2005 BMW 330I: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 20, 2019 · Lights · CA

The oem factory zkw headlight reflector bowl is cheaply made and is known to burn out. The cheap plastic used cannot handle the heat of the bulb and the metallic reflector film eventually starts to go bad causing very poor headlight visibility. This is a safety hazard and concern. Bmw needs to be accountable and should find a replacement option without using the poorly made oem zkw reflector bowl.

Filed Feb 12, 2019 · Lights · 130,000 miles · TX

Over the last several years, the light intensity has steadily declined in both headlights of my car, to the point where they no longer function. My mechanic has looked inside the headlights and found that the projector bowl reflector has prematurely worn out -- it has lost its reflective ability. According to the mechanic and based on multiple reports in online group discussions, this is a known issue with these zkw xenon headlights. This defect in the headlights compromises safe operability and increases the risk of a night-time accident. This is a part of the headlight that should not wear out or need replacement under normal operating conditions, as has been the case with my vehicle. I have resorted to using my fog lights or high beams for driving at night. Bmw and zkw are deflecting the issue. I would like to request an investigation regarding a potential widespread defect in these xenon zkw headlights. We should not have to wait for an accident to correct the problem.

Filed Mar 28, 2016 · Lights · 85,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330i. While driving at any speed, the headlights dimmed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 11v438000 (exterior lighting), 14v428000 (air bags), and 15v318000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2014 · Lights · 90,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330i. While driving at night, the headlights illuminated extremely dimly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the reflector inside the headlight housing melted and caused the light to illuminate dimly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000...updated 01/21/15 *bf updated 9/11/2017

Filed Apr 26, 2014 · Lights · 123,000 miles · NE

The projector bowls on my 2005 e46 330i show signs of burning. This problem seems to affect all e46 models with zkw xenon headlights. The burn bowls effect the light output often resulting in a poorly lit view of the road ahead.

Filed Feb 28, 2013 · Lights · 87,500 miles · CA

Purchased the car in april 2012. Noticed that the xenon headlights were not outputting as much light as I thought they should. Inspected the area behind the headlights (the reflective bowls) and discovered that they were burned. Upon researching online, I have found that this is a common problem for the zkw xenon equipped bmw 3 series (e46) vehicles, and the federal safety agency has many complaints about this problem already. This is a safety defect in my mind. Headlight reflectors should not burn from their designed usage. This will cost thousands of dollars to replace the headlight assemblies. Bmw should issue a recall for this serious problem .

Filed Feb 5, 2013 · Lights · 130,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 330i. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the headlights were activated but appeared very dim. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the technician stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Dec 29, 2012 · Lights, Suspension · 60,000 miles · PR

Zkw brand xenon headlights - the back of the projector bowl is made of plastic (vs. Metal in the al/bosch brand, also used by bmw), which over time burns from the heat put out by the headlights. The burn turns the plastic from white to brown/orange, which severely reduces light output, making night driving dangerous. The headlight from my car is so poor that at night I can see the shadow of my car produced from cars behind me. Severe tire damage has been caused due to poor light.

Filed Aug 3, 2011 · Lights · 51,800 miles · WA

Zkw brand xenon headlights - the back of the projector bowl is made of plastic (vs. Metal in the al/bosch brand, also used by bmw), which over time burns from the heat put out by the headlights. The burn turns the plastic from white to brown/orange, which severely reduces light output, making night driving dangerous. I don't feel comfortable driving at night unless my hi-beams are on, which is hard to pull off unless I'm the only car on the road. This issue is most prevalent in 2002-2005 3 series sedans, and the issue is well documented in the bmw community.

Filed Jul 15, 2011 · Lights · 65,000 miles · MA

Zkw reflectors on hid headlight assembly degrade, greatly reducing the headlight efficiency at night. The plastic of which the reflector bowls are made degrades from headlight heat, and the reflective coating burns.

Filed Jul 5, 2011 · Lights · CA

In 2002-2005 bmw 330i sedans with the xenon headlight feature, bmw opted to use zkw brand headlight assemblies instead of al/bosch brand assemblies. The zkw brand assemblies have plastic projector reflector bowls whereas the al/bosch assembies have metal projector reflector bowls. As a result of constant heat and concentration of the xenon bulb on the plastic projector bowl, the reflective surface begins to deteriorate. Soon enough (after a few years of use) the bowls receive brown/blackish burn marks from the concentration of light. The burn marks no longer reflect the xenon light and cause the output from the xenon zkw headlight assembly to be fainter than original state. Numerous individuals on the bmw car forums have experienced similar problems and have made note that this is the cause of their failure. Note: some 2002-2005 330i sedans did come with al/bosch brand headlight assemblies.