10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 66,442 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the headlights failed. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the headlight housing material was deteriorated and prevented the headlights from providing adequate illumination. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.
- Hickory, NC, USA
My left reverse/tail light does not work. I have replaced the bulb and assembly and also have found online that there were recalls for this specific issue.
- Bowie, MD, USA
Headlamp bulb out and upon replacement it was noted the coated wiring to the xenon system to right and left headlight is brittle (the wires plastic coating is falling off)and in some places exposed wiring was found. Electrical tape need to wrap the wiring to avoid potential fire. Late notice to this site I was unaware to file a report. Others also have complained about the same issues.
- Whittier, CA, USA
Car sitting in driveway of primary residence for several days after repeated heavy rains and hurricanes and spontaneously caught fire. Fire was self extinguished but started in dash on left side of steering wheel centered on the head-light control module.
- Greensboro, NC, USA
Headlights have lost brightness and coverage and do not illiuminate the road properly. Vehicle is equipped with hid xenon lights package and when new were extremely bright but now are very dim. Original equipment with no modifications or accidents.
- Linden, MI, USA
Three recalls. Front drivers air bag, front passenger airbag, both rear quarter panel lamps carrier connector wires heated and melted. Contacted BMW of kingsport several times for assistance. Said would help but has not. Need schematic of rear taillight assemblies and repair of airbags.
- Coeburn, VA, USA
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 11V438000 (exterior lighting), 14V428000 (air bags) and 15V318000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Lennox, CA, USA
Headlight wiring insulation on standard BMW headlights is brittle and falling off exposing bare copper wires within the headlight assembly. In order to protect the headlights I have had to wrap the wires in electrical tape and shrink wrapping. This issue has existed for several years.
- Bethlehem, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. While operating the vehicle, the low beam headlights became dim and it was difficult to view the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the zeon projector in the headlight assembly failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Pembrook Pines, FL, USA
Headlights project almost no light. Just paid $130 to have lenses cleaned, no improvment. I thought it was my eyes and complained to opthamologist twice but my eyes are ok. I've read tht the reflector bowls in this model melt from the heat of the bulb. I need to remedy this situation asap so I will not be able to wait for an investigation.
- Greenbrae, CA, USA
My headlights are so dim at night it is impossible to see without high beams on at all times. The fog lights are brighter than my new headlight bulbs. Only solution seems to replace the whole assembly but after researching this seems to be an ongoing issue with BMW so why should I have to spend over $1500 when they should have to replace them with a recall.
- Cartersville, GA, USA
Hid (xenon) headlights very dim. Can barely tell they are on when driving at night. (the fog lights are much brighter than the headlights). Creates a dangerous situation when driving at night. Headlight assemblies manufactured by zkw. The reflective material deteriorates inside the headlight assembly leading to very poor light output. Issue has been reported over and over. I guess it's not important enough until somebody dies because of the issue, that is if that hasn't already happened....the ridiculous cost of fixing the issue compounds the problem. Sorry I don't have an extra $2,000 laying around to replace my defective headlights. Come on BMW step up to the plate and fix the problem you're very well aware of, please.
- East Stroudsburg, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the rear exterior lights became inoperable as the rear taillight warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon inspection around the connector and the panel, there were scorch marks and the connectors coating was completely melted off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
- Tonawanda, NY, USA
Takata recall: TL* the contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V428000 (air bags) and 15V318000 (air bags). The dealer was unable to indicate when the parts would become available to receive the recall repairs for several months. The contact did not receive notification of NHTSA campaign number: 11V438000 (exterior lighting) and was to check with the manufacturer to determine when the recall repairs would be scheduled by the dealer. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Head lights are very dim. Reflectors are burned. Headlights do not project on the road. Cannot see at night.
- Spring Green, WI, USA
Zkw hid xenon low beam reflectors burnt or corroded causing a significant decrease in light output that BMW wants ~$3000 to fix. Lights were a premium option and cannot be corrected by xenon bulb replacement. The output has dimmed as to be unsafe.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The very first time I tried to drive the car at nighttime to go back home, my wife and kids were on board, and we were more than 200 miles from home. After I turned on the low-beam head lamps and started rolling, I could barely see the road because the headlamps were not properly illuminating. I flipped the switch several times to no avail.' Putting lives and properties at risk, I continued driving until we got home, all the while driving with the high-beam lamps on and apparently getting the others drivers on the road fuming. I took the car to both a lamp-adjusting station and a BMW dealer where I was told the lamps could neither be adjusted nor their bulbs merely replaced because the problem was the reflector bowls were defective and had lost their ability to project light properly. I was also told that both that the reflector bowls could not be replaced individually, and that both (left and right sides) assemblies must be replaced at a total cost of more than $2000. Many posters in the BMW forums have voiced out exactly the same problems, and I wish that all would file a complaint to NHTSA. I never drove this car again at night until I had " in August 2014 " purchased and finally received and installed the head lamps assemblies in October 2014. I have in my possession the headlamp adjusting station's invoice and recommendation plus the receipt and invoice for the new headlamp assemblies that had to be specially ordered from germany. On November 17, 2014, by certified mail, I sent BMW of North America my request for reimbursement, but I have yet to receive a response. Due to this defect which affects safety, I strongly and respectfully suggest that a recall be issued on this BMW model, or some sort of directive be issued for BMW to reimburse those owners 'such as I' who had already replaced their lamp assemblies at their own expense.
- Midway City, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the turn signals and the headlights failed to activate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the light module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,000. Updated 4/7/15
- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
My zkw headlights do not reflect light anymore. BMW offer no replacement reflector bowls for the headlight, so no fix is available except replacing the headlight assembly with the same faulty assembly from the same manufacturer. Headlights produce too much heat and melt the reflectors deeming them useless and an extreme danger. Recall needed for extreme safety reasons. I can't drive my car at night anymore.
- Dallas, TX, USA
- San Diego, CA, USA