2001 BMW 325i Problems & Complaints

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V018000 (Air Bags) and 17V047000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer Ferman BMW (31400 US Hwy 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

RECALL NUMBER 19V698 COULD NOT BE VERIFIED USING VIN NO WBAAV33481F[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED AN INJURED RIGHT ARM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (HERE IN GEAR BMW, I 55, JACKSON, MS) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT AN IMPACT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE METAL FRAGMENTS; HOWEVER, THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND CEILING. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RIM WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AND NECK CAUSED BY THE FORCE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. *TT *TR

TAKATA RECALL. I'VE BEEN BOMBARDED WITH 'URGENT RECALL NOTICE' EMAILS (LASTLY 07/14 AND 07/20) AND POSTCARDS FROM BMW, NHTSA AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, ABOUT SAFETY RECALL' NOS. 17V-047 AND 13V-172/14V-428. AND MY WIFE RECEIVED A SIMILAR POSTCARD FROM 'BMW OF NORTH HAVEN.' ON AUGUST 10, RITA, BMW RECALL CENTER (1-877-432-7841) CONFIRMED THAT MY CAR WAS DUE FOR REPAIRS, AND ARRANGED FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH 'BMW OF NEW LONDON,' 543 COLMAN ST, NEW LONDON, CT 06320, WHERE I'VE SPEND THE WHOLE MORNING ON AUGUST 18, ONLY TO BE TOLD BY NICK PARSON (STANDING IN FOR FREDDIE ILLAS, TAG NO.W959), THAT THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE WERE OF 'THE TYPES WHICH DID NOT NEED A REPLACEMENT', CLAIMED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY AIR BAG ALTERATIONS, BUT ALSO DID NOT GIVE ME ANY WRITTEN CONFIRMATION THAT MY VEHICLE WAS SAFE. THEREFORE, I'VE TRIED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS SITUATION BY CONTACTING BY EMAIL [email protected] (CORRESPONDENCE 1-9923906859), WHERE KATIE G., AND SEVERAL OTHERS, ADVISED ME TO CALL 1-800-831-1117 (BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT), HOWEVER WITHOUT ANY EFFECT. THEN I'VE TALKED TO CRYSTEL, BMW RECALL HOTLINE (1-800-525-7417), WHO, AGAIN, DID NOTHING TO ANSWER MY SAFETY CONCERNS, BUT SWITCHED ME TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE, WHICH I FINALLY IGNORED. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I REQUEST A WRITTEN STATEMENT ABOUT THE CURRENT SAFETY STATUS OF MY VEHICLE, CLEAR EXPLANATION WHY I'VE BEEN FORCED TO BRING MY VEHICLE TO A BMW SERVICE STATION, AND FULLY COMPENSATED FOR THE UNNECESSARY TRAVEL, 65 MILES (TOTAL) AND LOST WAGES, $680.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, BOTH REAR LIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DASHBOARD BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INDICATING LIGHT FAILURE AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND THEY BEGAN TO FLASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE BY UNPLUGGING THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000. ...UPDATED 10/17/12 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE REAR TAIL LIGHT CARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AN ERROR MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALERTED TO HER THAT THE REAR QUARTER PANEL LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE LIGHTS BECAUSE THEY CREATED A FIRE HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ERROR MESSAGE CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS) BUT DID NOT ADVISE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2001 BMW 325I. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS REGARDING VEHICLE RECALL REPAIRS *TGW WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 140,000 MILES IT BEGAN RUNNING UNUSUALLY LOUD WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN INTERMITTENT BEEPING SOUND. ACCORDING TO AN INVOICE, THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE DECLINED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO EXERCISE HIS RIGHT TO HAVE THE RECALL REMEDIED DUE TO THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY CATCHING ON FIRE. RECALL NUMBERS 01V206000 AND 02V138000 WERE MENTIONED IN THE LETTER. *JB UPDATED 05/12/11. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE FANS BEGAN RUNNING UNUSUALLY LOUD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ALSO EXTREMELY LOUD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO MAKE A BEEPING SOUND INTERMITTENTLY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING CAR WOULD OVERHEAT.ENGINE FAN FELL OFF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

FROZEN CRANKCASE VENTILATION VALVE CAUSED ENGINE TO STALL OUT COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC. NO ENGINE RESTART WAS POSSIBLE. *TT

RECALL 01 V 206 002/ENGINE AUXILARY COOLING FAN: VEHICLE OVERHEATED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

MY 2001 BMW 325I HAS A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF MORE THAN 15 REPAIRS OF WINDOW REGULATORS. THE ORIGINAL BMW WINDOW REGULATORS LAST FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND FAIL ONE AFTER ANOTHER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A SEVERE RAIN STORM, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DISRUPTION OF DRIVERS CONCENTRATION, AS WELL AS CAR FLOODING AND WATER DAMAGE. I BELIEVE IT IS A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, WHICH WAS NEVER CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE WINDOW WOULD OPEN BUT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE WINDOW; THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL THE WINDOW BACK UP WHILE ENGAGING THE POWER WINDOW BUTTON. A PORTION OF THE REGULATOR FELL INTO THE DOOR PANEL. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

SINCE I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE THREE OF MY WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE GONE OUT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THEM AND RECENTLY ONE OF THE ONES REPLACED, WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ONLY REGULATOR, WHICH HASN'T BEEN CHANGED, IS MAKING CRUNCHING SOUNDS AS BEING ROLLED UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE WINDOWS HAVE FAILED AND WERE REPLACED ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WARNING INDICATOR WAS THAT THE WINDOWS WOULD ROLL UP AND DOWN VERY SLOWLY. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT THE WINDOW GOES INTO THE DOORFRAME DURING THE FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND TRANSMISSION TYPE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 77,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 10 WINDOWS REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THE CAR (ALL WINDOW SIDES AT LEAST 2 EACH). THIS IS ON A CAR WITH < 60000 MILES. I HAVE SPENT >1000 DOLLARS REPLACING THESE REGULATORS AND EVEN THE DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REGULATORS FAIL OFTEN. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,866.

MY CAR WAS FUNCTIONING PERFECTLY FINE THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT. I WENT INTO A RESTAURANT AND WHEN I CAME OUT AND GOT INTO MY CAR AND TRIED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING LOT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. I PUSHED IT OUT AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR WORKS FINE BUT THERE IS NO REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE QUOTE I WAS GIVEN IS $6000! MY CAR HIGH BOOKS AT $5400. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THESE CARS AND BMW REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX NOR DO I WANT TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR THAN IT WILL EVER BE WORTH. I NEED HELP! *TR

2001 BMW 325I. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE TRANSMISSION BLEW OUT *TGW

2001 325 I TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - WILL NOT REVERSE , AFTER LOOKING INTO IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL AND YEAR . I AM ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND NOW CANNOT LOOK FOR WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILLED AGAINST BMW IN NJ , AND WAS WON ! I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY BMW FIX BECAUSE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW IS WELL KNOWN ABOUT AND DID NOTHING TO FIX IT ! PLEASE HELP! *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE: DRIVE WILL NOT OPERATE IN REVERSE. CAN RESULT IN CARS STALLED IN INTERSECTION, BLOCKING TRAFFIC, WITHOUT CAPABILITY TO AVOID COLLISION BY BACKING UP. *TR

ALL 3 PASSENGER DOORS LOCK AND INTERMITTENTLY CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. THIS HAS TO DO WITH A FAULTY GM5 MODULE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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.

CAR IS A BMW 325I. MODEL YEAR 2001. THE ELECTRICAL DOOR UNLOCK MECHANISM DOES NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK THE DOORS. IN PARTICULAR, THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS NOW. I SUSPECT THAT IT IS RELATED TO A FAULTY GENERAL MODULE 5 UNIT IN THE CAR. ON RARE OCCASIONS UNLOCKING THE DOOR WILL NOT WORK WHEN PULLING THE DOOR LATCH WHEN THE ALL DOOR LOCK BUTTON IS NOT WORKING, LEADING TO DRIVER/PASSENGERS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. *TR

GM5, AND MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR NOT WORKING ON MY 2001 325I BMW. IT SHUTS OFF WHEN GET A DEAD STOP AND ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AGAIN. THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK AND LOCK AFTER PRESSING THE BUTTONS MULTIPLE TIMES. THE REMOTE AS WELL WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DOORS EVERYTIME. ITS AT RANDOM WITH NO SPECIFIC PATTERN. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 BMW 325I - 4 DOOR. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS: INTERMITTENTLY (USUALLY WHEN HOT) THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY - ALL FOUR. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, I CAN UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE KEY BUT I CAN NOT OPEN THE OTHER THREE DOORS WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY, THE BUTTON ON THE DASH OR BY PULLING THE HANDLES. THE GAS LID DOES NOT UNLOCK EITHER. SOMETIMES JUST THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL OPEN WITH THE BUTTON ON THE KEY AND THEN - USUALLY - I CAN UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS WITH THE HANDLES. SOMETIMES EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. THE TRUNK DOES NOT HAVE PROBLEMS UNLOCKING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE GM5 MODULE HAS A COMMON FAILURE THAT CAUSES THESE ISSUES. *TR

FAULTY TAIL LIGHTS- THE RIGHT TAIL BULB ASSEMBLY ON THE CAR GOT SO HOT IT MELTED ALONG WITH THE PLUG. I CALLED THE BMW HOT LINE 800-525-7417, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR HAD 2 RECALLS FOR AIRBAGS, ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR HAD A FAULTY TAIL LITE REPAIR IN 2002. I TRAILERED THE CAR ON 4/11/18 TO SEWELL GRAPEVINE BMW, WHERE SCOTT LORD IN THE SERVICE DEPT TOOK IT IN. I ASK FOR THEM TO FIND OUT ALSO ABOUT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTING & I LEFT THE PART WITH THE CAR. ON 4/11/18 I RENTED THE SAME TRAILER & WENT TO PICKUP THE CAR, (I LIVE 40 MLS FROM THERE). UPON TALKING WITH MR. LORD, THE 2 RECALLS WHERE PERFORMED & HE SAID THE TECHNICIAN LEFT BROCHURES IN THE CAR ON HOW THE MELTED TAIL LIGHT IS REPAIRED & THAT THE CAR IS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO DO IT. FIRST OFF, THANKS TO NHTSA WEB SITE, I LEARNED THAT THERE WHERE 210,000 OF THESE CARS RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR OF THIS CAR. 2ND, I 'VE NEVER KNOWN A RECALL TO EXPIRE UNTIL FIXED. I CALLED BMW RECALL BACK 5/2/18 & SHE SAID NO RECALLS ARE SHOWING NOW & THAT I'D HAVE TO CONTACT NHTSA, SO HERE I AM, DO THEY FIX IT, OR SHOULD I CONTACT A LAWYER? THANK YOU NHTSA! I'M GLAD THERE WAS NOT A CAN OF GAS IN THE TRUNK

RIGHT SIDE REAR LIGHTS BURNED OUT REPLACED BULBS NOTHING HAPPENED UNPLUGGED THE HARNESS TO FIND #4 PRONG COMPLETELY BURNED AWAY ON CAR CHECKED THE LEFT SIDE AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING IT IS GETTING HOT AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS READY TO BURN OUT ALSO. *TR

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS NON-FUNCTIONAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ISSUE RELATED TO PREVIOUS RECALL OF BMW'S RECALLED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V438000. I CALLED BMW WHICH TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE. *TR

RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2000-10-30 AND THAT CAMPAIGN APPLIES TO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER 09-2001. *TR

BMW 325I E46 MODEL HAS DOOR LOCKING ISSUES. THE DOORS WILL LOCK AND NOT UNLOCK TRAPPING PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CAR. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO CRAWL OUT THE WINDOW AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHICH FIXES THE ISSUE BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD FIX THE ISSUE THROUGH A RECALL. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT PEOPLE CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAR, WHAT IF THEY WERE IN AN ACCIDENT AND COULD NOT ESCAPE THE VEHICLE? *TR

I HAVE A 2001 BMW 325I SEDAN (PRODUCTION DATE 10/2000) AND I'M HAVING A ISSUE WITH MY DOOR LOCKS. TODAY WHEN GOING TO PICK UP MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL, I WAS UNABLE TO EXIT MY VEHICLE. I ALWAYS LOCK MY DOORS ONCE I BEGIN DRIVING FOR MY OWN COMFORT AND SAFETY. SO AFTER PARKING MY CAR AND REMOVING MY KEY, NORMALLY I WOULD BE ABLE TO PULL THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK, IT DIDN'T. I DON'T HAVE AN ALARM ON THE CAR SO I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON. I PUSHED THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR TO ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH NO SUCCESS. I PRESSED THE BUTTON ON MY KEY TO ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH AGAIN, NO SUCCESS. THE ONLY WAS I WAS ABLE TO EXIT MY VEHICLE WAS TO PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION, OPEN THE DRIVERS WINDOW, TAKE THE KEY BACK OUT AND USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED, BUT IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHERE I WAS LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR. IT HAPPENED ONCE IN THE WINTER AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO MY CAR FOR OVER 30MINUTES. THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR. I COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT AND CAN'T GET OUT THE CAR THROUGH THE DOORS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. THE MOST SCARY PART IS THAT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. I TOOK THE CAR TO BE LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ME ALMOST $800 TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY CAR. I SEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR SOMETHING FOR THIS ISSUE OFFERED BY BMW AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING BUT MORE PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME EXPENSIVE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND ALL DOORS WERE LOCKED BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR, HOW WOULD MY PASSENGERS GET OUT??? VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! *TR

THE AUTOMATIC POWER DOOR LOCKS ON A BMW 3-SERIES (E46) ARE KNOWN TO RANDOMLY FAIL, RESULTING IN IT BECOMING IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANY OCCUPANTS TO GET OUT OF A VEHICLE. THIS IS APPARENTLY DUE TO A FAULTY GM5 RELAY (GENERAL MODULE #5) SUPPLIED AS AN OEM COMPONENT IN THE VEHICLE BY BMW (SEE HTTP://HTTP://WWW.BMWGM5.COM/). FAILURE OCCURS ABOUT 1 OUT OF 3 ATTEMPTS TO UNLOCK THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS. IT IS KNOWN THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GM5 RELAY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. SOMEONE EVENTUALLY WILL BE BURNED ALIVE DUE TO THIS FAULTY COMPONENT. *TR

IN COLD WEATHER WHEN CLOSING DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE HOLDING DOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

I AM WRITING WITH REGARDS TO FILE# 0304924 A COMPLAINT WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA. AS YOU RECEIVED COPIES OF ALL BMW'S COMMUNICATIONS WITH ME YOU ARE AWARE THAT A FINAL REPAIR ATTEMPT LETTER WAS SENT TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT ON 10-09-03I CAME OUT OF MY OFFICE AND MY FRONT FLOORBOARD WAS FULL OF WATER AGAIN. I CALLED BMW AND THEY REQUESTED THAT I BRING THE CAR IN ON 10-10-03. I ALSO CALLED MRS. BRANDI DOLFI AT BMW NORTH AMERICA AND SHE IS OUT OF THE OFFICE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WELL WITHIN THE LEMON LAW LIMITS AND I WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. AS A SIDE NOTE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 OTHER TIMES FOR OTHER STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE LAST REPAIR ATTEMPT IN MAY OF 2003. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU COULD GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *LA

CONVERTIBLE TOP HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT CLOSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS POWER LOCK WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE BY REMOTE, ON THE LATE INCIDENT THIER 18 MONTH CHILD WAS LOCKED IN, AND LOCAL POLICE HAD TO BRAKE THE GLASS TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE DURING COLD WEATHER. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked overnight and off, the vehicle caught on fire. The contact was alerted by her father that the vehicle was on fire. There were no occupants at the time of the fire. The entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene. It was unknown if there was a fire report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The father of the contact had a truck parked in front and due to the flames of the vehicle fire, it melted the front of the parked vehicle causing damage. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not driveable after the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO A SAFE AREA AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COOLING FAN FAILED AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO BRIAN HARRIS BMW (12336 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70817, (225) 754-1200). THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

OIL LEAK AT THE VALVE COVER POTENTIALLY CAUSED BY BOLTS BEING OVER-TORQUED AS ASSEMBLY.

I AM WRITING YOU REGARDING AN EVENT THAT OCCURRED WITH MY DAUGHTER'S 2001 BMW 325I. HER CAR HAS ABOUT 118,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY IT DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK SO MY WIFE TRADED CARS WITH HER ONE EVENING ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO AND WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR FAVORITE MECHANIC. I DISCUSSED THE SERVICES WE THOUGHT WERE NECESSARY WITH THE CAR WITH THE MECHANIC ' AN OIL LEAK, SOME INTERMITTENT MIS-FIRING AND ALSO THAT MY DAUGHTER HAD TOLD ME THAT RECENTLY SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WOULD COME ON WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. I HAD ASKED HER WHAT SHE MEANT AND SHE SAID 'THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AND THAT IT MADE IT HARD TO STEER'. THE MECHANIC ASKED IF I THOUGHT SHE WAS INADVERTENTLY TAPPING THE BRAKES. I TOLD HIM NO, SHE WAS VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THE MECHANIC FOUND A LEAKING HEAD COVER GASKET AND CRANK SEAL THAT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIRS WERE ACCOMPLISHED FOR THESE ITEMS FIRST. THEN THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE CAR TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THE BRAKES. HE RELATED TO ME THAT AT 60 MPH THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE GRABBED AND THEN RELEASED AS THE ABS SYSTEM TOOK OVER. THE CAR SWERVED DRASTICALLY TO THE LEFT AND THE TECHNICIAN ALMOST STRUCK THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALL ALONGSIDE AS HE CORRECTED THE STEERING. HE TOLD ME HAD NOT EXPECTED SUCH A DRAMATIC LOSS OF CONTROL AND HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED NOR HEARD OF ANOTHER CAR BEHAVING IN THIS MANNER. OUR MECHANIC AND HIS TECHNICIAN WENT THROUGH A NUMBER OF DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES WHICH LED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE YAW AND STEERING WHEEL SENSORS. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE SAN ANTONIO BMW DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR REQUIRED COMPUTER CODING AND RETURNED TO ME AS REPAIRED. HAS THIS EVENT OCCURRED IN ANY OTHER CARS THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF? THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THERE IS AN ON-LINE NETWORK THAT MECHANICS CAN SHARE NOTES WITH THAT MENTIONS THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL INSTANCES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN TO BRAKE. THE TRAVEL SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DSC/ADB LIGHTS (AUTOMATIC DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING) WERE THE ONLY WARNING INDICATORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS SINCE TURNED OFF THE DSC/ADB LIGHTS. THE ENGINE SIZE, PURCHASE DATE, AND CORRECT VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKES THEY FAILED. CONSUMER STATED THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO PUT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE. *AK

AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES ON GOODYEAR EAGLE HP P205 55 R16 TIRES, THE SIDEWALLS ARE SEPARATING. THE TIRE IS RATED FOR ABOUT 40,000 MILES AND THE TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE IS STILL SUBSTANTIAL, HOWEVER THE TIRES MUST BE REPLACED. THEY ARE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO FAILURE. *JB

TOOK MY CAR TO BMW DELAER TO GET TIRES ROTATED. THEY CALLED ME AND SAID I NEED 4 NEW TIRES. MY 325I IS A 2001 AND HAS 18,000 MILES ON IT. MY FATHER HAS BEEN IN THE CAR BUSINESS ALL HIS LIFE AND SAID THAT MY TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR AT LEAST 30,000 MILES - ESPECIALLY WITH THE LOW MILEAGE I HAVE. I HAVE FOUND SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AGAINST CONTINENTAL AND PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT IS BOTH A SAFETY ISSUE AND A FINANCIAL ISSUE. WHO WANTS TO SHELL OUT $400 FOR NEW TIRES WHEN THEY DON'T EVEN LAST AS LONG AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO! I AM SO SCARED TO DRIVE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF A TIRE BLOWOUT. I AM ALSO GOING TO WRITE A LETTER TO CONTINENTAL AND REQUEST THAT THEY EITHER REPLACE ALL MY TIRES OR AT LEAST GIVE ME PRO RATA FOR NEW TIRES. NHTSA - PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER!!!*AK

RIGHTT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL. CONSUMER INDICATED THERE WAS A CUT IN THE SIDEWALL. *AK

WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS BEING USED A VERY BAD ODOR IS DISPENSED. THIS IS DUE TO CONDENSATION IN THE HEATER BOX. THE HEATER BOX WAS CLEANED OUT, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

WHEN A/C IS TURNED OFF, VERY BAD SMELL COMING OUT OF VENTS. THE DEALER PERFORMED EVAPORATOR CLEANING SERVICE 3X, STILL NO FIX. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER CAR MANUFACTURER

REPAIRED 4 TIMES BEFORE FULLY FUNCTIONAL. MR

I HAVE BEEN RECENTLY GETTING THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL WHICH I AM GETTING DONE SOON. I NOTICED HOWEVER AN OLD RECALL ON SOME BMW 325IS STARTING IN 2001. AN ISSUE WITH THE HANDBRAKE... THE DATABASE IS SHOWING THAT MY VIN DOESN'T HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT I CAN SURE TELL YOU I HAD THIS ISSUE AND BAD. DRIVING 70 DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE HANDBRAKE CLAMP OR ADJUSTER... SOMETHING BROKE AND FELL INTO THE DRUM OF THE BRAKE DISC. IT THEN MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE AND FULLY DESTROYED THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND SOUNDED LIKE A WASHING MACHINE FILLED WITH METAL. I TOOK THE DISC OFF AND FOUND ALL THE PARTS JUST INSIDE WRECKED. WAS THIS RECALL NOT COVERED FOR ENOUGH CARS OR DOES A RECALL EXPIRE? I LITERALLY FEEL THIS COULD'VE BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE IF IT SOMEHOW HAD LOCKED A WHEEL!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED TO CONTACT NHTSA FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE DRIVER ERROR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD AND AFTER THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY DECREASING IN SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DANGLING FROM ITS HOUSING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

1. I WAS DECELERATING AND BRAKING, COMING TO A NEAR STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, WITH MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE. MY CAR, 2001 BMW 325I, SUDDENLY STARTED ACCELERATING WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. IT LURCHED FORWARDS OVERRIDING THE BRAKES UNTIL I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK. I BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR THEN REVVED DOWN AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN NORMALLY AFTERWARDS. 2. FIRST TIME 3. HAVEN'T HAD IT IN FOR INSPECTION YET. *TR

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned using a hand-held diagnostic machine. The DTC code 02: Ignition Decay 1/Belt Tensioner Driver was retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000.

I am having a major electrical short in my trunk area affecting my critical tail lights functionalities and common trunk function. I cannot use my turning signals or brake lights or lights in general when driving my vehicle from the rear my lights are not operable. This is a huge safety concern and risk that’s need to be recalled affecting millions I'm for certain. Along with that I am having steering issue with my steering rack called “steering Wander”. Not being able to control you vehicle with supreme confidence is a issue which can easily lead to collisions.

WHEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE ENGINE RPMS WENT WIDEOPEN CAUSING IT TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL FROM OUR DRIVEWAY INTO MOBILEHOME ACROSS FROM ME THEN INTO A VAN AND SHOVED IT INTO ANOTHER MOBILEHOME

EVER SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR I HAVE HAD OVERHEATING PROBLEMS AFTER REPLACING THE WATER PUMP ALL THE HOSES HVAC HOSES UNDER THE MANIFOLD THE CAR STILL WANTS TO OVERHEAT I'VE BEEN IN TRAFFIC I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM HAVING A I'M CARS BEHIND ME AND MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING TO AGE AND I CAN'T CRANK THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO RUIN THE MOTOR I'VE HAD TO LET THE CAR COOL BE LATE FOR JOBS WORK AND OTHER THINGS APPOINTMENTS ARE THE CAR COOL DOWN AND I'VE HAD TO ADD COOLANT IN IT AT $20 A PIECE BY THE COOLANT RUNS RIGHT BACK OUT

WILE IN MOTION ONE BRAKE WILL OPERATE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE SIDE WITH THE MOMENTARY LOCKED BRAKE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE YAW CONTROL . THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS STRAIGHT AHEAD OR TURNING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

I AM HORRIFIED. I HAVE 135K MILES ON MY 2001 BMW 325I AND IT WILL NO LONGER REVERSE. I TOOK IT INTO THE TRANSMISSION GUY AND HE TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $4K TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, WITH BARELY ANY PROBLEM. HE ALSO SENT ME TO A WEBSITE WHERE APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THERE IS A WELL KNOWN FAILURE ESP WITH THE 2001 MODEL 3-SERIES. I BELIEVE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OR RECALL SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST BMW. *TR

MY DOORS WON'T UNLOCK. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR, AND HAD TO CLIMB OUT MY WINDOW/SUNROOF. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM MENTIONED ON MANY BMW ENTHUSIAST FORUMS. I WISH MORE OF THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM WITH SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. I AM WORRIED ABOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF MY CAR. SOMETIMES MY DOORS UNLOCK, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T. THIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GM5 MODULE, AND A PERSON ONLINE EVEN SPECIALIZES IN FIXING IT SINCE IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM (HTTP://WWW.BMWGM5.COM). *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON. ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP IT IS THE SZL (STEERING ANGLE SENSOR). *JS

I OWN A 2001 BMW 325I. THE GROUND WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BURNED OUT, CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE REPAIRS WOULD INCLUDE ADDING A GROUND WIRE TO THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED TEH CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HIS VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE.

A FRIEND WAS FOLLOWING ME HOME AND NEARLY RAN IN BACK OF ME BECAUSE SHE SAID I DIDN'T BRAKE , I TOLD HER I DID , BUT A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR, SO I WENT TO PURCHASE MORE BULBS, THE BULB WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS, THEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THEN DAYS LATER THE OTHER ONE , I TOOK TO MECHANIC, HE FOUND THAT A PART IN THE HOUSING HAD BURNED ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK ON RECALLS, BECAUSE IT'S NO FAULT OF MINE... I CHECKED RECALLS AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE HOUSING THAT HOUSES THE BRAKE AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, BEGINNING WITH 2002... MY CAR IS A 325I 2001, I FEEL THAT THIS YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL, I RESEARCHED ONLINE, AND FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A 2001 BMW325I WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE CURRENT RECALL... THIS COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, WITH THE HOUSING WORKING ONE MINUTE AND OUT THE NEXT , REALLY THINK THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IMMEDIATELY... I WAS PULLED OVER BY AN OFFICER STATING I DIDN'T SIGNAL, BUT I DID, THE SIGNAL WORKED IN CAR, BUT DIDN'T OUTSIDE ... *TR

PURCHASED THE CAR USED, IN JANUARY 2011, WITH APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL STORED ENGINE CODES, PO0300,171,174,1345,1351,1353; MOSTLY RELATING TO OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE MAF. ALL ENGINE HOSES, THE MAF, ALL 4 OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE IGNITION COIL PACKS WERE REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF NORMAL DRIVING, ALL CODES HAD RETURNED. MECHANIC IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE POINTS OF FAILURE FOR THESE ISSUES AND BMW DENIES ANY EXISTING PROBLEM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT, TURNS ON AND OFF, RANDOMLY, WHETHER SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE, OR NOT. FAILURE OF THE SENSOR COULD CAUSE THE AB NOT TO DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING SERIOUS, IF NOT FATAL, INJURY. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, DOES NOT REPLACE/REPAIR. DOOR LOCK/WINDOW/WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE, KNOWN AS GM5, FAILS RANDOMLY AND OFTEN. IT HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE I WAS IN THE CAR. SINCE IT DISABLES THE DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS, I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. THANKFULLY, I HAD THE WINDOW ROLLED DOWN FAR ENOUGH TO PASS MY KEYS TO SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE, SO THEY COULD UNLOCK THE DOOR. IN AN ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS COULD BE STUCK, KEEPING EMERGENCY WORKERS FROM GIVING THEM MEDICAL ATTENTION, IN A TIMELY FASHION. BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DENIES IT'S EXISTENCE. I ALSO RECEIVE RANDOM EXTERIOR LIGHT OUT WARNINGS, ON THE DASH. USUALLY, IT'S BOTH TAILLIGHTS, BUT MORE FREQUENTLY, IT IS THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHT SENSOR, THAT FAILS, THOUGH THE LIGHT IS ACTUALLY WORKING, JUST FINE. *TR

THE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT, SINGING MY JEANS AND MY LEG (MINOR BURN, NOT MEDICALLY TREATED), AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG SENSOR TO MELT. BMW HAS RECALLED THESE SEATS IN OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS ONE. I SENT THE INFORMATION TO BMW AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED AND WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB CARRIER FAILED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000. UPDATED 02/15/12 *BF THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECAL # 11V438000. THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/18/12

BMW 325I 2001 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR THE SOUND OF METAL DRAGGING. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE PASSENGER SIDE GAS TANK UP HAD BUSTED WELDS WHERE THE STRAP ATTACHES TO THE FRONT. THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STRAP WAS COMPLETELY GONE AND YOU COULD SEE THAT THE WELDS CLEARLY BROKE. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE STRAP THAT DANGLES DOWN DRAGS ON THE GROUND AND I'M SURE CAUSES SPARKS RIGHT UNDER THE GAS TANK THAT IS UNSUPPORTED DUE TO THE FAILURE. UPON LOOKING ON A BMW FORUM THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE. MY EMAIL IS [XXX] IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME TO HELP MAKE BMW TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

IN THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 1 HOUR. I GOT INTO THE CAR, PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL FELT VERY TIGHT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, I TRIED TO REVERSE THE CAR AND STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT BUT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE SPOT, MEANWHILE I WAS USING ALL OF MY STRENGTH BUT THEN I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AND GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I HAD TO HAVE A BY-STANDER HELP PUSH THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT WHILE I TRIED TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE COMPLAINT IS THAT IF THIS PROBLEM TURNS OUT TO BE THE POWER STEERING PUMP THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED IN THIS CAR AND I BELIEVE THAT IS UNHEARD OF! I HAVE THIS REPLACED AT LEAST 1 TIME A YEAR WHICH SEEMS EXCESSIVE. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS THAT CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY FINE AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING WILL GO, IT IS VERY SCARY AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL HAPPEN ONE DAY WHILE I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS WOBBLING AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE OTHER OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WHIPLASH. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE CRASH. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 33,000.

THE STRAP ON THE CAR SEAT THAT TIGHTENS THE HARNESS IS FRAYING VERY QUICKLY. OVER HALF OF THE STRAP IS FRAYED. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SEAT FOR 9 MONTHS. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2001, MAKE=BMW, MODEL=325I). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 325I. DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PREVIOUSLY HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,784.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONTACT ALSO REPORTED ANOTHER SAFETY DEFECT. WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT, THE HEATED SEAT COILS BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT CAUSING INJURY TO THE CONTACT AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. UPDATED 02/24/06. *JB

I HAVE A 2001 BMW 2.5 AUTOMATIC WITH ABOUT 55K MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 12K AND THE DEALER REPLACE THE COIL. IT CAME ON AGAIN SEVERAL TIME LATER OVER THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS FOR FEW DAYS. EVERY TIME BY THE TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, THE SES DISAPPEARED AND DEALER CAN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG. HOWEVER, I NOTICE THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, THE ENGINE RUN ROUGH AND ACCELERATION IS SLOW. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW AT 55K AND THE LIGHT IS ON FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS. ALSO, BMW IS FAMOUS FOR PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOWS REGULATOR. DEALER REPLACES THREE OF THE FOUR WINDOWS REGULATORS ON THREE DOORS DURING WARRANTY BUT NOW THE FOURTH ONE HAS FAILED. WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT NOW ALL THE WINDOWS REGULATOR ON ALL THE FOUR DOORS HAS FAILED. PLEASE HAVE BMW RECALLED THE ISSUE WITH IGNITION COIL AND FIX THE WINDOWS REGULATOR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH

HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS & TURN SIGNALS GO ON AND OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE DESIRES. HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR EXAMINATION ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. CURRENTLY THE TURN SIGNALS ARE OUT AGAIN AND HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW INOPERABLE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW INOPERABLE, SUNROOF CLIPS BROKEN, BOTH REAR SIDE DOOR PANELS HAVE FALLEN OFF. ALL HAVE BEEN TAKEN IN AT SEPARATE TIMES AND ALL HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE DRIVER DOOR SIDE AIR BAG UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED. *NLM THE CONSUME R NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES HAD A SMALL ORANGE SIZE BUBBLE IN EACH TIRE. (THE CONSUMER DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING AND THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD) *SCC AS A RESULT OF THE UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE CONSUMER SUFFERED HEARING LOSS. *JB

FUEL LINE RUPTURED. EIGHT GALLONS OF RAW GAS POURED OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN THREE MILES (NO SHUT OFF VALVE). IT HAPPENED ON A COLD ENGINE, SO THERE WAS NO FIRE, BUT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TT

WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BREAK, MY 2001 BMW 325I SEEMED TO SPEED UP AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH INTO THE BUILDING I WAS PARKING IN FRONT OF. SEVERE DAMAGE ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF MY RIGHT FOOT( A BRUISE THE SHAPE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL } ALONG WITH OTHER FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIES INDICATE MY FOOT WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AS ONE MIGHT THINK. THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR $ 5,000.00. NO ANSWER FOR WHAT HAPPENED FROM DEALER. APPROX SEVEN MONTHS LATER, WHILE ON AN OPEN ROAD APPROACHING STOP LIGHT AGAIN WITH MY FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR REVVED UP TO 4,000 RMP THEN BACK DOWN AND STALLED. CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER THIS. TOWED TO DIFFERENT BMW DEALER WHO CLAIMED FAULTY GAS SENSORS WERE TO BLAME. SENSORS TOLD ENGINE CAR NEEDED GAS WHEN INDEED IT DID NOT. *NLM

THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD COME ON INTERMITTENT. *TT THE ASC + T LIGHT AND THE PARK BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON ALSO. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE DAMAGED SENSOR. *SCC

THE VEHICLE SLIPPED INTO STEPTRONIC GEAR WHEN BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, FORCING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. *AK

WHEN TURNING OFF AIR CONDITIONER, A VERY BAD SMELL COMES THROUGH THE VENTS. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT IT IS WAS AN AIR QUALITY ISSUE WITH CONSUMER'S ENVIRONMENT.*AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS. *TT