Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 bmw 330i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 11v438000 (exterior lighting), 14v428000 (air bags), and 15v318000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that the air bag and seat belt warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the turn signal on the driver's side malfunctioned by blinking intermittently while in use. The contact called the hixson bmw and walker bmw dealers who both stated that the parts were not available for the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
2003 BMW 330I lights problems
28 complaints (36% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.
- owner complaints
- 28
- of this car's complaints
- 36%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Brake lights2
- Tail lights1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
BMW 330I lights problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 BMW 330I lights
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: turn signal
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2001, through march 1, 2005. Over time, resistance in the electrical contacts may cause one or more rear lamp functions (tail light, brake light, and/or turn-signal), within the vehicle's body panel, to stop working.
- Risk
- Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions. This could cause a vehicle crash without warning.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on february 15, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 11V438000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Rear Lamp Illumination
In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.This can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.The recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.An 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.BMW will complete dealer notification in September 2011 and will begin owner notification in October 2011.All 3 series sedans (except for the M3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between September 1, 2001 and March 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.The action taken by BMW is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
EA09019
Rear lamp illumination
Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
PE09036
Rear lamp illumination
In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. Mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.
DP09002
What 2003 BMW 330I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The low beam reflectors on 2003-2004 zkw hid headlights were made of some material that degraded when subjected to the heat produced by oem xenon bulbs. This results in a significant decrease in light output as the reflector became scorched. I don't know the exact ins and outs, but I would imagine that bmw and zkw were and are aware of the defect as the newer, redesigned headlights do not suffer from this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw 330i. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the passenger side headlight caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
This car suffers from the known burnt xenon low beam bowls, its impossible to see anything at night and is not safe. This needs to be recalled by bmw immediately, headlights have been adjusted properly and new bulbs were put in and does not cure the problem. Its very common for these xenon headlights to have this problem in alot of 2003+ bmw 3 series.
Bi-xenon headlights manufactured by zkw have a serious design defect. After only 80,000 miles, the headlights are almost completely ineffective at night time. Upon inspection, the reflective bowl in the headlight assembly was burnt, blackened and melted. Not only is this a safety issue for driving at night, but it could potentially be a fire hazard. Upon doing some research, this appears to be a serious problem, evidenced by many complaints on various bmw message forums. Something needs to be done about this before it leads to fire or accident.
Xenon headlights. Dim to dark at best. Work when they want.
I'm contacting you to express my frustration with the quality of the bmw xenon headlight. The xenon low beams started to dim and are now useless. Through google I found out that this is a very common problem since the plastic reflector/projector bowls just burn out. The light output is now too low to be safe at night. Http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?3625-zkw-reflector-recall-open-nthsa-investigation&s=b19d0df67f3afe70ac7ad8205496e414.
The headlights on the car seems to be very dim. The amount of light that comes out of the headlights looks slightly brown and pretty dark as compared to many other cars on the road. I believe that the headlights were designed with plastic and which case the bulb would cause things to burn over time.
About 2 or so years ago I started to notice my night driving was becoming unpleasant and unsafe due to the fact that my headlights were losing output. After replacing the plastic lenses new from bmw I then went on to buying new bulbs thinking that would make a diff. It didn't. 10-12-12 today my lights are yellow/foggy on the inside like smoke has made the lenses opaque and my output is barely seen, I looked on the back where the bulb is inserted and it sure looks brown in there, I get more light reflected on the ground when I turn my turn signals than I do on the headlights. After going online and searching, my car came from factory with a defect zkw xenon headlight system, which 99% of the zkw headlight owners of e46 sedans found online have the same issue, all you have to do is google "e46 zkw burnt bowls" . I have a 4 month old little girl, I cannot imagine driving with her in the car on a rainy night and my concern is now my baby. I can send you pictures if needed please, thank you for reading and I appreciate your help.
Car is equipped with optional, factory-installed, bi-xenon headlamp assemblies made by zkw. The projector bowls inside, which greatly magnify the light output of the bulb, are made of a plastic that cannot handle the heat of the xenon bulb. As a result, the reflective surface burns and turns brown. In doing so, the light output is greatly reduced to a dangerous level. This problem affects both high and low beam operation. Situation gets progressively worse over time. The plastic bowls are not sold separately, therefore the only solution is to purchase new headlamp assemblies, at an approximate cost of $1,900 for the pair.
Questions about the 2003 BMW 330I lights
Does the 2003 BMW 330I have lights problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the lights of the 2003 BMW 330I, 36% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 BMW 330I lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 330I lights?
Yes, 1 recall: 11V438000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 330I have the most lights problems?
The BMW 330I model years with the most lights complaints are 2004 (83 complaints), 2003 (28 complaints) and 2005 (17 complaints).
Other 2003 BMW 330I problems
Airbags 24Electrical 10Engine 8Tires 4Body 3Locks 3Transmission 3Wheels 2Acceleration 1Brakes 1Fuel system 1
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