Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIGHTING | |||
| 07/16/2012 | 95000 | 1 | |
| I have owned this car for approximately 4 years now and have noticed a gradual decrease of the brightness of my headlights during that time period. i took the car to bmw and they said i have a model of car that the reflectors break down due to the heat of the xenon bulbs. it apparently occurs in my model car with zkw reflectors from years 2003 - 2004. i asked the mechanic if this was something that was going to be recalled and he literally laughed. this defect costs well over $2000 in parts alone and is a definite safety hazard. when i am on roads that are not well lit, it seems as though my fog lights actually provide better illumination of the road that my headlights do. in my opinion this is a serious safety hazard and warrants a recall. please investigate this matter further. *tr | |||
| 07/13/2012 | 68000 | 1 | |
| Dear nhtsa, the headlight design of bmw's e46 bodies are just horrible. light output is close to none creating a significant problem regarding visibility. the reason is due to bmw's reflector bowl that deteriorates through out time due to its plastic material and finally ends up burning. it is so bad that the fog lights produce much more light then its low beams. we definitely need your help nhtsa because bmw sure does not want to help, their solution is that you have to replace the whole headlight which is 1200 a piece. millions of e46 owners have to deal with this problem and is a major safety concern. nhtsa investigators must go and investigate the problem so they know how bad it really is. yes that means bmw will loose millions of dollars but it is safety that matters, we don't want any person or child to be killed just because of a poor headlight design. only solution to this problem is up to your guys, nhtsa. thank you for taking time to read my message, i really appreciate it. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 07/16/2012 | 95000 | ||
| I have owned this car for approximately 4 years now and have noticed a gradual decrease of the brightness of my headlights during that time period. i took the car to bmw and they said i have a model of car that the reflectors break down due to the heat of the xenon bulbs. it apparently occurs in my model car with zkw reflectors from years 2003 - 2004. i asked the mechanic if this was something that was going to be recalled and he literally laughed. this defect costs well over $2000 in parts alone and is a definite safety hazard. when i am on roads that are not well lit, it seems as though my fog lights actually provide better illumination of the road that my headlights do. in my opinion this is a serious safety hazard and warrants a recall. please investigate this matter further. | |||
| 07/13/2012 | 68000 | 1 | |
| Dear nhtsa, the headlight design of bmw's e46 bodies are just horrible. light output is close to none creating a significant problem regarding visibility. the reason is due to bmw's reflector bowl that deteriorates through out time due to its plastic material and finally ends up burning. it is so bad that the fog lights produce much more light then its low beams. we definitely need your help nhtsa because bmw sure does not want to help, their solution is that you have to replace the whole headlight which is 1200 a piece. millions of e46 owners have to deal with this problem and is a major safety concern. nhtsa investigators must go and investigate the problem so they know how bad it really is. yes that means bmw will loose millions of dollars but it is safety that matters, we don't want any person or child to be killed just because of a poor headlight design. only solution to this problem is up to your guys, nhtsa. thank you for taking time to read my message, i really appreciate it. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 07/16/2012 | 95000 | ||
| I have owned this car for approximately 4 years now and have noticed a gradual decrease of the brightness of my headlights during that time period. i took the car to bmw and they said i have a model of car that the reflectors break down due to the heat of the xenon bulbs. it apparently occurs in my model car with zkw reflectors from years 2003 - 2004. i asked the mechanic if this was something that was going to be recalled and he literally laughed. this defect costs well over $2000 in parts alone and is a definite safety hazard. when i am on roads that are not well lit, it seems as though my fog lights actually provide better illumination of the road that my headlights do. in my opinion this is a serious safety hazard and warrants a recall. please investigate this matter further. | |||
| 07/13/2012 | 68000 | 1 | |
| Dear nhtsa, the headlight design of bmw's e46 bodies are just horrible. light output is close to none creating a significant problem regarding visibility. the reason is due to bmw's reflector bowl that deteriorates through out time due to its plastic material and finally ends up burning. it is so bad that the fog lights produce much more light then its low beams. we definitely need your help nhtsa because bmw sure does not want to help, their solution is that you have to replace the whole headlight which is 1200 a piece. millions of e46 owners have to deal with this problem and is a major safety concern. nhtsa investigators must go and investigate the problem so they know how bad it really is. yes that means bmw will loose millions of dollars but it is safety that matters, we don't want any person or child to be killed just because of a poor headlight design. only solution to this problem is up to your guys, nhtsa. thank you for taking time to read my message, i really appreciate it. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr | |||
| 07/13/2012 | 68000 | ||
| Dear nhtsa, the headlight design of bmw's e46 bodies are just horrible. light output is close to none creating a significant problem regarding visibility. the reason is due to bmw's reflector bowl that deteriorates through out time due to its plastic material and finally ends up burning. it is so bad that the fog lights produce much more light then its low beams. we definitely need your help nhtsa because bmw sure does not want to help, their solution is that you have to replace the whole headlight which is 1200 a piece. millions of e46 owners have to deal with this problem and is a major safety concern. nhtsa investigators must go and investigate the problem so they know how bad it really is. yes that means bmw will loose millions of dollars but it is safety that matters, we don't want any person or child to be killed just because of a poor headlight design. only solution to this problem is up to your guys, nhtsa. thank you for taking time to read my message, i really appreciate it. thank you, akop agazarian | |||
| 06/26/2012 | 92000 | 1 | |
| Both bixenon headlamps assemblies have failed on the vehicle they emit little to no light due to the known bowl burn issues with the plastic reflectors (should have been fabricated from metal), inside these headlamp assemblies. in looking at the light assemblies, they seemed to have failed a long time ago. this is a very unsafe and hazardous situation that renders the vehicle basically inoperative at night to the owner, because fellow drivers, pedestrians, and/or bicyclist may be not able to see your headlights. this could cause or may have already lead to fatal vehicular accident(s) or the death of a pedestrian(s) and/or bicyclist(s) because of the low to no light emitted by these faulty headlamps. while performing in depth research on the internet discovered that this is a very common and known problem on this make and model at all mileages. the bmw forums are full of complaints about this problem and an open complaint seems to be open and in process with nhtsa since 2009 some three years ago. neither bmw or its supplier of this faulty part make a reasonably priced service part that can be purchased to correct this known product and safety problem. not even the aftermarket industry makes a service part to correct this product problem. to correct this issue, you must purchase two new complete head lamp assemblies at a cost of approximately $ 1,200.00 each from bmw which is outrageous especially for such a know product and safety problem. i can't understand why a recall has not been initiated for such a known problem on so many vehicles that has been on going for so long.. i contacted bmw north america for relief with this know safety and product problem and they could not help me with this issue because there is no open recall for this known product and safety problem. *js | |||
| 06/26/2012 | 92000 | ||
| Both bixenon headlamps assemblies have failed on the vehicle they emit little to no light due to the known bowl burn issues with the plastic reflectors (should have been fabricated from metal), inside these headlamp assemblies. in looking at the light assemblies, they seemed to have failed a long time ago. this is a very unsafe and hazadous situation that renders the vehicle basically inoperative at night to the owner, because fellow drivers, pedestrians, and/or bicycalist may be not able to see your headlights. this could cause or may have already lead to fatal vehicular accident(s) or the death of a pedestrian(s) and/or bicycalist(s) becuase of the low to no light emitted by these faulty headlamps. while performing in depth research on the internet dicovered that this is a very common and known problem on this make and model at all mileages. the bmw forums are full of complaints about this problem and an open complaint seems to be open and in process with nhtsa since 2009 some three years ago. neither bmw or its supplier of this faulty part make a reasonably priced service part that can be purchased to correct this known product and safety problem. not even the aftermarket industry makes a service part to correct this product problem. to correct this issue, you must purchase two new complete head lamp assemblies at a cost of approximately $ 1,200.00 each from bmw which is outrageous especially for such a know product and safety problem. i can't understand why a recall has not been initiated for such a known problem on so many vehicles that has been on going for so long.. i contacted bmw north america for relief with this know safety and product problem and they could not help me with this issue because there is no open recall for this known product and safety problem. | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 65000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 bmw 330i. the contact stated that both front headlights illuminated very dimly. the contact examined the headlights and noticed that the front driver side headlight bulb burned a hole through its housing. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. the contact replaced the bulbs himself, but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. the contact was informed that the entire headlight housing needed to be replaced. the failure mileage was 65,000. the vin was unavailable. kmj | |||
| 06/26/2012 | 92000 | ||
| Both bixenon headlamps assemblies have failed on the vehicle they emit little to no light due to the known bowl burn issues with the plastic reflectors (should have been fabricated from metal), inside these headlamp assemblies. in looking at the light assemblies, they seemed to have failed a long time ago. this is a very unsafe and hazadous situation that renders the vehicle basically inoperative at night to the owner, because fellow drivers, pedestrians, and/or bicycalist may be not able to see your headlights. this could cause or may have already lead to fatal vehicular accident(s) or the death of a pedestrian(s) and/or bicycalist(s) becuase of the low to no light emitted by these faulty headlamps. while performing in depth research on the internet dicovered that this is a very common and known problem on this make and model at all mileages. the bmw forums are full of complaints about this problem and an open complaint seems to be open and in process with nhtsa since 2009 some three years ago. neither bmw or its supplier of this faulty part make a reasonably priced service part that can be purchased to correct this known product and safety problem. not even the aftermarket industry makes a service part to correct this product problem. to correct this issue, you must purchase two new complete head lamp assemblies at a cost of approximately $ 1,200.00 each from bmw which is outrageous especially for such a know product and safety problem. i can't understand why a recall has not been initiated for such a known problem on so many vehicles that has been on going for so long.. i contacted bmw north america for relief with this know safety and product problem and they could not help me with this issue because there is no open recall for this known product and safety problem. | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 65000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2004 bmw 330i. the contact stated that both front headlights illuminated very dimly. the contact examined the headlights and noticed that the front driver's headlight bulb burned a hole through its housing. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. the contact replaced the bulbs himself, but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. the contact was informed that the entire headlight housing needed to be replaced. the failure mileage was 65,000. the vin was unavailable. sm. | |||