Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SIB-63-02-0108/01/201010037025Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. *rm04/27/2011
SIB-63-02-0108/01/201010037025Ready04/27/2011
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
SIB-63-03-1104/01/201110040057Bmw: wiring on the headlights may have deteriorated due to environmental conditions and the cover not being secured properly. e60/e92. *rm08/15/2011
SIB-63-03-1104/01/201110040057Ready08/15/2011
SI B63-04-0806/01/200810025983Bmw: headlamp moisture: fault diagnostics. water or condensation in one or both headlamps. models 5 series, 6 series, 7 series, x5, x6, 1 series, and 3 series. model years 2000-20008. *pe09/22/2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
B63-03-1204/01/201210044032Bmw: the left or right rear light in the side panel has condensation concerning vehicles produced up to february 27,2012. *js05/08/2012
SIB-63-02-0810/01/201010035224Bmw vehicle: rear bulb failure. the bulb out warning shows in the instrument cluster. diagnosis shows a fault for the rear lamp. the bulb out can be displayed for 2 possible causes: poor fit between the bulb and bulb holder; bulb failur02/11/2011
SI B63 02 0805/01/200810025585Rear bulb failure. model e92 (3 series coupe) vehicles produced up to january 21, 2008 are affected. the bulb out warning shows in the instrument cluster. *pe08/22/2008
63030602/01/2007SI B63-03-0610020856Poor connection at rear lamp connector. bmw. model e46. *kb model e46 (3 series). update 8/8/2008. *pe01/24/2007

Investigations

NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EA09019BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC12/18/200909/28/2011Rear Lamp Illumination11V438000
 In a letter submitted to the office of defects investigation (odi) dated august25, 2011, bmwindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.the issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.this can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.the recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.an 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.bmw will complete dealer notification in september 2011 and will begin owner notification in october 2011.all 3 series sedans (except for the m3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between september 1, 2001 and march 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.the action taken by bmw is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.
PE09036BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE08/07/200912/22/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
EA09019BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE12/18/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 The outboard rear light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.failure of the light assembly ground circuit results in loss of all three lamps.bmw submitted complaint and warranty information showing a significant number of rear lamp assembly failures due to an open ground connection at the eight pin connector of the light assembly.this results in the loss of the rear turn signal.overheating of the ground circuit electrical pin, possibly due to increased resistance and or high current flow, is indicated in some failures.additionally bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 in february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.the additional ground wire added by the procedure reduces the current flow at the eight pin connector.odi is opening this ea to further investigate the issue.
DP09002BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE04/08/200908/06/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BACK UP LIGHTS
DP09002BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE04/08/200908/06/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
EA09019BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC12/18/200909/28/2011Rear Lamp Illumination11V438000
 In a letter submitted to the office of defects investigation (odi) dated august25, 2011, bmwindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.the issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.this can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.the recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.an 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.bmw will complete dealer notification in september 2011 and will begin owner notification in october 2011.all 3 series sedans (except for the m3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between september 1, 2001 and march 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.the action taken by bmw is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.
DP09002BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE04/08/200908/06/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.
PE09036BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE08/07/200912/22/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
EA09019BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE12/18/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 The outboard rear light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.failure of the light assembly ground circuit results in loss of all three lamps.bmw submitted complaint and warranty information showing a significant number of rear lamp assembly failures due to an open ground connection at the eight pin connector of the light assembly.this results in the loss of the rear turn signal.overheating of the ground circuit electrical pin, possibly due to increased resistance and or high current flow, is indicated in some failures.additionally bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 in february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.the additional ground wire added by the procedure reduces the current flow at the eight pin connector.odi is opening this ea to further investigate the issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS
EA09019BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC12/18/200909/28/2011Rear Lamp Illumination11V438000
 In a letter submitted to the office of defects investigation (odi) dated august25, 2011, bmwindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.the issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.this can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.the recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.an 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.bmw will complete dealer notification in september 2011 and will begin owner notification in october 2011.all 3 series sedans (except for the m3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between september 1, 2001 and march 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.the action taken by bmw is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.
DP09002BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE04/08/200908/06/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.
PE09036BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE08/07/200912/22/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
EA09019BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE12/18/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 The outboard rear light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.failure of the light assembly ground circuit results in loss of all three lamps.bmw submitted complaint and warranty information showing a significant number of rear lamp assembly failures due to an open ground connection at the eight pin connector of the light assembly.this results in the loss of the rear turn signal.overheating of the ground circuit electrical pin, possibly due to increased resistance and or high current flow, is indicated in some failures.additionally bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 in february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.the additional ground wire added by the procedure reduces the current flow at the eight pin connector.odi is opening this ea to further investigate the issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
EA09019BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC12/18/200909/28/2011Rear Lamp Illumination11V438000
 In a letter submitted to the office of defects investigation (odi) dated august25, 2011, bmwindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.the issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps ground wiring and associated 8-pin connector can experience an increase of the resistance at the electrical contact points.this can lead to intermittent or permanent loss of the rear lamp functions which include tail, brake, and turn signal operation.the recall consists of modifying the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel by adding a secondary ground connection in parallel to the existing primary ground connection.an 8-pin connector that attaches the primary ground wiring to the rear lamp assembly will also be inspected and replaced if necessary.bmw will complete dealer notification in september 2011 and will begin owner notification in october 2011.all 3 series sedans (except for the m3 sedan which utilized a different rear lamp assembly) that were built between september 1, 2001 and march 1, 2005 are included in this recall, totalling approximately 241,000 vehicles.the action taken by bmw is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.accordingly, this investigation is closed.
PE09036BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE08/07/200912/22/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.
EA09019BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE12/18/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 The outboard rear light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.failure of the light assembly ground circuit results in loss of all three lamps.bmw submitted complaint and warranty information showing a significant number of rear lamp assembly failures due to an open ground connection at the eight pin connector of the light assembly.this results in the loss of the rear turn signal.overheating of the ground circuit electrical pin, possibly due to increased resistance and or high current flow, is indicated in some failures.additionally bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) sib-630306 in february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.the additional ground wire added by the procedure reduces the current flow at the eight pin connector.odi is opening this ea to further investigate the issue.
DP09002BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE04/08/200908/06/2009REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
 In march 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a petition from mr. mark peters requesting an investigation of rear lamp failure in model year 2002-2005 bmw 3-series vehicles.an information request letter was sent to bmw in april 2009, and odi received bmw's response in june 2009.the tail lamp assembly contains lighting for the brake lamps, tail lamps, and turn signals.a technical service bulletin (tsb) was issued by bmw in january of 2007 instructing service technicians to examine an 8 pin electrical connector for heat-related damage and to incorporate additional ground wiring to the connector.complainants have alleged that significant thermal damage to the connector and associated ground wiring has occurred.this condition can result in intermittent or total loss of all lighting (brake, tail, and turn signal) for the effected rear lamp assembly.odi will open a preliminary evaluation to further examine this issue including further evaluating bmw complaints and related warranty data.

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10/30/20121
 The report is in response to not being included in a recall of the rear taillight assembly. some vehicles seem to be excluded for no reason from the recall and replacement of faulty wiring. nhtsa campaign id # 11v438000. *tr
01/13/2010130000
 Tail light, brake light and turn signal on passenger side of the vehicle has repeatedly failed. bulbs and wires have been changed repeatedly, however these changes have not solved the issue. far too many experiences where collisions have almost occurred due to the failed rear exterior lamps.
06/10/2008150001
 For several years people such as myself with the bmw e46 ('99-'05 3 series) have complained of intermittently defective tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals. result: no action taken. the following web sites document a mere fraction of the problem, which is likely to affect warm states more than cooler areas. in my case, in hot weather the entire taillight cluster will fail to illuminate--no turn signal, brake light or tail lights on one or both sides of the car. the reason: bmw used a grounding wire which was far too small to carry the current, thus resulting in melted wiring harness connectors on both tail lamp clusters. for details, please see the many photographs and text at these web sites: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244598&highlight=taillight+wiring and http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=533309&highlight=melted+tail+light and http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?s=0fedaef77a3622f393734ba4b57add7c&t=512469&page=2 bmw has a service bulletin that includes a wiring modification: http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/bulletin_graphic_temp/b630306g.htm despite at least 4 visits to various bmw dealers while under my car's four year warranty, their solutions to this problem never lasted long. furthermore, no bmw dealer ever installed this special wiring kit from bmw. now that i'm out of warranty a local bmw dealer is more than willing to charge me $600 to install this special wiring kit so that rear lights will consistently work. fmvss 108 is pretty clear: federal law requires cars to have working lights. when there are systemic failures of a safety system such as brake lights, tail lights, turn signals, etc., and the manufacturer fails to step up and fix the problem with a voluntary recall, it then becomes time for the department of transportation to get involved. for details on fmvss 108, please refer to the various links here: http://fmvss108.tripod.com/ *tr

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