2003 BMW 325I electrical problems

Filed Jul 1, 2024 · Electrical · OK · fire

On June 28,2024, after parking and turning off the ignition switch, the dash started smoking and within minutes the whole dash and front of car were on fire. The car almost completely burned to the ground before the fire department could get there. The car was recently serviced at a BMW for an air bag recall. Heater ducts were loose when returned. There are also recalls for the 2006 325i for similar dash fires. The cause could be either dealer work or a factory issue.

Filed Feb 12, 2021 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 bmw 325i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the fire arsonist investigator filed a report and provided a case number. The vehicle was not towed to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jul 4, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · CA

My rear window and the rooftop dont work I can hear the motors but nothing happens a technician explain that the regulator and lines are broken its a common thing on my model he specified.

Filed Jun 20, 2019 · Electrical · 174,000 miles · TN

Both back windows on my 2003 bmw 325i will not go up. Garage says both regulators and actuators must be replaced. Researching the internet shows this to be a common failure on this model and it is considered a safety hazard.

Filed Feb 10, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 120,000 miles · CA

Stalling, electrical issues, dead batteries, swerving

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 38,125 miles · OR

Remote unlocking/locking will not function. Doors can not be opened or unlocked from inside vehicle with central lock switch or with door handle, trapping passengers inside. The drivers window must be rolled down and key used to unlock driver side door to exit vehicle. Climbing out of windows or climbing to drivers seat is the only way out of car, bmw states "not a safety issue".

Filed Dec 9, 2013 · Electrical, Locks · 30,000 miles · CA

The car doors at times do not unlock. It is very intermittent. A key can be used to open the driver's door but a couple of times even the door key has not worked. The most serious issue is that I have been locked inside the car and unable to open any of the doors, including the driver's door, with the main lock control or even by trying to open the door with the inside door handle. I have had to have passengers crawl out of the window to exit the car a few times. There are times when the key works to get in but I cannot get the other doors open even by attempting to use the inside door handle. This is a scary situation to be in.

Filed Nov 7, 2013 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · CA

The display that shows the odometer, temperature, trip meter, etc. Stopped working completely. A pixel or two will show up, but no legible information.

Filed Feb 10, 2013 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 103,000 miles · VA

My vehicle has the same incident about a dozen of times in the last 4-5 years. The vehicle suddenly had check engine light, ABS light, traction control light, and brake light on, engineer started to knocking, speed forced down to less than 30 MPH within in seconds. It was quite scaring when the vehicle was on the highway with speed at ~50-70 mpg. My dealer has made several repairs, changing everything in this speed controlling system multiple times according to the book, including throttle body twice, electric harness three times, and control computer unit once, but the problem recurs. Occasionally, resetting the system and/or restarting the car, and sometimes reconnecting every parts of the system can avoid the problem for a while (from a days to 1-2 years). Although it is unpredictable in when, it would come back. The problem seems to come more often when the weather become more wet. This mimics the behavior of the poor electric connections controlling the tails and turning lights of the same model, which was recalled by bmw a couple of years ago. It seems that the same electric connectors are used in this speed controlling system. Obviously, this problem is more dangerous than the signaling light issue since it is more likely to lead to severe accidents/crashes in the highway; I might be dead or severely injured if I did not responded quickly enough when was in I-95 for example.

Filed Jun 29, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 122,426 miles · LA

The warning light for my passenger side tail light has been going on and off for months as if there is a short in it. It stayed on permanently this month, showing a dimmer light than the working side tail light, so I had it checked when I had the oil changed at my bmw mechanic. He informed me there was a recall for tail light assemblies for my vehicle and told me to call the dealer to check the VIN number. I called the dealer last friday, june 22, 2012 and was informed that my vehicle was part of the recall and that someone would call to make an appointment for the work. No one called, so I called again today and they said the VIN was not part of the open recall. The tail light is acting like the other tail lights that were recalled so I do not understand how it cannot be part of the recall.