1-air bag warning light would not turn off after start up. Took vehicle to local bmw dealer. Was informed that I needed to fix this problem so air bag would deploy properly on passenger seat . Was told this is a 'common' problem on e46 models! Very costly to repair..not to mention that the parts that needed replacement are well stocked at all bmw dealers that I called..very rarely has anyone sat on passenger seat..the defect in the seat sensor is discussed in internet web sites as far back to the e39 series models as well as the e90 series models. 2- radiator expansion tank fails too often on this series model. I developed a anti-freeze leak on a return vacation trip. No warning was given.. Parked car in garage in the evening, noticed a fair amount of anti-freeze on ground. Again, was told this is common on this series e46 model.. Since when is equipment failure a standard for the safe operation of any motor vehicle? The parts that fail in this vehicle can cause great injury to its occupants especially the passenger in the case of air bag deployment. In the case of the radiator expansion tank,for this part to fail without warning can be catastrophic to the engine, which will cause severe damage. If engine is not operational, one can lose power steering or brake capability, or both.
2003 BMW 325I engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 16 of 16, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Four times since I buy a 2003 bmw 325i , I have to get the auto to guarantee service for replacement of the struct front bushing, now , after replace them at 32,000 miles about four month ago, my car at 37,000 miles request a new bushings. They said me that bmw was no longer replace them by guarantee because of the road conditions in puerto rico. When I buy the car I paid for a guarantee and I think that is impossible that a car like this , the ultimate drive machine require every four month to replace that parts. They should install a good reinforced genuine parts and not a remanufactured. I always try to avoid the holes, but I ask when it's raining it start a red light that indicated " please avoid this hole" . *tr the dealer stated replaced lens and cover disc for both headlights, noises coming from both rear shock absorbers, replacing alternator drive belt tensioner, tensioner and pulleys, and removing and installing left or right rubber strip. Updated 10/24/07
The engine has been stalling intermittently while driving since 11/2004, and has had 6 documented services. After last service on 11/18/05, it stalled again on 12/01/05 when driving on freeway. I had not driven it since then and had it towed and returned to the dealer on 12/10/05.
While driving 60 MPH vehicle stalled. Dealership could not duplicate the problem.
When pulling out the dip stick after vehicle was sitting for a while consumer was unable to read the dip stick. Oil spread in various places on the dip stick. Dealer was contacted.
1. Transmission: after transmission repair, constant hard downshifting of automatic transmission when coming to a stop in d and s d modes. Vehicle jerks forward when decelerating between speeds of 42 to 35 MPH (usually when driven before with speeds in excess of 50 miles an hour). Also, after transmission repair, constant loud thumping noise when coming to a stop 2. Engine:intermittent loud engine revving and immediate torque loss occurring when taking off from a stop.intermittent delayed engine start of up to 3 seconds after turning key in ignition .intermittent prm idle fluctuation resulting in vehicle shuddering 3. Brakes:loud break squeaking when coming to a stop 4. Fuel tank / fuel pump:after defective fuel tank/pump replacement, recurrence of loud whining noise ( confirmed with bmw of north america) 5. Cd player: intermittent built-in business cd player skipping 6.steering wheel: steering wheel creaking when turning.
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