The report is in response to not being included in a recall of the rear taillight assembly. Some vehicles seem to be excluded for no reason from the recall and replacement of faulty wiring. NHTSA campaign id # 11V438000.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the windows could not be opened or closed. In addition, the windows would exhibit an abnormal crunching sound constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 51,000...updated 11/28/12 the consumer stated he had a problem with all the windows, getting jammed, or becoming stuck in the up or down position. All of the regulators were replaced. Also, there was a problem with the lock system not working. Sometimes, the button and switches would not work. Updated 11/29/30

- Mount Prospect, IL, USA

Right rear turn-signal lights operate intermittently--sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I almost got hit by another car from behind when I was changing lanes on the freeway.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

BMW North America sent out a recall letter dated December 2011 for the rear lights on their 3 series cars. They advised consumers that they should go to their local dealers for recall repairs and that they would be eligible for reimbursement for repairs already completed and paid for. I heard nothing further from BMW until I wrote to their new CEO for North America, Mr. Willisch, asking what I should do to get them to take action on their recall. He had his secretary call me and ask me to fax the receipts for the repairs to her, which I did. I heard nothing further for several weeks until I called again. She then called me back and said I should be hearing something from BMW soon. The next day I received a check from princeton BMW for the cost of one repair to the rear lights. However, I faxed receipts for 2 repairs to the right rear lights and 1 repair to the left rear lights. To date I have heard nothing further from BMW about reimbursing me for the other 2 repairs.. how can you help me get reimbursed for the other 2 repairs to my 3 series car? updated 10/1512

- Trenton, NJ, USA

The red positive wire terminal overheated and potential fire hazard. The problem would kill the battery and car would not start. Shop said due to the location (the trunk) of the battery their was not enough ground. The shop fixed the problem by grounding the engine.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

NHTSA campaign id number 11V438000 did name include us specification bmws made outside the us. Over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may cause all rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel to stop working. Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.

- Burke, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325I. The contact was driving 40 mph when smoke was seen coming from under the instrument panel. The vehicle was merged to the shoulder where the small fire was extinguished. The fire department was not notified. The vehicle was then towed to a local mechanic who inspected the failure and advised the contact that the main wiring harness plug showed evidence of an electrical short, melting the batch of wires that connected the port to the main wiring harness under the hood. The contact's insurance company was notified of the failure who referred the contact to a local mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 48,000.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

Recall summary BMW is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325I, 325xi, 330I, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2001, through March 1, 2005. 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. Consequence intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during October 2011. Owners may contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417. Notes BMW of North America, llc read more: www.internetautoguide.com/10-12-2002-12-107/2002-BMW-3-series-recalls.html#ixzz1fhegyufc.

- Norwalk, CA, USA

The left blinker started malfunctioning and, as a result, rear taillight bulb outage appeared on dashboard all other lights were ok. BMW dealership mechanic diagnosed tail light ground wiring issue: Inspection revealed that wires were melted inside rear tail light housing and could cause fire. Recommended replacing both tail light components by adding an additional ground, carrier replacements for bulbs. Replacement supplies on work order included sockets, insulation housing, connectors, shrinking hose. After research on consumer websites, I found out many complaints about the same issue. My BMW 325I is only 9 years old (2002) with only 30,250 miles on it. This kind of fundamental flaw should be corrected at BMW's expense, not ours. BMW needs to have a recall on this common and potential deadly issue.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

About 3 months ago noted my tail/turn signal light out indicator on dash, but all bulbs were good. Problem intermittent at first, but then became constant on left light indicator. Went on BMW internet forum and found this is a common problem to 3-series ascribed to ground not good enough, buring pin/port on connector. Indeed this is what happened on the left side of the tail light housing/connector. I spliced another ground wire to the original and connected to the housing as described in the online forum and seems to work for now, but I feel not having an operable turn signal on the rear of the car could be dangerous.

- Gunpowder, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325ci. The contact was driving 40 mph in rainy weather when smoke began emitting from the instrument panel. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and within minutes, the interior was engulfed in flames. The local fire department was dispatched and was able to extinguish the fire and determined the origin to be electrical. A fire report was filed and the vehicle was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Falling Waters, WV, USA

2002 BMW 325I sedan, 48,000 miles when brown wire at plug on rear right turn signal assembly corroded out and formed black burned residue, after re attaching the wire, symptom resurfaced at 74,000 miles. I understand this is a recurring problem. Please investigate before someone gets hurt in a fire.

- Cambridge, OH, USA

I have a 2003 BMW 325xi but there isn't a 2003 year to enter for some reason. Both tail lights and both headlights have gone out multiple times. Hazard light and main lock next to hazard light button have gone out completely, dash warning light have also gone out but have since been fixed with fuses.

- Gahanna, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325. The contact stated that the doors have stopped unlocking. The contact had to open the windows from inside of the vehicle and then unlock them since they would not open from the inside of the vehicle. When using the key, the contact was able unlock the drivers side door, but not the other doors. The dealer stated that this was a known issue with the vehicle and was caused by a failure problem with the electrical system. The failure mileage was 88000 and the current mileage was 92000.

- Saginaw, TX, USA

I had gotten rain on my hazard and lock button on my 2002 BMW 325I. At first I had the hazards goings off at night up to fifteen times per night for a week straight. "I had to run outside and hold down the hazard button until the lights turn off. Now the lights just blink throughout the day and night once or twice while ignition is off or while driving. Also not to mention the locks go off repeatedly on its own while driving or parked. I will be taking it to the shop to see what should be done next.

- Columbus, OH, USA

I have intermittent problems on hot days unlocking my car doors. My key button does not always open the door. I have to manually open the door. The real problem is when I'm inside the car, the unlock button does not work, even when I manually pull on the door handles from inside the car, the doors continues to be locked. This creates a very dangerous situation and a major safety hazard for all the passengers because the doors do not open. Once the car is cooler, they start to work again. I'm afraid that if I ever get into a car accident, nobody will be able to get out of the car. There is no BMW recall for failed locks. Please help. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Car was driven approximately 50 miles and parked in a restaurant parking lot. Weather was wet and rainy, the defroster was running on the car for most of the trip. After sitting 25-30 minutes a resident near the restaurant called to notify that the car was on fire. Employees of the restaurant attempted to put out the fire with hand held extinguisher but was unable to completely do so. Emergency personnel showed up on the scene a short time later to unpower the car and put out the flame. Police and fire teams were on the scene. The fire seems to have originated from the auxiliary A/C fan in front of the condenser as that is where the heaviest damage is.

- Superior Township, MI, USA

2002 BMW 325I rear taillights have failed on both sides due to the wiring on both sides of the harness have either melted and ground to the other wires or melted the tabs off of the male plug.

- Boring , OR, USA

2002 BMW 325 xi the warning light for a bulb-out or the fast blink for the turn signals comes on intermittently. Took to dealership and it's a known issue with the grounding of the tail lights. The wiring harness melts. Manufacturer refuses to fix outside warranty. Charge to repair - $450. BMW service bulletin: Si B 63 03 06 parts needed: 12 52 7 519 956 8-pin connector housing 12 52 0 007 171 blade contact slk 2.8 with a wire length of 500 mm, 1.0 mm 12 52 1 433 217 blade contact slk 2.8 without wire for a cable cross section of 1.5 mm 61 13 8 353 747 crimp connector 1.0 mm 61 13 1 379 833 shrink sleeve 61 13 1 393 718 comb-type connector (housing) 3-pin 61 13 1 387 150 comb-type connector (contact strip) 61 13 1 387 144 flat contact for comb-type connectors 07 11 9 975 531 flat plug-in sleeve 4.8-2.5 source locally brown wire, 1.5 mm, length approximately 120 mm.

- Omaha, NE, USA

This is for a potential fire hazard or possible rear end accident due to a known failure in the terminal block on the tail lights.

- Meridian , ID, USA