Exterior Lighting Problems of BMW 330

The contact owns a 2017 BMW 330i. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side taillight cover loosened and detached but was able to be put back in place. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 19v074000 (exterior lighting); which the contact linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred to the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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The contact owns a 2020 BMW 330i. The contact stated that the headlights housings would become foggy when it rained. The contact stated that the issue had caused the low beam lights to be diffused and to fail to illuminate the roadway beyond 15-30 feet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer with photos of the foggy headlights housings, but the dealer informed the contact that they could not replicate the failure because the headlights housings were clear the time. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

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The wires inside the headlight assembly have literally snapped rendering the headlight inoperable. I’ve repaired in places just for them to break where I haven’t repaired. Access is very difficult. On a longer trip I wouldn’t be able to repair on side of the road. It’s a manufacturing defect.

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I have heavy condensation in my BMW 330i xdrive driver side headlights. Comes during rainy and moist weather and takes couple of days to go away. Upon dealer inspection its underlying issue with BMW's and sadly my warranty just expired 5 months ago and Bmwusa is not helping in this regard.

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Excessive moisture or condensation in the headlights after heavy rain. First one failed which is on driver side but replaced but second one which is the passenger side failed too within months. Replace for headlights would cost 4. 5k.

This car has factory hid xenon projector headlights. Over time the reflector bowls burned and melted from the heat of the light bulbs, causing some wire insulation to melt, and a brown film to cover all surfaces inside the headlight assembly. The brown coating makes the headlights dangerously dim. From various online searches, it appears this is a common failing of these headlights. BMW has not recalled these headlights, and replacements nearly exceed the value of the car.

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E90 BMW reverse light stop working do to car computer system fault, this poses a high risk when vehicle is in reverse other driver are not notified. This can cause a potential accident.

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I have owned this vehicle for a while. I was stationary while I discovered the following. Door locks did not work consistently with the key fob, convertible top also, windows sometimes worked, wipers also. I read forums to realize the general module failed relays is a known problem. This known problem endangers the operator, passengers, and the public, and a recall and redesign should be ordered for the safety of the public. I tried to add pictures, but the form crashes.

Tl- the contact owns a 2019 bww 330xi. The contact stated that while driving in colder weather the front head light beam would erroneously project at an angle due to condensation inside the head light assembly causing a visibility hazard to the driver. The failure was not repaired. The local dealer orland park BMW(11030 w. 159th st. Orland park IL) and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3000. Jft.

All exterior lights comes on when the car is off, and now the car stays on when the key out out of the ignition. The recall was fixed before about the lights but they started back again I just got the car and I can't even drive it without the battery dying if I go to work or even the store.

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Tl- the contact owns a 2001 BMW 330 xi. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the panel light illuminated and had a rear light warning. The contact stated that he had looked into the trunk compartment and noticed that the tail lamp connector was melted. The contact stated that connector number three had melted on both ends. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there was a recall (ea09019). However, his vehicle VIN was not included in the recall. The aproximate failure mileage was 187,000. Bd.

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Light output from my car is extremely poor causing a safety concern. Upon investigating why the light output is so poor, I have determined that like many others the lights fitted into this 2004 BMW 330i are manufactured for BMW by a company called zkw who used plastic for the reflector lenses for the hid assemblies. This plastic degrades and becomes burnt which significantly diminishes the light output, even from new oem bulbs that were installed in the car. A light meter indicates that these lights now have less than 50% of the light output of the same car using lights manufactured by al that BMW also used on these vehicles. Longevity of light output availability through lighting design and manufacture should not be considered a wear item by the vehicle maker. This is for the safety of both the vehicle owner and others on the road who may be subjected to a crash caused by poor visibility.

Rear exterior safety lighting does not work due to design flaw where trunk lid breaks ground wires. Recall already done on other model years. BMW skipped recall on 2006 e90s. Many consumers are still having the system short due to ground and crimp issues. Huge safety issue with potential fires and or crashes.

The zkw xenon lights in the BMW e46 chasis have decreased light output. This makes night time driving dangerous and could result in a crash. The reflector bowl (that reflects light onto the road) is become badly burnt. This could also start a fire, as the piece is plastic.

Under recall 11v438000 , BMW found the defective rear lights. Their remedy was to replace a single ground wire with a larger gauge wire. This is a preventative measure and not a corrective measure. The ultimate causation of the light issue is the trunk door pinching the harness leading to the light, which cause the wires inside the harness to break. This was verified by the mechanic whom said was not covered by this campaign. He said they could not do anything about it. I had to ultimately pay out of pocket and fix this myself.

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E46 BMW's with zkw xenon head lamps suffer from poor bulb projectors which burn to the point that light output is nearly none. This is defect is known by Bmwna but nothing has been done to correct it.

I have encountered a failure of the factory xenon headlamp assembly. I have had reduced visibility as a result of a burnt bulb housing that did not make itself readily apparent. Because there is no remedy outside of replacing the poorly designed housing, I have a concern of the safety of myself, my occupants, and others on the road. A failed bulb is understandable maintenance. A failed headlamp assembly due to burning and cracking the plastic lens from so much heat is not. This is a poor design, and should warrant a recall.

The xenon projector assembly is made out of plastic and is burning/melting. The light output is roughly 20% of the original.

Tl-takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 BMW 330xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 11v438000 (exterior lighting), 15v318000 (air bags) and 14v428000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Ss.

In August 2011 I got a warning indictor that there may be a problem with my right taillight. In November 2011 (in for routine service and other work) BMW mechanics at my area dealership informed me that my tailight suffered from the same problems identified in the current recall for 2003-2005 3 series taillights that may cause a fire. BMW told me my VIN "did not appear" to be listed on their recall list and that depsite the assessment of their certified mechanics, I would have to file a complaint with NHTSA in order to get you to tell BMW to add my car to the list so that my dealership will fix it. Please do so.

I found that my reverse light was out late in July and took it to the nearest BMW dealership for repair. I've since found out that this is a common defect in the e46 model and I am wondering if there is some kind of recall or compensation for the inadequacy of the rear lights in this model.

Having recently purchased my 2004 BMW 330i with xenon headlamps, I have been researching the car and any recalls that may have occurred or are ongoing. It was brought to my attention that the xenon headlamps designated zkw were under possible investigation for scorching within the assembly that can lead to decreased light output and pose a safety hazard to nighttime driving. I confirmed that my car is equipped with the zkw headlamps, and noted that some discoloration within the assembly was occurring. I want to make sure this problem is sufficiently documented so that a proper investigation can lead to the resolution to this relatively common occurrence.

Zkw manufactured xenon headlamps for BMW 330i e46 cars. The projectors become scorched over time, causing dangerously low light output and not being able to see at night.

Taillight electrical failure. Brake and taillight failed as a result of malfunctioning ground.

The rear taillight fails on my 2004 BMW 330i due to the bulb holder assembly and issues with the grounding wire used in the harness. This is a common problem on e46 BMW's as noted in many owner forums online. The gauge of wire used for the brown grounding wire is much larger than all the other wires and eventually the heat melts down the connector pins or exposes the plastic between the other clips in the harness.

Xenon (zkw) headlamps in the car are burnt, thus diminishing 80% of light that is supposed to be coming from the lamp. Very dangerous for night travel.

The bi-xenon headlamps have a design flaw where the projector burns out and greatly reduces light input. The only way to remedy this situation is to replace the entire headlamp assembly.

Model 2003 BMW 330i e46 (3 series) sedan situation one of the rear lights is inoperative. Cause minor corrosion at the 8-pin rear lamp connector creates high resistance causing damage to the connector housing (it actually burned through the plastic housing potential for fire) correction repair the damaged wire(s) and replace damaged connector housing. Install additional ground wires to both left and right rear lamps.

Around November 2009 I started to notice the unmodified factory xenon headlamps in our car seemed dim. Over the next year they seemed to dim considerably and after the recent end of daylight savings time resulted in a significant increase in my night-time driving, I have found the headlamps to provide nearly no projected light. Upon inspection of the light assembly I have discovered that BMW built these headlamps using a chrome-coated plastic reflector to direct the light forward to the road. It appears the design used placed the bulb too near the reflector or used plastic with inadequate temperature resistance and the bowl itself has gradually burnt to the point where it no longer reflects light. There has not been a fire at this point but the plastic appears to be failing structurally now (burn through) and I fear what would happen if I allowed it to progress further. The light projected with low beams on now is so inadequate the car cannot be safely used for night driving. BMW does not sell replacement reflector bowls to allow repair of the head lamp assembly and the only option to remedy this issue is to purchase a pair of new head lamp assemblies at approximately $1,200 each. I have contacted both my local BMW dealer and BMW cars north America and neither has offered an engineering or customer service solution to this problem.

Car is equipped with optional, factory-installed, bi-xenon headlamp assemblies made by zkw. The projector bowls inside, which greatly magnify the light output of the bulb, are made of a plastic that cannot handle the heat of the xenon bulb. As a result, the reflective surface burns and turns brown. In doing so, the light output is greatly reduced to a dangerous level. This problem affects both high and low beam operation. Situation gets progressively worse over time. The plastic bowls are not sold separately, therefore the only solution is to purchase new headlamp assemblies, at an approximate cost of $1,900 for the pair.

Left taillight assembly shorted out, and the dash indicator light came on. I fixed it with electrician's tape. Today, went in to have the fix prescribed by recall campaign 11v-438000, which exactly addressed my issue. BMW's recall letter dated December, 2011 includes "the lamps will also be checked for proper functionality. If they are not operating properly, then they will be repaired which could include replacement of the lamp's 8-pin connector housing, if necessary". Thus, BMW is cognizant of the inescapable nexus between a short circuit of the connector and damage to the housing. Well, according to the dealer, only the fixing of the ground connection is covered by the recall and BMW would not pay for replacing the ruined housing (and with the warranty "fix", my lights would no longer work because my repair had been eliminated, presumably by the installation of a new connector which would no longer interface with the damaged housing). While at the dealer, called BMW customer service, and ultimately spoke to "bobby". She verified with the service manager that he had gone up the chain of command as appropriate, gotten the denial, and told me that I was out of recourse with respect to BMW: BMW would not be liable. Having given them their shot to do the right thing, am now taking the next step (notifying you). Since I couldn't drive around w/o proper functioning rear signal lights, I paid for the new housing. The dealer ate some of the cost so only charged me $39. 32, for $41. 68 with tax. Upon getting home, googled the part # and got a price of ~$28. So, this is not huge dollars (and for me its just a matter of principle) but BMW should be told to behave logically and fairly, adhere to their own words in their letter, and replace any housings damaged by the issue causing the recall.

The contact owns aftermarket chrome arrow corner lights (manufacturer unknown, part #mhb17926/156). The contact felt that the lights were defective because they did not come with a seal. The dealer stated that there was no defect on the lights and they refused to provide a refund. The consumer provided pictures of the ad online and emails via consumer's request. The consumer stated wanted a refund due to the fact the lights have a defect. Updated 09/10/07.

Consumer is inquiring on the status of the mark peters defect petition dp09002. The consumer stated he experienced multiple rear lamp exterior lighting failures. He also stated that a rear lamp wiring harness and connector may overheat leading to rear lamp bulb failures.