2005 BMW 5 Series Complaint Log

MUCH LIKE THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I JUST COPIED AND PASTED THIS FROM ANOTHER COMPLAINANT. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALARM CAME ON THE IDRIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. HOWEVER, THE RECALL ID #73368 EXACTLY MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF MY PROBLEM. THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED. PLEASE ADVISE HOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT I CAN GET THE CAR FIXED. WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS WILL NOT COME ON IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I WENT AS FAR AS TO SPEAK WITH BMW DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID IT ONLY GOES TO THE 2004 MODELS, AND THEN TO THE 2006 MODELS....YEA, WHATEVER. IT'S A SAFETY RECALL, THEY SHOULD HONOR IT, AND BMW IS COMPLETELY INFLEXIBLE WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. IT'S A SHAME NOT ONLY WILL THEY NOT HELP, THEY WANT TO CHARGE OVER $1000 TO THE CUSTOMER FOR A RECALL PART. I'M TRADING MY OTHER BMW IN ON ANYTHING BUT ANOTHER BMW AND WILL DRIVE MY AFFECTED 530I UNTIL IT REACHES THE SCRAP YARD. *TR

THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ALARM CAME ON THE IDRIVE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. HOWEVER, THE RECALL ID #73368 EXACTLY MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF MY PROBLEM. THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE THAT OUR VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED. PLEASE ADVISE HOW TO GET THIS RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT I CAN GET THE CAR FIXED. WE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS WILL NOT COME ON IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. *TR

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT MAT IS MALFUNCTIONING IN MY 2005 BMW 530I. THERE WAS A RECALL IN ACTION NUMBER EA08001 IN WHICH BMW AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY OR COMPLETE THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO THE BMW SERVICE FACILITY, THEY WOULD ONLY FIX THE ISSUE IF I PAID. I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPAIR/EXTENDED WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM, THEY TELL ME MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THEREFORE, MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS DO NOT WORK. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ORIGINALLY IN 2012 TO BMW. *TR

GOING 55 MPH. THE CAR LOST POWER WITH A LARGE WARNING DIAGNOSTIC ON CONTROL PANEL -- TRANSMISSION ERROR INDICATING THAT CAR WOULD NOW OPERATE IN A DIMINISHED STATE. LUCKILY MANAGED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING ACCIDENT. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION THE LOSS OF POWER COULD EASILY HAVE HAD MORE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. IT WAS SPUTTERING AND I SHUT ENGINE OFF AND IT STARTED AGAIN. I DROVE HOME. TOOK IT TO A BMW REPAIR SHOP AND BMW AND NO ONE COULD FIND PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS RESET UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS RESET AGAIN. THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE 102,000.

TRANSMISSION JERKS AS IF YOU ARE MISSING A SPARK OR IT IS TRYING TO FIND A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR WHILE CRUISING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN 32-40 MPH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 8/27/14*CN UPDATED 09/8/2014 *JS

I WAS LEAVING THE BOWING ALLEY AND NOTICED THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON AND IT WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED THE COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO A RECALL ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT MY VIN # ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL ID # 73379 OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V384000. IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING TO SAVE UP AND BUY YOUR DREAM CAR TO ONLY HAVE IT TO MALFUNCTION IN A MONTHS TIME. I DON' T HAVE ANY FAITH OR TRUST IN THE BMW COMPANY AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE. THEY ARE NOT LOYAL TO THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FAIL TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. I WILL GO BACK TO FORD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY OVER THE WEEKEND, I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. THE IDRIVE STATED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE PASS AIR BAG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AFTER FINDING THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING/ COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 5 SERIES. BUT WHAT I DON'T GET IS WHY IS MY VEHICLES VIN NOT INCLUDED?? IT'S OBVIOUS THIS IS A DEFECT WITH THE PRODUCTION OF THESE VEHICLES SO WHY SHOULD MYSELF OR ANY OTHER OWNER BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR? WHY ARE THERE ONLY CERTAIN VEHICLES INCLUDED? THEN I FIND OUT THAT IF I'M IN A CRASH, MY PASSENGER WILL NOT BE PROTECTED!! THIS IS NOT FAIR TO OWNERS AND BMW SHOULD BE HELD FULLY RESPONSIBLE. ANOTHER THING I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THAT I HAVE A RECALL ON THE BATTERY CABLES AND THAT'S COVERED! I READ ONLINE THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES DEPENDING ON THE PRODUCTION DATE (THRU 11/2005) ARE COVERED UNDER THE AIRBAG RECALL. WELL MY BMW WAS MANUFACTURED IN 11/2004! AGAIN, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY VIN ISN'T COVERED. NOT FAIR!! PLEASE HELP..... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,200.

AN EXCESSIVELY HARSH 2-1 DOWNSHIFT WHEN DECELERATING TO A STOP, OR TRANSMISSION "BANGS" INTO GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL OR A "ROLLING" STOP (VEHICLE DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP). *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PAN SLEEVE GASKET LEAK COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION WHEN THEY FOUND THE TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT A GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

MY CAR IS SAYING THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAS A FAULT AND THE SEAT BELT OR AIR BAGS MAY BE DAMAGED FOR NO ABSOLUTE REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND NOTED THE VIN. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED AN INVESTIGATION WAS TAKING PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,120 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,150. UPDATED 05/02/12*BF UPDATED 05/04/12

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A WEEK FROM THE DATE THAT I LAST DRIVEN IT AND TO THE TIME I WENT AND START UP THE CAR. AFTER A WEEK OF NO USAGE AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RESTRAINT AND AIRBAG LIGHT SHOWED UP AS A MALFUNCTION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I NOTICE THAT BMW HAD A RECALL ON A SEAT MAT SENSOR ON 200,000 5 SERIES BUT AFTER TALKING TO BMW MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. I ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICE THAT THERE IS A GREAT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS BAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF I GET INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE XENON ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHTS OEM MADE BY HELLA. THE INSULATION ON ALL OF THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS FALLING OFF. YOU CANNOT TOUCH A WIRE WITHOUT THE INSULATION CRUMBLING OFF THE WIRING. NOW HAVING NUMEROUS FAULTS AND HID LIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE IS NON FUNCTIONAL DUE TO WIRING SHORTS.

A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION LIGHT HAS CAME ON MY 2005 545 BMW. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON ON BMWS AND I FEEL AS ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE PRODUCTION OF THE CAR AND SHOULD NOT BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR A FAULTY PRODUCTION. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS REPAIR AND I'VE CONTACTED THE BMWNA AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY CAR. THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $2000 AND I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSORS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR PRESSURE MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

ON 12/5/2011 - WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I NOTICED THE MESSAGE ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING A FAULT ON PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THERE WAS NOT ANY INCIDENT THAT I CAN RECALL THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE ERROR MESSAGE. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THE ERROR MESSAGE WAS A COMMON FAULT ON THESE TYPE OF CARS DUE TO A FAULTY MAT SENSOR LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SOME BMW CARS OF THE SAME MODEL (DEPENDENT OF VIN). MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY CALLED BMW OF FREMONT (NORTHERN CA) TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE RECALL AND I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF SUCH RECALL. I USE THIS CAR DAILY TO DROP OFF OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL. I HONESTLY THINK THE ISSUE REALLY POSES A SERIOUS THREAT ON MY KIDS SAFETY SINCE THERE IS A HIGH POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. LASTLY, I ALSO THINK THAT BMW NA SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE IT IS BECOMING TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM TO BMW CARS (ESPECIALLY THE MODEL SERIES THAT I HAVE). IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF YOU CAN ASSIST ME RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH BMW NA. *TR

MY AIR BAG/SRS LIGHTS ARE BOTH ILLUMINATED ON MY CAR'S DASHBOARD AND THERE ARE NO CODES OF ANY KIND LISTED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE BUT MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT ON BMW'S LIST. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN GERMANY WHILE STATIONED OVERSEAS IN THE MILITARY AND WONDER IF THAT IS HAVING A BEARING ON MY STATUS? I AM EXPERIENCING EXACTLY WHAT IS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001 BUT NOBODY IS TRYING TO ASSIST ME BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT DEFAULT WARNING LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,656 UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY CENSOR FOR THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 12/16/11 *BF UPDATED 12/22/11

OCCURRENCE IS VERY SIMILAR TO OID 10399328, 10328989 AND 10407868. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT SLOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE SLOWED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED NORMALLY BUT DID NOT COME TO A FULL STOP. HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKES WILL EXTREME FORCE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. PROBLEM RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY 3 TIME BEFORE REPAIRS. ADDITIONALLY, FREQUENTLY WHEN FOOT WAS ON BRAKE WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF THE PEDAL WOULD FORCEFULLY PUSH BACK AGAINST FOOT. SERVICE ON RECALL FOR HYDRAULIC POWER VACUUM PUMP ON THE BOOSTER WAS PERFORMED IN JANUARY. DEALER SAID THE CURRENT PROBLEM IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AS IT IS A COMPLETE BOOSTER FAILURE NOT THE VACUUM PUMP. MY PERCEPTION IS THAT THE FIRST RECALL WAS NOT COMPREHENSIVE ENOUGH TO ADDRESS A LARGER GENERAL PROBLEM VEHICLE'S BOOSTER BRAKING SYSTEM. *TR

2005 BMW 545I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE TO INCLUDE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND LEAKS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS RECALLED. EVEN THOUGH THE PART WAS REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL, THE CONSUMER'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A JOLT/DELAY WHEN PULLING AWAY. WITHIN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT BETWEEN 30-40 MPH AS IF IT WERE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. THERE WAS ALSO A COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM THE VALLEY PAN, A HOSE AND THE COOLANT TANK WERE REPLACED. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN 2008, AND SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE USED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF COOLANT. *JB

CAR SLAMS LIKE YOU JUST GOT REAR ENDED IF YOU SPEED UP WHILE ROLLING AT AROUND 35MPH. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS WHEN I'M TRYING TO CHANGE LANES AND SPEED UP. ALSO TRANSMISSION JERKS AS IF YOU ARE MISSING A SPARK OR IT IS TRYING TO FIND A HIGHER OR LOWER GEAR WHILE CRUISING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN 32-40 MPH. IT JERKS NOTICEABLY WHERE MY SON ASKS WHY ARE YOU DRIVING LIKE THAT. THIS IS TERRIBLE AND NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH, REGARDLESS WHETHER THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY OR NOT. NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS SIGNALS A CHECK ENGINE WARNING. THE BANG AT ROLLING IS ENOUGH TO GIVE ONE WHIPLASH. *TR

MY BMW 545I 2005 HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH MECHATRONICS FOR SOME TIME. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY CAR HAS DOWN SHIFTED FROM HIGH 4TH GEAR TO 2ND AND CAUSED ME TO DRIVE INTO A DITCH. LUCKILY I WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT STILL EXPERIENCED NECK INJURIES FROM HITTING THE DITCH. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS A RECALL BEFORE SOME ONE GETS KILLED. BMW CAN NO LONGER COVER THIS UP AND THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. MANY FORMS ON THE INTERNET HAVE ADDRESSED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NO LONGER A ISSUE, ITS A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR

THE COOLANT TRANSFER PIPE WHICH RUNS THROUGH THE ENGINE LEAKED ALL OF THE COOLANT AND REQUIRED AN IMMEDIATE SHUT DOWN. IT REQUIRED A REPAIR COSTING APPROXIMATELY $6,700 WHICH INCLUDED 38 HOURS OF LABOR. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS WIDELY CITED ON THE INTERNET. *TR

CRACKED RIMS. THREE OF THE FOUR RIMS ON THE CAR HAVE CRACKED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL RIMS WITH FACTORY RUN-FLAT TIRES. TWO OF THE RIMS CRACKED, WERE REPAIRED AND CRACKED AGAIN. ALL FIVE CRACKS OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL CITY DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER BLAME POT HOLES AND SPEED BUMPS, BUT IT IS OBVIOUS THE RIMS ARE UNDER-DESIGNED TO HANDLE NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH THE RUN-FLAT TIRES THEY PROVIDE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 04/18/12*BF THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RCALL # 08V384000 IN HIS COMPLAINT. UPDATED 04/23/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPLAIR.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND WHEN ACTIVATED A LOUD POPPING AND CRACKING NOISE EMITTED AND THEN THE WINDOW GLASS FORCEFULLY RELEASED INTO THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST VACUUM) AND NOW THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING. THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE WAS REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT PREVENT THE VACUUM PUMP FROM FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP WAS NOT COVER UNDER THE RECALL SINCE ONLY THE BRAKE LINE HOSE, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE CALIBUR WERE LISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CHECKED FOR RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE OF THE OCCUPANT DETECTION ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WS 89,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WARNING LIGHT OFF, BUT THE LIGHT LATER ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 01/05/12*LJ UPDATED 01/09/12

I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING BLOGS ON THE 2005 BMW 545I SERIES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY CAR. THE CAR IS ACCELERATING AT TIMES ON ITS OWN AS I SWITCH THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE AND I LET GO OF THE BRAKE. IT GIVES A BOOST OF ACCELERATION WHERE I ALMOST HIT MY GARAGE DOOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN I ROLL FROM A STOP SIGN THE CAR EXPERIENCES A BIG JOLT AS IF I JUST GOT REAR ENDED. IT IS SO HARD THAT MY 4 YEAR OLD GOT FLUSTERED AND STARTED TO CRY. AT 30-40 MILES THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AS WELL. I TOOK IT INTO BMW BUT SINCE THE SENSOR DOES NOT PICK UP THE PROBLEM THEY WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ACCORDING TO THEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS HARD TO TELL WHAT IS WRONG IT COULD BE TRANSMISSION, SENSOR, BRAKES, ENGINE, ETC...I FEEL THEY KNOW BUT DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE EXTEND OF THE PROBLEM IS. THERE IS A PROBLEM AND THEY NEED TO ADMIT IT AND IT MIGHT BE AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE WITH THE GEAR BOX FUNCTIONALITY. IT SEEMS THEY NEED SOME PRESSURE BEFORE IT CAUSES A FATALITY. THE ACCELERATION AND JOLT ARE A BIG PROBLEM. PLEASE ADDRESS AND LET'S NOT ADD TO YOUR NUMBER OF DEATHS COLUMN BEFORE YOU REACT.

THE IDRIVE, KNOWN AS "CCC", UNIT USED TO WORK JUST FINE. IT CONTROL NAVIGATION, RADIO AND VEHICLE'S INFORMATIONS FOR OWNER. ONCE AWHILE THE SCREEN BLINK AND GO BLANK, AND THEN SOMETIME IT WORK JUST FINE. NOW IT JUST DON'T WORK ANYMORE. THE SCREEN NOW BLINK CONTINUOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS CAUSING A MAJOR DISTRACTION FOR ME BEHIND THE WHEEL ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. I STARTED RESEARCHING ONLINE AND NOTICE A LOT OF OWNERS WITH THIS MODEL ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY REPLACED THE CCC UNIT AND UPDATE SOFTWARE INFORMATION AT THE DEALER AND IT FIXED THE ISSUES. I CALLED BMW MOMENTUM OF HOUSTON ABOUT THE CCC. THE COST IS $1,500.00 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I BELIEVE THIS GRAND DEFECTS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE INTO THIS MATTER SO THAT A RECALL CAN BE ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXHIBITING BRAKING ISSUE WITH AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FAULTY BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VACUUM PUMP REPLACED BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

COMING TO A STOP SIGN, HAD TO EXERT AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. GOING TO THE DEALER TO HAVE MY BRAKES CHECKED UNDER THE BMW BRAKE RECALL, I WAS TOLD I HAD NO OIL IN MY BRAKE LINE, BUT THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A VACUUM PUMP OIL LEAK. REMEDY WAS TO REPLACE PUMP AND CLEAN, FOR $1300. IF YOU LOOK ON THE BMW E60 FORUM, AND OTHERS, THERE ARE NUMEROUS IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.

WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, LET'S SAY A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, I FEEL THE CAR JERKS AND MOVES ABOUT A FOOT FORWARD. I BEEN SEARCHING ON-LINE AND SAW THERE ARE A LOT OF CASES LIKE MINE BUT, NO FIX. THE PROBLEM THE CONSUMERS THINK IS WITH SOFT STOP BECAUSE THE BRAKE PRESSURE IS BEING RELEASED AFTER A STOP, THUS ALLOWING THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD, AND PUTS PRESSURE BACK INTO THE BRAKING SYSTEM BRING THE CAR TO A STOP AGAIN. PLEASE HELP..THX!!!!! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PASSENGER MALFUNCTION AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAGS: FRONTAL) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL DEFLATED WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WAS FRACTURED IN HALF. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED AND BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

I OWN A 2005 545I. I WAS PULLING INTO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL. I BEGAN TO HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR STARTED TO JERK BACK AND FORTH AND THEN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I BEGAN TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STOP SHORT OF THE MINI MART THANK GOD! AFTERWARDS A GEAR INDICATOR APPEARED AND THE CAR WENT INTO SAFE MODE AND SHUT OFF. I COULDN'T START THE CAR AND I TRIED FOR THIRTY MINUTES AND ONLY THE GEAR INDICATOR WOULD COME ON. I THEN CALLED A TOW TRUCK COMPANY AFTER THIRTY MINUTES, RIGHT BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED THE CAR STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO BMW OF ROXBURY AND I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY DSC LIGHT WAS ON THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIR TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER CHALLENGING THEM, HOW CAN A ADD ON FEATURE (TO INCREASE STABILIZATION AND TRACTION) THAT I NEVER USED WHEN IT WAS WORKING CAUSE THE CAR TO DRIVE BY ITSELF. THEY DROPPED THE ISSUES CALLED ME BACK AFTER A HOUR AND SAID THEY DROVE THE CAR AROUND FOR 25 MIN AND NOTHING IS WRONG. ALSO THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE GEAR INDICATOR COMING ON EVEN THOUGH IT CAME ON TWENTY OR SO TIMES WHEN I WAS TRYING TO START THE CAR. SO I GUESS I WILL GET MY CAR BACK AND PAY THEM A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR NOTHING. IS FINE AND THERE IS NO RECORD THE GEAR LIGHT EVER CAME ON. SO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 - (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). HE HAD THE REPAIRS SPECIFIED ON THE LETTER DONE ON THE VEHICLE BUT IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE VACUUM PUMP ITSELF WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY PROVIDING A TEMPORARY FIX TO THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

FREQUENT ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTIONS (AVERAGES 1 PER HOUR). CAR WILL ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL WITH NO WARNING. OCCASIONALLY WILL INCREASE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY 5 MILE PER HOUR INCREMENTS. WILL RANDOMLY SPRAY & WIPE WINDOWS. FREQUENTLY UNLOCKS DOORS & WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO BE LOCKED AGAIN UNTIL THE CAR IS STOPPED & TURNED OFF. MAKES FREQUENT EMERGENCY CALLS (OFTEN 3-4 TIMES IN AN HOUR). MOVES & ADJUSTS STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. ACTIVATES TURN SIGNALS. ACTIVATES 4 WAY FLASHERS. ROLLS UP & DOWN WINDOWS WITH NO WARNING. SOMETIMES WILL GO OUTSIDE TO CAR TO FIND WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. ACTIVATES ALARM SIREN WHILE DRIVING. AND MORE ..... *TR

MY 2005 BMW 530I HAS A MICROPROCESSOR UNIT LOCATED IN THE SPARE TIRE SUMP IN THE TRUNK. WATER GOT INTO THE TRUNK AND SHORTED OUT THIS UNIT. THIS IS A POOR PLACE TO LOCATE SUCH A VITAL PART, AS THIS PARTICULAR MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLS THE VEHICLE'S IDRIVE SYSTEM (BMW'S INTEGRATED SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE RADIO, HEAT/AIR SETTINGS, DIAGNOSTICS, ETC). BMW WILL ONLY FIX THIS ITEM AS PART OF A NEW CAR WARRANTY. REPAIRS CAUSED BY THE POOR PLACEMENT OF THIS UNIT CAN COSTS INTO THE THOUSANDS IF CONDUCTED BY A BMW DEALERSHIP. IF THE MICROPROCESSOR SHORTS OUT WHILE IN OPERATION IT COULD CATCH FIRE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG AND POWER TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO OCCASIONALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V504000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

I HAVE 2005 545I BMW, LAST WEEK I RECEIVED RECALL ON BRAKING SYSTEM ASKED TO TAKE MY CAR TO DEALER AND GET IT FIX. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTED PART. THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING AND MENTION EVERYTHING IS FINE. TODAY AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM I HAVE RECEIVED ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION MESSAGE . I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND WHILE DRIVING MESSAGE POPPED UP. FLUID LEVEL LOOKS FINE BUT DID NOT GET IT CHECKED BY ANYONE YET. BMW NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEIR CARS AS THEY SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES. I ALSO RECENTLY REPLACED THE SMG PUMP AS WELL AS ENGINE MODULE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACTS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THE RECENT REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE RECALL REPAIRS HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.