2006 BMW 3 Series Complaint Log

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 325XI BMW. THE TIRES ON THE BMW WERE BRIDGESTONE, TURANZA EL42, SIZE 205/55/R16 DOT# IS # EJ8KCNK4005. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM ALL FOUR TIRES. WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ODOMETER REACHED 7,000 AND AGAIN AT 10,000 MILES THE TIRES BEGAN TO VIBRATE. BOTH BMW AND BRIDGESTONE WERE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE, AND BRIDGESTONE OFFERED A 25% DISCOUNT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW SET OF TIRES. THE VEHICLE'S CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,200. *AK TIRE SIZE RFT EL42 205/55/16 UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB

NOISE CAUSED BY TIRES WHILE DRIVING MAKING UNCOMFORTABLE IN 2006 3 SERIES BMW.*AK

THIS COMPLAINT REFERS TO THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES (BRIDGESTONE EL-42, 205/55-16 RUN FLAT) SUPPLIED ON THE 2006 BMW 325I WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. AFTER ONLY 13,000 MILES ON A BRAND NEW CAR, I HAVE FOUND THIS TIRE TO BE ENTIRELY UNSAFE AND UNSUITABLE TO THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THAT BOTH BMW AND BRIDGESTONE SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS TIRE ON ALL EXISTING VEHICLE. THIS TIRE EXHIBITS UNSAFE CHARACTERISTICS IN WET WEATHER, WITH NOTICEABLE DRIFT AND HYDROPLANING IN ANY AMOUNT OF STANDING WATER, EVEN AS LITTLE AS 1/16 INCH. IN HEAVY RAINS, EVEN WITH NO STANDING WATER PRESENT, THE TIRE SEEMS INCAPABLE OF DISPERSING WATER AS QUICKLY AS IT FALLS, AGAIN LEADING TO VEHICLE INSTABILITY. FROM A RIDE QUALITY POINT OF VIEW THE TIRE IS ALSO UNSATISFACTORY IN THAT IT FLAT SPOTS EVERY MORNING, ESPECIALLY IN COOL WEATHER BUT EVEN IN WARMER WEATHER AS WELL, LEADING TO VIBRATIONS IN THE INITIAL MILES OF ANY DRIVE. IT IS ALSO ESPECIALLY HARSH OVER ROADWAY EXPANSION JOINTS, AND IS SO LOUD ON CONCRETE PAVEMENTS THAT IT POSES A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO DRIVER FATIGUE INDUCED BY THE CONTINUOUS NOISE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE REGARDING THE RATING AS AN "ALL SEASON TIRE" WITH MANY OWNERS REPORTING THAT THIS TIRE IS VIRTUALLY USELESS IN ANY KIND OF SNOW CONDITIONS. *JB

TIRES ARE EXTREMELY NOISY AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS-2006 BMW 330I TURANZA EL42 RUN FLAT TIRE (RFT), P225/45R17: I WAS TOLD TODAY BY FIRESTONE THAT THE CUPPING OF THE EDGES OF ALL FOUR TIRES WILL CAUSE LACK OF TRACTION IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THEREFORE, HE SUGGESTED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATE THAT ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE CAR CAME DOWN ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.

I OWN A '06 3 SERIES WITH THE SPORT SUSPENSION AND I HAVE BARELY PUT 11K MILES ON THE CAR WHEN I STARTED TO NOTICE A LOUD HUMMING NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A TIRE ISSUE AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN ISSUE DRIVING THE CAR IN RAIN OR SNOW IF THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE CUPPED TIRES AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $1500.00 BECAUSE OF BAD TIRES OR SUSPENSION. *JB

WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A DEAD STOP THE ENGINE LURCHES BADLY 1-3 TIMES BEFORE IT BEGINS TO ACTUALLY ACCELERATE. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE PURCHASE IN 11/06. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON HUNDREDS OF OCCASIONS AND HAS NEARLY CAUSE ME MANY ACCIDENTS BY GETTING REAR-ENDED BY CARS AND SEMI'S. I LIKE ON A SIDE STREET NEXT TO A HIGHWAY AND WHEN I TRY TO PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY QUICKLY THE CAR LURCHES SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ACTUALLY CATCHING AND MOVING. I'VE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEAL WHO SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. HOWEVER I'VE CHECKED ON A WEBSITE (TOPIX.COM) AND THEIR ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, WHICH BMW DENIES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!!!! *TR

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM, CAR INTERIOR, DELIVERS 110 DEG F AIR TO FLOOR VENTS WHEN IN AUTOMATIC MODE. THE REQUESTED TEMPERATURE IS 70F AND THE ACTUAL TEMPERATURE IS 79F. THIS IS A CONSTANT DEFECT, NOT A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. BMW ADVISES THE SYSTEM WORKS AS DESIGNED. 2006 BMW 325XI, CAR MILEAGE - 850 MI. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE AND STEERING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. ALSO, WHEN TRYING TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURRED WHEN NORMAL BRAKING WAS ATTEMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND ADJUSTMENTS HAD TO BE MADE TO THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED THE NECESSARY WORK, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, AND CONTINUED TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 03/22/07 *JB UPDATED 03/30/07

RUN FLAT TIRES ON 2006 BMW 325I ARE HORRENDOUS. THEY WEAR VERY QUICKLY VS CONVENTIONAL TIRES--- I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THIS BEFORE THEY MAKE THAT PURCHASE. THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS OUT THERE (EDMUNDS.COM) THAT HAVE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS *JB

SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AFTER RESET AND UPON INITIAL COLD START. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED WHILE PARKED AND THE HORN DID NOT WORK TO WARN THE OTHER DRIVER. THE ENGINE WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE HORN NOT TO WORK IF THE ENGINE WAS NOT ON. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT ANOTHER DEALER FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB

PURCHASED NEW 2006 BMW 325XI ON 9/27/2006 AND AUTO HAD ENGINE FAILURE ON 10/2/2006. FOUND TO HAVE DEFECT IN THE SPARK PLUG WHICH BURNED OUT THE COIL AND DAMAGED THE VALVE. I AM SEEKING ADVICE ON REJECTING THE VEHICLE. IT IS AT THE DEALER. *NM

WHILE I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN MY 2006 BMW 325I HAD A MAJOR LOCKING FAILURE. I COULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS OF THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THIS TO ME IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE ALL OTHER DOORS WHERE NOT OPERABLE, THUS NO ONE COULD SAFELY GET OUT OF THE CAR IF WE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SAFETY UNLOCK WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS RAIN OR SNOW, WATER ENTERS THROUGH THE DOOR SILLS AND CAUSES THE DOORS TO FREEZE SHUT. HE STATED THAT ICE ALSO ACCUMULATES IN THE DOOR SILLS, MAKING IT VERY EASY TO SLIP AND FALL. THE FAILURE WAS FIRST NOTICED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. HE HAS ALSO CONTACTED BMW'S CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

CONTINUOUS UNRELIABILITY IN THE BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A RUN FLAT TIRES. I'VE HAD BOTH REAR TIRES FAIL EARLY AND NOW MY FRONT ONES ARE ALSO EXPIRING LONG BEFORE THEY SHOULD. I HAVE CUPPING ISSUES AS WELL AND THE BMW DEALERSHIP IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH THE KNOWN PROBLEM. ON TOP OF THAT THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ON EMERGENCY BACK ORDER AND ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN THE EVENT OF A PROBLEM LIKE I'VE SUFFERED TWICE. *NM

EXCESSIVE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ON A 2006 BMW 330I. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON A FIX OR A TIRE REPLACEMENT BUT THAT I SHOULD CONTINUE TO DRIVE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2,000 MILES AND IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I DRIVE MY 3 YEAR OLD SON TO DAY CARE AND I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING HIM. HAVING GIVEN THE DEALERSHIP OVER 2 MONTHS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I FEEL IT IS TIME TO LOOK INTO OTHER AVENUES TO GET A RESOLUTION. *JB

BMW 325I HAS AN ACCELERATION DELAY PROBLEM. WHEN THE DRIVER DEMANDS A SUDDEN INCREASE IN ACCELERATION, THE CAR HESITATES ANYWHERE FROM 1.5 TO 3 SECONDS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN SOMEONE IS MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC, OR GETTING ONTO A HIGHWAY, OR PASSING ON A 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD, ETC. OTHER CARS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ARE MOVING AT 88 FT/SEC. THE AMOUNT OF LEEWAY THIS CAR NEEDS IS MUCH TOO EXCESSIVE. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE WITH THE SAME DIAGNOSIS - "PROBLEM NOT VERIFIED". FRIENDS WHO HAVE DRIVEN MY CAR THINK IT IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION. BAD ACCELERATION IS JUST AS BAD AS POOR BRAKING. *JB

HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF NOISE AND VIBRATION CAUSED BY IRREGULAR (UNEVEN) TIRE WEAR (FEATHERING) ON 2006 330I BMW WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL 42 225/45/17 RUN FLAT TIRES: EUROPEAN DELIVERY 9-12-2005, ARRANGED BY DEALER. AT ABOUT 16,000 MILES, BEGAN TO NOTICE FRONT TIRE NOISE (ROAR) AND VIBRATION AT 15-30 MPH, ESPECIALLY UPON BRAKING. THE NOISE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND COULD FEEL VIBRATIONS IN DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FLOOR PANS. THE NOISE CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND THE VIBRATION BEGAN TO SOUND LIKE WORN FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. I TOOK TO DEALER AT 18,500 MILES AROUND 7/ 31/2006. VEHICLE TEST DRIVEN AT 18,775 MILES. SA ADVISED THAT THE FRONT TIRES HAD UNEVEN WEAR WHICH CAUSED THE NOISE AND VIBRATIONS, AND TIRES NOT COVERED BY NEITHER BMW NOR BRIDGESTONE. NO OTHER ADVICE OR REMEDY WAS GIVEN. WROTE TO PRESIDENT BMWNA, ON 8/04/2006 REQUESTING BMW PERFORM WHEEL ALIGNMENT (TO CORRECT THE FACTORY DEFECTIVE ALIGNMENT) AND TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES. CUSTOMER RELATIONS REP INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER FOR ALIGNMENT CHECK. ON 8/14/2006, ALIGNMENT CHECK PERFORMED BY DEALER, AND DETERMINED THAT THREE WHEELS ALIGNMENT WERE OUT OF FACTORY SPECIFICATION RANGE. CHARGED $225 FOR THIS ALIGNMENT. SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE UNEVENLY WORN AND NOISY TIRES. ON 8/16/2006, MESSAGE FROM CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT BMW WOULD PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT. HAD TIRES INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL BRIDGESTONE TIRE DEALER, AND MANAGER ADVISED THAT VEHICLE WAS MISS-ALIGNED CAUSING ALL FOUR TIRES TO EXHIBIT IRREGULAR WEAR (FEATHERING) CAUSING THE EXCESSIVE NOISE AND VIBRATION. HE SAID THE DEALER SHOULD REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES. ON 08/29/2006 WROTE 2ND REQUEST TO PRESIDENT OF BMWNA FOR REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES AND FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF $225. 09/18/2006 RECEIVED LETTER FROM CR REP PROMISING REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALIGNMENT, BUT DENYING REQUEST FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES ON THE BASIS THAT VEHICLE WAS ALIGNED TO SPECIFICATIONS AT THE FACTORY PRIOR TO DELIVERY. *NM

2006 BMW 325I, APPROX. 2400 MILES. RETURNING TO OFFICE FROM LUNCH, SLOWED TO APPROACH SPEED BUMPS THAT ALIGN PARKING STALL THAT I WAS GOING TO PULL INTO. AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE STALL (APPROX. 5-10 MPH), I STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WAS SOFT (NORMALLY VERY STIFF). I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP. IT FELT LIKE IT INCREASED IN SPEED SLIGHTLY BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE WALL AND A 4" STEEL DOWNSPOUT. AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. TESTED BRAKES AFTERWARDS AND THEY FELT NORMAL. APPROX. $13,000.00 DAMAGE. *JB

2006 BMW 325I MILES: 5K ON JULY 19TH, 2006 APPROX 9:00 AM, WHILE I WAS PARKING AT MY OFFICE PARKING LOT GOING ABOUT 5 TO 10 MPH, AFTER I ENTERED THE PARKING STALL, I STARTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT (NORMALLY THE PEDAL IS STIFF), AND IT WASN'T STOPPING, SO I PRESSED IT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT SPED UP A BIT AND HIT THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AND THE DAMAGE WAS MINOR FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE, BOTH TO MINE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE. AFTER I HIT OTHER VEHICLE, I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO PULL AWAY, THEN MY BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *JB

WHILE WASHING CAR IN HOT SUN THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN HIT WITH COLD WATER FROM HOSE. DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS AN IMPACT BREAK CAUSED BY WINDSHIELD WIPER BEING PULLED UP AND DROPPED ONTO WINDSHIELD. IF WINDSHIELD WIPER BROKE WINDSHIELD (WHICH GIVEN THE LENGTH OF THE SOFT RUBBER WIPER WE FIND IT HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT IMPACT OF A DROPPED WIPER BLADE COULD OR SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO BREAK A WINDSHIELD THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND MUCH MORE SEVERE ROAD HAZARD IMPACT OR IF IT WAS DONE BY COLD WATER ON AN EXTREMELY HOT SUN HEATED WINDSHIELD....EITHER WAY THIS WINDSHIELD COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE STRONG AND MADE TO SAFETY STANDARDS. THE WINDSHIELD IS SURROUNDED BY A BLACK BACKING ON THE OUTER EDGES AND IT GETS VERY HOT WHEN THE SUN IS AT THE PROPER ANGLE SHINING DOWN ON THE CAR. WE DISCOVERED THESE INTENSELY HOT EDGES OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN WASHING THE CAR. WHEN WE HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH COLD WATER IT SHATTERED AND CRACKED. THERE WERE TWO OF US WASHING THE CAR AND WE KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED DESPITE THE DEALERS CLAIM OF IMPACT DAMAGE FROM A "DROPPED WIPER". WE HAVE SAVED THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD FOR NHTSA SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO INVESTIGATE THIS COMPLAINT. THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD IS IN OUR GARAGE AND WE WILL KEEP IT THERE FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS. IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU REGARDING YOUR NEED FOR THE DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD THEN WE WILL PUT IT OUT FOR TRASH COLLECTION. THANKS. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 330XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND OFTEN TIMES THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD REQUIRE A JUMP START FOR TIMES WHEN IT WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY RESTART. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY AND CHARGED THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY NIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO STALL WHEN THE BATTERY WAS NOT CHARGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE CONTACT HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, HITTING A DEER WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO CONTACT'S NECK. AFTER DURING THE ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE SEATBELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 BMW 325I ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH A SMALL OBJECT SUCH AS A BOTTLED WATER BOTTLE OR SOMETHING SIMILAR HIT THE FRONT BUMPER OF MY CAR AND ROLLED UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHERE I DROVE OVER IT. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR OF MY CAR YET THE SEAT BELT LIGHT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE BMW DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE "ACCIDENT INDICATORS" HAD FIRED AND I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE RECEIVER OF MY SEAT BELT REPLACED AT A COST OF $350 DESPITE THERE BEING NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THIS BEING WHAT I CONSIDER A COMMON DRIVING OCCURRENCE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PURCHASE, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS LATCHED. THEN, WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A DEER. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE GRILL AREA, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AWAY FROM THE SCENE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. UPDATED 8/14/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER TRAVELING 20 MPH AND BECOMING IMMOBILED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE RPM SURGED. THIS OCCURRED AT EVERY TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED AS A NEW VEHICLE THE COMPUTER MODULE HAS TO LEARN THE DRIVERS HABITS. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE DIAGNOSIS UNACCEPTABLE.

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 BMW 330I WITH OEM BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE050A RUNFLAT TIRES. THE TIRES BUCKLED ON THE SIDE WALL AFTER LESS THAN 8000K MILES. OUT OF CURIOSITY I CHECKED THE BIMMERFEST -HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=146728 FORUM AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG BMW OWNERS. *NM

SEAT BELT FAILED TO PREVENT ME FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL AFTER ANOTHER CAR HIT MINE FROM THE REAR WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. *NM

PURCHASED NEW 330I FROM DEALER IN 9-05. ON 4-06 AT 12,500 MILES CALLED DEALER TO REQUEST SERVICE SINCE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAKING A "ROARING & WA-WA" SOUND WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THIS HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME & SINCE DRIVER WAS WAITING FOR COMPUTER TO INDICATE SERVICE NEEDED KEPT ON DRIVING. DEALER AGREED TO SEE CAR AND UPON INSPECTION CALLED DRIVER & INFORMED THAT TIRES WERE WORN ERRATICALLY & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (EST AT $1500). SINCE DRIVER QUESTIONED NEED FOR NEW TIRES AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE, DEALER FINALLY SUGGESTED TO CALL CORPORATE BMW. CORPORATE BMW STATED THERE WAS A PROCESS DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO CONFIRM TIRE DEFECT SINCE TIRES WERE NOT PART OF WARRANTY DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO PROCESS CLAIM THROUGH TIRE MANUFACTURER WITH ASSISTANCE FROM CORPORATE BMW. DRIVER HAD TO THEN GO TO TIRE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE TIRES INSPECTED & REQUEST A REPORT BE GENERATED FROM INSPECTION. TIRE MANUFACTURER STATED TIRE WEAR WAS DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE (SINCE TIRES WERE NEVER ROTATED) & NOT TIRE DEFECTS. DEALER STATED TIRES DO NOT HAVE TO BE ROTATED BUT TIRE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY SHOULD. DEALER FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES FOR FREE. DURING CALL WITH DEALER TO SCHEDULE TIRE REPLACEMENT, DEALER INFORMED DRIVER THAT BMW WOULD REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES DUE TO BMW'S ASSUMPTION OF A BAD BATCH OF TIRES BUT THAT NEW TIRES WOULD HAVE TO BE RUN FLATS. ALL TIRES WERE REPLACED 4-24-06. DEALER STATED THAT ALTHOUGH BMW DOES NOT RECOMMEND TIRE ROTATION THAT DRIVER NEEDED TO DO SO TO EXTEND LIFE OF NEW TIRES. AT 3,500 MILES DRIVER HAD TIRES ROTATED & WAS INFORMED THAT TIRES WERE ALREADY "CUPPING". CALLED DEALER & INFORMED OF CUPPING TIRES & REQUESTED SERVICE. DRIVER SEEMS TO BELIEVE ISSUE IS EITHER WITH RUN FLAT TIRES OR WITH VEHICLE SUSPENSION. WILL SEE WHAT DEALER SAYS. FOR ANYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT SO CORPORATE BMW WILL HAVE TO CORRECT. *JB

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2006 BMW 330 XI WITH A MANUAL GEAR SHIFT. THE DESIGN OF THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS IS SUCH THAT ONE CAN ACCIDENTALLY STEP ON BOTH THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE ARM OF THE BREAK PEDAL WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. IT HAS OCCURRED TO ME WHEN CROSSING INTERSECTIONS AND MOST RECENTLY, WHILE MY WIFE WAS MERGING INTO EXPRESSWAY TRAFFIC, THIS IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE CAR WAS REVIEWED BY THE DEALER AND I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BMW, THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR WAS DESIGNED AND THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO, WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE CLUTCH WITH THE MIDDLE OF YOUR FOOT, THE END OF YOUR TOE CAN SLIDE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE ARMS, THIS INTERFERES WITH THE ACTION OF THE BREAK PEDAL. MY WIFE AN I ARE EXPERIENCED STICK SHIFT DRIVERS, WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL STICK SHIFT CARS FOR 40 YEARS, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENS TO US; WE HAVE HAD FOUR CLOSE CALLS IN A MONTH. *NM

I JUST PURCHASED A BMW 330 WITH AN OPTION CALLED "COMFORT ACCESS". THIS OPTION ALLOWS THE DRIVER (WITH THE KEY ON HIS/HER PERSON) TO UNLOCK & START THE CAR AS WELL AS AND KILL THE ENGINE (BY PRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON) & LOCK THE VEHICLE, ALL WITHOUT USING A KEY....JUST NEED IT IN YOUR POCKET ETC. THE RISK IS THAT YOU CAN EXIT THE VEHICLE AND LOCK THE DOORS W/O KILLING THE ENGINE. MY CONCERN IS BEING DISTRACTED OR FORGETFUL AND LEAVING THE CAR RUNNING IN OUR GARAGE AND HAVING EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE HOUSE! A SIMPLE FIX WOULD BE TO HAVE THE ENGINE STOP RUNNING WHEN THE DRIVER EXISTS THE CAR AND/OR LOCKS THE DOORS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ON ROUGH ROADS, THE VEHICLE DRIVES VERY UNSTEADY. THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF IT IS RIDING ON THE RIMS. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT TAKE HIS HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06.

MY 2006 3301 W/SPORT SEATS IS NOT COVERED IN THE BMW RECALL FOR THE MALFUCTIONING PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE THERE SEEMS TO BE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF BMW OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

TAKATA RECALL. THE PASSENGER SEAT'S AIRBAG/WEIGHT SENSOR ON OUR 2006 325I HAS GONE OUT REPEATEDLY (WE'RE ON THE 4TH OR 5TH REPLACEMENT.) IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND THEN THE SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON TO ALERT US THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG AND STAYS ON UNTIL IT'S REPLACED. HOWEVER, IT USUALLY GOES OUT AGAIN WITHIN 18 MONTHS OR SO. I AM USUALLY SITTING IN THE SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE OF THE FIRST MALFUNCTION, BUT WE HADN'T OWNED THE CAR VERY LONG; IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAVE THE SPORTS SEATS WHICH FROM MY READING SEEM TO BE PART OF THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CAR WAS NOT OVERLOOKED IN THE RECALLS. IT NEVER STAYS FIXED FOR LONG AND I DON'T WANT TO FIND OUT THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED WHEN I'M LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED, OR WORSE. SEEMS LIKE MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE...

THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS ARE FULLY LATCHED AND REMAINS LIT UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. ALSO, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT, INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS FULLY SEATED AND BUCKLED UP. *JB

AUTOMOBILE WILL RANDOMLY VEER OR DRIFT IN EITHER DIRECTION. ACTION IS MORE SEVERE WHEN ROAD SURFACE IS LESS EVEN, BUT IT CAN OCCUR AT SLOW SPEED ON SMOOTH STREET. DEALER HAS CHECKED AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT AND OTHERWISE CHECKED OUT THIS CONDITION. DEALER STATED IT IS "NORMAL" FOR SPORTS TIRES TO DO THIS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FLAT TIRE WARNING LIGHT FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

MY WIFE OWN A 2006 BMW 325I, WE BOUGHT IT NEW, AND SINCE DAY ONE WE COMPLAINT TO OUR DEALER THAT THE ENGINE KNOCKS. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. THUS, THEY GIVEN US A PAMPHLET ON HOW TO START THE CAR IN THE MORNING. OVER, THE YEARS I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER BUT TO NO AVAIL. WE PURCHASED OUR CAR AT BMW OF TOWNSON AND DO ALL OF OUR SERVICES AT RUSSELL BMW. BOTH DEALERS ARE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. THEY DO HAVE ALL THE RECORDS OF OUR SERVICES AND COMPLAINT PERTAIN TO ENGINE KNOCKS. RECENTLY, THERE ARE LOTS OF RECALLS WHICH INITIALLY CAR MAKERS WOULD NOT VOLUNTARY DO IT UNTIL IT IS SCRUTINIZE BY NHTSA. I WONDER IF YOU WOULD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION. I CAN BE REACH AT [XXX] OR MY CELL [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK SMOOTHLY, VERY OFTEN STOPPING IS JUMPY, AND WHEN STARTING AFTER THE CAR WAS STOPPED, IT WILL JUMP FORWARD, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO EASE OFF THE BRAKE, MOST TIMES IT SEEMS ALL OR NOTHING. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST PREVALENT WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 FAHRENHEIT, WHICH IS MOST OF THE TIME IN DALLAS. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE 4 TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE FOLLOWING REASONS: A- YOU NEED TO GET ABOUT 500 MILES ON THE CAR, B- THE ROTORS ARE SOFT, C- THE DISCS ARE SOFT, THE ROTORS ARE HARD AND THE DISCS ARE SOFT, AND E- THIS IS THE WAY THE BRAKES ON THIS MODEL OPERATE. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE ON A CAR OF THIS PRICE THEY HAVE BRAKES LIKE THIS. TODAY I RETURNED A LOANER CAR , A 2007 528I TO THE DEALER AND THE BRAKES WORKED PERFECTLY. IF MY VEHICLE HAS THIS PROBLEM, AND I SURE THAT OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO TOTAL FAILURES OR DAMAGE, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME. BUT THE DEALER ASSURED ME THE VEHICLE IS FREE FROM DEFECTS AND IS SAFE TO DRIVE.*AK

DT: CONSUMER OWNS 2006 BMW 325I SEDAN. VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA TIRES, 205/55R16. A LOW PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT COULD BE DRIVEN UP TO 90 MILES AT 50 MPH. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHICH WAS ABOUT 8 MILES AWAY, AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND DROVE VERY CAREFULLY. DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT BMW TOLD HIM THAT RUN FLAT TIRES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN ON LOWER TIRE PRESSURE AND WERE NOT REUSABLE OR REPAIRABLE. CONSUMER HAD TO PAY $229.43 FOR A NEW TIRE. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE OWNERS MANUAL STATING THAT TIRE WOULD NOT BE REUSABLE IF TIRE WAS USED AT LOW PRESSURE. THE TIRE DID HAVE WARNINGS ON IT, BUT THE PRINT WAS SO SMALL THAT IT TOOK GREAT EFFORT TO READ IT. THERE WAS NO PRINTED WARNING IN VEHICLE OR IN VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL ABOUT NOT INFLATING TIRE OR NOT REPAIRING OR REUSING TIRE AFTER IT HAS BEEN USED IN THE RUN FLAT CONDITION. THERE WERE NO FLYERS OR INFORMATION FROM THE TIRE MANUFACTURER . THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER INFORMATION IN THE MANUAL OR AT LEAST IN SOME FORM WITH THE VEHICLE, AS IN A TIRE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY OR BROCHURE.*AK *JB

IT SEEMS THAT THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES SIZE 225/45R-17 ON MY NEW BMW FORM FLAT SPOTS ON THE TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OVER NIGHT. IT TAKES ABOUT 5 MILES OR MORE DEPENDING ON HOW COLD IT IS [75 DEGREES OR LESS] OUTSIDE TO FINELY BEGIN TO PERFORM PROPERLY. THE CAR SHIMMIES AND VIBRATES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS HARD TO CONTROL UNTIL THE TIRES WARM UP. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SINCE THE 2ND DAY AFTER PURCHASE. [JUNE '05] BMW TRIED TO MAKE REPAIRS AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS AND CERTIFIED LETTERS BUT IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED. NOW THEY TELL ME THAT THEY DO NOT WARRANTY TIRE PROBLEMS TAKE YOUR COMPLAINT TO BRIDGESTONE. THE BRIDGESTONE TIRE DEALERS HAVE ALL TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT WARRANTY THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS A BMW PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE POSITION OF EACH COMPANY BLAMING THE OTHER AND NO ONE WANTING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT BE THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. AN UNSAFE CONDITION EXISTS AS YOU DRIVE AND THE CAR WOBBLES, BUMPS AND SHIMMIES FOR THE FIRST FEW MILES OR MORE, BECAUSE OF THE FLAT SPOTS THAT FORM AFTER PARKING FOR A TIME. *NM

THE STEERING WHEEL ELECTRONIC LOCK ON THE 2006 BMW 330I IS DEFECTIVE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK PREVENTS THE CAR FROM BEING STARTED AND EVEN WITH THE APPROPRIATE KEY, ETC. IT LOCKS IN ERROR. THIS OCCURS ON EVERY ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AS THEIR IS A DEFECTIVE COMPONENT IN THE VEHICLE.