Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 12/01/2012 | 62500 | 1 | |
| I had a bad experience this morning. when i got into my car, it wouldn't start when i pushed the start button. instead it had an icon on the dash of the steering wheel with a lock sign on it. i pulled the fob out and put it back in a few times, trying to start the car every time, but no life. this is a very weird problem. the steering wheel lock wouldn't release. i tried to get it started for over 30 minutes, still unsuccessful. i did some research on the internet, apparently it is a common problem in the 06 and early 07 models of the 3 series. in mid-07, bmw stopped putting locks in the steering columns. apparently, this problem has to do with the electronic lock power draw when starting the car, and a software update normally fixes the problem. if the software update does not work, bmw replaces the steering column if you are under the warranty. all my updates are done because i took it to my bmw dealer on 11/14/12 and they rechecked everything. since it is a common problem and there are many customer complaints as stated in here; http://www.import-car.com/issue/article.aspx?contentid=89276, bmw should issue a recall and be held responsible for this issue. *tr | |||
| 12/01/2012 | 62500 | ||
| I had a bad experience this morning. when i got into my car, it wouldn't start when i pushed the start button. instead it had an icon on the dash of the steering wheel with a lock sign on it. i pulled the fob out and put it back in a few times, trying to start the car every time, but no life. this is a very weird problem. the steering wheel lock wouldn't release. i tried to get it started for over 30 minutes, still unsuccessful. i did some research on the internet, apparently it is a common problem in the 06 and early 07 models of the 3 series. in mid-07, bmw stopped putting locks in the steering columns. apparently, this problem has to do with the electronic lock power draw when starting the car, and a software update normally fixes the problem. if the software update does not work, bmw replaces the steering column if you are under the warranty. all my updates are done because i took it to my bmw dealer on 11/14/12 and they rechecked everything. since it is a common problem and there are many customer complaints as stated in here; http://www.import-car.com/issue/article.aspx?contentid=89276, bmw should issue a recall and be held responsible for this issue. | |||
| 11/29/2011 | 99800 | ||
| Airbag lights and restraint lights became lit. dealer said it was a faulty passenger side seat sensor mat. already has had a recall on some of the models. needs to be extended to other vehicles. | |||
| 08/31/2011 | |||
| The car began smoking near the port for the iphone charger on the dash (lighter.) the portal was cold to the touch. after about more 20 yards the cockpit filled with smoke. the car was still driving fine and was quickly pulled to an empty part of the parking lot and was turned off. after pulling the hood release release i jumped from the car and shut the door -- i immediately tried re-opening it to let the smoke from the cockpit and the door would not open by touch or with the key fob. i lifted the hood and the engine looked clean. to the far right (my left) on on passenger side, against the firewall smoke was coming out in a thin line and then i saw a small flash of fire so i ran 20 to thirty yards and the car burst into flames. i called 911 and within 3-5 minutes it was englulfed in flames. it had been serviced at the dealer in april 2011, four months earlier. it had no history of issues and was regularly serviced. | |||