2000 BMW 328i Problems & Complaints

May of 2019 my driver door airbag, driver side front to rear pillar airbag bursted open while driving 30mph on a flat smooth road. Took to BMW dealer and they informed me that there was a recall and they'd look into it. Days later picked up my car and they said they went off from aftermarket items on my car. Which is absurdly inaccurate. I'm an auto mechanic of 10 years and nothing I've done to my car has any effect on the airbag or safety systems of my car period. They were extremely rude, didn't want to fix the over $5000 of damage that was done to my interior. Treated me like I was some idiot. And didn't offer me a loaner vehicle for the 3 days they had my car either like they guarantee they do in the event of recalls.

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE EARLY MORNING STILL DARK ON A STATE ROAD AND RAINING VERY HARD COULD NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE I HIT A POT HOLE. THAT'S WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN DEPLOYED ON THE RIGHT SIDE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HEADLINER AND A PILLAR POST. UNKNOWN WHY IT WENT OFF. I KNOW THERE'S A RECALL FOR THE FRONT AIRBAGS AND SOME FORUMS STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND I COULD NOT SEE ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.

SAFETY RECALL ON BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES (MODEL YEAR 1999-2001) FOR DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATOR (NADI) . SINCE FEBRUARY 18,2020 I'VE BEEN TRYING TO HAVE BMW AGENT DEALER / CAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN CONCORD CA TO PERFORM THE REMEDY CONCERNING THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESULTS ( IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME REASON : SPARE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE)

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V852000 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO TULLEY BMW OF NASHUA (147 DANIEL WEBSTER HWY, NASHUA, NH 03060; 603-888-5050) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE LINKED TO A RECALL. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V853000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. BMW OF ROCHESTER HILLS (45550 DEQUINDRE RD, SHELBY CHARTER TWP, MI 48317) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

I PARKED THE CAR AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN TO DRIVE AWAY, I COULDN'T BACK UP AFTER PUTTING IT IN REVERSE. ENGINED REVVED BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PUSH CAR OUT OF PARKING SPACE. DEALER WANTS $ 5000.00 TO FIX, WHAT THEY SAY IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2000 BMW 328I'S.

MY CAR YEAR 2000, 328I YESTERDAY REVERSE WENT OUT LIKE ALL THE OTHERS, I DROVE IT FOR A WHILE AND TRIED IT, WORKED FOR THE WHOLE DAY, THIS MORNING TURNED IT ON REVERSE DID NOT WORK AGAIN, I CHECKED THE INTERNET FIND YOU GUYS AND OTHER SITES WITH CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, I CALLED THE BMW CORPORATION AND TALKED TO THEM FOR GETTING THEM TO PAY FOR THE OBVIOUS DEFECT THEY WENT THROUGH THERE BOOK, TO WHY MY CAR IS NOT RECALLED. *TR

TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. *TR

THE REVERSE GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO IN GEAR. ALL OTHER GEARS RESPOND. CANNOT MOVE CAR IN REVERSE. PROBLEM STARTED OCTOBER 2011. AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MOVED.

MY 382I WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE NOR FORWARD. THE BMW RICHMOND VA. ASKED FOR $2,695.56. TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION. I ORDER A USED TRANSMISSION FROM LKQ AFTERMARKET BY KEYSTONE BRING TO COST TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AT BMW RICHMOND VA, TO $1,065..THE BMW DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY DAMAGED THE CAR REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A OIL LEAK..THEY DIDN'T TELL ME THAT THERE'S NO OIL IN MY CAR, BUT I CHECKED ANYWAY DO TO THE FACT I LIVE IN BROOKLYN NY AND HAD A LONG DRIVE..WHEN I PUT THE OIL IN THE CAR THE CAR SMOKED VERY BADLY AND I HAD TOWED BACK TO THE BMW RICHMOND DEALER AND THEY CHARGED ME ANOTHER $693.29 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.I FOUND OUT THAT BMW RICHMOND VA. NEVER REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION. ALSO THE CLAMPS THAT HOLD THE COOLING FAN WAS MISSING AND I WAS TOLD TO PAY THEM $475.00, TO REPLACE IT OR THE COOLING FAN WOULD JUMP INTO THE ENGINE CAUSING DEATH OR INJURY TO ME OR ANYONE AROUND THE CAR.I AM IN COURT ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SITUATION THEY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY IN.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY BMW OF DECATUR (1606 CHURCH ST, DECATUR, GA 30033, (404) 994-4329) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ON THE FREEWAY I FELT AND HEARD A POPPING OR CLUNCK NOISE WHILE SHIFTING LIKE SOMETHING WAS GOING TO FALL OFF AND IT BECAME HARD TO CONTROL AND STEER SO I TOOK MY 2000 328I BMW INTO A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS THE SUBFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR, I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND THIS EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO OTHER MODELS OF THE BMW , I DONT DRIVE MY CAR HARD AND IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS FACTORY ERROR AND PAY FOR IT

AUDIBLE POPPING HEARD DURING ANY TORQUE THROUGH REAR OF VEHICLE, CRACKS FOUND ON REAR SUBFRAME WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY LOCAL MECHANIC.

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNT POINT FAILURE. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH CLASS ACTION SUIT IN 2009, AND WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER IN 2010. BUT IT FAILED ANYWAY. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ON CITY STREETS GOING STRAIGHT ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, BUT SHIFTING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD (IT'S A MANUAL TRANSMISSION) WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSIVE BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR WITH AN ALARMING JOLT. INSPECTION OF UNDERCARRIAGE REVEALED THAT THE FLOOR PAN WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHES TO HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED, LEAVING THAT SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE FLOATING. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE AND I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THE CAR. I DO NOT RACE THIS CAR, IT HAS NO RUST IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE, AND HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED SNOW. MECHANICS BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE AND WAS SHOCKED THE CAR WAS NEVER FORMALLY RECALLED FOR SAFETY. HUNDREDS OF CARS ARE AFFECTED AND THIS IS JUST ONE GLIMPSE OF THE EXTENT OF THE FAILURES: HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=16850066&POSTCOUNT=1473

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHCILE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOME OF THEM WERE MAKING NOISE (FOUND BROKEN PIECES INSIDE DURING REPAIR) AND SOME WINDOWS GOT STUCK HALF OPEN. DEALER ESTIMATED $600/- PER WINDOW TO REPLACE THE REGULATORS. I HAD IT FIXED OUTSIDE FOR $250/- PER WINDOW, TOTAL COST $1000/-. DEALER INDICATED THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE OF TEXAS HOT WEATHER. I GUESS WE NEED TO KEEP THE CAR IN AIR CONDITION. THIS PART IS FAULTY AND BMW SHOULD RECALL IT. *TR

RE. BMW 328I, YEAR 2000. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THIS IS "MORE THAN IT'S FAIR SHARE". THESE FAILURES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL OR TSB ON THIS? THANK YOU, SAM KELLER. *NM

1. THE REAR RIGHT WINDOW WOULD MAKE A CLICK SOUND WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE/OPEN. 2. THE WINDOW STOPPED RESPONDING TO THE POWER BUTTON AND WOULD NOT GO UP/DOWN. THE WINDOW GLASS THEN SLID DOWN BY ITSELF. SINCE I WAS DRIVING I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. MY INFANT WAS IN THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW GLASS CAME DOWN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE WIND WAS COMING CREATING SAFETY HAZARD. I STOPPED TO BRING THE GLASS UP BY HAND BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY UP AND SLID DOWN ALL THE TIME. 3. II HAD TO GET THE WINDOW REGULATOR CHANGED WHICH COST $260. THIS WINDOW WAS VERY RARELY USED FOR UP/DOWN THROUGH THE POWER SWITCH. *JB

THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY CAR HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF 9 TIMES. PER MY SERVICE ADVISORS, THE PARTS/DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. THE FIRST SEVEN WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE LAST TWO ON NOV 14, 2003 WERE NOT. THE COST TO REPLACE WAS $ 456.38. *LA

THE RANGE ON THE KEY TRANMSITTER IS TOO SHORT. *SLC

DRIVING ON FREEWAY ~75 MPH AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLS (COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER)

WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. ON ONE OCCASION IT STALLED ON A COUNTERCLOCKWISE HIGHWAY ON RAMP. POWER STEERING ALSO SHUT OFF WHEN CAR'S ENGINE STOPPED. NEAR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. DEALERSHIP REPEATEDLY STATES NO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. *NM

THERMOSTAT FAILED CAUSING THE THERMOSTAT NEEDLE TO SWING FROM BLUE TO RED, EML AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. NLM

COOLING SYSTEM LEAK FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *SLC

WATER PUMP FAILED. *SLC

2000 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME STRUCTURE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECENT INSPECTION, REVEALED THE SUB-FRAME WAS CRACKED. WITH THE CRACK, THE CONSUMER WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE DEFECT WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT LAUNCHED AGAINST BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. *JB

I WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND ACCIDENTALLY HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD. AFTER DOING SO THE 2000 BMW 328I DROVE NORMALLY. HOWEVER AFTER THIS INCIDENT I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE EVERY TIME I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR AN ANALYSIS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS A TEAR IN THE SUBFRAME. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE CAR IS NOT REPAIRABLE BECAUSE THE 1999 TO 2006 BMW 3 SERIES HAVE A MANUFACTURING SUBFRAME DEFECT, AND THAT ONCE THE DIFFERENTIAL BEGINS TO SEPARATE FROM THE DEFECTIVE SUBFRAME THE VEHICLE IS RENDERED WORTHLESS. HE SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BEEN WITH TRYING TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE OF THE INHERENT DEFECT. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND FILED A CLAIM. THEIR ADJUSTER LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND REPORTED THAT IT IS A TOTAL LOSS AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, THE ADJUSTER SAID USAA WILL NOT PAY ANYTHING ON THE CLAIM BECAUSE IT IS A PRE-EXISTING MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I CONTACTED BMW AND FOUND THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURING SUBFRAME DEFECT RENDERING THE VEHICLES UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WORTHLESS. BMW PAID FOR REPAIRS TO RE-WELD THE SUBFRAME BUT QUIT PAYING IN 2006. BMW ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURING OF MY CAR, SO NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT IS TOTALLY WORTHLESS AND CAN ONLY BE SOLD FOR PARTS. BMW'S REFUSAL TO RECALL AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MODEL YEARS FOR WHICH IT MANUFACTURED DEFECTIVE SUBFRAMES, THEREBY CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD END IN DEATH FOR THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS, IS INEXCUSABLE. BMW SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND BE REQUIRED TO RECALL ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE ALL PERSONS LIKE MYSELF FOR MANUFACTURING A DEFECTIVE CAR THAT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND CAUSES THE VEHICLES TO BECOME WORTHLESS ONCE A TEAR OCCURS IN THE SUBFRAME. *TR

I HAD HEARD THAT SUBFRAME FAILURE WAS EXTREMELY COMMON ON BMW E46 MODELS (1999-2006) BUT HAD NO PROBLEMS, UNTIL TODAY. I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 BMW 328I WHEN SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD POP, THE STEERING BECAME LOSE AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT KNOCKING NOISE. ONCE I GOT IT HOME I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SURE ENOUGH THE SUB-FRAME HAD RIPPED COMPLETED AWAY FROM THE BODY, THE ENTIRE DRIVERS SIDE WAS RIPPED OUT LEAVING TWO BIG HOLE IN THE UNDER BODY OF THE CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE WAS A SUCCESSFUL CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST BMW NA BUT THAT CLAIMS HAD TO BE FILED BY 2010. THEY ARE NOT REFUSING TO FIX IT. THIS IS A CLEARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THERE ARE 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS IN ONLINE BOARDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME THING. *TR

I HAD BEEN HEARING A NOISE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE CLUTCH, I TOOK THE CAR INTO A BMW-APPROVED BODY SHOP AND THEY POINTED OUT THE FLAW IN THE SUBFRAME AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND HOW THE METAL HAD TORN DUE TO STRESS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A VIBRATION WAS HEARD AND FELT WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT CONTINUED TO HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10MPH. THE NOISE WAS CONTINUOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THE SAME SOLUTION AS THE DEALER.

CAR WAS MAKING UNHEALTHY NOISES WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHEN GETTING ON AND OFF THE THE VEHICLE. NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE REAR AND MOSTLY UNDERNEATH, AS TIME GOES BY THE NOISES WERE PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE SUB-FRAME COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF FROM THE MAIN FRAME OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE PROBLEM CAN OR MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, EVEN DEATH.

PRODUCT FAILURE OF A 2000 BMW 328I. THE REAR SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY OF THE CAR IS SEPARATING FROM THE CAR. I AM THE NEW OWNER OF THE CAR, BUT HISTORY DOES NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OR ACCIDENTS THAT WOULD LEAD TO THIS FAILURE. THIS IS ALSO A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF BMW. THERE HAS BEEN PREVIOUS LAW SUITS INVOLVING THIS FAILURE. THIS IS ALSO A POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR ALL 1999 - 2002 MODEL CARS BUILT ON THE E46 BODY TYPE. POSSIBILITY OF THE ENTIRE REAR SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY RIPPING OFF WHILE DRIVING IS POSSIBLE. BMW KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE, AS THEY HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE WITH NEWER MODELS. THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO IMPROPER THICKNESS IN THE FLOOR PAN WHERE THE SUB-FRAME ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED TO. TOTAL FAILURE OF THIS PART COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OF NOT REMEDIED PROPERLY. THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED AS A RECALL, AND NOT IN A INDIVIDUAL BASIS. IF YOU SEARCH ONLINE, YOU WILL SEE MANY REPORTS OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. BMW HAS OFFERED TO PAY UP TO 50% OF THE REPAIR COSTS FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS, WHICH SHOWS THEY KNOW IT IS AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, GETTING IT REPAIRED AT A BMW DEALERSHIP, WITH ONLY HAVING TO PAY 50%, IS USUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE THEN HAVING IT DONE AT A LOCAL BODY SHOP. *TR

PREMATURE FAILURE OF BOTH FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS, RESULTING IN RAPID EXTREME FRONT TIRE WEAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE TOE-IN. BALL JOINT RUBBER MOUNTING IS BONDED TO THE ALLOY LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE BALL JOINT FAILS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE RUBBER BONDING. BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES MUST BE REPLACED. BMW DEALER DID NOT DETECT THIS DEFECT AT BMW INSPECTION I PERFORMED AT 29,000 MILES. *AK

THERES A PROBLEM WITH THE GM5 MODULE INSIDE BMW'S THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED MY CURRENTLY ISN'T WORKING AND NONE OF MY DOORS WILL OPEN WHICH I CONSIDER A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. BMW NEEDS TO AKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE WITH THEIR CARS.

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 30 MILES/HR AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED HAVING ISSUES: TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK ON DASHBOARD (WORKING OUTSIDE), TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WHILE ENGINE IS ON (CAR IS STOPPED IN NEUTRAL), ON STARTING THE CAR SOMETIMES AC WILL NOT WORK, AND IF CAR IS STARTED WITH A DOOR OPEN, OPEN DOOR DISPLAY WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR. BMW DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT LIGHT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WOULD COST $575 TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. *TR

2000 BMW 328I (E46) DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN TEMPERATURE RISES (WEATHER GETS HOT) AFTER RESEARCH FOUND OUT THE MG5 OR MODULE MUST BE CHANGED AND REPROGRAMMED BY BMW DEALER. THE RELAYS ON THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE WHOLE MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. BMW SAYS THE WHOLE JOB WILL COST AROUND $800.00 DOLLARS. THE RELAYS ARE $14.00 DOLLARS EACH AND THEY TEND TO GO BAD VERY OFTEN. A WEBSITE DEDICATED TO THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CREATED BY A KIND PERSON THAT DOES HELP PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM TO LESSEN THE COST OF FIXING THE PROBLEM BY HAVING SOLDERING WORK ON THE MODULE BOARD WHICH REQUIRES LOTS OF SKILLS TO DO SO. I AM COMPLAINING THAT BMW SHOULD REPLACE ALL MODULES THAT DO GIVE THE PROBLEM FOR FREE. IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED OVER. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A FAULT ON BMW'S END. WHEN THE AIR TEMPERATURE RISES THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK BY USING THE REMORE THEREFORE CUSTOMER CAN NOT GET INTO CAR AND SOMETIMES PASSENGERS HAVE TO CLIMB INTO CAR FROM THE WINDOW. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR ANY OBVIOUS REASON. WE DROVE THROUGH SOME ROCKS & DEBRIS ON THE SHOULDER GETTING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE PUNCTURED AND LEAKING AIR (APPARENTLY FROM THE DEBRIS) AND SUBSEQUENTLY WENT FLAT A WEEK LATER. WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. EVEN IN LIGHT OF THE RECALL, BMW IS INSISTING THAT WE WERE "INVOLVED IN AN UNDER-BODY CRASH" AND THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A WARRANTY REPAIR. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED ONLY *AFTER* THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DT

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH HIT A CURB TIRE BLEWOUT, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES.*AK

CAR CURRENTLY AT SHOP AFTER NOTICED BUBBLES IN EACH TIRE (ALL FOUR)ONE CONSQUENTLY CAUSED TIRE TO FLATTEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ALL TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. FIRST TIME AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. ALL AIRBAG COMPONENTS REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED VEHICLE ALSO HAD TIRES REPLACED CAR WAS OUT OF COMMISION 14 DAYS THAT TIME. PRESENTLY OUT FOR THREE DAYS . *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VENTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE POWER CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID NEEDED FREQUENT TOP OFFS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS HIT BY A DRIVER GOING APPROX 100MPH ON HIGHWAY 50E FROM BEHIND AND AFTER BEING SEVERALLY HIT MY TEKATA AIRBAG DAMAGED MY CHEST, HURT MY FACE, BURNED MY CLOTHES, ARMS, AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BREATHE. THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IF BMW HAD MORE AVAILABILITY TO INFORM, REPLACE AND FIX SUCH A HORRIFIC EVENT.

I BROUGHT THIS CAR ON 3-2-16 WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ISSUES . SAME DAY I DROVE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE I IMMEDIATELY CALL THEM THEY SAID I CAN BRING IT UP TOO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR FROM . WENT TOO SHOP NO ANSWER NO ONE WAS THERE SO I LEFT I THEN MADE APPT TOO GET IT CHECK OUT FOR 3/8/16 THEY TOLD ME BAD NEWS AND CAR IS UNSAFE TOO DRIVE I WENT BACK TOO THE SHOP THERE NOT EVEN TRYING TOO REFUND ME ANY MONEY BACK .

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNT POINT FAILURE. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH CLASS ACTION SUIT IN 2009, AND WAS INSPECTED BY BMW IN 2010--WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS OK AND IT WILL NOT FAIL SINCE ONLY ONES WITH VISIBLE DEFECT WILL FAIL. BUT MINE FAILED ANYWAY 5 YEARS LATER. THIS SHOWS EVEN IF THE DAMAGE/DEFECT IS NOT VISIBLE IT CAN MANIFEST ITSELF AT ANY TIME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ON CITY STREETS GOING STRAIGHT, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, SHIFTING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSIVE BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR WITH AN ALARMING JOLT THAT TRIGGERED AN INTERIAL LOCK ON SEATBELTS, MADE ALL OCCUPANTS SCREAM IN SHOCK AND CHILDREN CRYING. INSPECTION OF UNDERCARRIAGE REVEALED THAT THE FLOOR PAN WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME ATTACHES TO HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED, LEAVING DRIVER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME, DIFFERENTIAL, AND REAR AXLE FLOATING WITH CHUNKS OF SHEETMETAL FROM MOUNT POINT MISSING. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE AND I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE ONLY REASON OF FAILURE IS DEFECT IN THE CAR. MECHANICS BELIEVE THIS FAILURE POSES SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD SAYING IT CAN EASILY SEPARATE THE REAR AXLE AND IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, THE SEPARATED REAR AXLE WILL PULL ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND LOCK IT UP, IMMEDIATELY STOPPING THE CAR. IF THIS HAPPENS ON A FREEWAY IT CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC COLLISION INCIDENT, ENDANGERING LIVES. THEY WERE SHOCKED THE CAR WAS NEVER FORMALLY RECALLED FOR SAFETY. HUNDREDS OF CARS ARE AFFECTED AND THIS IS JUST ONE GLIMPSE OF THE EXTENT OF THE FAILURES: HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=16850066&POSTCOUNT=1473 IT IS APPALLING THAT SUCH DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT IS SO WELL-KNOWN AND PREVALENT IN 1999-2000 BMW 3 SERIES HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED TO MAKE BMW ACCOUNTABLE. REPAIR ESTIMATE MIN. $5000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND HEADLINER AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HEAD LINER MODULE, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG MODULE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TRIM PANEL, BATTERY, AND BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V223000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOOR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM NEAR MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL. LIFTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD PULLED THE MOUNT FROM THE BODY CAUSING THE CAR TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND NEARLY SIDESWIPED A PERSON IN THE NEXT LANE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE RECALIBRATED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V223000 (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW), THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE BY A POLICE OFFICER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE BULBS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER REPLACING THE LIGHT BULBS SO THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS THEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V048000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL EITHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/04/12*LJ

THE LOCKS ON MY 2000 BMW 328I VIN ([XXX]) DO NOT WORK ANYMORE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BECAUSE THE POWER LOCKS THAT PROBABLY ARE ACCEPTABLE TO FAIL OVER TIME HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY. THIS MEANS IN EVENT OF A COLLISION THE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE COULD NOT EGRESS TO SAFETY. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX AND SHOULD NOTIFY OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN 3 YEARS AGO WHERE THE LOCKS OCCASIONALLY (1/300 APPROX) WOULD FAIL BUT AFTER SEVERAL PRESSES OF THE KEY IT WOULD OPEN AND OPERATE NORMALLY. OVER THE LAST YEAR THE LOCKS HAVE FAILED HALF THE TIME WHEN IT IS COLD OUT (< 30 DEGREES F APPROX) AND ARE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE WHEN IT IS HOT OUT (> 90 DEGREES F APPROX). AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT OF THE GM5 MODULE. THIS REPAIR WAS QUOTED TO ME BY THE DEALER AT OVER $700! THAT IS $700 TO FIX A PART THAT SHOULD WORK. SOMETHING THAT OVERRIDES A PASSENGER FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FAIL. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE AT RISK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE HELP TO EITHER FORCE BMW TO REPLACE THESE MODULES ON VEHICLES OR STOP PEOPLE FROM OPERATING THEM, THEY'RE DANGEROUS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE EXACT DATE UNKNOWN. IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAINS IN SAN DIEGO. INSURANCE CO. SAID I NEED A DATE. WE PUT DOWN NOV 02 2005. DURING HEAVY RAIN SAN DIEGO DEVELOPS HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF POT HOLES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, THE CAR RAN INTO A LARGE POT HOLE. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ACCORDING TO THE MAN THAT INSTALLED NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. AT LATER WEEKS THE CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, I THOUGHT IT WAS REAR SHOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO BMW REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE INSPECTION MY SON WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SHOCK BUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE CONTACTED BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS METAL FATIGUE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. (THE INSURANCE CO.) BMW DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR FRAME THAT OTHER CARS DO. ALL THE WHEELS AND OTHER PARTS ARE HELD UP BY SOME KIND OF JOINT THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. HE GAVE ME AN EXAMPLE "IF YOU HAVE A TOWEL RACK IN THE BATHROOM AND SOME ONE PULLS IT DOWN YOU KNOW HOW SCREWS AND DRY WALL WILL LOOK LIKE?" HE BLAMES IT ON MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. *NM UPDATED *JB ON FEBRUARY 6, 2006 BMW ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLES DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

CRASH - NO INJURIES. XENON HEADLIGHTS OF A 328I 2000 BMW. LOW FLAT BEAM NOTED TO BE A PROBLEM - I CAME UP UPON FOUR VERTICAL STICKS IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD, A RURAL 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD, ON A DARK NIGHT. WHEN I WAS APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THEM, THE LIGHT REFLECTING FROM THE ROAD, ILLUMINATED THE UNDERSIDE OF A DEER. LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I ASKED THE BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ,AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE RAISED BECAUSE THE XENON LIGHTS WOULD BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS, AND THEY WERE AT THE CORRECT HEIGHT. ONE YEAR LATER, MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, AND HIT A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK. CONDITIONS - NIGHT, RECENT SNOW PLOWED STREETS CAUSED THE PICKUP TO PARK A FOOT AND A HALF FROM THE CURB. THE TRUCK WAS A DARK GREEN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, FARM PICKUP (HIGH BUMPER)(MID BUMPER MEASURES 27" OFF PAVEMENT). MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. NEITHER SEEN THE PICKUP UNTIL THE LAST SECOND. MY DAUGHTER SPOTTED IT FIRST AND SCREAMED. MY SON LOOKED OVER AT HER AND LOOKED BACK JUST AS THEY HIT IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE HE EVEN HIT THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, HE STARTED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. THE BUMPER OF THE CAR WENT UNDER THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK , HITTING ONLY THE TRUCK'S SPARE TIRE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE TRUCK'S BUMPER DID HIT THE RADIATOR AND VALVE COVER OF THE ENGINE. THE BMW WAS TOTALED - THE RIGHT SHOCK TOWER WAS MOVED BACK BY ABOUT 5 INCHES. THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF - DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IS BECAUSE, "THE BUMPERS DID NOT HIT". THE TRUCK HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE - BENT BUMPER, TRUCK BED WAS ELEVATED AND DID DENT THE BACK OF THE CAB/DRIVERS SIDE. I BELIEVE THAT THE XENON LIGHTS PROBABLY DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE PARKED TRUCK ADEQUATELY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT SHINE HIGH ENOUGH. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER DRIVERS OF BMWS AND MERCEDES.*AK

WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN BRAKES GAVE OUT. CAR HIT 2 TREES AND CAME TO STOP. $6500 BODY DAMAGE. BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. BREAKS AFTER INSPECTION REQUIRE OVER $1500 REPAIR. BREAK CALIPERS BENT. TECHNICIAN ATTRIBUTES BREAK FAILURE TO CALIPERS BEING DEFECTIVE AND WEAK IN ALL 3 SERIES AND 5 SERIES BMW.

THE FUEL HOSE IS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH COULD DANGEROUS BECAUSE A FIRE CAN EASILY OCCUR. OWNER WILL TAKE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *NM

PADS/ DISC, AND ROTORS WILL RUST IF VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN FREQUENTLY, CAUSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. CONSUMER HAS OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 1/2 YEARS AND DIDN'T DRIVE IT FOR 3 WEEKS STRAIGHT. PADS RUSTED ONTO THE ROTORS. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR ABS SYSTEM UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A DEFECT.*AK *SLC

MPG GAUGE IS INOPERABLE. *SLC

REAR TIRES MADE SCREECHING NOISES WHEN VEHICLE MAKES TURNS. *SLC

VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND VEHICLE STARTED RACING & MOVING. CONSUMER SHIFTED GEAR INTO PARK , BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING. THEN, CONSUEMR REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER TODAY. *AK

THROTTLE - ENGINE CUTS OUT, THEN THROTTLE PEDAL ACCELERATES BY ITSELF, I.E. NO FOOT PRESSURE. GARAGE TRACED TO FAULTY THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. AIR CONDITIONER? - CAR MADE HISSING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT BEING FILLED WITH THICK WHITE SMOKE. GARAGE (PERILLO BMW) INVESTIGATING. *AK