128 consumer complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 BMW X3. Click any complaint to view the full owner description.
SEAT BELTSAugust 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2005 BMW X3. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact read the owner’s manual and saw that the failure indicated that the driver’s side seat belt receiver was faulty. The dealer was made aware of the failure and ordered the driver’s side seat belt receiver replacement part. The dealer originally informed the contact that the repair would be free of charge but later informed the contact that she had to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMMay 25, 2020
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND TAKING MY OTHER CAR WITH IT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PARKED AFTER WASHING THE CARPETS.
ENGINEJune 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED ON MAY 28, 2019. LEITH PORSCHE (700 AUTOPARK BLVD, CARY, NC 27511) DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE CONTACT SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A BMW DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,700.
SEATSFebruary 5, 2019
RIVER'S SEAT HEATING UNIT OVERHEATS WHEN ON HIGH SETTING, TO THE POINT OF BURNING SKIN THROUGH THE SEAT AND CLOTHING. LOWER LEFT LUMBAR . PER SERVICE SHOP, THE SEAT HEATER GRID IS BROKEN, CAUSING 40 DEGREE HIGHER TEMPERATURES THAN NORMAL IN THE LEFT LEG AREA. ONGOING ISSUE, NOT A SINGLE OCCURRENCE
AIR BAGSJanuary 9, 2019
ALL OTHER 2005 BMW X3 HAVE A RECALL EXCEPT FOR MINE. I HAVE HAD MY AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON TWICE. I HAVE HAD MY SEAT SENSOR ON MY PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED ONCE. I FEEL LIKE THE RECALL SHOULD COVER MY VEHICLE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMDecember 29, 2018
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.
SEATSAugust 9, 2018
THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WEARING MY SEAT BELT. I FELT THE HEAT THROUGH MY CLOTHES AND I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD CATCH MY CLOTHES ON FIRE. I PULLED OVER UNSTRAPPED MY SEAT BELT AND EXAMINED THE SEAT TO FIND THE HOLE BURNT THROUGH.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSApril 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT SEAT LUMBAR CUSHION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR BMW (4180 WASHINGTON RD, EVANS, GA 30809, (706) 868-6400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
SEATSJanuary 25, 2018
DAUGHTER TURNED ON VEHICLE, TURNED ON HEATED DRIVERS SEAT, AS SHE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, PULLED CAR OVER & GOT OUT, LEFT VEHICLE RUNNING, CONTINUED TO SMELL BURNING AND BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE. SAW THAT A BURN HOLE WAS FORMING IN THE LEFT SIDE, BOTTOM OF LEATHER SEAT. TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF AND SMELL AND SMOKE DIMINISHED. UPON INSPECTION OF HE CLOTHING IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BEGAN TO BUT A HOLE IN HER OUTER JACKET. IT DID NOT BURN THROUGH HER CLOTHING AND SHE WAS NOT INJURED (THANKFULLY).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESJanuary 23, 2018
THE CAR IS HAVING A TRIAD OF LIGHTS WITH NO PROBLEM FOUND. KEEP GETTING 4X4, ABS, BRAKE, AND NOW MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS. AND RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT SMILIAR YEAR MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR.
POWER TRAINDecember 13, 2017
IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THE SHIFTING OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN BMW X3, 2005 3.0L ARE KIND OF DELAYED. I NOTICED WHILE I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND SPEED IS ACCELERATING REAL WELL TO THE POINT WHEN GEAR SUPPOSED TO BE SWITCHED BUT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN. I HAVE TO TEMPORARILY, FOR ONE SEC, REDUCE THE GAS ACCELERATION AND THEN IT IS SHIFTING. AS A RESULT, THE CAR DRIVES IS ON LOWER GEARS THAN IT SHOULD. THE ENGINE RMP IS ALWAYS ON A HIGH SIDE. I AM WONDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. WILL THE CHANGE OF THE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE THIS BEHAVIOR. I HAVE SEEN BLOG WHICH TALK ABOUT EGS UPDATE BMW X3.
STRUCTURE,SEATSAugust 19, 2017
WHEN I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY CLOTHES
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKESJune 6, 2017
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED 6-5-2017. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ON IGNITION START, THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS UNUSUALLY LOUD AND REVVED UP. UPON SHIFTING THE AUTOMATIC GEAR TO REVERSE, THE CAR SELF-ACCELERATED IN REVERSE WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS. ATTEMPTS TO REPEATEDLY BREAK DID NOT WORK, SO GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD AND AVOID A COLLISION INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD HOME THAT WAS BEHIND THE PARKED CAR. UPON CHANGING GEAR TO DRIVE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO SELF-ACCELERATE FORWARD, AND AGAIN BRAKES DID NOT WORK. IN FORWARD MOTION, AT HIGH SPEED THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB AND HILLY GROUND. ATTEMPT TO SHIFT NOW TO PARK ALONG WITH BRAKE DID NOT WORK. TO AVOID MASSIVE ACCIDENT AND COLLISION WITH PARKED CARS AHEAD, THE DRIVER TURNED THE WHEELS TOWARD A UTILITY POLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR STOPPED ONLY AFTER A COLLISION WITH THE UTILITY POLE. THE CAR WAS SMOKING IN THE BACK AND WAS STILL REVVING WHEN STOPPED. ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER, CAR WAS MOVING AT SPEED 60 MPH. NO FLOOR MATS WERE MISPLACED NEAR DRIVER PEDALS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GET HELP, AT WHICH POINT 911 CALL WAS MADE. DRIVER WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO FAIRFAX HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. DRIVER SUFFERED FRACTURED NOSE AND TEARS IN FACE THAT REQUIRED SURGICAL REPAIR AND SUTURES. EVENT REPORTED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA, 6-6-2017. MOST PEOPLE WILL TRY TO CONCLUDE THAT THIS WAS DRIVER ERROR. HOWEVER, VARIOUS MALFUNCTIONING SELF-ACCELERATION ISSUES WITH BMWS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ONLINE; INCLUDING E46 GENERATION BMWS, WHICH IS THE MODEL OF MY CAR. IN CASES WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS SUCCESSFULLY SOLVED (FOR BMWS), REPLACING EITHER THE VANOS SOLENOID SENSORS OR WHEEL SPEED SENSORS DID THE TRICK. IN UNSUCCESSFUL CASES, THE DRIVERS SIMPLY SOLD/REPLACED THE ENTIRE CAR BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO DETECT OR RECREATE THE ISSUE USING THE SOFTWARE AND TECHNIQUES THEY HAD.
AIR BAGS,SEATSMay 2, 2017
PASSENGER AIR SAYS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN SEAT ## VIN PASSED ## BMW X3 2005 ##
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGApril 8, 2017
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM REFLECTOR IS BURNT OUT DUE TO FAULTY MATERIAL BEING USED. REFLECTOR IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND NORMAL HEAT FROM BULB MELTS THE PLASTIC. THIS MAKES IT VERY UNSAFE AND DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. THIS SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON ON THE INTERNET. THE SOLUTION IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND DUE TO THIS COST,MOST PEOPLE WILL NOT FIX AND DRIVE UNDER THIS UNSAFE SITUATION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND HOLD BMW RESPONSIBLE.
AIR BAGSDecember 9, 2016
TAKATA INFLATORS, HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND BMW DEALERSHIP STILL HAS NO ANSWER
AIR BAGSNovember 27, 2016
TAKATA RECALL PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT ATTEMPTED FOR 10/27/16. PETER PAN BMW CANCELED APPOINTMENT AND NOTIFIED ME THE PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK AND THERE WAS NO ESTIMATE FOR DELIVERY. 30 DAYS HAVE PASSED WITH NO UPDATES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE AFFECTED BY THE RECALL.
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNovember 17, 2016
THE INTERNAL WIRING OF THE HID HEADLIGHTS HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT OF FALLING APART LEAVING BARE CONDUCTORS IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS. THIS HAS CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS, ADAPTIVE MOTOR DRIVES, AND DECORATIVE LIGHTING TO BE INTERMITTENT AND FAIL. WITH THE BARE CONDUCTORS, AN APPRECIABLE FIRE HAZARD EXISTS.
AIR BAGSNovember 14, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL BACK ON JULY 2015 AND STILL HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT I CAN HAVE THIS FIXED! I HAD A TOYOTA VEHICLE THAT WAS REMEDIED VERY QUICKLY! THIS RECALL SHOULD NOT TAKE OVER A YEAR TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM DRIVING THIS CAR AND WANT THIS DOCUMENTED!
AIR BAGSSeptember 23, 2016
I RECEIVED A PRINTED NOTIFICATION FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC DATED JULY 2015 UNDER THE SUBJECT MATTER: "RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 15V-318: DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE." SINCE I RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION, 13 MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND STILL I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY LETTER FROM CATONSVILLE BMW IN MARYLAND REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG. SINCE I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AND STILL OWNS IT, I AM DRIVING IT RISKING MY LIFE AND LIMB FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY. IT IS THEREFORE REQUESTED THAT NECESSARY ACTIONS BE TAKEN FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG OF MY 2005 BMW 325I BY CATONSVILLE BMW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVERT POTENTIAL DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND LIMB OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. THANK YOU. *TR
AIR BAGSAugust 29, 2016
TAKATA RECALL - DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR OVER 12 MONTHS - TODAY I RECEIVED THE SECOND NOTIFICATION FROM BMW. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE BMW MAKE THE REPAIR IN OVER A YEAR DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY. WHAT IS "WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME" THAT THIS COMPLAINT SHOULD BE MADE?
AIR BAGSJuly 17, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: IN JULY 2015 RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL DUE TO DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEFICIT. HAVE CALLED 2 DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES IN ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT DURING THE PAST YEAR. HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN TOLD THAT I'M ON A WAIT LIST AND THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT OR FAILURE, ONE YEAR SEEMS AN EXCESSIVELY LONG TIME TO WAIT GIVEN THE SAFETY RISK. COMPLAINT ISSUED BY PHONE BUT VIN NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME.
AIR BAGSJuly 11, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
AIR BAGSJuly 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING ON LOOSE GRAVEL AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT HAND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.
AIR BAGSMay 20, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 350CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ....UPDATED 07/05/16 *BF
AIR BAGSApril 7, 2016
TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THE RECALL ON MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG WAS ISSUED AND THEY HAVE STILL NOT REPLACED IT.
AIR BAGSMarch 28, 2016
ACCORDING TO YOUR BULLETIN THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ( WHICH I AM HAVING) BUT THERE IS NO RECALL BY BMW. AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF.
AIR BAGSMarch 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/20/16*LJ UPDATED 11/21/2017*JS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSMarch 10, 2016
BOTH SEATS. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH 183K MILES. WAS GETTING COLD OUT, TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL UPON DRIVING DOWN THE COUNTRY ROADS FROM MY HOUSE. THE SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT MELTED THROUGH. COULD SEE IT GLOWING INSIDE OF THE SEAT. SOMEONE HAD DONE A SEAT REPAIR PREVIOUSLY TO COVER THIS ISSUE. APPROX. 1 YEAR LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY PASSENGER HAD TURNED ON HIS HEATED SEAT. HE STARTED YELLING AND NOTICED THE SEAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED.
UNKNOWN OR OTHERMarch 4, 2016
I BOUGHT A BMW X3 IN 2005 AND NOTICED THAT WHEN THE MOTOR IS OFF THE HORN DOES NOT SOUND. MY HUSBAND BOUGHT A BMW 3 SERIES IN 2007, AND MY DAUGHTER/SON IN LAW BOUGHT AN X1 TWO MONTHS AGO. AND I HAVE ASKED FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S AND THEY SAY THE SAME THING - WHEN THE MOTOR IS OFF, THE HORN DOES NOT SOUND. THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT CERTAINLY CAN BE. MY BROTHER DRIVES A FORD SUV IN THE CHICAGO AREA. LAST MONTH HIS CAR SLIPPED OFF A VERY ICY ROAD AND WAS COVERED BY SNOW ALMOST IMMEDIATELY! HE WAS REALLY STUCK AND TOLD ME THAT IF HE COULD NOT SOUND THE HORN WHEN A POLICE OFFICER WAS PASSING, HE WOULD HAVE REALLY BEEN IN TROUBLE (CELL PHONE WAS AT HOME - OF COURSE). AND THEN THERE IS MY NOT TOO BIG PROBLEM -- WAITING IN THE CAR FOR HUBBY TO COME OUT AND CAN NOT SOUND THE HORN. LAST WEEK I WAS PARKED IN A LINE WAITING FOR A TRAIN TO COME WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN TO BACK UP. MY MOTOR WAS OFF (BEEN WAITING AWHILE) AND I HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I HAD PUT THE KEYS, GET THE MOTOR ENGAGED AND THEN BEEP AT THE TRUCK -- JUST INCHES FROM HIM HITTING ME!
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPERMarch 4, 2016
SIDE MIRRORS FADING INTO A BROWN COLOR. MAKING THE VISIBILITY THROUGH THEM IMPOSSIBLE. MANY TIMES I HAVE ALMOST SIDE SWIPED CARS THAT ARE ON THE SIDE OF ME DUE TO MY NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUR OF MY SIDE MIRRORS. ALSO FRONT LIGHT KEEPS GOING OUT. I HAVE CHANGED IT 3 TIMES IN TWO MONTHS AND IT KEEPS EITHER GOING OUT OR FALLING OUT OF THE HOLE MAKING THE INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON.
AIR BAGSFebruary 19, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALER, LIFE QUALITY MOTOR SALES INC OF BROOKLYN NEW YORK AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA LLC REFUSE TO COMPLETE THIS TAKATA PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE
AIR BAGSJanuary 30, 2016
MY WIFE HAS A 2005 BMW X3 WITH AN AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE PROBLEM/SYMPTOM IS THAT THERE IS A LITTLE RED LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT LOOKS LIKE AN AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED ALONG WITH A YELLOW LIGHT ABOVE YOUR HEAD THAT SAYS "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF". SO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THERE IS A SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT IS BASICALLY THERE SO THAT IF A PERSON THAT DOES NOT WEIGH A CERTAIN AMOUNT, LIKE A CHILD FOR EXAMPLE, IS SITTING THERE THE BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR SMALLER INDIVIDUALS. HOWEVER, SINCE THE SENSOR BECOMES DEFECTIVE, THE SYSTEM DEFAULTS TO AIRBAG OFF MODE AND THEREFORE YOU NEVER HAVE AN AIRBAG REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR US BECAUSE THE VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL, BUT BMWUSA IS THE ONE THAT INDICATED THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED REGARDLESS OF THE VIN MATCHING THE RECALL. RIVERSIDE BMW HAS REFUSED TO HELP US WITH THIS MATTER BUT STATED THAT IF BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AUTHORIZED THE FIX, THEY WOULD REPAIR THE SEAT SENSOR MAT. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH BMW. THANK YOU, MARK SULLIVAN
UNKNOWN OR OTHERJanuary 8, 2016
BOUGHT USED WITH 105,378 MILES. HUSBAND DROVE 55 MILES A WEEK FOR 16 WEEKS. PARKED IN LOT FOR 5 MONTHS (20 WEEKS). I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT HAD 107 K ON IT. IN AN 8 HOUR PERIOD IT GAINED OVER 2500 MILES ON AN 8TH OF TANK OF GAS. WHEN I GOT IT BACK IT HAD 110K ON IT. DEALERSHIP BLAMED THE KEY. DIFFERENT MECHANIC CHECKED NOTHING WRONG WITH ODOMETER OR COMPUTER. THAT WAS JANUARY OF 2015. HE DROVE IT FROM JANUARY TO APRIL, THEN PARKED IT FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. GOT IN IT IN DECEMBER, DROVE 11MILES ROUND TRIP AND ODOMETER JUMPED TO 115,187 FROM AN ESTIMATE OF 111K (WHEN IT WAS PARKED.) DEALERSHIP CAN'T EXPLAIN, MECHANICS CAN'T EXPLAIN AND BMWUSA CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW THIS VEHICLE HAS GAINED OVER 6K ON THE ODOMETER WHILE IT HAS BEEN PARKED.
AIR BAGSDecember 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 3 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
AIR BAGSNovember 16, 2015
PER MY LETTER FROM BMW, I AM TO NOTIFY NHTSA THAT BMW IS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE AIRBAG RECALL SITUATION WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. I RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER IN JULY 2015 AND CALLED BMW TODAY 11-16-15 TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL RECEIVE PARTS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG.
SEATSNovember 6, 2015
THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAS OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND MY PANTS. THERE APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND A NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN NUMBER 04V575000 FOR OLDER 5 SERIES VEHICLES. I THINK THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEHAVIOR.......UPDATED 12/03/15*BF *TR
ENGINENovember 5, 2015
MY CAR HAS HAD A ROUGH ILDE FOR A FEW MONTHS, OFF AND ON. I TOOK MY CAR, 78000 MILES, FOR A CV AXLE REPAIR. MY MECHANIC LET ME KNOW THAT I HAD MORE SERIOUS ISSUES WITH MY ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS BEING BROKEN OFF. ITS BEEN MAKING A ROUGH NOISE ALSO AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 60..I TRAVEL WITH MY CHILD IN THIS CAR.
SEATSNovember 2, 2015
TWO MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. LOWER LEFT LUMBAR SECTION OF THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY HOT, FELT HOT INSTANTLY EVEN THROUGH A WINTER COAT AND SWEATSHIRT. IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF. EXTREMELY CONSIDERED THE CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. CAR HAS 102,000 MILES. NO VISIBLE WEAR OR BURN MARKS ON THIS SEAT.
AIR BAGSOctober 30, 2015
THE ISSUE BEGAN WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT TURNING OFF AND ON RANDOMLY. THE ISSUE HAS ESCALATED INTO THE DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT ON PERMANENTLY. THE DEALER AND BMW OF NA CLAIMED THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS FOR 2005 BMW X3 E83S. I WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO FIND IT, HOWEVER THEY CLAIM THE VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP. BMW OF NA AND DEALERS REFUSE TO REPAIR UNDER THE SB. BMW TSB B72 200 05 BMW TSB B72 207 04 BMW TSB SI B65 19 08
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHEROctober 28, 2015
AIR BAGS STARTED BLINKING LAST WEEK AND NOW IT JUST STAYS ON. BMW WEBSITE STATES MY CAR IS NOT COVER IN RECENT TAKATA AIR BAGS RECALL. ALSO, YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN RAIN CAR'S WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED GETTING JERKY, STICKY AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING. THE CABIN LIGHTS ALSO STARTED TO GO ON & OFF DURING MY DRIVE HOME... WHEN I REACH HOME THE RADIO STAYED ON WHEN THE CAR IGNITION WAS OFF AND ONLY TURNED OFF WHEN I TURN-OFF THE RADIO. CHECK FUSE AND AIR BAG WIRING BUT SO SIGNS OF LOOSE WIRES AND BAD FUSE. CAUSE OF PROBLEMS UNKNOWN. PROBLEMS REMAINS UNCHANGED TODAY.
AIR BAGSOctober 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHERAugust 27, 2015
REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAK ONTO THE TAN COLOR CONSOLE OF THE CAR. THIS IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURES MALFUNCTION REAR VIEW MIRRORS PLACED IN MOST MODELS. THE LIQUID LEAK IS THE MAKE UP OF THE DIMMER IN ORDER TO WORK. BECAUSE THE LIQUID SPILLED OUT, THE DIMMER NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE A BLACK STAINED ON MY TAN COLOR CONSOLED THAT DOES NOT REMOVED AND A VERY EXPENSIVE MIRROR THAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AS EXPECTED BY MANUFACTURE.
AIR BAGS,SEATSMay 21, 2015
I OWN A 2005 BMW X3, PURCHASED NEW 5-5-05. ON 12-19-11, WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, TECH ADVISED THAT DURING SHORT TEST, HE NOTED FAULTED PASS SEAT MAT SENSOR. DEALER REPLACED PASS SEAT MAT SENSOR AND ENABLED. AT NO TIME WERE PRIOR RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE MENTIONED NOR WAS I PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION CONCERNING ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY. ON 5-14-15 (NOTE THE DATE) THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND REMAINED LIT WHILE THE PASS SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALER 5-19-15. THEY CONFIRMED THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR THEY REPLACED ON 12-19-11 WAS AGAIN FAULTY. HOWEVER, THIS TIME THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE AS IT WAS BEYOND THE HERETOFORE "EXTENDED WARRANTY" BY 14 DAYS. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL SHOP WHO REPLACED SEAT MAT SENSOR. FAULTY SEAT MAT SENSOR RETAINED FOR POSSIBLE TESTING. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW IS IGNORING. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED? DO PEOPLE NEED TO BE INJURED (OR WORSE) BEFORE BMW IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE? WITH SEAT BAG RECALLS BEING IN THE NEWS DAILY, HOW MUCH BAD PUBLICITY DOES BMW WANT BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY DO WHAT IS RIGHT?
ENGINEMay 7, 2015
THE BOLT HOLDING THE TIMING CHAIN TOGETHER BROKE CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK WHICH RESULTED IN COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE ENGINE WAS $8322. BMW WAS CONTACTED TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR COSTS BUT REFUSED TO HELP REPAIR THE DAMAGED ENGINE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OTHER BMW ENGINES AND MINI COOPER ENGINES MANUFACTURED BY BMW WHICH ARE HAVING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WITH CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. I FEEL THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THIS ENGINE AND BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND DISCLOSE THE NUMBER OF ENGINE FAILURES RELATED TO THIS DESIGN FLAW. *TR
SEATSMay 1, 2015
THE HEATED SEAT GOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A HOLE IN THE SEAT. WHEN I FELT THE HOT SPOT I TURNED OFF THE HEATER , THERE WAS NO FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS ISN'T THAT UNCOMMON AND I WAS HOPING THE NHTSA COULD WORK TOWARDS A RECALL SO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM COULD GET IT WARRANTED. *TR
SEATSMarch 2, 2015
I LEFT HOME AND TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER FOR THE DRIVER SEAT. IN JUST A FEW SECONDS I FELT DISCOMFORT IN MY LEFT BUTTOCK. I REPOSITIONED THINKING SOMETHING WAS PINCHING ME AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY AND GET OUT OF THE CAR. I SAW THE SEAT BOTTOM SCORCHING AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. NO FURTHER DAMAGE WAS NOTED, BUT NOW AFRAID TO USE EITHER SEAT HEATER. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSFebruary 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE KEY BECAME DIFFICULT TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSFebruary 3, 2015
THE DRIVER'S SEAT (BOTTOM) CONTAINS A HEATING ELEMENT. WHEN ON, EVEN ON THE LOWEST SETTING, A HOT SPOT DEVELOPS NEAR THE LEFT REAR SIDE THAT IS SO HOT I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE HEATER OUT OF FEAR OF A FIRE. *TR
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJanuary 29, 2015
URGENT URGENT URGENT - TOTAL LOSS ACCIDENT AND MAJOR INJURY SUSTAINED 2005 BMW X3 ? PICKED UP ON JANUARY 7, 2015, FROM TORONTO USED CAR DEALERSHIP MAJOR UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 8, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM. HAD NOT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 24 HOURS OR PUT MORE THAN 160 KM ON IT. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENT RESULTED IN MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. HORRIFIC RESIDUAL EFFECT. AT STOP POSITION THE VEHICLE REVVED LIKE AN F1 CAR COMING DOWN THE STRAIGHT AWAY. X3 BEGAN TO SHAKE AND A SPLIT SECOND LATER BOLTED/ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE FROM A FULL STOP I WENT CRASHING THROUGH A LARGE STEEL OVERHEAD GARAGE DOOR, THROUGH A CONCRETE BARRICADE AND STEEL RAILING AND INTO A STEEL DUMPSTER. AIR BAG DEPLOYED, I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. TRAPPED FOR OVER AN HOUR. EMS COULD NOT EXTRACT DUE TO POSITIONING OF VEHICLE BEING AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND COMPLETELY LODGED AGAINST THE DUMPSTER THAT WAS LOCATED IN A LOADING DOCK AREA ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DRIVE. PRELIMINARY ONLINE INVESTIGATION REVEALS THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME BMW HAS HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT. CONTACTED BMW TO RESPOND THEY ARE DENYING CULPABILITY. HAVE READ ABOUT SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. SUBMITTED REQUEST TO TRANSPORT CANADA FOR ACTION AND INVESTIGATION. NO REPLY AS OF JANUARY 29, 2015. ANY PEOPLE IN CANADA OR THE USA WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ARE ASKED TO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I BEG YOU. THIS WAS THE MOST HORRIFIC ACCIDENT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. I WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN ANOTHER BMW AS LONG AS I LIVE. THE NIGHTMARES ARE HORRIFIC AND CAUSING MENTAL TRAUMA. I AM STILL SORE AND DAMAGED PHYSICALLY. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH ASAP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR
SEATSJanuary 28, 2015
THE HEATED SEAT WAS SO INTENSE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE AREA AFFECTED WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM A CIGARETTE, AFTERWARDS I REALIZED THAT THE BURN HOLE HAD BEEN CREATED BY AN HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS EXPOSED IN THAT AREA AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND THEN MY LEG. WE'VE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ONE HAS HELPED ME TO THIS DATE. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSJanuary 21, 2015
WAS DRIVING WITH SEAT HEATER ON. THE SEAT FELT VERY HOT ON MY LEGS AT IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND EXITED THE CAR. I NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. THERE IS A MATCHING BURN MARK ON THE WOOL COAT I WAS WEARING. THE COAT IS WHAT PREVENTED ME FROM BEING INJURED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE IF YOU NEED IT. *TR
AIR BAGSJanuary 15, 2015
BMW RECALLED THIS CAR FOR THE AIRBAG MANY MOTHS AGO. BMW ADVISED US THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2014. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND THEY ADVISED ME THEY HAVE NO DATES WHEN THEY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. MY LOCAL DEALER STATES I AM ON A LIST AND 40 PEOPLE ARE IN FRONT OF ME AND IT CAN TAKE IN EXCESS OF THREE MONTHS TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR IF THEY GET THE PARTS. BMW HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE AND CAN NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. *TR
AIR BAGSJanuary 9, 2015
RECEIVED FRONT AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE IN MID-SEPTEMBER 2014 AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED ABOUT REPLACEMENT. IT HAS NOW BEEN 4 MONTHS SINCE NOTICE AND THE CAR STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT USE OF CAR FOR 4 MONTHS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *TR
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMDecember 30, 2014
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT SOON CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FOLLOWING TWO NEED REPLACED 1) VALVE COVER GASKET TO FIX ENGINE OIL LEAK 2) DMTL PUMP I CANNOT COMPREHEND THESE FAILURES FROM A BRAND KNOWN FOR QUALITY AT SUCH LOW MILEGAE. GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS MANY BMWS HAVE HAD THESE FAILURES BUT SURPRISINGLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS. *JS
SEATSDecember 15, 2014
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEATED SEAT GOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A HOLE IN THE SEAT. WHEN I FELT THE HOT SPOT I TURNED OFF THE HEATER AND THERE WAS NO FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS ISN'T THAT UNCOMMON AND I WAS HOPING THE NHTSA COULD WORK TOWARDS A RECALL SO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM COULD GET IT WARRANTED AND BMW WOULD HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO MAKE SURE THEY IMPROVE ON THIS SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN A VOL. FIREFIGHTER AND I KNOW FIRST HAND HOW QUICKLY ( ALMOST INSTANTLY) A VEHICLE WILL BECOME FULLY ENGULFED. THANK YOU. *TR
SEATSNovember 29, 2014
WHILE DRIVING MY BMW X3 2005, I TURNED MY SEAT WARMER ON AND IT ENDED UP BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. MY PANTS WERE BURNED AND SO WAS I. LUCKILY I HAD TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OR SHOCK DURING MY DRIVE. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSNovember 28, 2014
THE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2005 BMW X3 CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WAS BURNED A LITTLE BUT I WAS OTHERWISE UNINJURED. I READ ONLINE THAT A TON OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME/SIMILAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR AS ME HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT. THERE IS CLEARLY A MAJOR FLAW IN THE SEAT HEATER AND IT COULD POSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD A FIRE OCCUR AND THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE CAR RIGHT AWAY. BMW SHOULD RECALL AND/OR PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT/REPAIR OF THE SEAT. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURENovember 24, 2014
I'D UNLOCKED MY DOOR AND WHEN I TRIED TO CLOSE IT, IT WOULDN'T CLOSE LIKE IT SHOULD. IT'S LIKE THE ACTUATOR WAS STUCK & WOULDN'T CLOSE. IT DOES THIS FOR A FEW MINUTES OF ME CRANKING AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION. FINALLY, AFTER I CRANK IT UP AGAIN, IT JUST CLOSES LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED! I WAS STUCK IN A PHARMACY PARKING LOT FOR LIKE 15 MINUTES THINKING OF HOW I WAS GOING TO GET HOME BECAUSE MY DOOR DIDN'T CLOSE! VERY, VERY INCONVENIENT! I ALMOST HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK & WOULD'VE BEEN OUT OF A COUPLE HUNDRED OF DOLLARS FOR THIS!!! WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN!!!?! THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED! *TR
SEATSNovember 1, 2014
DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT HEATS UP TO THE POINT OF INJURY. UNUSABLE. *TR
AIR BAGSOctober 3, 2014
AFTER 4 WEEKS OF RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE AND MANY CALLS TO BMW NORTH AMERICA THEY TELL ME THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY MIGHT BE AVAILABLE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS IS A "VOLUNTARY RECALL" AND IMPLIED THAT THEY ARE IN NO HURRY TO SATISFY CUSTOMERS! THEY HAVE ALSO WARNED ME SEVERAL TIMES NOT TO DRIVE WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT! *TR
AIR BAGSSeptember 26, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. ..UPDATED 10/21/14 *BF
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)September 15, 2014
I BELIEVE THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR (AKA SZL) IN MY 2005 BMW X3 IS FAULTY AND THUS POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK GIVEN ITS ROLE IN PROVIDING INPUTS TO THE DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) SYSTEM. IT CERTAINLY WARRANTS INVESTIGATION. MY VEHICLE HAS GONE INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SKID ON THREE OCCASIONS, EACH TIME WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL AT MODERATE SPEEDS ON CURVES. (ONLY ONCE DID IT DO SO FOLLOWING A LIGHT RAIN; ON ALL OTHER OCCASIONS THE PAVEMENT WAS DRY.) LUCKILY, NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES ENSUED. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM THE YEAR I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN 2010; THE PREVIOUS OWNER LIKEWISE HAD NOTICED THE ISSUE AND INFORMED ME OF IT AT THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. TODAY, SEPT. 15, 2014, MY LOCAL BMW DEALER PROPOSED REPLACING THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR (SZL) IN OUR VEHICLE, SAYING A READOUT OF THE FAULT CODES DETECTED FAULTS IN THE SENSOR. I HAVE ELECTED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AT A COST OF $1098. BASED ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE, WHICH SOME CURSORY INVESTIGATING ON MY PART APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM SHARED BY MULTIPLE OWNERS OF SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR VEHICLES, I URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. *TR
STRUCTUREMay 1, 2014
VEHICLE LEAKS RAINWATER PROFUSELY THROUGH THE DOORS/VAPOR BARRIERS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. RAIN WATER POOLS IN THE FOOTWELLS EXCESSIVELY. COULD POSE POTENTIAL DANGER IF FEET ARE WET AND SLIPPING ON BRAKE, CLUTCH OR GAS PEDALS. ALSO WORRIED ABOUT POOLING OF WATER AFFECTING SAFETY SENSORS/SYSTEMS LOCATED UNDER DRIVER SEAT. *TR
SEATSApril 22, 2014
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I-90 IN WASHINGTON STATE AND FELT A SUDDEN PAINFUL SHARP PIN POINT SENSATION IN MY LEFT UPPER OUTER POSTERIOR THIGH. I THOUGHT I WAS BEING STUCK BY A PIN OR SOMETHING SHARP. I PUT MY HAND DOWN TO PULL OUT THE SHARP OBJECT AND THEN FELT A SMALL SPOT IN MY SEAT THAT WAS BURNING HOT. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR FROM THE SEVERITY OF THE PAIN IN MY FINGERS AND THIGH. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND THE HOT SPOT WENT AWAY QUICKLY. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED THE HEATER ON AGAIN - AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAD A DIME SIZED RED BURN MARK ON MY THIGH. THIS WAS ONLY A MINOR INJURY, BUT I AM LUCKY I DID NOT RECEIVE A MORE SERIOUS BURN, AND THAT A FIRE DID NOT START AND THAT I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSMarch 24, 2014
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF (LIGHT NOTIFICATION), WHEN NO ONE IS IN PASSENGER SEAT AND NO ITEMS ARE ON SEAT THE WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND BUZZER WILL NOT STOP, AS IF SOME WEIGHT IS ON SEAT. BMW HAS ISSUED RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM (76536 & 72651), BUT NOT FOR THIS VIN. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF BY CAR AND CAN NOT BE TURNED ON BY DRIVER OR PASSENGER. ALSO, HAVE TO HAVE SEAT BELT ACTIVATED ALL THE TIME. HAVE NOTICED THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE MADE THIS SAME COMPLAINT ONLINE AND BMW HAS NOT CORRECTED ISSUE.
AIR BAGSMarch 5, 2014
I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND OTHER MINOR SERVICES AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED "SRS LIGHT ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR". THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON-OFF LAMP AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP HAVE BOTH BEEN ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE CURRENT FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT RECALL. *TR
SEATSFebruary 28, 2014
UPON TURNING ON MY DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING AND THEN A BURN/SHOCKING SENSATION ON LEFT THIGH. ADJUSTED WHILE DRIVING THEN REALIZED MY SEAT WAS BURNING ME ON THE LEFT LEG. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF CAR AND SAW MY SEAT WAS SMOLDERING (SMOKE AND BURNING). REALIZED IT MUST BE THE HEATED SEAT. TURNED OFF SEAT WARMER AND WAITED FOR 5 MINUTES AND REALIZED HAD A SMALL HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS. AFTER SEAT COOLED, DROVE HOME AND INSPECTED A BURN HOLE BETTER AT HOME AND PUT ICE ON A 1ST TO 2ND DEGREE BURN ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. *TR
SEATSDecember 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK (APPROX. 2 MILE TRIP) ON A COLD MORNING (OUTSIDE TEMP 18 DEG F) TURNED ON DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED CAR SEAT AT MAXIMUM SETTING. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE SEAT HEATER HAD FUNCTIONED PROPERLY ALTHOUGH LEFT SIDE OF SEAT ALWAYS SEEMED TO SOMEWHAT HOTTER THAN REST OF SEAT. WITHIN 1.5 MILE, SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT ON LEFT SIDE OF SEAT BOTTOM 2/3 BACK FROM FRONT AND I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG BURNING PLASTIC ODOR IN THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER. ARRIVED AT OFFICE AND UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED A BLACKENED BURNT SPOT ON THE SEAT LEATHER AT THE LOCATION WHERE EXTREME HEAT HAD BEEN. *TR
SEATSNovember 24, 2013
DRIVER SEAT HEAT MAT GOT TOO HOT CAUSING SMOKE, DAMAGE TO CLOTHING, AND SKIN INJURY IN LESS THAN A MINUTE AFTER TURNING THE SYSTEM ON HIGH. THE SEAT HAD BEEN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY THE DAY BEFORE. THE SEAT COVER IS VISIBLY DAMAGED AT A SINGLE POINT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. THE SPOT IS ON THE LEFT SEAT PAN BOLSTER 2/3'S BACK FROM THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT PAN. *TR
SEATSNovember 19, 2013
DRIVER'S SEAT AT LEFT LEG BOLSTER AREA HEATS UP WHEN SEAT HEATER ELEMENT IS ACTIVATED. SHOCKING OR BURNING SENSATION IS FELT DUE TO OVERHEAT PROBLEM. *TR
SEATSNovember 6, 2013
I TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER MY LEG STARTED TO GET VERY HOT. I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND AND IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNT MY HAND. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND QUICKLY TURNED OFF MY HEATED SEAT. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED ON MY DRIVER SEAT AND NOTICED A SMALL BROWN BURNT SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE CUSHION OF MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THANKFULLY I NOTICED IT RIGHT AWAY, IF IT WAS ON ANY LONGER I'M NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY BURNT. *TR
AIR BAGSSeptember 12, 2013
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH ALONG WITH THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT OVERHEAD, EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED AND BUCKLED INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED BMW AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH MY CAR MODEL AND YEAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SUMMARY (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V384000), ACCORDING TO THEM IT WAS NOT AFFECTED AND WILL NOT BE PAID FOR--EVEN THOUGH I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS IS DETAILED IN THE SUMMARY. READING THROUGH OTHER FORUMS AND THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT MORE VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED THAN WHAT WAS INITIALLY COVERED IN THE RECALL. *TR
AIR BAGSAugust 30, 2013
I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON SEPULVEDA BLVD IN LOS ANGELES ON JULY 29TH,2013 AROUND 10:00 PM WITH MY BROTHER, SUDDENLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AND BRUISED MY BROTHER'S RIGHT ARM MY CAR STOPPED OPERATING AND WE CALLED PAYLESS TOW TO TOW MY VEHICLE TO RUSNAK BMW IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE WERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE DEPT IN REGARDS TO MY CAR AIRBAG INCIDENT, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY STATE FARM TO SEE IF THEY PROVIDE COVERAGE, THEY TOLD SINCE THIS WAS VEHICLE MALFUNCTION THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY POLICY. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED BY BMW CORPORATION. THEY HAVE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AND PAY FOR MY BROTHER INJURY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTION I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS REGARD THANK YOU, SINCERELY MS.SHAHRZAD BABAEIAN
AIR BAGSJune 6, 2013
THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BMW 2005 X3 PASSENGER AIRBAG. MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT, HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE CARS WITH THE RECALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON, IT GOES OFF, IT GOES ON, IT GOES OFF AND THEN FINALLY IT STAYS ON SO THE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK. I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED IT IS THE SENSOR MAT. *TR
SEATSJune 6, 2013
WHEN I USE THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THERE IS A HOT SPOT THAT GETS SO HOT IF YOU DON'T ROLL ONTO YOUR RIGHT HIP YOU WILL GET A SERIOUS BURN. *TR
STEERING,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLMay 23, 2013
OUR VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BEHIND A SINGLE VEHICLE AT A RED LIGHT. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF OUR VEHICLE. AFTER STRIKING THE VEHICLE, OUR CAR THEN ACCELERATED AGAIN INTO THE INTERSECTION AND WAS STRUCK BY A VEHICLE MOVING LEGALLY WITH A GREEN LIGHT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. OUR VEHICLE WENT TO THE CURB WHERE IT ACCELERATED ONCE AGAIN WHICH CAUSED IT TO JUMP THE CURB AND CRASH THROUGH A STEEL FENCE AND INTO A LIGHT POLE WHERE IT FINALLY CAME TO REST. THERE WERE THREE ACCELERATION EVENTS WITH THE DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURER, GEICO AND WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE. *TR
SEATSMarch 31, 2013
WHILE USING THE HEATING DEVICE FOR THE SEATS I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND FELT HEAT ON MY PANTS. I TURNED THE HEATING DEVICE OFF. THERE WAS A SMALL BURN STAIN LEFT ON THE SEAT, WHICH HAS TURNED INTO A SMALL HOLE. *TR
SEATSMarch 17, 2013
UPON DRIVING MY X3 I TURNED ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED GETTING SO HOT THAT IT BEGAN TO BURN THE TOP PART OF MY LEFT LEG. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND LIFT MY LEG OFF THE SURFACE OF THE SEAT A BIT UNTIL IT COOLED OFF. IT APPEARS THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT (BOLSTER). IT HAPPENS NOW EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO USE IT...I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FROM DAY ONE AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I HAVE NOT SMELLED ANY BURNING ODORS YET BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. MY WIFE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING !...THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BMW AND CORRECTED BEFORE THERE IS A FIRE OR BODILY INJURY. SO FOR SAFETY REASONS AND PREVENTING BURNS I AM UNABLE TO USE THIS FEATURE I PAID SO DEARLY FOR...I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
VISIBILITY/WIPERMarch 17, 2013
REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS "BUBBLES" AND IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO USE NOW. *TR
AIR BAGSFebruary 28, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFebruary 23, 2013
I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW FOR THE PROBLEM WITH REAR LAMPS. AT THAT TIME,ALL REAL LAMPS WERE WORKING ON MY CAR. HOWEVER FOR SAFETY CONCERN, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO BE CHECKED; FEW MONTHS LATER, ONE OF THE TAIL LIGHT NOT WORKING. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY WERE DONE FOR THE RECALL . I NEED TO PAY IF I WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. BUT I FOUND THERE WAS NO POSITIVE VOLTAGE ON THE LIGHT BULB CIRCUIT. I TRACED THE WIRE AND DISCOVERED THE WIRE WAS BROKEN. THEN I ALSO FOUND ALL OTHER WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE AGING, THE PLASTIC OF THE WIRES WERE DETERIORATED AND THE COPPER WIRE EXPLORED TO VISIBLE. THAT MEAN THE DEALER DIDN'T DO THE RIGHT WORK LAST TIME. BECAUSE IT'S NO REASON THE WIRE WILL DETERIORATE THAT FAST IF THEY DID IT RIGHT FOR THE RECALL. I COMPLAINT TO BMW AND THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY ALREADY DONE WITH MY CAR. IF I NEED ANY WORK TO BE DONE I NEED TO PAY BY MYSELF. THE COPPER WIRES EXPLORED TO VISIBLE, IT WOULD CAUSE ELECTRIC FIRE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE THE PICTURE SHOWING THE AGING WIRE CONDITION ON MY CAR. I CAN EMAIL TO YOU IF YOU NEED IT. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSFebruary 3, 2013
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT. I TURNED IT ON TO THE FIRST SETTING WHICH IS THE HIGHEST. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I ALSO FELT MY LEG BURNING. THE HEATED SEAT HAD HEATED UP SO MUCH THAT IT MELTED A SMALL HOLE IN THE LEATHER WHERE MY LEFT OUTSIDE THIGH WOULD TOUCH THE SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO USE THE HEATED SEAT ANYMORE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF GETTING BURNED WORSE. *TR
AIR BAGS,SEATSFebruary 3, 2013
I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. FROM THAT TIME ON BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PASSENGER AIRBAG. I'M GUESSING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT SENSOR THAT TELLS IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR
SEATSFebruary 1, 2013
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 2012, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE STARTED THE CAR, ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMER, AND WE IMMEDIATELY DETECTED A BURNING ODOR IN THE CAR. WE DROVE LESS THAN APPROX. 1/2 BLOCK AND PULLED OVER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT WARMER WAS SO HOT THAT IT HAD BEGUN TO BURN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION. THE BURN HOLE STOPPED BECAUSE WE IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT QUICKLY AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE WARMER. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECTIVE SEAT WARMER TO BMW. *TR
SEATSJanuary 23, 2013
THE DRIVERS SEAT WARMER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER WIRES WERE EXPOSED AND BURNED THE SEAT AND THROUGH MY PANTS. *TR
SEATSJanuary 7, 2013
I USED THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT IN MY 2005 BMW X3 AND IT RAPIDLY HEATED UP BECOMING UNBEARABLE TO SIT ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS TOO HOT TO SIT ON AND BECAUSE THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. AFTER A WHILE THE SMELL DISSIPATED AND THE SEAT WAS COOL ENOUGH TO USE. I HAVE NOT USED THE HEAT FUNCTION SINCE AND AM WAITING FOR MY BMW DEALER TO CHECK IT AND GET BACK TO ME.
AIR BAGSNovember 15, 2012
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY. THERE IS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS SYSTEM FOR THE 2004 MODEL, BUT NOT THE 2005 MODEL. *TR
POWER TRAINOctober 13, 2012
2005 BMW X3 TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. POWER WILL STOP BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE WHEELS PROPERLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE OR STOP IN TRAFFIC. *TR
SEATSSeptember 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE HEATED SEAT WARMER IN ACTIVATION WHEN SUDDENLY THE HEATING ELEMENT BEGAN TO PENETRATE THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF HEAT. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE HEATED SEAT WARMER TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSSeptember 18, 2012
I ORIGINALLY ASKED SEATTLE BMW TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM OF THE SEAT BELT WARNING SYSTEM BUZZER SOUNDING WHEN THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY (2007) AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. UPON DRIVING HOME TO OLYMPIA, WA THE BUZZER BEGAN SOUNDING AGAIN AND THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. RECENTLY, I WAS HAVING A FAILURE OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REPAIRED AT THE NORTHWEST BMW DEALERSHIP IN TACOMA. I WAS TOLD THE COST WOULD BE APPROX. $1600. ANOTHER CUSTOMER THERE WAS TALKING TO ME ABOUT MY SITUATION AND TOLD ME HIS FRIEND HAS THE SAME YEAR (2005) X3 AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. DESPITE THE BMW RECALL 08V384000, THE DEALER AS WELL AS BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SAY THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE "CORPORATE" RESPONSE TO ALL OWNERS. FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS ARE IN DANGER SHOULD THESE VEHICLES BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. DOT NEEDS TO GET ON THIS ISSUE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS! *TR *JS
SEATSMarch 20, 2012
DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND INTO COAT OF DRIVER, LEAVING DIME-SIZED BURN HOLE APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES UP ON THE LEFT "WING" OF THE SEAT BACK. CAN NO LONGER USE HEATED SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE, AS THE SAME SPOT BEGINS TO SMOLDER WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON, EVEN ON LOW. *KB
SEATSFebruary 8, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. THE SEAT BECAME SEVERELY HOT AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS AS WELL AS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12
AIR BAGSJanuary 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3 2.5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE MAT SENSOR FOR THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000(AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
SEATSDecember 29, 2011
MY WIFE'S HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE VINYL SEAT COVER AND THROUGH HER SWEATER. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE X3. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. ADDITIONALLY, A RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE BMW 5 AND 3 SERIES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THE NTSB CONDUCTS A QUICK RESPONSE. THANKS. *KB
SEATSDecember 28, 2011
A DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED THE SEAT AND BURNED THROUGH LEAVING A HOLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CAUSED ME TO STEP ACCELERATOR MISTAKENLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW NEEDS TO RECALL ALL DEFECTED PARTS. *TR
SEATSDecember 11, 2011
I HAVE A 2005 X3! THIS MORNING MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT NEARLY WENT UP IN FLAMES!! SO SCARY!! LUCKY I WASN'T IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL NUMBER FOR THE HEATED SEATS YET? I HAVE SEEN ALLOT OF ISSUES WITH THE BMW 04-08 X3 HEATED SEATS. MOST PEOPLE ARE GETTING BURNT AND THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR US OWNER WHILE DRIVING. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE, LUCKY IT WAS ME DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE. THANK YOU *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSDecember 5, 2011
SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE! WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, I TURNED ON BOTH MANUFACTURER-INSTALLED FRONT SEAT WARMERS (OUTSIDE TEMP. 36 DEGREES FARENHEIT) FOR MY SON AND I. I FELT A PINCHING ON UPPER LEFT THIGH / BUTTOCK. THOUGHT IT WAS A BUG. SHIFTED IN THE SEAT, AND FELT IT AGAIN, MORE PAINFUL THIS TIME. LIFTED MYSELF FROM THE SEAT A BIT TO LOOK AT THE SEAT AND SEE WHAT WAS POKING OR PINCHING ME, SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF A NEW HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. LOOKED THROUGH THE HOLE, AND SAW FLAMES AND SMELLED BURNING. IMMEDIATELY, TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, REACHED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT SMOLDERED FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF MINUTES. CALLED MY SPOUSE TO CHECK IF IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING, BUT IT HAD STOPPED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSNovember 23, 2011
HEATED DRIVERS SEAT BURNED THROUGH LEATHER AND SCORCHED DRIVERS PANTS. *TR
AIR BAGSJuly 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHERJuly 6, 2011
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. BMW DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS FAILURE OF PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. NOW PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP WILL NOT TURN OFF.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGMarch 13, 2011
ON DECEMBER 26TH, 2010 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 BMW X3 WHEN IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET ABOUT A BLOCK FROM OUR HOUSE. THERE WAS A LOT OF SMOKE AND FOR A MOMENT SHE THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WE GOT IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION THAT DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS HYDRO-LOCKING. THEY CLEANED IT UP BUT DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. I CALLED MOTORWERKS BMW IN MINNEAPOLIS AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD I WILL GET A CALL BACK. I DIDN'T HEAR BACK AND CALLED AGAIN AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT WAS JANUARY 24TH, 2011. ON JANUARY 20, 2011, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE SAME VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK AT 11:30 PM WHEN IT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY AND DANGEROUS INTERSECTION IN FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS -22F. SHE MUST HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR ABOUT 2 MILES WHEN SHE SAW A HUGE WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. WE GOT IT TOWED TO THE SAME SERVICE STATION AS BEFORE AND CALLED MY INSURANCE AGENT THE NEXT MORNING. THE AGENT DID SOME INVESTIGATION AND ADVISED US TO GET IT TOWED TO ANOTHER SERVICE STATION IN MOORHEAD MN THAT WORKS MOSTLY ON IMPORTS. THIS SERVICE STATION KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AS THEY HAD FIXED FIVE TO SIX OTHERS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THEY GOT THE PARTS FROM THE MOTORWERKS BMW DEALERSHIP, FIXED THE PROBLEM AND I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK ON 1/27/2011. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT SOMEBODY HAD TRIED FIXING THE PROBLEM EARLIER BUT DID NOT QUITE FINISH IT. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF IT AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN IT TO MOTORWERKS BMW IN MINNEAPOLIS FOR ALL WORK. THE TOTAL WITHOUT THE TWO TOWING WAS $1028. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER BWM OWNERS LIVING IN COLD PLACES WITH HIGH HUMIDITY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM SCARED TO HAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBER DRIVE THE VEHICLE. HAVE OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? CAN IT HAPPEN AGAIN? WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR
SEATSMarch 8, 2011
2005 BMX X3 SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNT MY LEG. THE DEALER REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND WILL REPLACE THE SEAT. *TR
SEATSFebruary 5, 2011
BMW DRIVER HEATED SEAT CAUSES SEVERE BURNES
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATSDecember 30, 2010
HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING THROUGH THICK LEATHER UPHOLSTERY. 2005 BMW X3, 36,000 MILES. NOT REPAIRED, OUT OF WARRANTY, BMW ONLY WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF OF REPLACEMENT, CONSUMER COST 700 DOLLARS. *TR
STRUCTUREDecember 2, 2010
HATCH BACK IS LEAKING WATER INTO THE HATCHBACK OF X3. WATER LEAKAGE IN FRONT OF CAR FROM HOOD INTO BILATERAL SIDES OF DASH BOARD WHICH DAMAGED CARPET AND BELONGINGS. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNovember 11, 2010
2005 BMW 320I . TAIL LIGHT INDICATOR WARNING CAME ON. TURNS OUT THE WIRE WAS MELTED AROUND THE METAL WHERE THE WIRE PLUGS INTO TAIL LIGHT!! VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX! *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGOctober 29, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER HOSE THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HOSES BUT THEY CONTINUED TO BURST. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE BEING DONE TO THE ENGINE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
STRUCTUREAugust 24, 2010
WATER LEAVING IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITYApril 27, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT DID ADVISED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXHIBITED A LEAK AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,UNKNOWN OR OTHERApril 1, 2010
I WAS IN A UNSAFE AREA SO I LOCKED THE DOORS AN CLOSED ALL THE WINDOWS WITH MY KEYS INSIDE WITH ME TO WAIT FOR MY HUSBAND TO RETURN. WHEN HE RETURNED A FEW MINTUES LATER I COULD NOT OPEN THE CAR TO LET HIM IN. I WAS LOCKED INSIDE MY CAR WITH KEYS IN HAND. POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN,SUNROOF WOULD NOT OPEN, DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CAR WOULD NOT MANUALLY OPEN EVEN WHEN TRIED ON ALL DOORS MANY TIMES USING THE "2 PULL" METHOD. I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AND DROVE TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AT. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO UNLOCK THE CAR AND THEY HAD ME CRAWL TO THE BACK HATCH TO TRY TO USE A RELEASE BUT THERE WAS NONE. I HAD BEEN IN THE CAR A FEW HOURS AAT THIS POINT AND BEGAN TO FEEL PANICKED. AT THAT POINT THEY HAD TO BREAK A WINDOW TO GET ME OUT. THE CAR IS STILL AT DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THEY ARE LOOKING INTO WHY AND NO RESPONSE IS YET AS TO WHY THE MANUAL UNLOCK WOULD NOT WORK WHEN ALL THE ELECTRIC STOPPED WORKING. I HAD PAID FOR A EXTRA WARRENTY ON THE CAR AND IT IS CURRENTLY COVERED.
SEATSJanuary 14, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, AN UNEXPECTED EXCESSIVE HIGH VOLTAGE OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT SYSTEM. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR BURN TO THE LEFT LEG AND THE DRIVER SEAT COVER EXHIBITED A BURN MARK. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
SEATSJanuary 3, 2010
MY DRIVERS SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER AND SINGED MY PANTS. ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I NOW HAVE A PEA SIZED HOLE IN MY SEAT. THE HEATING ELEMENT APPARENTLY HAS SHORTED OUT INSIDE THE SEAT. I READ THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER OCCURRENCES OF THIS ON THESE VEHICLES ON SOME OF THE WEBSITES BUT THERE IS NO RECALL OUT, BUT THERE SHOULD BE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. OCCURRED ON 12/31/2009 ON MY BMX X3 2005. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST OF $1500. *TR
AIR BAGSDecember 16, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. HE STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND CAUSED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 COMPONENT: AIR BAGS FRONTAL WERE RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT WAS QUOTED $1100 BY THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64989.
STRUCTUREDecember 14, 2009
BMW X3 2005. PURCHASED LAST DECEMBER WITH 43,115 MILES. CURRENTLY HAS 48,000+. CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR INTERIOR OF CAR BEING WET. LAST VISIT TO MECHANIC WAS LAST WEEK AND IT IS WET INSIDE AGAIN. MECHANIC HAS CHECKED AND CLEANED DRAINAGE TUBES. HAS CHECKED SUNROOF. HAS NOT FOUND A SPECIFIC MECHANICAL REASON FOR THE LEAKING. *TR
AIR BAGSNovember 13, 2009
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN; I AM A CANADIAN CITIZEN, HOWEVER THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES A VEHICLE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN THE USA. I BOUGHT A 2005 BMW X3, WHICH IS EXHIBITING THE ISSUE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000, AS FOLLOWS.... RECALL: 2004-2006 BMW X3 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV MANUFACTURER BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC RECALL DATE: JUL 18, 2008 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 200000 DESCRIPTION AIR BAGS:FRONTAL SUMMARY BMW IS RECALLING 200,000 MY 2006 3 SERIES SPORT SEAT, MY 2004-2006 5 SERIES STANDARD AND SPORT SEAT, AND MY 2004-2006 X3 PASSENGER VEHICLES. DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT, SMALL CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM, WILL BE DEACTIVATED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG "ON-OFF" LAMP WILL BE ILLUMINATED. CONSEQUENCE IN THIS SITUATION THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY EVEN IF A SUFFICIENTLY SEVERE ACCIDENT WOULD OCCUR AND OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. REMEDY DEALERS WILL REWORK THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT SO THAT EXTERNAL FORCE APPLICATION TO THE SEAT DOES NOT CAUSE A CRACK TO THE MAT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING LATE SEPTEMBER 2008. BMW WILL ALSO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THESE VEHICLES TO 10 YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION WITHOUT ANY MILEAGE LIMIT. AFTER CONTACTING BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, THEY INFORMED ME MY VIN / VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS, AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED IN MY VEHICLE. THERE MAY BE MANY MORE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT THEN THOSE ORIGINALLY INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGSeptember 23, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE ENGINE STALLED; FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE RISK FOR FIRE AND VEHICLE CRASH WERE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER THE TECHNICIANS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 72 DAYS TO REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
AIR BAGSJanuary 20, 2009
AIR BAGS IN BMW X3 MANUFACTURE DATE SEP 2005. MY VEHICLE IS FULLY LOADED AND THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT ACCORDING TO BMW TESTS RAN ON THE TRUCK. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000, HOWEVER BMW WILL NOT REWORK THE SENSOR ISSUE. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY OVER 1100 EURO, AS I AM STATION IN GERMANY AND PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THROUGH MILITARY CAR SALES. SINCE IT IS THE EXACT ISSUE FOUND IN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AND REPAIRED. YET BMW STATES THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT I=ONE OF THE OVER 200000 WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOW AM I TO DETERMINE IF MY VIN NUMBER WAS AFFECTED. MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME AND IT WAS SPECIAL ORDERED. PLEASE ASSIST IF POSSIBLE. *TR
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)January 2, 2009
AUTO TYPE: 2005 BMW X3 SAV. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A HISTORY OF FAILURES WITH THE OPERATION SYSTEM WITH REGARD TO THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTION AND MOST RECENTLY WE EXPERIENCED A BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS IS THE SAME RESULT EACH TIME ALTHOUGH THE DIAGNOSTIC REPORTS SHOW OPERATING SYSTEM FAILURES. WHEN QUESTIONED, WE WERE TOLD THAT HE VEHICLE "CORRECTED ITSELF". ALL OF THIS IS IN WRITING. WHEN WE APPROACHED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, THEY HAVE REPEATED DENIED ANY ERRORS, AND EVEN HAVE TOLD US THAT WE CANNOT USE THEIR DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION. THIS SEEMS TO BE QUITE A COVER UP BETWEEN BMW AND THE DEALER (VOB AUTO SALES, ROCKVILLE MD). I HAVE FULL DOCUMENTATION FOR YOUR REVIEW. *TR
AIR BAGSDecember 9, 2008
I OWN A BMW X3 THAT HAS THE FRONT AIR BAG MAT SENSOR PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN NOTED WORLDWIDE BMW RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEY HAVE NOT NOTED THE X3 WITH SPORT SEATS BEING PART OF THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH ALL OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME SEAT HAS BEEN NOTED. I JUST HAD MY X3 SERVICED, AND ALSO ASK THEM TO REPAIR THE SEAT MAT THAT HAS FAILED, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS SEAT WAS NOT LISTED, BUT DID HAVE THE COMMON FAILURE THAT HAS BROUGHT FORWARD THE RECALL. I AM ASKING THAT NHTSA NOTIFY BMW AND INSIST THAT THEY HAVE LEFT OUT THE X3 WITH SPORT SEATS. *TR
AIR BAGSJuly 16, 2008
SAFETY RESTRAINT AIR BAG PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY LIGHT INTERMITTENT SIGNAL REMAINS ON, WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN SEAT WEIGHING OVER 40 POUNDS. DRIVER DASH BOARD INDICATES THE SAFETY RESTRAINT AIR BAG IS NOT ON WHEN PASSENGER OVER 40 POUND IS SEATED IN PASSENGER SEAT. THE SAFETY AIRBAG LIGHT INDICATES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
STRUCTUREJune 30, 2008
INTERIOR DOOR RATTLES/CREAKS FROM SEALS/DOOR SILL. EXTREMELY NOISY WHEN DRIVING. SOUNDS AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO CAVE IN OR AS ONE PERSON SAID, SOUNDS LIKE YOUR DRIVING A WOOD CAR. I LOOKED UP SEVERAL SITES, IT APPEARS IT IS AN ON-GOING ISSUE. I JUST RECEIVED THE CAR JUNE 28,08. PLEASE ASSIST IF THERE IS A FIX. *TR
VISIBILITYMay 19, 2008
2005 BMWX3 IS MAKING ME SICK. I TURNED THE HEAT ON & I STARTED TO FEEL ILL. MY SYMPTOMS GOT WORSE ,MY THROAT WAS SWOLLEN, COMPLETELY LOST MY VOICE AS A DIRECT RESULT OF WHAT I BREATHED IN. BMW LOOKED AT THE CAR & ADVISED OF "DEFECT IN THE EVAPORATOR HOUSING" AND WHAT I AM BREATHING IN IS "MOLD DUE TO CONDENSATION. ADVISED OF A KIT TO FIX IT. I REFUSED TO PAY. I CALLED BMW & THEIR CANNED RESPONSE WAS THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY BUT "ENVIRONMENTAL." I REFUSED TO GIVE UP, THE SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED (OR SLIPPED) THAT BMW HAD AN INTERNAL MEMO CIRCULATING WITH EXACTLY WHAT TO TELL CUSTOMERS AND NOT TO COVER IT.. THE LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER AGREED TO EAT THE CHG. MY DR. DETERMINED I HAD A DIRECT &FAST ALLERGIC REACTION. IT TOOK 4 WEEKS TO RECOVER. FRIDAY WE HAD A RAIN STORM IN NJ. I DROVE AN HOUR ,COULD BARELY SEE AND TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER. THE SMELL CAME OUT OF THE VENTS .I COULDN'T SEE,BUT I WAS SCARED OF GETTING SICK. THIS BECAME A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION ON ROUTE 287 N IN NJ. I USED THE DEFROSTER FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. ON THE WAY HOME I WAS TOO SCARED TO USE IT, STILL RAINING YESTERDAY (SUNDAY 5-18) IT WAS RAINING. I TURNED THE CAR ON PUT THE DEFROSTER ON & SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE THE SYMPTOMS AGAIN BUT IT HAS NOT GOTTEN TO THE POINT OF MY THROAT CLOSING BECAUSE I KNEW TO SHUT IT OFF. THIS MEANS I CAN'T USE MY DEFROSTER, HEATER OR AIR-CONDITIONER OR I WILL GET VERY SICK. I WILL CALL THE LOCAL DEALER TODAY WHO WILL TELL ME I CAN PAY TO HAVE THEM RUN LYSOL THROUGH THE VENTS. I REACHED OUT TO BMW HEADQUARTERS THE FIRST TIME. THEY IGNORED MY ISSUE EVEN WHEN I TOLD THEM I ENDED UP SICK, AT THE DR. & THAT I KNEW ABOUT THEIR INTERNAL MEMO. MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TO GET THIS MATTER ADDRESSED ASAP. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME WHILE I AM DRIVING, DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS IN A STORM THERE IS A CHANCE MY THROAT WILL CLOSE UP AND I AN ACCIDENT. *TR
TIRESFebruary 20, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42, SIZE P235/55R17 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEEL BELTS FAILED ON BOTH FRONT TIRES, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,539 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. UPDATED 03-18-08 *BF
SEATSNovember 3, 2007
DRIVERS SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH VINYL SEAT CAUSING A HOLE IN SEAT AND BURN TO DRIVER. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER BEING REPAIRED. CAR WAS AT DEALER DAY BEFORE BECAUSE OF IGNITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY INCIDENT OCCURS. *TR
AIR BAGSFebruary 17, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG ACTIVATION INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED NO INSPECTIONS OR REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNovember 17, 2005
STARTED THE CAR AND STARTED DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. AS TURNING THE CORNER VERY SLOWLY, THE REAR WHEEL WENT OVER THE CURB. AT THAT POINT CAR STARTED ACCELERATING RAPIDLY AND HITTING THE BRAKE DIDN'T HELP. CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE BUILDING, AT LEAST AT 30 MPH AND THE CAR GOT TOTALED. CONTACTED BMW AND THEY SAID THEY'LL SEND AN INSPECTION ENGINEER. HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM SINCE. *NM
AIR BAGSFebruary 9, 2005
BRAND NEW 2005 BMW X3 3.0 PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON {MEANING IT IS DEACTIVATED} WHEN OCCUPIED WITH 110 LB OCCUPANT IS SITTING IN IT. *JB