $3,823.12 FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. I AM A MEMBER OF A BMW TALK FORUM CALLED E46FANATICS.COM (HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SEARCH.PHP?SEARCHID=19190542) AND M3FORUM.COM (HTTP://WWW.M3FORUM.NET/M3FORUM/SEARCH.PHP?SEARCHID=9157882) THESE TWO WEB SITES PROVIDE LOTS OF VALUABLE INFO IN REGARDS TO BMW OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SMG PUMP. I UNDERSTAND CARS BREAK DOWN, BUT WHEN IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS PROBLEM AND BMWNA IGNORES IT, THEN IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE A LEGAL PROBLEM. MY M3 IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY SERVICED AS BMW REQUIRES. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART IN THESE M3'S BUILT BETWEEN 2002 AND 2006. I AM STILL ANGRY THAT I HAD TO PAY THIS

BMW M3'S WITH SMG TRANSMISSION 2002-2006. ON HOT DAYS THE TRANSMISSION WITH "POP" OUT OF GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL FOR ABOUT 15-30 SECONDS BEFORE REENGAGING INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEAR. THIS JUST LEAVES THE CAR HELPLESS COASTING DOWN THE STREET.THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST WEEK AND TODAY THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND AN ONCOMING VEHICLE HAD TO "BRAKE N SWERVE" TO AVOID T-BONING ME. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT US BMW OWNERS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET BMW TO ACKNOWLEDGE FOR YEARS BUT THEY ACT LIKE ITS NOT A PROBLEM. THEY DON'T PROPERLY TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE AND JUST THROW PARTS AT IT HOPING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. NEXT THING YOU KNOW YOUR CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 3 WEEKS AND $3200 LATER(AVERAGE FOR THIS ISSUE) YOUR BLOCKING TRAFFIC DOWNTOWN COMING HOME IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THIS IS JUST INCREDIBLE TO ME. I CANT UNDERSTAND WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THE FEDERAL GVT ON THIS A OF YET. IF YOU WERE TO DO AN INTERNET SEARCH OF " M3 SMG OUT OF GEAR" OR "SMG NEUTRAL FAIL" YOU WOULD LITERALLY FIND 100'S UPON 100'S OF THREADS ON THIS ISSUE.PLEASE HELP. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE. HOPEFULLY THERE ARE OTHERS THAN MYSELF WHO TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO FILE A REPORT LIKE THIS INSTEAD OF WORRYING IF OUR 60K CAR IS GOING TO BREAK DOWN AND CAUSE A TRAFFIC JAM OR ACCIDENT IF THE TEMP IS ABOVE 95 DEGREES. *TR

1. I LIVE IN LANCASTER, CA AND WHEN THE SUMMER COMES AROUND IT GETS REALLY HOT REALLY QUICK. MY BMW M3 2003 WHICH HAPPENS TO BE AN SMG KEEPS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT CAUSES MY TRANSMISSION TO FUNCTION IMPROPERLY BY SHIFTING TO "NEUTRAL" AUTOMATICALLY. TODAY, ON MY WAY BACK FROM WORK I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WHEN MY TRANSMISSION CHANGE AUTOMATICALLY FROM 3RD GEAR INTO NEUTRAL ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME TO CRASH ONTO MY VEHICLE. 2. THE SMG LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY AND HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE "HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) WITH PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR" WHICH IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I NOTICE THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS USUALLY DURING THE HOT WEATHER SINCE IT ALSO HAPPENED TO ME LAST YEAR AROUND THE SAME TIME. MY BMW MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS WOULD COST ME ON OR ABOUT $3,000 WITH PARTS AND LABOR. I GOT ONLINE AS SOON AS I GOT HOME TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS I AM, FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER BMW M3 SMG E46 (2001-2006) OWNERS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT'S CONSEQUENCES ARE THAT SINCE THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE, I FEEL MY LIFE AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ARE AT HIGH RISK IF MY TRANSMISSION CHANGES FROM ANY GEAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS MALFUNCTION. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ AND DISCOVER ONLINE, BMW NORTH AMERICA KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WANTS ALL BMW M3 SMG E46 OWNERS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HCU W

AS YOU REMEMBER, WE ALL SPENT ABOUT SIX MONTHS THIS PAST SUMMER FIGURING OUT WHY OUR E46 M3 SMG'S WERE RANDOMLY THROWING ON THE TRANSMISSION CHECK LIGHT AND RANDOMLY CYCLING INTO NEUTRAL FOR AROUND 6-15 SECONDS, DISPLAYING A CONSTANT "0" DURING AN UP OR DOWNSHIFT IN HOT AND/OR HUMID WEATHER. WE DETERMINED AFTER PLENTY OF RESEARCH AND PHYSICALLY REMOVING THE SMG'S HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT(HCU), AND COMPARING HARD-TO-FIND BLUEPRINTS OF THE UNIT WHAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS. THE PROBLEM WAS THE HCU'S HYDRAULIC FLUID TEMPERATURE SENSOR, WHICH WOULD GO BAD DUE TO A THIN-LAYERED RESISTOR INSIDE THE SENSOR THAT WOULD MICROSCOPICALLY BEND AND CONTRACT OVER TIME IN AVID HEAT/HUMIDITY SITUATIONS, AND SEND FALSE DATA TO THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, GIVING IT THE ILLUSION THAT THE HCU WAS OVERHEATING AND NEEDED TO BE SHUT DOWN. TO THIS DAY, I AM STILL PUZZLED AS TO WHY BMW WOULD PROGRAM THE CONTROL MODULE TO DO SUCH A THING, KNOWING IT WOULD TEMPORARILY MAME THE CAR'S ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND/OR MAINTAIN SPEED, AND THUS ENDANGER IT'S OCCUPANTS AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER MOTORISTS AROUND IT. *TR

1. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WHERE I LIVE REACHED AROUND 95'F AND ABOVE MY TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WOULD SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AUTOMATICALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. 2. EVER SINCE THE TEMPERATURE GOT HOT HERE IN AZ, MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND THE CAR KEEPS GOING INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 6-15 SECONDS BEFORE RE-ENGAGING. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST 4 DAYS, TWICE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. MANY TIMES WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT. CONSEQUENCES IS THAT MY SAFETY IS IN DANGER THE NEXT TIME MY CAR IS NOT IN GEAR AND SOMEONE COLLIDES INTO MY CAR. VERY SCARED OF MY SAFETY AND MY OCCUPANTS. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE. BMW NA KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE, IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY HYDRAULIC PUMP TEMP SENSOR THAT WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY RESULTING IN THE SENSOR READING AN ERROR IN THE TEMP AND SHUTTING DOWN THE SMG TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT THINKS THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUIDS ARE OVERHEATING(WHICH IS NOT THE CASE). THEY WANT BMW M3 SMG OWNERS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HYDRAULIC SENSOR HCU UNIT. WHICH COSTS AROUND $3000.00 TO REPLACE IN PARTS AND LABOR. BUT THE PROBLEM WAS THE HCU'S HYDRAULIC FLUID TEMPERATURE SENSOR. IT'S A FAIRLY CHEAP PART TO REPLACE, BUT BMW IS NOT ADMITTING IT. HERE IS LINK TO A DISCUSSION ON SOME BMW FORUMS REGARDING THIS ISSUE: HTTP://BMWCCA.ORG/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=4417. *TR

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. DURING THEIR VEHICLE INSPECTION, THEY DISCOVERED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN WHERE THEY SEAT AT THE BOTTOM. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, BECAUSE WATER GETS INTO THIS AREA AND THERE ARE NO DRAIN HOLES, CAUSING THE SPRINGS TO RUST AND BREAK. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN ERROR, LEADING TO BROKEN SPRINGS AND A POTENTIALLY UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION.

MY 2003 BMW M3 HAS CRACKED WHEEL WHICH CAUSES TIRE TO GO FLAT WHICH IS A VERY BG SAFETY HAZARD. THIS TIRES GOES FLAT 2 TIMES PER WEEK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FAILED TO OPEN. THE DRIVER TURNED THE IGNITION "ON" AND ACTIVATED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOWS TO A DOWNWARD POSITION. THE DOOR WAS OPENED BY ACCESSING THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. FOR APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AND A HALF, THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR WAS DISCOLORED. HE WANTED THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR FREE, BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT COST FOR THE MIRROR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR CONTAINED A LIQUID USED TO TINT THE GLASS. THE LIQUID LEAKED OUT AND BURNED THE CENTER CONSOLE AND THE MIRROR. SHE WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE LIQUID WAS A TOXIC CHEMICAL THAT CONTAINED MERCURY. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A DISCOUNT, BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,080.

TOOK MY BMW M3 TO DON JACOBS BMW IN LEXINGTON, KY. THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER THEY FINISHED, I TOOK MY CAR HOME, NOTICED AN UNUSUAL "LIQUID" BUBBLE IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND BMW NORTH AMERICA MAY 26. THEY STATE NO RELATION. SEARCHING THE INTERNET ON BMW M3 FORUMS, THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS SOFTWARE RECALL. HUNDREDS OTHERS AFTER THE CAR WAS OUTSIDE ON A HOT DAY. APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT, SOME SAY THIS LIQUID IS MERCURY, AND HAVE HAD IT LEAK ONTO THEIR INTERIOR CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO LEATHER. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE W/O A REARVIEW MIRROR TILL THEY DECIDED ON MAY 29TH THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART. AT THIS POINT I AM HAVING TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT PART ON MY OWN AND INSTALL MYSELF. THIS WILL LIKELY MEAN ANOTHER WEEK W/O A REARVIEW MIRROR. THE FOLLOWING IS A LINK OF THE MANY OTHERS (30 PAGES WORTH) PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN, AND AS STATED A FEW SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBE THIS HAPPENING AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATE AS HAPPENED TO ME. ITS THOUGHT THAT DURING THE UPDATE, THE CAR IS PUT ON A CHARGER CAUSING THIS AREA TO HEAT UP INTERNALLY, CAUSING THE LEAK JUST AS IF IT HAD BEEN LEFT OUT ON A HOT DAY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR MORE DETAILS, OR LINKS TO THE OTHERS THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. HTTP://WWW.M3FORUM.NET/M3FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=160179&HIGHLIGHT=DARK+BUBBLE+SPOT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW M3. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH OR IMPACT OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURES TO HIS LEFT ARM DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE CD PLAYER STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNAL LENS WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAG IS BEING REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT THE CD AND LENS FAILURE WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN INSPECTOR WOULD COME OUT AND VIEW THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY COVER THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT RECALLS FOR A 2003 BMW. HE STATES THAT HE HAS TRIED TO CONTACT BMW TWICE AND HAS RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK AND ALSO A FAULTY QUARTER PANEL TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND SIGNAL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE REPAIRED THE FUEL LEAK AND FAULTY TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON HIS OWN. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED FOUR LIGHT SOCKETS/ BULBS OUT OF FIVE WERE NON-OPERATIONAL. THE ONLY LIGHT FUNCTIONING WAS THE INTERIOR TRUNK ILLUMINATION LAMP. FUEL WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO A FAULTY #5 FUEL INJECTOR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL INJECTOR CARTRIDGE THAT CAUSED GASOLINE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPDATED 12/22/10 *JB

MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT (TO INDICATE A FLAT TIRE HAS BEEN SPONTANEOUSLY COMING ON. BMW HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A REASON FOR THIS, BUT THEY CONTINUOUSLY RESET THE LIGHT ONLY FOR IT TO GO OFF AGAIN AT A LATER DATE. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN LOOSING AIR AT TIMES. THIS RESULTED IN A DOUBLE REAR TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE CA I-405 AT 80 MPH WHICH PUT ME AT RISK AND DAMAGED MY CAR. WHEN THE INDICATOR LIGHT WENT OFF THAT DAY I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ANOTHER FAILURE AND THOUGHT I HAD TIME TO PULL OFF IN A SAFE PLACE TO LOOK OVER THE CAR. I WAS WRONG. THIS HAS COST ME TIME AND MONEY AS I HAVE HAD TO RE-ARRANGE MY SCHEDULE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIMES, AND CANCEL PATIENTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR WHILE I HAVE HAD THE CAR. THE 405 INCIDENT WAS IN SEPT OF 2005 BUT THE PROBLEM DATES BACK TO MUCH EARLIER BUT AN EXACT DATE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME BUT COULD BE DETERMINED. *JB

I OWN A 2003 BMW M3 EQUIPPED WITH A SMG(SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX). WITHIN A MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, THE CAR STARTED EXHIBITING A SYMPTOM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. DURING ACCELERATION IN 1ST GEAR FROM STANDSTILL, IF THE CAR TRAVELS OVER A BUMP OR POTHOLES, THE CAR BEGINS TO BEHAVE IN A JERKY, STOP AND GO MOTION. IF I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE MORE VIOLENT THE STOP AND GO MOTION WOULD BECOME. THE ONLY WAY TO RECOVER IS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNTIL THE CAR SLOWS DOWN OR THE TACH GOES BELOW 1500 RPM. WHEN ACCELERATING OVER SMOOTH SURFACES, THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM WILL ALWAYS OCCUR WHILE ACCELERATING THE CAR IN 1ST GEAR OVER BUMPY ROADS THAT ALLOWS THE BACK TIRES TO MOMENTARILY LOSE TRACTION. A DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A BUMP THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. I BELIEVE YOU CAN SEE THE POTENTIAL DANGER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. CROSSING THE STREET IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SHOULD THIS FAILURE OCCUR. MY CAR NOW HAS APPROX. 5000 MILES AND ON JULY, 2005 I BROUGHT IT IN TO ERHARD BMW OF BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI. I DEMONSTRATED THE PROBLEM TO THEIR TECHNICIAN AND HE AGREED THIS SYMPTOM WAS REAL AND ALWAYS REPRODUCIBLE. AFTER KEEPING MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK, THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED TO TELL ME THAT BMW SAID THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. I CALMLY TOOK MY CAR BACK BUT TOLD HIM OF MY DISSATISFACTION OF THE SERVICE. I WORK IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND I BELIEVE I'M KNOWLEDGEABLE ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT IS NORMAL OPERATION

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 M3 EQUIPPED WITH THE SMG-II TRANSMISSION [XXX]. FOR THE PAST YEAR (SINCE THE CAR ACCRUED ABOUT 11,000 MILES), THE CAR HAS, WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY, FAILED TO MAKE THE SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. INSTEAD, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE FREE-REVS OFTEN PAST RED-LINE. THE RESULT IS THAT THE CAR LOSES ACCELERATION (DRAMATICALLY IF THE FUEL IS CUT-OFF WHEN THE RED-LINE IS PASSED), BUT BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON THE GAS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE. THIS RECENTLY NEARLY CAUSED ME TO BE REAR-ENDED. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, AN UNANNOUNCED LOSS OF FORWARD MOMENTUM IS VERY DANGEROUS. BMW HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION (TWICE), WHICH HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. MY DEALER HAS SUBMITTED A PUMA TO BMW ENGINEERS (TWICE) WITHOUT A RESPONSE. THE MOST RECENT SUBMITTAL WAS ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, WHICH COINCIDED WITH ANOTHER PUMA SUBMITTAL FROM ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM AWARE OF AT LEAST THREE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. (ONE OF THEM IS ON HIS FOURTH TRANSMISSION AND STILL HAS THE MALFUNCTION.) BMW, HOWEVER, HAS NOT TAKEN ADEQUATE STEPS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN OR OTHERWISE ADDRESSED THE SAFETY ISSUE. MY INQUIRY TO CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ALSO UNHELPFUL. AT THE END OF AUGUST, I SENT A LETTER DESCRIBING THIS PROBLEM WITH RETURN RECEIPT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC. I HAVE REC

LTR CONCERNING A DEFECT OF THE SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEAR TRANSMISSION ON THE LEASED 2003 BMW M3. *BF THE VEHICLE LURCHES MOVING ONLY AN INCH AT A TIME. THE LURCHING FORWARD HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION. PROBLEM EXISTS WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND. *TC *JB

BMW M3 E46 (2001-2005) DO NOT RESPOND TO ANY STANDARD OBDII COMMANDS FROM VARIOUS TOOL MANUFACTURERS. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT SEEM TO BE OBDII COMPLIANT. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICE. VEHICLE WAS MAKING A GRINDING/HUMMING NOISE. DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT LET HIM DRIVE VEHICLE OUT OF THE SHOP BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON VEHICLE CONCERNING CONNECTING ROD BEING DEFECTIVE. IT COULD BREAK OR BEND, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY . DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE FORCED TO KEEP HIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL OR HEARD OF ANY RECALL. DEALER, LAIDERDALE BMW LOCATED IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA. PHONE 954 527 3800.*AK

2004 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME AND DECIDED TO PUT THE TOP DOWN. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS AND HAVE PERFORMED THIS OPERATION A COUNTLESS NUMBER OF TIMES (I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA). I WAS DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH WHEN I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW AND NOTICED THAT THE STOWAGE LID WAS COMPLETELY UP. I PULLED OVER AND PERFORMED THE OPERATION, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED SOS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST ME. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, I TOOK THE CAR TO BEVERLY HILLS BMW WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS MY NEGLIGENCE WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO THEM, I DID NOT COMPLETE THE TOP DOWN OPERATION AND WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH THE LID OPEN. I ASSURED THEM THAT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AND THAT I AM POSITIVE THAT I HAD WAITED FOR THE WINDOWS TO COME UP (WHICH ONLY HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION IS COMPLETE). THE SERVICE MANAGER TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO OTHER WAY FOR IT TO COME UP AND THAT WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE BENT HINGES BECAUSE I HAD CAUSED IT. HINGES WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BY THE DEALER. I AM ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT I HAD COMPLETED THE OPERATION AND IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT AN ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION POSSIBLY RELEASED/UNLOCKED THE LATCHES HOLDING THE STOWAGE LID IN PLACE (OR POSSIBLY SOME OTHER MALFUNCTION), AND I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGES WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY OCCURED.

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOW OUT. MECHANIC REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT TIGHTENED TO THE POINT THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN IT WAS HARD TO TURN. ITS WAS AS IF SOMETHING WAS HOLDING ON TO IT.*AK THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY

THE FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN TANK IS FULL. AFTER INVESTIGATING LOUD NOISES FROM THE TRUNK AREA, I DISCOVERED THAT THE GAS TANK HAS IMPLODED, AND THE COMPONENTS WITHIN HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND EVERYTIME THEY THINK THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM, SOON AGAIN THE SAME THING HAPPENS.*AK