Tail Light Switch Problems of BMW 325 - part 2

The contact owns a 2004 BMW 325i. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake lights would not illuminate when the brakes were applied. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the ground wire in the electrical panel had shorted due to corrosion. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but they were unable to informed the contact if the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights). The failure mileage was 65,000. Updated 10/04/11.

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Rear tailight bulb outage appeared on dashboard although lights were ok. BMW master 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. Because I was aware of multiple complaints about the same issue, negotiated a reduced price for work.

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The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325i. While parked, the contact noticed the rear tail lights were not illuminating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic. The technician replaced the light bulbs for the rear tail lights. The failure continued after the replacement of the bulbs. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the technician replaced the circuit board and the tail light wiring harness. The vehicle was repaired. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

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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.

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Tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals have shorted out on the rear of the vehicle 2 times even though it has been repaired. Happens to both sides of the car, but only in the rear. It keeps burning through the plug / connector and shorting out.

The contact owns a 2005 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the tail lights, brake lights and blinker lights were failing sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the bulbcarriers, connectors, and wiring were burned out. There were no ground wires present which were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 94,380 and current mileage was 95,000. Updated 03/31/lj updated 05/09/11.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated while reversing from a residential driveway, the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the wiring harness was melted. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 122,000.

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The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the tail lights failed intermittently and would shut off while driving without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights) but was advised by the dealer advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 73,346 and the approximate failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 325 ci. The contact stated that the driver's side tail light failed to illuminate. The tail light warning light illuminated during the failure. The contact confirmed that the bulb wire connector was melted. The contact believed that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign id number:11v438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 167,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.

2003 BMW 325i rear tail lights spontaneously and repeatedly quit working. Light bulbs replaced and work well. It appears to be a wiring issue.

I have a 2006 BMW 325i. It has always had a problem with the headlights burning out very quickly. Now the lighting on the left side (headlights and tail lights) sometimes do not come on, and sometimes remain on after being turned off. This is a real safety concern as this gives no warning beforehand. It is my daughters car and she is currently living away at college.

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Rear tail light intermittently show failure. Upon inspection, appears connection shows signs of premature wear and burning/overheating due to inadequate grounding.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that the tail lights and turn signals failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that his VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting: turn signal). The manufacturer was notified of the failure who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 124,000.

2002 BMW 325i rear tail light wiring could cause a fire in the vehicle. BMW America should have to recall these even though the vehicles are 8 years old. It is a very costly repair.

The problem I am experiencing is exactly the same as in this current recall. . Read more...

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The contact stated that the tail lights and the turn signal would fail intermittingly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer advised that there was a faulty ground wire causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.

2002 BMW 325i sedan, electrical fire in left rear trunk due to short in rear drive tail light assembly, brown grounding wire melted housing, unit not working.

This is a very common problem for this year and model BMW car. At just under 45k miles, the exterior tail lights at times fail to work. The lights have been changed etc. I get notified from the inside dash board. However, at times it is a false positive (dash says it doesn't work but in fact it is working). Then at times the warning lights switch from the left to the right tail lights. I am not sure when it is actually working and when it is not working - this is dangerous and BMW should fix this design flaw. This failure is due to poor materials usage (corrosion problem) and grounding like the other posts have mentioned. Apparently there is a class lawsuit against BMW for this. With all these complaints for the same problem, I don't understand how it has not been recalled for fixing b/c failure to signal when changing lanes is a violation because it is dangerous. BMW needs to fix this.

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the brake and tail lights were constantly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the lights were repaired. Approximately one year later, the contact was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11v438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights). The failure mileage was 94,012. Updated 10/18/lj.

While undergoing a complimentary service review on my 2002 BMW 325i, I was informed that there is a known defect with the tail lights. Apparently, the lights are not properly grounded and there is a risk of overheating and fire. Although the vehicle is eight years old and has over 76,000 miles, I have not experienced any problems. The dealer representative admitted that the problem is a design defect, but BMW has not issued a recall. The dealer wants to charge me $400 to fix the problem.

2004 BMW 325i tail light intermittently turns on and off. BMW dealership has diagnosed the car to have a faulty ground wire - BMW s ib (service bulletin) 63 03 06 which prevents the tail lights from working properly.

Instrument panel displays picture of car in orange, along with left, right or both tail lights. This was intermittent, but recently became permanent. Left turn signal indicator also flashes quickly. Left tail light assembly is not operating (no tail, brake light or turn signal light).

The tail lights electric connector module is dysfunctional. It is burned out on the passenger side. As a result, brake lights and turn indicator lights are not functional. This failure has previously happened on the driver side tail lights as well. The cause was similar. The ground cable and electric connector were burned out.

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.

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the entire assembly for the tail lights failed intermittently including the hazard lights, brake lights and the turn signals. The contact referenced NHTSA recall numbers: 11v438000 ( exterior lighting:brake lights), 11v438000 ( exterior lighting:tail lights), and 11v438000 ( exterior lighting:turn signal). The dealer informed the contact that the ground wire was insufficient and that he should add an additional ground wire to the assembly. In addition, the ground wires melted the connector housing and the connectors also needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 115,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. The tail lights stopped functioning without any prior warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the entire rear lighting system needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 54000.

Approx ten months ago the passenger side tail light started malfunctioning intermittently. Took car to dealership and they replaced all of the light bulbs. . . Within two days the entire light fixture stopped working completely and has not worked since. The driver side tail light stopped functioning four months later. Both light fixtures have not worked (turn signal, tail light and brake light) since September 2009. I took the car to the dealership in November and was told that there was a manufacturer's defect in the light fixtures. The estimated cost to fix both tail lights was $450. 00. I was told eventhough the dealership was aware the problem was a manufacturer's defect there was no recall issued so I would be responsible for the full cost of the repair. The dealership was unwilling to negotiate the cost estimate. I requested a written estimate, which the service department hand wrote on a piece of paper (dealership usually prints off computer). I keep this in the glove box to show law enforcement whenever they pull me over for inoperable rear lights. I read that BMW issued a technical bulletin to add ground wires to repair the problem. I feel that $450 is an unreasonable fee to be charged to add ground wires to an easily accessible location in the trunk of the car.

Formal petition for an investigation of a safety-related design defect: BMW 325xi 2002 defective tail light. Tail light connections burn out due to lack of proper wiring. BMW has now issued a correction for this but will not cover the cost of repairs.

I have a 2004 BMW 325i. The rear indicator warning light came on telling me the light was out. The light was not out. I had to get a state inspection as I live in virginia. The dealer would not pass my car due to the dashboard indicator being on. The estimate was $367. I declined the work and tried to find out what was wrong on my own. I discovered you all started an investigation on 4/9/09 on this issue. I also found internal documents from BMW on the web describing the "defect". They don't have enough grounding wires and it causes melting and corrosion. This is dangerous. They know about the problem and are ripping of the public for roughly $350 to $400 a tail light to fix the defect. They don't even have a part number for the extra ground wire. The say in their document to purchase "brown wire" from a local source and charge $1 to $2 for it. I have looked inside my tail light and it is melting in spots. I am worried about a fire and feel that BMW should pay for the repairs. They have admitted a defect. It should be recalled. . Read more...

Failure of left rear tail light assembly. Connector on wiring assembly has melted. One of the pins on light bulb assembly has disintegrated rendering all lights inoperable. Contacted local BMW dealership and was told this is a common problem with this model.

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325xi. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the exterior warning light illuminated on the instrument panel indicating the tail lights were not functioning. The contact stated the tail lights and brake lights failed to function intermittently and the wires had melted melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician replaced the bulb holder panel. The failure continued to occur after the vehicle was repaired. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer stated the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that when driving at speeds above 5 mph, he noticed a warning light would inform him that the tail lights were inoperable. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The vehicle was repaired by the owner for the wiring in the tail lights. The failure recurred three times within a five year time span. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights). The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Rear tail light assembly (right side). Dash warning light illuminates. All lights in assy. Work. Remove tail light assy, screw all bulbs out and in, replace plug and warning light is out. This is an ongoing problem. While still under warranty was informed of a sill that applied only if wiring or plastic assy was obviously damaged! fault occurs randomly at various intervals from weekly to monthly. .

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the rear tail light failed. The contact examined the vehicle and found that the rear tail light wires were burned. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:turn signal). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 161,000.

The contact owns a 2002 BMW 325i. The contact stated that the tail light, brake light and turn signals were inoperative. The contact replaced the bulbs numerous times but the failure recurred. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id numbers: 11v438000 (exterior lighting:tail lights), 11v438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights) and 11v438000 (exterior lighting:turn signal) but the manufacturer advised that the VIN was not associated with any of the mentioned recalls. The dealer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 169,000.