2002 BMW 330CI

My car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. It had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. He took out six cars in a row. Heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. But then the fire trucks showed up after someone called them when they heard the bang. according to the firemen, it was probably caused by an electrical fire even though there were no visible flames. but the inside was filled with thick gray smoke which also came out of the trunk when they opened it. , the air bag was activated on the driver's side - the windshield was broken and the interior was a melted mess. The dashboard was melted on the driver’s side and the window was blackened. .the drivers side was where the damage had been from the accident. I do not think it coincidence. It seems i am not the only person whose bmw has spontaneously caught on fire. I did get bmw involved as far as sending documentation and talking to a rep. They of course were blameless. They did say they believe it was caused by an error made during a repair that allowed the rain water to get into the wiring. It had been raining hard for a couple days. But they could not say based on what i sent them if it was the body shop that did the most recent repair that made the error or it was done prior to that by another shop. But that they would not be investigating further. My much loved bmw been totaled and i will never what caused it.

My car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. It had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. He took out six cars in a row. Heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. But then the fire trucks showed up after someone called them when they heard the bang. according to the firemen, it was probably caused by an electrical fire even though there were no visible flames. but the inside was filled with thick gray smoke which also came out of the trunk when they opened it. , the air bag was activated on the driver's side - the windshield was broken and the interior was a melted mess. The dashboard was melted on the driver’s side and the window was blackened. .the drivers side was where the damage had been from the accident. I do not think it coincidence. It seems i am not the only person whose bmw has spontaneously caught on fire. I did get bmw involved as far as sending documentation and talking to a rep. They of course were blameless. They did say they believe it was caused by an error made during a repair that allowed the rain water to get into the wiring. It had been raining hard for a couple days. But they could not say based on what i sent them if it was the body shop that did the most recent repair that made the error or it was done prior to that by another shop. But that they would not be investigating further. My much loved bmw been totaled and i will never what caused it.

My car had been sitting across the street from my house for about 3 weeks after i had gotten it back from the body shop. It had been hit on the drivers side by a drunk driver when parked in front of my house. He took out six cars in a row. Heard a loud noise about 2 am - looked out the window and saw nothing. But then the fire trucks showed up after someone called them when they heard the bang. according to the firemen, it was probably caused by an electrical fire even though there were no visible flames. but the inside was filled with thick gray smoke which also came out of the trunk when they opened it. , the air bag was activated on the driver's side - the windshield was broken and the interior was a melted mess. The dashboard was melted on the driver’s side and the window was blackened. .the drivers side was where the damage had been from the accident. I do not think it coincidence. It seems i am not the only person whose bmw has spontaneously caught on fire. I did get bmw involved as far as sending documentation and talking to a rep. They of course were blameless. They did say they believe it was caused by an error made during a repair that allowed the rain water to get into the wiring. It had been raining hard for a couple days. But they could not say based on what i sent them if it was the body shop that did the most recent repair that made the error or it was done prior to that by another shop. But that they would not be investigating further. My much loved bmw been totaled and i will never what caused it.

Air bags deployed after collision, vehicle has been released from Falcon Towing 15600 S Main St, Gardena, CA 90248 to Automobile Club for inspection. Injuries sustained from airbag deploying include, but are not limited to, lacerations, abrasions, bruising as a broken rib and collapsed lung.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BROWN WIRE CONNECTED TO THE TAIL LIGHT HAD MELTED. THE DEALER (BMW OF FAIRFAX, 8427 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA 22031) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 242,266.

TAKATA RECALL. BMW OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA REPLACED ONLY ONE OF TWO BAGS RECALLED, EVEN THOUGH THE APPOINTMENT AND WORK ORDER SAID TO REPLACE BOTH AIR BAGS. THEY THEN SAID THE JOB HAS BEEN COMPLETED. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. WERE IT NOT FOR MY SUBSEQUENT CAREFUL REVIEW OF THE INVOICE AND FOLLOW UP QUESTIONING WITH THE DEALER, I NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN I STILL HAD A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. I SENT DETAILED EMAIL QUESTIONS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HAVE NOT HAD A RESPONSE.

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS BEEN 14 MONTHS SINCE THE INITIAL NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. NO COMMUNICATION FROM BMW. ONLY RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS IS IT IS PENDING SOON. IS THERE JUSTIFICATION FOR LENGTH OF TIME TO RESOLVE REPAIR TO A "DANGEROUS PROBLEM"?

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

RECEIVED INITIAL CONTACT FROM BMW IN SEPTEMBER 2014. "REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". CAMPAIGN 14V 428 AND 15V 318. WHEN WILL THESE RECALLS BE RESOLVED?

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE MY CARS AS FIRST PLACED ON RECALL DUE TO FAULTY AIRBAGS, FIRST FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SINCE LAST JULY THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BASED ON THIS BEING AN UNREASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. I LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND THE TAKATA AIR BAGS ARE MORE APT TO BE DANGEROUS IN THIS WARM AND HUMID CLIMATE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/15/16*LJ *TR

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA RECALL WAS NOTIFIED EARLIER THIS YEAR OF A RECALL VIA LETTER. CONTACTED BMW NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THIS BUT NO FURTHER UPDATES. NO DEALER HAS THE PARTS AVAILABLE. JUST IGNORING CUSTOMERS REQUESTS FOR THE REPAIR. NO EXPLANATION OR PLAN FROM BMW ALTHOUGH THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN ANSWER BY SEPT 1, 2015. CAR HAS NOT HAD FAILURE YET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2015. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V318000 (AIR BAGS) WERE RECEIVED IN 2014. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

CODE P0741 WAS READ FROM VEHICLE. TORQUE CONVERTER. FROM FORUMS AND DISCUSSIONS ONLINE THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY SEAL ON THE E46 BMW. MY VEHICLE CANNOT PASS A EMISSIONS TEST WITH THE LIGHT ON AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/21/15*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 3/31/15*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V428000 (AIR BAGS) IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE RECALL REMEDY WAS UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/13/15*CN UPDATED 04/16/15*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V172000 (AIR BAGS) IN MAY OF 2013; HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

THREE OF THE SIX FUEL INJECTORS STARTED LEAKING AT THE BODY/WIRING TERMINALS. ONE INJECTOR WAS LEAKING ENOUGH TO WITNESS A FREQUENT DRIP (APPROXIMATELY ONE DROP/SECOND) FROM THE BODY, AND THE OTHER TWO WERE VISIBLY WET (HAVE VIDEO OF THIS, AS WELL). LEAK OCCURRED ANY TIME THE FUEL RAIL WAS PRESSURIZED OR THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SMELL OF FUEL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE WERE WHAT PROMPTED INSPECTION. ISSUE WAS SOLVED BY REPLACING ALL THREE LEAKY INJECTORS WITH NEW ONES (NO ISSUE FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW). AM CONCERNED, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THERE ARE THREE OF THE ORIGINAL FUEL INJECTORS STILL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT BECAUSE THE FUEL INJECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN LEAKING FOR QUITE SOME TIME WHILE STILL IN USE, ONLY BEING NOTICED ONCE THE LEAK BECAME MORE SUBSTANTIAL. WAS ADVISED TO REPORT THIS ISSUE HERE, AS IT IS BOTH A SAFETY AND EMISSIONS ISSUE, AND IS APPARENTLY A FAIRLY COMMON ONE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL/YEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG AND THE ROOF AIR BAG DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF IMPACT MADE WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE SET AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I GOT A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. *TR

THIS CAR IS 2002 BMW 330CI. I NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT A TAIL LIGHT OR BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULBS, HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG HAD SOME DAMAGE IN THE MIDDLE AND LIGHTING ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT HAD A CONNECTOR IN THE MIDDLE GONE. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE RECALL CENTER WHO STATED MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I NOTICED A LOT OF THE BMW MODELS WERE COVERED INCLUDING 330I AND THE 330XI. I ALSO WENT TO A BMW DEALER WHO AGAIN SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I DON'T WANT TO BE PULLED OVER FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW. *TR UPDATED 8/7/12 *CN

THIS CAR IS 2002 BMW 330CI. I NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT A TAIL LIGHT OR BRAKE LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. I REPLACED THE BULBS, HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG HAD SOME DAMAGE IN THE MIDDLE AND LIGHTING ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT HAD A CONNECTOR IN THE MIDDLE GONE. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE RECALL CENTER WHO STATED MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I NOTICED A LOT OF THE BMW MODELS WERE COVERED INCLUDING 330I AND THE 330XI. I ALSO WENT TO A BMW DEALER WHO AGAIN SAID MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I DON'T WANT TO BE PULLED OVER FOR A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY BMW. *TR UPDATED 8/7/12 *CN

I FOUND THAT MY REVERSE LIGHT WAS OUT LATE IN JULY AND TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I'VE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE E46 MODEL AND I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF RECALL OR COMPENSATION FOR THE INADEQUACY OF THE REAR LIGHTS IN THIS MODEL. *TR

I FOUND THAT MY REVERSE LIGHT WAS OUT LATE IN JULY AND TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. I'VE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE E46 MODEL AND I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF RECALL OR COMPENSATION FOR THE INADEQUACY OF THE REAR LIGHTS IN THIS MODEL. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE IN EARLY APRIL OF 2012. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE SAID THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO A FIRING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WHICH HAS FAILED. THE MECHANIC RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BUT IT CAME BACK ON ABOUT A MONTH LATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $500. UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100K MILES ON IT. *TR

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO ILLUMINATE IN EARLY APRIL OF 2012. ACCORDING TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, HE SAID THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO A FIRING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WHICH HAS FAILED. THE MECHANIC RESET THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BUT IT CAME BACK ON ABOUT A MONTH LATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST $500. UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100K MILES ON IT. *TR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT, AN ELECTRIC SPORT SEAT UPGRADE, WILL NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE SEAT WILL STILL RECLINE BUT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED FOR PROPER LEG ROOM. THE MILEAGE WAS 99,500. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED WAS IN REVERSE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER MOVED FROM REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,500.

CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY. PARKED IN GARAGE AT 6:30PM. AT 7:20AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT A WHITE VAPOR/SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT GRILL OF THE BMW 330CI. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STARTED SINCE BEING PARKED THE EVENING BEFORE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE WHITE VAPOR TURNED INTO HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. (FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM BENEATH THE CAR AS IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE) THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AT THE FIRST NOTICE OF VAPOR AND FIREMEN ARRIVED 12 - 18 MIN. LATER, AT WHICH TIME THE FIRE WAS FULLY ENGAGED. TWO EXPLOSIONS EMANATED FROM THE CAR. THE FIRE AND ITS SIGNIFICANT HEAT CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO A PORTION OF THE HOME, INCLUDING A BENT LOLLY COLUMN AND BURNED FRAMING. IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OVER 2 HOURS TO FULLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHICH LED TO MAJOR SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE AS WELL. *TR

CAR WAS DRIVEN DAILY. PARKED IN GARAGE AT 6:30PM. AT 7:20AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WAS NOTICED THAT A WHITE VAPOR/SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT GRILL OF THE BMW 330CI. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN STARTED SINCE BEING PARKED THE EVENING BEFORE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE WHITE VAPOR TURNED INTO HEAVY BLACK SMOKE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. (FLAMES WERE VISIBLE FROM BENEATH THE CAR AS IT WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE) THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AT THE FIRST NOTICE OF VAPOR AND FIREMEN ARRIVED 12 - 18 MIN. LATER, AT WHICH TIME THE FIRE WAS FULLY ENGAGED. TWO EXPLOSIONS EMANATED FROM THE CAR. THE FIRE AND ITS SIGNIFICANT HEAT CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO A PORTION OF THE HOME, INCLUDING A BENT LOLLY COLUMN AND BURNED FRAMING. IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OVER 2 HOURS TO FULLY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WHICH LED TO MAJOR SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE AS WELL. *TR

2002 BMW 330CIC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE GEARS DO NOT ALWAYS SHIFT DOWN WHEN NEEDING TO STOP, OFTEN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD AND CONTINUE AT THE SAME SPEED. *TGW THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE VANOS UNIT WHICH CONTROLLED THE CAMSHAFT AND IS PART OF THE ENGINE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A TRAILER AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM ITS HOUSING BUT DID NOT INFLATE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED BUT WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 BMW 330CI. THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS AN ELECTRIC SPORT SEAT AND NO LONGER GOES MOVED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT WOULD RECLINE, BUT HE COULD NOT ADJUST IT FOR THE PROPER LEG ROOM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135000.

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST AFTER MERGING ONTO THE INNER-LOOP 495 NORTH-BOUND FROM WEST-BOUND HIGHWAY 50, BETWEEN HIGHWAY 50 AND 66, IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. DURING THE MERGE, I ACCELERATED MY VEHICLE TO EQUAL TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC WHILE MAINTAINING MY POSITION IN THE ON/OFF-LANE USED FOR THE 50/60 MERGER. BECAUSE I WAS CONTINUING NORTH-BOUND ON 495 TOWARDS TYSON'S CORNER, I STARTED PROCEDURES TO EXIT THE 66 ON-LANE AND MERGE INTO NORTH-BOUND 495 TRAFFIC. THESE PROCEDURES INCLUDED CHECKING BOTH MY SIDE AND REAR-VIEW MIRRORS AS WELL AS MY BLIND SPOTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, DURING THE PROCEDURES MY EYES WERE ROUTINELY FORWARD TO CHECK ON FORWARD TRAFFIC. BETWEEN MY MIRROR AND BLIND SPOT CHECKS, I NOTICED THAT I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING A MASSIVE POTHOLE THAT LAID DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF MY FORWARD PROGRESSION. I ESTIMATE THE POTHOLE SIZE BEING TWO FEET IN LENGTH, ONE FOOT IN WIDTH, AND ONE FOOT IN DEPTH (I HAVE PICTURES). ALTHOUGH I ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE POTHOLE, AT AROUND 60MPH, IN THE RAIN, WITH A GUARD RAIL TO MY RIGHT AND TRAFFIC TO MY LEFT, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE I COULD DO TO AVOID IT WITHOUT RISKING MY LIFE, MY PASSENGER'S LIFE, AND LIVES OF FELLOW COMMUTERS. I HIT THE POTHOLE. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVER IT NOT ONLY BENT MY FRONT, PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL AND RIPPED A QUARTER-SIZE GAPING HOLE IN MY TIRE, IT DEPLOYED ALL MY PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS AND POSSIBLY RUINED MY SUSPENSION. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, MY PASSENGER WAS LEANING AGAINST THE ARM-RESTS AND THE WINDOW DIRECTLY ON THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PATH. HIS ARM, FACE, AND HEARING WERE INJURED DURING THE INCIDENT. I ALLOWED THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN TO SAFE SPEEDS BY RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR. ONCE AT SAFE SPEEDS, I CONTINUED TO AN EMERGENCY EXIT PULLOUT WHERE I AWAITED POLICE AND A TOWING VEHICLE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE POLICE, A VDOT EMERGENCY VEHICLE PULLED UP AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. HE LATER INFORMED ME THAT THE POTHOLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED WELL BEFORE THE TIME OF MY INCIDENT. *TR

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST AFTER MERGING ONTO THE INNER-LOOP 495 NORTH-BOUND FROM WEST-BOUND HIGHWAY 50, BETWEEN HIGHWAY 50 AND 66, IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. DURING THE MERGE, I ACCELERATED MY VEHICLE TO EQUAL TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC WHILE MAINTAINING MY POSITION IN THE ON/OFF-LANE USED FOR THE 50/60 MERGER. BECAUSE I WAS CONTINUING NORTH-BOUND ON 495 TOWARDS TYSON'S CORNER, I STARTED PROCEDURES TO EXIT THE 66 ON-LANE AND MERGE INTO NORTH-BOUND 495 TRAFFIC. THESE PROCEDURES INCLUDED CHECKING BOTH MY SIDE AND REAR-VIEW MIRRORS AS WELL AS MY BLIND SPOTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, DURING THE PROCEDURES MY EYES WERE ROUTINELY FORWARD TO CHECK ON FORWARD TRAFFIC. BETWEEN MY MIRROR AND BLIND SPOT CHECKS, I NOTICED THAT I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING A MASSIVE POTHOLE THAT LAID DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF MY FORWARD PROGRESSION. I ESTIMATE THE POTHOLE SIZE BEING TWO FEET IN LENGTH, ONE FOOT IN WIDTH, AND ONE FOOT IN DEPTH (I HAVE PICTURES). ALTHOUGH I ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE POTHOLE, AT AROUND 60MPH, IN THE RAIN, WITH A GUARD RAIL TO MY RIGHT AND TRAFFIC TO MY LEFT, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE I COULD DO TO AVOID IT WITHOUT RISKING MY LIFE, MY PASSENGER'S LIFE, AND LIVES OF FELLOW COMMUTERS. I HIT THE POTHOLE. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVER IT NOT ONLY BENT MY FRONT, PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL AND RIPPED A QUARTER-SIZE GAPING HOLE IN MY TIRE, IT DEPLOYED ALL MY PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS AND POSSIBLY RUINED MY SUSPENSION. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, MY PASSENGER WAS LEANING AGAINST THE ARM-RESTS AND THE WINDOW DIRECTLY ON THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PATH. HIS ARM, FACE, AND HEARING WERE INJURED DURING THE INCIDENT. I ALLOWED THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN TO SAFE SPEEDS BY RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR. ONCE AT SAFE SPEEDS, I CONTINUED TO AN EMERGENCY EXIT PULLOUT WHERE I AWAITED POLICE AND A TOWING VEHICLE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE POLICE, A VDOT EMERGENCY VEHICLE PULLED UP AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. HE LATER INFORMED ME THAT THE POTHOLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED WELL BEFORE THE TIME OF MY INCIDENT. *TR

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST AFTER MERGING ONTO THE INNER-LOOP 495 NORTH-BOUND FROM WEST-BOUND HIGHWAY 50, BETWEEN HIGHWAY 50 AND 66, IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. DURING THE MERGE, I ACCELERATED MY VEHICLE TO EQUAL TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC WHILE MAINTAINING MY POSITION IN THE ON/OFF-LANE USED FOR THE 50/60 MERGER. BECAUSE I WAS CONTINUING NORTH-BOUND ON 495 TOWARDS TYSON'S CORNER, I STARTED PROCEDURES TO EXIT THE 66 ON-LANE AND MERGE INTO NORTH-BOUND 495 TRAFFIC. THESE PROCEDURES INCLUDED CHECKING BOTH MY SIDE AND REAR-VIEW MIRRORS AS WELL AS MY BLIND SPOTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, DURING THE PROCEDURES MY EYES WERE ROUTINELY FORWARD TO CHECK ON FORWARD TRAFFIC. BETWEEN MY MIRROR AND BLIND SPOT CHECKS, I NOTICED THAT I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING A MASSIVE POTHOLE THAT LAID DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF MY FORWARD PROGRESSION. I ESTIMATE THE POTHOLE SIZE BEING TWO FEET IN LENGTH, ONE FOOT IN WIDTH, AND ONE FOOT IN DEPTH (I HAVE PICTURES). ALTHOUGH I ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE POTHOLE, AT AROUND 60MPH, IN THE RAIN, WITH A GUARD RAIL TO MY RIGHT AND TRAFFIC TO MY LEFT, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE I COULD DO TO AVOID IT WITHOUT RISKING MY LIFE, MY PASSENGER'S LIFE, AND LIVES OF FELLOW COMMUTERS. I HIT THE POTHOLE. THE IMPACT WAS SO SEVER IT NOT ONLY BENT MY FRONT, PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL AND RIPPED A QUARTER-SIZE GAPING HOLE IN MY TIRE, IT DEPLOYED ALL MY PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS AND POSSIBLY RUINED MY SUSPENSION. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, MY PASSENGER WAS LEANING AGAINST THE ARM-RESTS AND THE WINDOW DIRECTLY ON THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT PATH. HIS ARM, FACE, AND HEARING WERE INJURED DURING THE INCIDENT. I ALLOWED THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN TO SAFE SPEEDS BY RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR. ONCE AT SAFE SPEEDS, I CONTINUED TO AN EMERGENCY EXIT PULLOUT WHERE I AWAITED POLICE AND A TOWING VEHICLE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE POLICE, A VDOT EMERGENCY VEHICLE PULLED UP AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. HE LATER INFORMED ME THAT THE POTHOLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED AND SHOULD HAVE FIXED WELL BEFORE THE TIME OF MY INCIDENT. *TR

ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I HAD MY 2002 BMW 330CI SERVICED AT BEVERLY HILLS BMW. DURING THAT $700+ SERVICE, THEY PERFORMED AN INSPECTION THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER EVERY MAJOR PART OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION. YESTERDAY, I HAD A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN I ASKED BMW WHY THEY DIDN\'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION DURING THEIR $700+ INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THEY CAN\'T PREDICT WHEN PARTS ARE GOING TO FAIL. WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION -- WHY DID I PAY $700+ FOR AN INSPECTION THAT CAN TELL WHEN SOMETHING IS ABOUT TO GO WRONG? MY CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 81,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SERVICED IT ON A REGULAR BASIS AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN THE BEST POSSIBLE CARE OF IT . DAMAGE RESULTING I'M NOW LEFT WITH A CAR THAT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP WILL HAPPILY PUT ONE IN FOR $5800. OR I CAN PROBABLY HAVE SOMEONE REBUILD IT -- BUT IT WILL STILL COST ME BIG BUCKS. FROM MY RESEARCH - THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON THING HAPPENING WITH THE BMW 3 SERIES. WHY ISN\'T BMW BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE? I DID EVERYTHING RIGHT. I ALWAYS SERVICED MY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND USED THEIR PARTS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY APPROX. 55 MPH WHEN THE CAR STALLED. TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED CAR. I COULD ONLY DRIVE 30 MPH AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE CAR HAS ONLY 26,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD THE WIRING HARNESS AND THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1700.00 BUT THE WARRANTY WAS UP LAST YEAR. THERE WAS TSB ISSUED IN 2003. WHY WEREN'T THE OWNERS TOLD ABOUT THIS? *JB

DASH INDICATED TAILLIGHT WAS OUT WHEN IT WASN'T, THIS WAS RANDOM ON AND OFF FOR A FEW MONTHS. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE DASH PANEL INDICATOR LIGHT STAYED ON. AS I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUNK. I STOPPED, AND NOTICED THE MELTED WIRES FROM THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS. AS I LOOKED AT THEM I COULD SEE THEM SPARKING WHEN CERTAIN MOVEMENTS OCCURRED., VERY DANGEROUSLY AND ERRATIC. BOTH MALE AND FEMALE SIDES MELTED. I HAVE NOTICED THE OTHER SIDE WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE THE SAME SYMPTOMS, RANDOM INDICATIONS OF A TAIL LIGHT OUT WHEN THERE WAS NONE. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIPS ATTENTION , SAVAGE BMW, AS WELL AS BMWNA. I BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO, AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER IT, AND DIDNT TAKE MUCH CONCERN INTO THE MATTER. THEY WERE E CHARGING ME $400+ TO FIX JUST THE ONE SIDE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 330CI. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT A TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. HE REPLACED THE BULBS, HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG WAS MELTED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,626 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.