Recalls
BMW 325xi: 11V438000
RepairPal Expert Overview
Our Quick Take:
One or more rear lights (tail, brake, and/or turn signal) may stop working.
What Should You Do?
BMW will notify owners of affected vehicles beginning in October of 2011. If you are experiencing problems with the rear lights, or you don't receive notification and you feel you should have, please contact your dealer. It's helpful to have your vehicle identification number (VIN) when you call.
Summary:
High resistance in the electrical contacts may cause one or more of the rear lights to stop working. Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will repair the affected vehicles as necessary to correct this concern.
Model Year(s): 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Mfr's Report Date:
August 25, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V438000
NHTSA Action Number: PE09036,EA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 241000
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
Recall data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
I called BMW North America. They said this recal was not in effect yet and di not give a date when it would be.
December 8th here and still have not received anything! Yet my 330I is sitting in the driveway with both rear exterior lights burned out. Come on BMW, we pay enough for these cars! Take care of it already!!!
Still dead lights (and battery is dieing even after Alt & Bat being replaced) center light out
I have news for everyone... it is not just the years mentioned. Mine, a 2000, also has issues like this with the lights. One day one is out, the next day it's not, some days there are two out, then there "good" suddenly for months, and so forth.
I too have a different year (2001 325xi) not included in the re-call that is having left lamp issues. Thought it was just bulbs, spent $12.00 replacing them only to find they still didn't work. Learned there is a short somewhere after inspecting the wiring harness and moving it around.
Had both mine fixed at $250.00 back in July 2011 on my 2004 325i,Gee wonder if they would refund me.