BMW 5 Series headlights problems

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 140,000 miles · CA

Head lights angle lights wires getting very dry from the heat of the light and the insulation coming off the optical wires, lights go out, possible shorting and become very unsafe.

Filed Apr 8, 2017 · Lights · 164,000 miles · FL

Wire insulation deterioration causing short, potential fire hazard, 5 separate lighting components all wiring insulation severely deteriorated causing short circuiting and inoperable headlights. Bare copper wires making contact I have an extensive history in electronics and firefighting. This issue was found while changing a bulb. This is unacceptable and from what I have read the manufacturer should be ashamed for using inferior materials that could cause a fire (https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2132684-headlight-wire-jackets-just-flake-off)

Filed Jan 16, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 101,000 miles · TX

Wire rot deterioration at the headlight assembly. Concern electrical fire due to bare exposed wires. Notified the dealer and manufacture without resolution. Personally had to pay over $500 to he dealership just to wrapped with electrical tape. After 3 months, currently experiencing high beam failure (hid adoptive passenger side) which the dealer to replacement cost of $2599.

Filed Feb 16, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 94,000 miles · TX

Just bought a used 2008 528i (e60) w/94k miles, in otherwise perfect condition. Went to change the angel eyes from drab yellow to lux LED's. Noticed bare wires on both sides of the bulb connectors, on both sides of the car. Tried to use electrical tape, just made more bare wire. The more I touched the wires, the more insulation flaked off, almost like a powder. I've never seen anything like it. Can't possibly be safe. Definitely a fire hazard. Neighbor brought over a bottle of liquid tape, and I re-coated all the bare wire I could see, making sure each wire was separated so a short would not occur. That is a good temporary fix. Will have to stay on top of this problem, since most, if not all, of the headlight wiring is made with bad, quickly degrading wire insulation. A real disappointment in otherwise good german quality and engineering. I guess the source procurer at the factory saved bmw some big bucks on that wire!! This is definitely a the federal safety agency safety recall issue. Tort lawyers should have a field day on this one. Photos of this problem are available at: http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2132684-headlight-wire-jackets-just-flake-off

Filed Feb 9, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 84,089 miles · WA

Lh and rh adaptive headlights wiring insulation is crumbling possibly resulting in a electrical headlight fire from the exposed bare wires.

Filed Oct 31, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 139,000 miles · TX

Electrical wiring insulation/sheathing within the headlight unit/housing is showing signs of and or outright deterioration which in turn exposes bare wires within the headlight housing. At this point, the daytime running lamps have been the only effected lights but the wires for the headlights are also noticeably troubled. The issue is not speed, movement or area dependent. For further reference, I will provide a link to an owner's forum detailing other's dilemmas due to this exact issue: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798640 I look forward to a response.

Filed Apr 29, 2015 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · FL

( I am the original owner this vehicle) while replacing a burnt out headlight, I noticed that the insulation in the sealed headlight was missing. When I checked the opposite side, I found the same thing, the insulation was broken and missing. Being that this is a sealed headlight housing, I am unable to remove and repair the problem. Bmw parts stated that the wiring harness is not sold for those lights. One has to purchase a completely new headlight assembly at a average cost of $700.00+.

Filed Feb 14, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 138,570 miles · TX

A message on the vehicle display screen indicated that the right-side low beam headlight was malfunctioning. I removed the headlight assembly to replace the bulb and found the wiring insulation is crumbling to the touch, resulting in a short circuit. The headlight bulb is not actually burned out. There are many complaints about this on the bmw forums but bmw and the headlight manufacturer, hella, refuses to acknowledge the problem or do anything about it.

Filed Nov 22, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 97,700 miles · MS

Malfunction of left headlight. Dealer inspection revealed"headlight wires leading to bulb socket have corrosion on them and casing around the wires is coming off". There was a recent vehicle safety recall for this model car for similar issues with rear lamp bulb carrier: recall campaign no. 13v‑407 potentially serious safety issue with malfunction of headlights leading to dangerous driving conditions or crash can occur especially at night or in bad/inclement weather.

Filed Dec 8, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 89,655 miles · GA

Warning notice on "I drive" system that there was an emergency with the lighting system and the car should be stopped immediately. Directional signals no longer worked, emergency flashers were inoperative and headlights not operating properly. Brought car to dealer the next day and the problem was corrected with an update to the "I drive" software leading me to believe that bmw is aware of this very serious safety issue but has chosen to ignore it until owners experience the problem and then the owner has to pay for the update to correct the software glitch. My cost was $320.92.