All Investigations » Investigation EA09019

  Defect Investigation of Rear Lamp Illumination

Investigation of Rear Lamp Illumination

Subject: Rear lamp illumination
Components covered:
  • Exterior lighting
  • Brake lights
  • Tail lights
  • Turn signal
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Dec. 18, 2009. It was closed on Sep. 28, 2011. Note: this investigation has resulted in a vehicle safety recall.
In a letter submitted to the office of defects investigation (odi) dated august25, 2011, bmwindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles. The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel. Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points. This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation. The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection. An 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary. BMW will complete dealer notification in September 2011 and will begin owner notification in October 2011. All 3 series sedans (except for the m3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between September 1, 2001 and March 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles. The action taken by BMW is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2002 BMW 3 Series
  • 2003 BMW 3 Series
  • 2004 BMW 3 Series
  • 2003 BMW 318
  • 2002 BMW 325
  • 2003 BMW 325
  • 2004 BMW 325
  • 2005 BMW 325
  • 2005 BMW 328
  • 2002 BMW 330
  • 2003 BMW 330
  • 2004 BMW 330
  • 2005 BMW 330
  • 2005 BMW 335
  • 2002 BMW E46
  • 2003 BMW E46
  • 2004 BMW E46
  • 2005 BMW E46

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