2003 BMW 530I: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 215,000 miles · CA · fire

The car caught on fire on 9/4/18, and caused extensive damage inside the engine bay. Car was driven several miles to a store. The passengers were exiting the car when they smelled something burning. Then they noticed smoke and flames extending from the front of the car. The fire started in the passenger side and was extinguished before the drivers side also caught on fire. The insulation on passenger side wiring harness is completely burnt, and numerous other items including the fiberglass body. The vehicle had approximately 215000 miles on it, and was well maintained. No recent repairs had been made to the engine. No smells of gasoline, oil, or plastic burning were evident before the moment the fire started. The cause of the fire is unknown to us at this time.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 95,228 miles · GA · fire

I was driving my 2003 bmw 530i, while I was driving I used the volume control on the steering wheel to turn the radio down, after depressing the button immediately I smelled and recognized there was smoke coming from the steering wheel. I pulled over, and turned the car off. After several minutes I turned the ignition and proceeded to inspect the car. The volume controls did not work any more along with the horn does not blow anymore. Actually when I depress the horn it makes the steering wheel rise up and down. The airbag light flickers off and on. My radio works sporadically. I called bmw of north america and asked about any recalls on this vehicle after seeing a posting online about airbag malfunctioning. This seemed to fit my situation however the gentlemen who took my called said there was no recalls on this model..... This was disappointing and my problems arises more and more after this. I get a transmission failsafe warning almost all of the time because the car seems like it wants to cut off while driving at times. My brake lights flicker off and on at times and then stays on while driving. I got a warning ticket from an police officer. He said it is a safety hazard. My headlights flicker off and on at times while in operation. I get a engine failsafe warning at times and the car goes into limp mode.......

Filed Aug 28, 2014 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CA · fire

Yesterday wednesday august 27th 2014 my son came home after school (5 min drive) there was no signs of anything different during driving. He went inside our house less then 1 minute after turning off car and parking car and was in the house his car alarm went off. He went outside to see what was wrong with his car and noticed smoke coming from under hood of car. Then fire engulfed the engine department. Called 911 and fire department came out to stop the fire. They broke wind shield to get to engine and cut up hood to open hood. Fire inspector came out and is filing report.

Filed Jan 6, 2013 · Seats · 126,000 miles · PA · fire

I was driving to work on a very cold day at approximately 6am. I turned the driver seat heater on. After 5-10 minutes, I started to notice a strong burning smell. I also felt a stinging on the back of my left leg. I pulled over and got out to examine the car, and noticed a small hole had been burnt through the leather seat. There was smoke rising up and out from the hole itself. The extremely hot coil for the seat heater was visible directly in the middle of the hole. My pants also have a hole burnt in them from the seat. There should definitely be a recall placed regarding this blatant material failure, as many other people have been similarly affected and could be burned.

Filed Dec 30, 2012 · Engine · 124,012 miles · VA · fire

Regular day going to work, notice smoke coming from outside of passenger side of car, pulled over check under hood, didn't see any smoke, got back in car and smoke start coming from glove department area, within a minute car start getting filled with smoke, I got out to call 911 and got about 100 feet from car and I heard a pop and the car went into flames and continue until it burned all up inside and out.

Filed Jan 25, 2010 · Body, Electrical · 103,000 miles · VA

I have a 2003 530i bmw with 100k miles on it the heated seat on the drivers side has burned thought the seat, this was an issue with the 7 series seats (which are the same seats and they were recalled.) the issue happened while driving the vehicles. There was a very strong burning smell, researched the issue on the internet and it is very common with this model. I also have found that it is a very well known safety concern that the pixels go out on the instrument cluster and the mid. Also the back doors have a structural problem where water pools in the back seat.