2005 BMW 5 Series Complaint Log

BMW NORTH AMERICA DENIED MY RECALL REFERENCE TO YOUR CAMPAIGN #08V384000. THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED AT YOUR CAMPAIGN IS EXACTLY WHAT MY PROBLEM OCCURRED ON MY 05 BMW 530I. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $1200 FOR THE REPAIR AND I HAVE FOUGHT WITH BMW CUSTOMER RELATION AND I GO NO WHERE. HELP!!! *TR

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2005 BMW 545I. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JAN 2009 FROM BMW OF PLEASANT GROVE IN SALT LAKE CITY UTAH WITH APPROX. 35,000 MILES. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP IT HAD DUNLOP RUN-FLAT TIRES ON IT. BY AUGUST 31ST 2010 THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES ON IT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT TIRES. I TOOK IT TO DISCOUNT TIRE IN SAN DIEGO(PACIFIC BEACH LOCATION) AND HAD (4) NEW MICHELIN TIRES INSTALLED. I DROVE HOME AND THE NEXT DAY ON SEPTEMBER 1ST 2010 WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ONE OF THE TIRES WENT FLAT. I RETURNED TO DISCOUNT TIRE THAT EVENING AND THEY RE-INFLATED THE TIRE AND PLACED IT INTO A WATER TANK TO CHECK FOR LEAKS. THAT IS WHEN THE EMPLOYEE TOLD ME THAT I HAD A CRACKED RIM. I CONTACTED THE BMW OF SAN DIEGO DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND AFTER INSPECTING THE RIM THEY STATED THE RIM CRACKED AND "FAILED DUE TO IMPACT" AND CLAIMED THAT I HAD MOST LIKELY HIT A CURB OR A LARGE POT HOLE WHICH CAUSED THE RIM TO CRACK. I WAS FORCED TO BUY A NEW RIM FOR $363 DOLLARS. I AM NOT THE ONLY BMW OWNER WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHILE I WAS AT DISCOUNT TIRE ON SEPTEMBER 1ST 2010 A GENTLEMEN DRIVING A 2005 645I CAME IN AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM- CRACKED REAR RIM. THE MANAGER AT DISCOUNT TIRE STATED HE SEES 4-5 BMW'S PER WEEK THAT COME IN WITH CRACKED RIMS. BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE RIMS ON THEIR VEHICLES ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED, ENGINEERED, OR MANUFACTURED TO WITHSTAND NORMAL DAILY DRIVING CONDITIONS. I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN 6 CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER ONCE HAVE I CRACKED A RIM IN THE COURSE OF NORMAL DAILY DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. IF A RIM WERE TO CRACK AND FAIL AT HIGH SPEED DURING INTERSTATE DRIVING CONDITIONS OVER 65 MPH THIS COULD CAUSE A FATALITY. GREAT BRITAIN CURRENTLY HAS AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THE CRACKED/FAULTY BMW RIMS IN THEIR COUNTRY. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS AS A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 BMW 545I. WHEN I AM DECELERATING AND ROLLING TOWARDS A STOP AND THEN ACCELERATE BEFORE A FULL STOP I WILL GET A LARGE JERKING TRANSMISSION BANG COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AROUND 35-40 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM ONE GEAR TO THE NEXT AND BACK CAUSING THE CAR TO SURGE AND JERK SLIGHTLY. *TR

ON MAY 12TH, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 545I BMW AT 8PM WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DISPLAY INDICATED A WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION (WOULD NOT TURN OFF OR CONTROL SPEED OF WIPERS). AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION TO ANY OF THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROLS, NOR DID THE TURN SIGNALS WORK (WOULD NOT STAY ON UNLESS HELD DOWN). ALMOST SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, SEAT BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT FUNCTION, AND THE ACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING CAME ON, INDICATING THAT THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ALIGNED WITH THE WHEELS. THE CAR BECAME MORE DIFFICULT (MORE EFFORT) TO STEER, WITH LOSS OF SOME POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BACK DOWN TO 20 MPH. AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CAR ENTERED TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE PROGRAM, LIMITING THE CAR TO GEARS R, N, 1, 2, 3 FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP HOME. THE NEXT MORNING, THE HIGH BATTERY DRAIN INDICATOR CAME ON ALSO. POWER WINDOWS AND REMOTE KEY FUNCTIONS CEASED TO WORK, ALTHOUGH I COULD STILL CONTROL THE SUNROOF. I PROMPTLY BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING ON MAY 13TH. THE BMW DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND STATES THE SZL MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS AT 51050 MILES, AND BEYOND WARRANTY COVERAGE AT 5 YEARS OLD. BMW NA WILL NOT COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR TO THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (SI B340506) ISSUED FOR 2006 MODELS DESCRIBING SIMILAR FAILURES IN THEIR PRODUCTS. I AM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT SO THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN TO OTHER DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH SIMILAR CARS. *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FULLY ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED BUT WOULD NOT STOP. SHE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE HIGHWAY AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM HAD FAILED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS YET MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE - BRAKE LOSS 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES: THIS STARTED ABOUT 3-4 MONTHS AGO. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25-30MPH AND HAD TO STOP BECAUSE THE LIGHT TURNED RED. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES BUT MY CAR DID NOT STOPPED. IT FELT LIKE I WAS STEPPING ON A BRICK BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKE PRESSURE. I PULLED THE E-BRAKE, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AGAIN AND IT WAS OK AFTER THAT. I IGNORED THAT ISSUE THINKING IT WAS JUST A PHANTOM ISSUE - JUST LIKE MOST ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH BMW'S. I DON'T DRIVE MY CAR EVERYDAY - MAYBE ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK AT THE MOST. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN, IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. SAME SCENARIO - DRIVING ABOUT 30-35MPH. IT IS NOT SPONGY (I KNOW FOR SURE IF IT WAS CAUSED BY AIR ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM) - IT DEFINITELY FELT LIKE STEPPING ON A BRICK, AS IN LITERAL BRICK. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAVE TO CHANGE THE BRAKE FLUID SINCE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE FLUID EVERY 2 YEARS. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING AT THE INTERSTATE DRIVING ABOUT 70MPH, I HAD TO PRESS MY BRAKE BECAUSE A LOW MOVING VEHICLE MOVED IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE THEN HAD THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. I HAVE TO DRIVE ON THE LEFT PAVED SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE VAN IN FRONT OF ME. YESTERDAY, I CHANGED MY BRAKE FLUID. WENT TO THE GROCERIES TO TEST DRIVE IT. DRIVING ABOUT 15-25MPH ON TRAFFIC - HAD THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. NO BRAKES, NO PRESSURE, FELT LIKE STEPPING ON A BRICK. TURNED OF ENGINE AND TURNED IT BACK ON - WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE IN THE IDLE POSITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRIC SEAT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,850.

FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MULTIPLE FLAT TIRES. THE DEALER KEPT TELLING ME I HAD BAD TIRES AND I BOUGHT NEW TIRES EVERY TIME. THIS YEAR AGAIN I HAVE 2 FLAT TIRES AND NOW THE DEALER IS TELLING ME I HAVE 3 CRACKED RIMS AND 1 BENT RIM. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. MY INSURANCE CARRIER STATE FARM TOLD ME THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH BMW WHEELS AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE TO FIX. THE DEALER IS SAYING THEY KNOW NOTHING OF A RIM PROBLEM. BUT WHEN I SEARCHED IT ON LINE I FOUND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE DANGER TO ME AS WELL AS ANYONE ELSE NEAR ME WHEN THESE RIMS AND TIRES FAIL. *JS

I PURCHASED MY USED 2005 BMW 545I WITH ONLY 55K MILES ON IT IN MAY 2009. ON OR ABOUT MARCH 2010, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING DURING ACCELERATION AND SOMETIMES A HARD "JOLT" AS IF YOU HIT A LARGE OBJECT IN THE ROAD OR HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. ON ACCELERATION, THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES REV WAY UP, WITHOUT ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION, AND THEN SLAM INTO ACTION SO FAST THAT IT FEELS LIKE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. IT IS LIFE-THREATENINGLY DANGEROUS, BECAUSE WHEN IT HAPPENS, IT IS SUCH A SHOCK YOU ARE DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS FROM A FULL STOP, BUT HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY NUMEROUS TIMES AS I WAS TRYING TO MOVE FROM A SLOW LANE TO A FASTER LANE. WHEN IT SLAMS, THE NATURAL TENDENCY IS TO LET OFF THE GAS, HOWEVER, THERE WAS FASTER TRAFFIC APPROACHING FROM THE REAR, AND I ALMOST GOT HIT. AFTER CHECKING POPULAR BMW OWNER WEBSITES SUCH AS BIMMERFEST, I NOTICED THERE WERE COUNTLESS OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME MODEL YEARS (2004-2005 545I) WHICH HAS THE V-8 ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN. BMW HAS NOT RECALLED THIS DEFECT AS OF THIS DATE AND WILL NOT UNLESS SOMEONE GETS KILLED, SERIOUSLY INJURED, OR RECEIVE MAJOR PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT LIKE TOYOTA'S ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE (FIX) AVAILABLE FROM BMW THAT WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY PREFER CUSTOMERS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET (OUT OF WARRANTY CUSTOMERS) OPPOSED TO VOLUNTARY RECALLS FORCED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR BAD PR FROM THE MEDIA PRESS. THE BMW SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN (SIB) THAT ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM IS: 24 03 05 SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR TRANSMISSION. I PLAN TO TAKE THIS MATTER TO THE MEDIA PRESS IF SOLUTIONS AREN'T OFFERED FROM BMW OR THE GOVERNMENT. *TR

2005 BMW 545I. IF THE CAR DOES NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND I ACCELERATE WHILE IN A SLOW ROLL, THERE IS AN EXTREMELY HARD SLAM FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THROUGHOUT BMW OWNER OF THE 545I SERIES. BMW HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FAULT IN EITHER THERE PROGRAMMING OR THERE TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD RECALL AND FIX PROPERLY. ANYONE CAN GO TO THE NUMEROUS BMW FORUMS THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET AND FIND THE MANY THREADS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED BARELY MISSING A COLLISION WITH A PEDESTRIAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20-40 MPH. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A PROGRAMMING ERROR THAT COULD BE REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CONTACT'S WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V384000, AIR BAGS FRONTAL; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 5 SERIES. THE FRONTAL AIR BAG LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY AND WAS REPAIRED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

THE WHEELS ON MY 2005 BMW 545 HAVE ALL CRACKED. THE WHEELS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

THANKS TO YOUR ORGANIZATION, BMW USA AGREED TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE BMW PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT AIRBAG TO 10 YEARS. HOWEVER, BMW USA IS NOT HONORING THIS COMMITMENT FOR MY VEHICLE, A 2005 BMW 530I. IS THERE ANY WAY TO ASK BMW USA TO HONOR THIS COMMITMENT? THIS PART OF MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM, IN THE MANNER DESCRIBED BY THE RECALL, FOR THE REASONS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, AND IT IS ONE OF THE VEHICLES COVERED BY THIS RECALL--BASED ON MODEL AND YEAR INFORMATION PUBLISHED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 545I. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING MILDEW SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS DRAINED OF EXCESS WATER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN MY BELT TENSIONER AND BROKE. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH BMW'S "ACTIVE STEERING" SYSTEM THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE SERPENTINE BELT. WHEN THE BELT BROKE, I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER MY CAR AND IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOCKED. I BARELY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ENDED CRASHING ON TO THE MEDIAN. MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME. IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SHE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FORCED REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HIGH. I'VE DRIVEN CARS WITHOUT POWER STEERING BEFORE, AND THIS IS NOTHING LIKE IT. NORMALLY CARS CAN TURN WHEN MOVING - EVEN WITH NO POWER STEERING, BUT WITH A DEFECTIVE "ACTIVE STEERING" SYSTEM, I WAS BARELY ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR HAD ONLY 52000 MILES AND IT WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER AT 48000 MILES AND NOTHING WAS DETECTED. THE DEALER SAID THE CASTING OF THE TENSIONER PULLEY BROKE AND THE PULLEY CAME OFF AND MADE THE BELT SNAP, THEREBY LOSING MY STEERING CONTROL. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO GET INJURED OR DIE DUE TO THIS MECHANICAL DEFECT. THIS HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CONDITION NOT ONLY CAUSES THE LOSS OF STEERING, BUT CAN ALSO LEAD TO ENGINE OVERHEATING AND BATTERY DISCHARGE SINCE THIS PULLEY ALSO DRIVES THE ALTERNATOR AND WATER PUMP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DEFECT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

MY 2005 BMW 545I HAS A HESITATION, AND STRONG HARD DOWNSHIFT PRESENT, UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY I COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS, AND NOW OUTSIDE OF FACTORY WARRANTY I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES, AND NO ONE IS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AT MY DEALER BASNEY IMPORTS. WHEN CALLING BMWNA THEY ARE UNWILLING TO HELP UNTIL A "HARD CODE" IS PRESENT, EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE ADVISOR, AND TECHNICIANS HAVE ROAD AROUND WITH ME IN THE CAR, AND FELT THE SITUATION. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE "AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED" LAMP STAYS ON CONSTANTLY AND THE WARNING LAMP ON THE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TELLS ME I HAVE A FAULT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I WAS TOLD BY A BMW REP THAT THIS WOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL EVENTUALLY IF I WANTED TO WAIT OR I COULD PAY $1400 NOW OUT OF POCKET AND HAVE IT FIXED. THE BMW REP TOLD ME JUST NOT TO LET ANYONE RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH ME. THAT IS VERY AWKWARD AS I AM IN SALES AND OCCASSIONALLY MUST TRANSPORT CUSTOMERS. *TR

NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF A DEFECTIVE BRIDGESTONE TIRE (RSC-RE050A-245/40R18-93W) BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRE WITH 25K MILES DAMAGE ORIGINALLY REPORTED AT 23,000 MILES. TIRE HAS BUSTED RADIAL BELT AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. COMPANY ADVISES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN MAY 08 AS A USED VEHICLE FROM CARMAX THE TIRE WARRANTY IS ONLY COVERED WITH THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS IN FACT CORRECT. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE WARRANTY FOR THE TIRE? IS THAT NOT TRANSFERABLE WITH THE CAR? CARMAX IS GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND SAYING THE TIRES ARE COVERED UNDER THE BRIDGESTONE WARRANTY. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE ASAP. I AM RIDING AROUND ON THIS TIRE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT IS GOING TO BLOW OUT ON ME. THANK YOU, DORSELL WILLIAMS *TR

FIRST, THE BATTERY. SECOND, THE MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE RADIO, CD, CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEELS, INFO SCREEN, ALMOST EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING. THIRD, RIGHT AFTER I HAD THIS FIXED, AN ERROR MESSAGE CAME UP THAT THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED AND MAY EFFECT AIRBAGS. ALL THIS IN A FIVE MONTH PERIOD. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR POPPED OPEN WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE LATCHED CLOSED AND HAD TO BE HELD CLOSED. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE, SINCE IS COSTS %1500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE SENSOR I CANNOT AFFORD TO DO THIS. I WAS ALSO TOLD IT DEFAULTS IN THE DO NOT FIRE MODE WHICH AGAIN IS STUPID. *TR

ERROR FAULT WITH SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS. *TR

WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD ABOUT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE SEATBELT SIGNAL AND AIRBAG SIGNAL REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. RECORDS SHOW THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS REPLACED AUG 21, 2007 AT FIRST OWNERS EXPENSE. THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL FOR OUR VIN #. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE TIME SPAN OF THE RECALL THAT BMW ISSUED IN 2008 (WHICH HAPPENS TO BE AFTER THE OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAD BEEN REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE). WHY IS THIS VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? WHY IS THE REPLACEMENT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILING FOR A 2ND TIME? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES. ANOTHER LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V384000 (AIR BAG FRONTAL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

FAILURE OF TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR GAUGE 2005 BMW X3 3.0I THE BMW ELECTRONIC TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR GAUGE FAILS TO SHOW ANY CHANGE (LOSS) OF PRESSURE. THE GAUGE, IF FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, SHOWS EITHER A YELLOW OR RED TIRE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD IF TIRE PRESSURE IS LOST. ON MY VEHICLE, NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON DESPITE LOW TIRE PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES. CONSUMERS ARE TOLD TO UTILIZE THE GAUGE TO MONITOR TIRE AIR PRESSURE (BMW CUSTOMERS DON'T NEED TO CHECK THEIR TIRE AIR PRESSURE MANUALLY PER BMW INSTRUCTIONS), BUT BMW DISREGARDS THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS BY HAVING THEM RELY ON A FAULTY TIRE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR. NHTSA'S "VEHICLE INFORMATION" PULL-DOWN MENUS LACK THE OPTION FOR THE 2005 BMW X3 3.0. *NM

I GOT A SECOND DEGREE BURN FROM MY CAR SEAT HEAT MALFUNCTION FROM MY 2005 BMW 525I. THE CAR SEAT WENT ON FIRE AND BURNED MY CLOTH AND MY SKIN. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2005 BMW X3 SUV, WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP IN BURLINGTON, VERMONT FOR INSPECTION 12/06. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE LOWER LEFT BALL JOINTS WERE FAILING. THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED THE BALL JOINTS, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 12/18/06. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED A TRIP TO CALIFORNIA, AND AFTER DRIVING 500-1,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. HE DROVE A COUPLE HUNDRED MORE MILES BEFORE GETTING TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THE BMW DEALERSHIP CALLED ROAD SHOW BMW DID A DIAGNED THE VEHICLE AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED WITH HIS ROAD TRIP AND DROVE TO CALIFORNIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE HE ARRIVED THERE HE NOTICED THAT WHEN HITTING A BUMP HE WOULD HEAR A CLINKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED A DEALERSHIP WHILE IN SANTA BARBARA AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST ONE WEEK. THE CONTACT THEN DROVE VEHICLE TO SEASIDE CALIFORNIA AND THE DEALERSHIP TDROVE THE VEHICLE AND HEARD THE SAME NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SEASIDE BMW INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE THRUST RODS WERE BAD AND POSSIBLY THE LEFT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AS WELL. BMW OFFER TO PAY FOR $750.00 FOR RENTAL AND ACCOMMODATION REFUND. *AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 525I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

2005 BMW 545I STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK WHEN IT RAINED, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AT NIGHT TIME, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WENT BLANK, THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT WORK. THE STEERING COLUMN MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE WAS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE WATER WAS FOUND IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHICH HAD DAMAGED THE WIRES.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) BUT THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-25 IN MARCH OF 2006, WHEN THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF OF MY 2005 BMW X5 4.8IS (PURCHASED NEW ON DECEMBER 2, 2005, WHICH ONLY HAVE 5000 MILES ON IT) EXPLODED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER. I AM VERY GLAD THAT I DIDN'T HAVE THE SUN SHADE OPEN OR ELSE I WOULD'VE HAD GLASS ALL OVER ME!!!!*JB

ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 BMW 330I. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON DECEMBER 1, 2005 I TURNED THE HEATER ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE HEATER HAD ONLY BEEN ON FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN I STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING TYPE OF ODOR. I WAS NOT SURE IF THE ODOR WAS COMING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR IF IT WAS INSIDE MY CAR. THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER AND RESEMBLED THAT OF AN ELECTRICAL BURN. I THEN OBSERVED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE HOOD OF MY CAR. WITHIN MINUTES THE SMOKE BECAME GRAY. AT THIS POINT I WAS IN HEAVY EARLY MORNING TRAFFIC. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHICH WAS SLOWING DOWN/STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AS I CAME TO A STOP THE SMOKE WAS TURNING BLACK AND WAS VERY THICK. I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. BY THIS POINT VISIBILITY TO MY FRONT WAS OBSCURED BY THE SMOKE. I KNEW THAT I SHOULD EXIT THE CAR. I BEGAN OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR BUT THE CARS WERE MOVING QUICKLY AND I FEARED BEING HIT. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY HITTING THE BMW ASSIST BUTTON ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I TOLD THE OPERATOR THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE, AND SHE STATED THAT SHE WOULD CONTACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. DURING THIS I SAW THAT THERE WAS A POLICE CAR ONE CAR BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY HE MANEUVERED HIS CAR INTO THE LEFT LANE TO BLOCK THE TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR. THE FIRE TRUCKS RESPONDED QUICKLY AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THEY DID HAVE DIFFICULTY TRYING TO OPEN THE HOOD. THEY FINALLY HAD TO USE A CROW BAR TO GET IT OPENED. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. TO DATE REPRESENTATIVES FROM BMW HAVE INSPECTED MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS. MY CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE FRONT END WAS BURNED TO A CRISP AND THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION TO THE SITUATION. *AK

I BOUGHT A 2005 BMW 530I IN JANUARY OF 2005. A FEW MONTHS LATER, I NOTICED THAT THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN A PASSENGER OF THE CORRECT HEIGHT AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENT WOULD BE SEATED IN THE CAR. I TOOK THE CAR INTO IRVINE BMW AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN IN FOUR TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE (3 TIMES ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY COMBINED INVOICES). ON ONE OCCASION (WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR) A BMW SERVICE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME, "EVEN IF THE LIGHT IS ON AND THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, THE AIRBAGS WILL MOST LIKELY GO OFF ANYWAY." (CLEARLY, THIS TYPE OF COMMENT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT BMW LACKS SERIOUS CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CLIENTS). I HAVE CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THEY FINALLY GOT INVOLVED ON THE FOURTH SERVICE ATTEMPT IN WHICH THEY CLAIM TO HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SENSORY MAT WITH AN "OLD-STYLE MAT." NOW THE LIGHT DOES NOT ACTIVATE AT ALL, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE DISCONNECTED THE LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ANOTHER BMW DEALERSHIP THAT THE COMPUTER IS CLEARLY NOT READING WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE CAR, AND THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE; AND THAT IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS MAY NOT GO OFF AS WELL (IN AN ACCIDENT). I HAVE REQUESTED THAT I BE GIVEN A NEW VEHICLE OF EQUAL VALUE, BUT MY REQUESTS HAVE BEEN DENIED. BMW SEEMS TO EXPECT ME TO CONTINUE USING AN UN-SAFE LEMON, PLACING MYSELF AS WELL AS MY PASSENGERS IN DANGER. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED A LEMON-LAW ATTORNEY, BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC.

THE TIRES WORE OUT IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON A NEW CAR. THE COMPANY (BMW) WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT DELIVERED THE CAR WITH THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. *JB

THE FIRST DAY I GOT MY BRAND NEW 2005 BMW 525I WAS IN DECEMBER OF 2004 AND I WAS DRIVING IT AND A EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP. I HAD TO GET MY BRAND NEW CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A CYCLE OF EVENTS THAT NEVER HAPPENED WITH MY HONDA ACCORD, MERCEDES, ACURA, BLAZER OR SATURN. MY SCREEN LIGHTS UP LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE ALL THE TIME WITH ALL KINDS OF STRANGE WARNINGS THAT UNLESS YOU ARE AN ENGINEER MIGHT AS WELL BE IN SWAHILI. I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT STAYING ON AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE THAT ONE OUT. I HAVE HAD A FLAT TIRE LIGHT COME ON (IT'S ON RIGHT NOW) WHEN THERE IS NO FLAT TIRE. THE WOOD PANELING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ABOVE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT HAS 3 HUGE CRACKS THAT GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT WON'T OPEN BECAUSE THE HANDLE BROKE OFF. MY SUNROOF COVER FLIES BACK INTO THE BACK OF THE TOP OF THE CAR AND GETS LOST BACK THERE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO REACH IT. THE LIGHTER (WHICH I NEED FOR A CHARGER FOR MY PHONE) MALFUNCTIONS AND THE WOODEN PANEL COVER DISAPPEARED INTO THE INTERIOR COMPONENT OF THE CAR AS I WATCHED HELPLESS LEAVING A BIG UGLY GAPING HOLE. I AM SO CAREFUL WITH MY CAR AND CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT I GOT FOR $50,000. THESE ARE PROBLEMS THAT A 1972 VOLVO MIGHT DEAL WITH BUT MY 2005 BMW? THE REPAIRS AND SERVICE ARE OUTLANDISHLY EXPENSIVE AND TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. THE FRONT DRIVER FLOOR MAT GETS STUCK UNDER THE PEDALS ALMOST MAKING ME WRECK! I'M EMBARRASSED WITH HOW MY BRAND NEW BMW HAS TURNED INTO A "GHETTO" RIDE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT APPROX. 3-5 MPH, MY 2005 530I SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, THEN QUICKLY SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE KEY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, SO THEY HAVE BROUGHT IN ENGINEERS FROM BMW NORTH AMERICA TO ANALYZE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *JB

FOR MANY YEARS, AND AFTER MANY "REPAIRS" MY 2005 BMW 545I, WHICH I BOUGHT NEW, HAS NEVER RUN RIGHT. BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, DOES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS AN ISSUE, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE SPENT MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN SEARCH OF A PERMANENT FIX, BUT THE LAST BMW DEALER I DEALT IS MIFFED ON SOLVING THE PROBLEM. WHEN APPROACHING BETWEEN 25-35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION "SLAMS" AND FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED. IT IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. I HAVE TO SLIGHTLY LET UP ON THE GAS IN THESE SPEEDS IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO RUN RIGHT WITHOUT AN EMERGENCY LIGHT COMING ON SAYING "TRANSMISSION FAULT; DRIVE MODERATELY." THIS CAN BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE CAR IS SENSING THE FAULT AND IT WILL NOT ALLOW ONE TO DRIVE MUCH ABOVE 50 MPH WITHOUT STRAINING THE ENGINE. GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 50MPH IN MY AREA CAN BE A HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY! THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS SITUATION WITH THE CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT UP AND THRU THE PRESENT DATE, AUG, 21, 2014. I HAVE NO FAITH IN THE ENGINE/POWER TRAIN/TRANSMISSION. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST BMW. *TR

2005 BMW 530I BRAKE SAFETY RESERVOIR BLEEDS OFF TOO QUICKLY. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE DOESN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS, THE CONSUMER MUST USE A GREAT DEAL OF PRESSURE TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL FAR ENOUGH FOR THE ENGINE START SAFETY SWITCH TO ENGAGE, THEREFORE FOR ALLOWING HIM TO START THE VEHICLE. THE INTERMITTENT MANUAL MODE OF THE WIPER OPERATION DOESN'T WORK. *JB