general problems of the 2004 BMW 330

Unknown.

Two hours after I got to work one of my coworkers came running in the backroom, and told me my car was on fire.

The interior wires of the BMW e46 headlight assemblies have insulation material that readily breaks off of the wire, causing the bear wire conductor to be visible. This results in a failure of the headlights as the wires conductors are allowed to touch. This is also a possible source of a vehicle fire.

Vehicle had been sitting parked for several weeks, low battery 9. 8 volts. Spontaneously headlights came on smoke filled car, doors would not unlock manually or by remote. Shattered door glass with fire extinguisher . Close inspection appears faulty headlight switch started fire had 8 to 10" flames coming out of left dashboard. Damage to hdlt switch,vents,dash,cluster,a pillar cover. Put out fire myself so no fire dept. Reports.

Ignition system: vehicle will completely stalled while in motion at low and high velocity speed. Had to completely turn the ignition to off position to be able to restart. I have been keeping track on how often this happens. So far 11 times since ownership.

I purchased the car, I noticed the headlights where dim. I went out and got new bulbs for my car. I didn't help at all! I can barely see at night and I have to use to fog lights just to be able to drive at night. It is also unlawful to drive with my fog lights on. After much research, it seems that the root case of my headlight being as dim as they are, are do to the reflective bowl being burnt out in the headlight it unit. The cost to replace the lights is insane $1000. 00 for a set, just to be able to see at night. It is unsafe to drive at night. It is so bad, that I often don't drive at night because I don't want to put my safe in a bad situation.

The general module 5 in e46 3 series model years 2004-2006 fail causing failure of turn signals, central locking, wind shield wipers, and hazard lights. This defect is known by Bmwna but has not been addressed.

Dear NHTSA, the headlight design of BMW's e46 bodies are just horrible. Light output is close to none creating a significant problem regarding visibility. The reason is due to BMW's reflector bowl that deteriorates through out time due to its plastic material and finally ends up burning. It is so bad that the fog lights produce much more light then its low beams. We definitely need your help NHTSA because BMW sure does not want to help, their solution is that you have to replace the whole headlight which is 1200 a piece. Millions of e46 owners have to deal with this problem and is a major safety concern. Nhtsa investigators must go and investigate the problem so they know how bad it really is. Yes that means BMW will loose millions of dollars but it is safety that matters, we don't want any person or child to be killed just because of a poor headlight design. Only solution to this problem is up to your guys, NHTSA. Thank you for taking time to read my message, I really appreciate it. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Both bixenon headlamps assemblies have failed on the vehicle they emit little to no light due to the known bowl burn issues with the plastic reflectors (should have been fabricated from metal), inside these headlamp assemblies. In looking at the light assemblies, they seemed to have failed a long time ago. This is a very unsafe and hazardous situation that renders the vehicle basically inoperative at night to the owner, because fellow drivers, pedestrians, and/or bicyclist may be not able to see your headlights. This could cause or may have already lead to fatal vehicular accident(s) or the death of a pedestrian(s) and/or bicyclist(s) because of the low to no light emitted by these faulty headlamps. While performing in depth research on the internet discovered that this is a very common and known problem on this make and model at all mileages. The BMW forums are full of complaints about this problem and an open complaint seems to be open and in process with NHTSA since 2009 some three years ago. Neither BMW or its supplier of this faulty part make a reasonably priced service part that can be purchased to correct this known product and safety problem. Not even the aftermarket industry makes a service part to correct this product problem. To correct this issue, you must purchase two new complete head lamp assemblies at a cost of approximately $ 1,200. 00 each from BMW which is outrageous especially for such a know product and safety problem. I can't understand why a recall has not been initiated for such a known problem on so many vehicles that has been on going for so long. . I contacted BMW north America for relief with this know safety and product problem and they could not help me with this issue because there is no open recall for this known product and safety problem.

Security lock system failed to allow passengers to exit the vehicle. The doors would not unlock and the passengers had to climb out of the windows to exit. If there were an emergency (e. G. Car drove into deep water) the windows would not function and there would have been no way to exit the car. Seem like a serious failure.