Electrical System Problems of BMW 3 Series - part 1

Rear lights . Clip contacts melting ground wire . Purchased lights and clips 3 times and melted again. Lights inoperable after 2 weeks of life harness melted . Received multiple warnings and a ticket I now have to prove repair . Recall found for every other model except the 323i 2000 . Not safe to have no tail lights available . Can't drive car in unsafe conditions. Can't sell car in unsafe condition.

See all problems of the 2000 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

The door lock actuators have failed. This makes it so that the doors do not open when you are inside the vehicle attempting to get out by pulling the door handle. This is a safety issue not allowing me to get out of my vehicle. If this issue is not resolved by paying the $1500 to fix the issue the doors will stop opening completely making this even more of a safety issue over time. This issue only gets worse and is directly related to the functionality of the car. This door lock actuator should be recalled on all vehicles BMW makes that are having this same issue. This is a known long-standing issue with these vehicles and has yet to be recalled even though it is absolutely a safety issue. BMW should not be able to profit off of their poor safety manufacturing mistakes.

See all problems of the 2013 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

While driving the vehicle the glove box department caught on fire.

See all problems of the 2006 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

Driver and passenger trapped in car after parking at as gas pump. Doors would unlock but not open resulting in the potential of killing its passengers in a crash. There is a video on youtube of a similar incident.

I was going down the road doing about 45 mph, at night on a back road when my front headlight on the drive side without. On the dishboard of the car the check bulb light came on. I got home the next day when tk the part place to get a bulb to find out the wires where bare there was only metal no plastic. Theg told me you had to replace the hole thing witch cost over 1000 dollars for. I went home research it online, and found out it happens a lot on BMW, and they never recall them. That they have even been on fire due to this. I called BMW and they told me they know of the issue, and they have yet to recall then and after you fit it it will happen again and about five years due to heat.

See all problems of the 2005 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

Dealer refused to make the repairs on my engine that was caused by the recall product the pcv valve. Dealer says their not required to make any repairs, their job is to replace the recall part.

See all problems of the 2007 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

I was going between 30 and 35 mph through city streets at roughly 3am on my way back from my commute which is roughly 60 miles. I noticed it started to smell like burning plastic and immediately after smoke was visible coming from hood vents, I parked the car as soon as I could and popped the hood and the heat cover for the hood was on fire along with most other components in the engine bay. My friend immediately called 911 for assistance as I ran and tried to warn neighbors , within 7 minutes the car was completely chard. No maitnance lights were on and nothing seemed to be a problem. The two recalls I never received both would explan this incedent NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 NHTSA campaign number: 17v676000.

Stationary in parking lot. Front passenger door will not lock/unlock with any method attempted. Drivers door will only unlock using emergency key from exterior.

My 2008 BMW 335xi with 42000 miles was stored in my heated shop. The car started on fire and destroyed the contents of my shop and the car. BMW sent an inspector to check the damage and took hundreds of pictures. Clearly the fire started under the glove compartment area and continued to burn until the front of the car, windshield and interior was destroyed. Contents in my shop were destroyed and the interior of the building had to be gutted to the studs. BMW offered nothing. Damages totalled more than $150,000. I received a recall letter from BMW 3 weeks after the fire.

See all problems of the 2008 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

The wires on the inside of my headlights are cracked, and have a lot of bare copper showing. The plastic sheathing (cable jacket) has become brittle from the heat, and is falling apart, exposing the conductor. This is creating the risk of an electrical fire or damage to the electrical system. The right headlight and the angel lights of my car is not working it when off while the car was in motion - all it takes is to touch a cable with your fingers and the cooper will be expose. I'm requesting immediate recall from BMW - several cars are having the same electrical and fire hazard issues. Please fix this problem before somebody get's hurt.

Takata recall - I think air bag and seat belt warning lights are on all the time. BMW says there is no recall affecting this. Both stationary and moving.

See all problems of the 2010 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

Unreasonable time to remedy.

Too long to remedy.

Tl- takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 BMW 3 Series. The dealer (one source motors, 10633 northland dr ne, rockford, mi 49341, (616) 951-7068) who sold the vehicle, made no mention of the two recalls. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags), the dealer ( sharpe BMW (1010 28th st se, grand rapids, mi 49508, 1-(616) 452-5101) scheduled an appointment and indicated that the repair was completed. The dealer, sharpe BMW has not yet addressed NHTSA campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system) due to the manufacturer not yet providing a time frame to provide the remedy and part to the dealer. In addition, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer sharpe BMW (1010 28th st se, grand rapids, mi 49508, 1-(616) 452-5101) stated that the floor mat sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer both stated that the vehicle was not included in any air bag recalls to cover the floor mat sensor failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was waiting to determine the remedy to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available dyd.

Recall # 17v676, 17v683 it has been nearly a year and I'm still unable to make repair appointment with BMW dealer for reason of parts unavailable. My air conditioning system couldn't keep car cool enough as heat from the engine is high.

See all problems of the 2009 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

I received a recall letter telling me to stand by for another recall letter to then tell me to have the car fixed. The car blown up parked outside of my house it has not been used for 24 hours prior to the incident. I have just now recently recieved the second recall letter months later no. 17v-676.

When I try to open the drivers side door by pulling the handle it does not unlock automatically. The only way to exit the vehicle is through another door or by using the central lock/unlock button. My fear is that in the case of an emergency or accident if the electrical system is compromised I could possibly be trapped in the vehicle. I attempted to have this repaired at the BMW dealership but they claim that the problem being mechanical is not covered by the warranty. On the BMW internet forums there are multiple posts across vehicle models complaining of the same faulty "door actuator" and BMW's unwillingness to repair it free of charge. I was quoted over $950 to replace the part. This is a serious life safety issue I believe needs to be investigated. Thank you very much!.

Takata recall the first complaint is that I am afraid to drive or allow anyone to drive a car with this airbag recall which has in some cases resulted in serious injuries or death. The car is thus parked in the garage while the dealer tells me they can't get the car in for repairs for 6 weeks at least which is unacceptable. Secondly, there are two additiona recalls that have no "fix" at this point which could also result in serious injury or death. I am at a loss for what to do with this vehicle. It is a hazard and completely useless for the purpose for which it was intended. The two additional recalls are both fire hazards and are not correctable at this juncture. This is unacceptable.

Recently I got a letter from BMW that my vehicle was recalled for two issues which I have been experiencing since a year. 1 overheating 2. Plastic burning smell inside the compartment. I brought this to their BMW's notice many times which they ignored. And recently when I got this recall letter from BMW I gave them a call(princeton BMW), they gave me an appointment saying they will fix that. I told them crystal clearly that I was there for the two recall issues only and nothing else. And to my shock ,let alone repairing the mandatory recall issues, they gave a big list of other things, which I did not even ask for, and they charged me around 170 dollars(attached copies). I am bringing this to your notice for solely one reason, and that is there are millions of unsuspecting people who are unaware of this malpractice who will be falling into this kind of trap. BMW is trying to make money out of this situation too. I am attaching all the copies. Please look into this matter and please make them realize there is an authority watching. I felt like somebody stole money from me. Hope to get a response from the department. Thank you very much.

Our 2001 e46 has electronic door locks which are failing. My wife has found herself locked inside the car, unable to open the door. The locks freeze, and cannot be manually unlocked, trapping the occupant in the car. There is no mechanical override to the system. The incident occurred when she turned the car off and tried to open the drivers door to exit the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2001 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

My car is experiencing plastic burning odor and smoke from the cooling vents, BMW has opened a recall but they don't have the parts to complete the repairs.

Both puget sound area dealers were totally indifferent about life treating recall notices, upon calling in in mid 2017' I was asked what recalls are you calling about and both did not give any in formation when I said I heard there was a recall. Nothing we can do to help you now check back later I was told. In November when I called back I was again greeted with surprise that that there was a recall at seattle dealership and asked me to be specific on a exact recall that maybe in effect. After giving exacte required detailed recall info on this life treating defective recalli was told they don't have any parts and to check back next year! where the hell is the washington state attorney general? this is a disgrace and BMW in my view should be spender from selling cars in washington state until they make this right. One death would cost far more than all the jerking around and bad will they are causing today! I'm writing this because I'm concerned about living ,and have no pictures to post. Can not allow how the government allows a major car company to get away with this, total disgrace!.

Replaced blower motor twice 4 months 1st one made noise and stop blowing air out vents now second one is making loud rattling noise. Constant tail light bulb issues display tail light malfunction.

This is for 2 NHTSA recalls issued 10/25/17 and 10/30/17 NHTSA recall number17v676 and NHTSA recall number17v683. It is now 3 months later and BMW of north America still has no remedy available! both recall statements caution that "over time" the part could deteriorate, leading to the car catching on fire. Since the car is 10 years old, I am concerned that the BMW definition of "over time" has been met, and therefore we are left with a non-driveable car due to their warnings. How long should one wait with no compensation, either mobility or financial?.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 BMW 328-I. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17v676000 ( electrical system ) and 17v683000 ( engine and engine cooling ) and stated that the manufacturer had failed to repair the vehicle with in a reasonable amount of time. The dealer a&l BMW, 3780 william penn hwy, monroeville, PA 15146, confirmed that parts were not available to perform the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced failure. VIN tool confirmed parts are not available. Bp.

Transmission will drop out of gear and shut car down, while vehicle in motion during normal use. Vehicle will only work when cold, manufacturer is aware of badly designed smg temp sensor and negligently designed computer logic that shifts transmission to neutral and shuts car down.

See all problems of the 2003 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

2 complaints: 1st complaint addresses "takata recall" dated Feb. 5, 2016 recall campaign no. 16v-071 driver's front air bag. Service center "otto's" in west chester, PA still has not received the parts going on 2yrs. * 2nd complaint engine shut off while driving (55mph) on a busy interstate highway during heavy traffic with no warning the engine just shut off- no power! . It was a humid summer (July) morning BMW fault could have killed many, a very dangerous public safety hazard. I was stranded for hours unable to drive BMW. *adding insult to injury the high humidity could have set-off the airbag fault unresolved by BMW 18 months & counting. Otto's service center wanted almost $4k to repair plus an additional hefty sum under advisement for repairs to repair the work they completed less than a year ago (>$3k) for engine leaking oil - car over-heating.

Complete loss of electrical power while driving, usually from 30 to 70 mph, on a city street, country road and interstate highway. This has happened multiple times since buying the car second hand in July 2017 to the present January 2018. We will no longer drive the car since it is quite frightening to lose power while driving 70 mph on the highway in traffic. Also, several times there is no electrical power at all in the car after stopping the car and trying to restart it. The battery has been tested and is charged and working normally. There is a recall for the positive battery connection and cable to the terminal connection at the cabin fuse box which can wear out and fail for Bmws starting in 2007 that cause the same problems. Our car has the same problem but why is it not included in the recall ?.

Despite repeated phone calls to BMW customer service, and stopping at the local dealership, no action has been taken by BMW for a recall regarding a spontaneous fire that can occur with my vehicle due to an electrical issue, even when the car is garaged and not in use. Customer service repeatedly tells me they don't have the parts to fix the issue. I learned about this problem a year and a half ago from the news. I have never received a recall letter from BMW, although I verified with them they have my VIN number and my car is part of the recall. I hesitate to even drive my car and have serious concerns about a spontaneous fire sparked by an electrical issue. It seems unacceptable as a consumer no action has been taken to remedy what could be a very serious issue (my house burning down for one). I am getting nowhere when I contact BMW.

My vehicle unexpectedly started on fire as my daughter was driving to school. It was determined that it was an electrical fire, and resulted in the car being totaled. The 2004 models need to be included in the recall (not that it will help with the loss of my car).

See all problems of the 2004 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

I opened the passenger door in the morning after the car had been parked overnight. I had a hockey bag with approximately 25 lbs of equipment sitting on the passenger seat which I removed from the car and closed the door. I forgot something and went back to the car, about 40 seconds later, and saw a cloud of white smoke at the ceiling and I opened the door. The car had a strong smell of burning plastic/electronics. Whatever was burning stopped and there was no visible flame. I checked all the electrical switches and all the equipment seemed to work fine and no fuses were blown. The burning seemed to come from the passenger seat heater as there was evidence of the seat cover having smooth marks on the surface (instead of the normal pebble surface) where it might have melted. I'm not sure if the seats are real leather or simulated.

See all problems of the 2002 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

They have not had any parts to service the recall any time I have taken my car in for repairs or have called about the recall.

See all problems of the 1998 BMW 3 Series 🔎.

Passenger airbag restraint failure - BMW's, in particular 3 Series and e90 models, have a known and common failure where the seat based electrical mat fails in the passenger seats. This is not related to wear and tear as the seats often go unused but simply fail after a certain period of time. The error causes the passenger side airbag to default to always on, which can cause injury or death to children or small passengers in that seat. The cost to repair this is usually $200 for parts and $400 for labor which means many drivers simply don't fix it creating a vulnerability. The issue has been recurring with Bmws for several generations and across model types and should be addressed by the manufacturer as its a poorly made part and set up. There are numerous documented cases on BMW forums and a partial recall for some models was implemented. A full recall is needed on all cars affected, including 2007 3 Series models. The issue does not appear fixed until the f model 3 Series came out. . Read more...

Gas gauge doesn't register full vs. Empty tank. My gas gauge always says empty even right after I fill it up. Seems to be a bigger issue, per my google search and think it needs a recall.

My car abruptly losses all power. It's lost power on the freeway (3 times), at stop lights (too many to count) and after the car sits; either at work, over night or even if I'm out running errands. In other words, the power failure cannot be duplicated, it happens randomly (my car is unable to start as I type this!!). Needless to say my life as well as my families safety have been put to the test several times. On 2 separate occasions, I was nearly rear-ended on the freeway when my car lost power at highway speeds. I couldn't move over to the shoulder and ended up stalling in the slow lane. After spending a small fortune trying to fix this dilemma a friend sent me this letter that the NHTSA sent to BMW in 2013 regrading a power failure that many cars were experiencing at the time. . Read more...