Tail Light Switch Problems of BMW X5

Was driving home and my dash lights started to flash on and off after I shut the car off my and pulled the keys out my left rear tail light stayed on the next morning my battery was dead. So I pulled the battery and charged it now when I connect the battery all my lights flash randomly with no key in it. I have not driven the car for 3 months it is not safe and the nearest BMW servies is 40 miles away . I have a recall for the air bag , but not taking a chance on driving it to get fixed.

See all problems of the 2002 BMW X5 🔎.

Complaint sent. Rear passenger tail lamp bulbs housing is burnt and melted not allowing bulb to be replaced causing a safety hazard from fire as well as not having appropriate signaling. I have attempted to replace with a recycled part and each has arrived with the same burnt housing unit. This is clearly a safety issue. I have additionally googled problems with the turning signal and this is seen as a continued problem with these tail lights. . Read more...

See all problems of the 2007 BMW X5 🔎.

I opened the drivers side panel to replace the bulbs but found that the drivers side brake light housing was burned and melted and needed to be replaced. After looking over other lightening complaints, it seems as though this is a common issue with the 2008 BMW X5 and a potential fire hazard. This should be addressed by BMW before there are any fires as a result of the defective tail light housing.

See all problems of the 2008 BMW X5 🔎.

Tail lights do not light while auto is in drive on city street or highway and vehicle is in motion. This makes the car difficult to see at night from the rear. Headlights, backup lights, and break lights work correctly. There is no computer notification or other indicator inside the vehicle to indicate that the tail lights have failed.

See all problems of the 2015 BMW X5 🔎.

I took my vehicle in to BMW service department because I was having problems with my vehicle dry starting (didn't want to start as if it was out of gas). Service guy informed me after he ran a diagnostic check that it was my battery. I was flabbergasted, because that didn't sound of a dead battery. I paid 460 (new battery and diagnostic check) and he assured he ran it again with the new battery and no codes was shown again. Before I even got into my vehicle the transport guy notice a light on. Service guy checked it out and finds out rear light needs to be replaced, wait a few. Calls me in the back and says we have a big problem, the right tail light wiring harness has burnt and melted the socket and the whole assembly, which will now cost 380 to repair. My husband takes a look at the left side, and it's worst then the right side, which means both sides needs to be repaired. This is a huge safety issue because it could lead to a fire hazard and the owner would bot even know it. The service guy said he ran a check before and after the replacement of the new battery all within 24hrs, and it didn't it catch this huge safety issue that has been going on in my vehicle, which is naked to the eye unless someone opens up those departments and look with a flash light. Please be aware and lets get this resolved.

See all problems of the 2009 BMW X5 🔎.

A brake lamp malfunction light came on the dash board for the right tail light, the mechanic opened the panel to replace the bulbs but found that the brake light housing was burned and melted and needed to be replaced. After looking over other lightening complaints, it seems as though this is a common issue with the 2008 BMW X5 and a potential fire hazard. It is also expensive to replace, my mechanic is quoting over $600 for one side and I fear I will have an issue with the other side. This should be addressed by BMW before there are any fires as a result of the defective tail light housing.

October 16, 2014 I started up my 2009 BMW X5 4. 8i sav and the left brake lamp malfunction alert came on, as well as, the check engine light. I had a friend check to confirm the brake lights could still be seen before driving off. I was able to take the sav to the BMW dealer on October 22, 2014. The dealer states "both rear tail light lenses assemblies require replacement. The brake light bulbs contacts burned, melting lenses causing intermittently brake lights inoperable. " I stated this sounds like a recall but instead they offer to service body repairs on the tail lights for a cost of $600+. I called Bmwusa regarding this, however, there was no record of a recall for my sav. I asked about the recall for 134,100 model year 2008 -2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and m5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007 - December 31, 2009 that was expected to begin during October 2013 since the X5 is based off of the 5 series but I was told again, there was no recall for my sav. This issue reduces the ability to warn other motorists of my intentions (braking, turn signal, reversing), increasing the risk of a crash. I believe the dealer should replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge.

My right tail light keeps burning out causing my brake light not to work. I didnt know this until I was stopping at a corner and someone came very close to my rear end, blew his horn and yelled get your brake lights fixed. When I went home my husband found out the socket that holds the light was burnt. We bought another 1, days later it happened again. We kept replacing the socket until one day I research only to find that this is an ongoing problem with these SUV's that is very costly to fix. I am scared that it will cause an accident and my children are always with me. My notification for the bad light never came on until after the fact, now its on constantly even after replacing the unit. There are many X5 owners with this problem, this could be very dangerous. There should be a recall for these vehicles with these reoccurring problems!!.

See all problems of the 2006 BMW X5 🔎.

The rear tail lights get water leaks and corrosion and won't work. They need to be replaced. This happened on both the passenger and driver side lights.

The X5 displayed a digital message on the dash front panel stating: "left brake light malfunction". I removed the panel where the back tail lights are located and found that the driver's brake light plastic carrier, where the bulb sits, was burnt brown, melted and cracked open. I then proceeded to check the passenger side and to my surprise, I found that the same exact circumstance had happened. I believe the bulb is too hot and too close to the plastic carrier, causing the melting. In my opinion, on top of maybe causing an accident due the malfunction of the brake lights, it is an electrical issue, that in the worst case scenario can cause a fire. I believe this matter should be investigated by the agency. I called BMW ag, manufacturers and they replied that they don't have a recall for this vehicle with this specific problem. I owe a 528i, 2010 as well, and I received a recall letter last week to take it back for, as they stated > this recall involves the bulb carrier ("bulb holder") within the rear lamp. Within the bulb carrier, the electrical contacts may be susceptible to corrosion due to aging and environmental influences. I took the 528i to the dealership today and both tail lights bulb carriers were replaced, due to the recall notice I received, so it was fixed to standards. I took 8 very clear pictures of the melted plastic bulb carrier of the X5, 2008, I can send you if needed, to back up my complaint. Thanks for the kind attention you give to this matter and hoping to hear from you in a very near future, I remain, v/r, BMW X5, 2008, owner.

The left rear tail light continues to work intermittently. The 'check brake, check rear light' warning illuminates even after bulbs have been replaced. I have replaced the bulbs numerous times, with the most recent being a few days ago. Yet, the warning message reappeared this evening. The problem is similar to those recently investigated by NHTSA on other BMW models such as the 3 series and is a common complaint in BMW forums and other forums on the internet.

See all problems of the 2003 BMW X5 🔎.

The contact owns a 2001 BMW X5. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, a warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel, indicating that the tail lights were not functioning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the rear passenger side tail light housing was burned. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 111,068.

See all problems of the 2001 BMW X5 🔎.

Tail lights assembly (sockets) on both sides burns and melts easily causing bulbs to die.

The right rear brake light bulb shorts out. Instrument warning for rear brake / tail lights activates. Problem occurs multiple times due to an apparent flaw in the brake light assembly circuit and plastic that forms the split circuit for positive (+) negative (-) connection points to bulb socket leads. To repair - the metal assembly needs to be bent outward (direction away from tail light lens) to increase tension between bulb socket electrical connections and metal plate of tail light assembly. Problem seems to be caused by weakened plastic that causes the metal plate in tail light assemble to loosen creating inadequate back spring tension between the plate and socket connectors. Recall on BMW 3 series for: no. 11v-438: lamps in rear quarter panel 2002-2005 3 series is described as the exact problem.

The tail light assemblies (brake lights and running lights) has failed on this vehicle three times( the left assembly and once on the right). All failures were due to corrosion (vehicle has never been in an accident). The left assembly failed in November 2006 (at approximately 42,000 miles) and again in March 2011 (at approximately 110,000 miles). The right assembly faild in February 2009 (at approximately 68,000 miles). These failueres are not light bulbs that burnt out but complete failure of the housing that holds the light bulbs. The problem is intermitent. When the dashboard messge indicates "check brake lights" or "check rear lights" and I do the lights appear to work fine (all ligts on when switched on or when brakes applied). Message gos off and may stay off for several days and then returns and lights up with every application of the brakes. There are several similar cars in use and all of them have experienced the same problem with the tail light assemblies.

See all problems of the 2004 BMW X5 🔎.