10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 5
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 80,851 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the inside of the headlight housing became abnormally foggy. The bulb also looked as if it was foggy and busted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacture was not notified about the possible default. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
Failure of the right rear tail light assembly due to the grounding wire connector (inside the 8 pin connector which attaches to 8 pin receiver on the light) melting which rendered the brake light, turn signal, reverse light, and lightning inoperative. As connection was failing, the ground connection was likely intermittent leading to lighting malfunction warning indications on dash and intermittent operation of right rear lights, dimmed brightness of right rear lights. The intermittent operation/failure reduces the ability to warn other cars/drivers of my car's intentions. Could result in vehicle rear end collisions.
- Plainsboro, NJ, USA
Malfunction of left headlight. Dealer inspection revealed"headlight wires leading to bulb socket have corrosion on them and casing around the wires is coming off". there was a recent vehicle safety recall for this model car for similar issues with rear lamp bulb carrier: Recall campaign no. 13V-407 potentially serious safety issue with malfunction of headlights leading to dangerous driving conditions or crash can occur especially at night or in bad/inclement weather.
- Ocean Springs, MS, USA
While driving on the highway, the right taillight has malfunctioned completely (brake lights and right turn signal). The issue is well known to BMW dealerships however they claim it's not covered under cpo (certified pre-owned) warranty and my model is not included in the recall. The tail light connector is melted due to faulty tail light grounding. BMW has issued a recall for this specific issue (some models) but I don't know if I will ever get notified.
- Dallas, TX, USA
The rear back-up lamp outage warning light came on my dashboard. I attempted to replace the bulb and saw that the wiring harness had been burnt around the brown wire. I searched online and saw that this has happened many times to other with the same yr make and model vehicle. I reported it to the deal who in turn referred me to contact BMW North America. I received an E-mail response from them saying that there is a recall in process and to wait 4-6 weeks. The problem, is that my tail light is not working. It is unfortunate this cannot be fixed immediately. I want to ensure that I am included in this recall.
- Placentia, CA, USA
My rear right bulb housing has malfunctioned causing my car to not have a rear right turn signal, rear right brake signal and right side back up light.
- Pico Rivera, CA, USA
My rear left bulb housing has malfunctioned causing my car to not have a rear left turn signal, rear left break signal or left side back up light.
- Hartford, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the passenger's side turn signal and all of exterior lightning would not function upon engaging. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was repaired however the contact was not aware of the exact repairs. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 13V407000 (exterior lighting) however, the contact's VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was unavailable.
- Greenville, SC, USA
Passenger side rear tail light (back up and turn signal) wire harness connector melted. Per ntbsb and web search, numerous people have had exact same problem. Dash indicated that first tail light failed, then back up light failed. Inspection showed melted wire connector. This is a manufacturing defect and safety issue that needs to be addressed. Was nearly collided when making a right turn.
- Wichita, KS, USA
Rear exterior lights(brake, tail, & turn signal) - melted wire assembly is causing malfunction. While driving I noticed a "burning" smell. Shortly thereafter, all at once my dash indicated that my passenger side tail light, brake light, and turn signal had simultaneously malfunctioned. The wiring harness that attaches to the light assembly is melted. BMW did a recall of over 2,500 3-series vehicles for the exact same issue but has not recalled the 5-series ("??") this is a safety issue that needs to be addressed.
- Kennesaw, GA, USA
On or about 25 May 2013, I started hearing a intermittent beeping sound inside the car, however there was no warning on the dash board screen therefore it was hard to trace the problem. The intermittent beeping would start and stop, while driving making me very nervous because I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The beeping sound changed to sound of something trying to reset itself like a reset pattern. Next on 6 Apr 2013, while inside a parking I thought I seen my right tail light blink on & off. Then on 8 Apr 2013, I notice my right tail was out, so I purchased and installed a new tail bulb but it didn't fix the problem. After researching, I found it was led problem and could only be fixed by a BMW shop. The BMW manual suggested taking the car to the BMW dealership, on 16 Apr 2013 I took the car to I.G. burton that's when their inspection found " right rear tail light is out ( found that ground wire is burnt and bulb holder is burnt) recommend replacing bulb holder and ground wire. It cost me $374.48 to have the problem fixed.
- Dover, DE, USA
The warning came on that the right rear tail light malfunctioned. Within the next few days the warning went away but then came back intermittently and also stated that the right rear brake light and turn signal had malfunctioned. These warnings go on and off so my husband pulled the housing for the light out and discovered the connector plug and housing had melted because the brown wire was burnt and melted. So he went to the dealer ship to get another housing unit and new connector to fix the problem. And a few months later the other side had the same issue and he replaced it as well... now both are burnt again. I called the dealer ship to take my car in for this issue and they want $140 to look at it and they said they have not heard of this issue before. This is a safety issue and now that I look online it looks like a lot of people with this year, make and model have the same thing going on. This needs to be a recall. I feel like this will keep happening since both have been replaced already and it's happening again. Something is wrong.
- Buford, GA, USA
Failure of the right rear tail light assembly due to the grounding wire connector (inside the 8 pin connector which attaches to 8 pin receiver on the light) melting which rendered the brake light, turn signal, reverse light, and lightning inoperative. Also resulted in the light assembly needing replacement. As connection was failing, the ground connection was likely intermittent leading to lighting malfunction warning indications on dash and intermittent operation of right rear lights, dimmed brightness of right rear lights. The intermittent operation/failure reduces the ability to warn other cars/drivers of my car's intentions. Could result in vehicle rear end collisions. My failure mode seems very similar to NHTSA 11V438000 recall for certain BMW 3 series models. Pictures available if needed.
- Saint Paul, MN, USA
Left turn signal, brake light & backup light stopped working. Upon inspection, found that the wiring harness connector to the left lighting assembly was discolored and slightly distorted at the ground conductor. Around half of the ground conductor on the mating plug of the lighting assembly had deteriorated away.
- Beverly Hills, MI, USA
I turned my car on and it instantly notified me that my taillight was out. Then I stepped out and tapped the taillight and it went back on then I took it to the dealership the next day now they are saying the connectors are burnt and they want me to pay 200$ to repair something that the manufacture should of corrected and perfected this is ridiculous hope someone helps me.
- Hillside, NJ, USA
Warning came on that the right rear tail light malfunctioned. Within the next few days the warning went away but then came back intermittently and also stated that the right rear brake light and turn signal had malfunctioned. These warnings were intermittent. About a week later the signals came on every time the car was driven. I looked at the lighting housing and discovered that both the plug and housing had melted due to a brown wire. I will be taking the car to the shop tomorrow to get fixed but it seems more damage could have been done unless I discovered the existence of the problem.
- Columbia, SC, USA
The 8 pin connector to the right rear light assembly melted. Turn signal, brake light stopped working one wire seems corroded.
- Paterson, NJ, USA
The grounding wire in the connector to the tail light bulb holder melted and melted parts of the connector. This resulted in no signal, brake and running rear lights. A recall has been called for BMW E46 3 series for this exact problem. The recall should be expanded to cover the 5 series as well.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
The grounding wire in the connector to the tail light bulb holder melted and melted parts of the connector. This resulted in no signal, brake and running rear lights. A recall has been called for BMW E46 3 series for this exact problem. The recall should be expanded to cover the 5 series as well.
- Torrance, CA, USA
- Miami, FL, USA