2003 BMW E36
1 recalls, 14 complaints - 6 TSBs
06E060000 Jun 29, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Description
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA... Read more
Consequence
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy
AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Complaint Statistics
14 total complaints
3 crashes 1 fires 2 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Jan 21, 2008
Incident date: Jan 21, 2008
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 BMW 325I IN DECEMBER 2007. TODAY (JANUARY 21, 2008), MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND PARKED SAID VEHICLE IN HER REQUIRED PARKING SPACE. THAN ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER CAME IN AND INFORMED HER THAT THE BMW STARTED BY ITSELF AND CRASHED INTO THE POLIC... Read more
Crash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Jan 15, 2008
Incident date: Jul 18, 2001
DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT (20-30 SECONDS) WHEN COLD. HAZARD ON HILL AND ENTERING TRAFFIC. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Nov 13, 2007
Incident date: Oct 9, 2007
DOUBLE VANOS SYSTEM ON SEVERAL MODELS OF BMW FROM 1999 TO 2006, HAVE DEFECTIVE VANOS SYSTEMS. THE E39 DOUBLE VANOS (VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNIT) HAS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. THIS DOUBLE VANOS CAN BE FOUND ON 6-CYL ENGINES M52TU, M54, AND M56, FOUND IN SEVERAL MODEL CARS, E39, E46, ETC, YEARS 99-03. THE... Read more
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Oct 22, 2007
Incident date: Oct 22, 2007
2003 BMW 525I WITH 56K MILES. DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE THE ENGINE WAS WARMING UP AND FEW SECONDS LATER, ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING A WHOLE. THE ENGINE AND HEATER WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY WHICH PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND DEA... Read more
Fire
WHEELS:RIM
Aug 20, 2007
Incident date: Aug 9, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW S10 (NA). THE CONTACT PURCHASED AFTERMARKET CHROME RIMS ONLINE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE RIMS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES AND SHATTERED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CU... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Aug 13, 2007
Incident date: Aug 10, 2007
THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ON MANY BMW E46 MODELS (NEWER CARS). THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES HAS WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY, INCOMPLETE, OR INSECURE GROUNDING WIRE AND THE RESULT IS THAT THE WIRE OVERHEATS AND CORRODES, AND IN SOME CASES ARCS, WHICH CAN IGNITE A FIRE. THE PROBLEM... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
Aug 1, 2007
Incident date: Jul 17, 2007
MY 2003 BMW 330I HAS 85K MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, A "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER BECAUSE THE GASKET WAS LEAKING, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS DRIVING JUST FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF ... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Apr 25, 2007
Incident date: Mar 10, 2007
MY 2003 BMW 325I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF MY BMW REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 MPH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY BMW. IN FACT, THE INSURANCE CO. IS CONSIDERING A TOTAL LOSS AS WE SPEAK. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END EXCEEDS $18,000.00 TO INCLUDE SOME STRUCTUR... Read more
Crash
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Apr 25, 2007
Incident date: Mar 10, 2007
MY 2003 BMW 325I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF MY BMW REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 MPH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY BMW. IN FACT, THE INSURANCE CO. IS CONSIDERING A TOTAL LOSS AS WE SPEAK. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END EXCEEDS $18,000.00 TO INCLUDE SOME STRUCTUR... Read more
Crash
1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
Mar 24, 2007
Incident date: Mar 10, 2007
THE BMW X5 HAS A DEFECT. THE TAILGATE STOPPERS ROUTINELY FAILED ON BOTH THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SOFT CLOSE AND THE NORMAL MECHANICAL. THESE STOPPERS FAILED, CAUSING ERRONEOUS TAILGATE OPEN WARNINGS TO APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, BECAUSE THE STOPPERS FAILED THERE WAS A CONSTANT RATTLE... Read more
TIRES:SIDEWALL
Mar 2, 2007
Incident date: Mar 2, 2007
ON MARCH 2ND 2007 AROUND 10:30AM I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW M3 EAST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 40 FROM CHAPEL HILL NC TO RALEIGH NC. APPROACHING EXIT 292 MY REAR TIRE WHICH WAS A MICHELIN PILOT SPORT SIZE 255/35ZR RIPPED ON EACH SIDEWALL INNER AND OUTER. THE CENTER OF TIRE CAME COMPLETELY SEPARATED WHILE TH... Read more
STEERING:COLUMN
Jan 8, 2007
Incident date: Jan 7, 2007
ON HOT, HUMID DAYS, THE STEERING GETS "STICKY". BY THAT I MEAN THAT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT "STICKS" IN ONE SPOT. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. SMALL CORRECTIONS OF THE STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. MANY TIMES, BECAUSE IT STICKS, YOU HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE WHEEL TO ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Dec 16, 2006
Incident date: Nov 11, 2006
PLEASE REFER TO FR DOC 04-10644. MY PROBLEM CONCERNS THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH MY 2003 BMW X5, IE, DELAYED PARK TO DRIVE ENGAGEMENT ON COLD START. ON 11-11-06 I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVE (I LIVE ON A CORNER LOT) AND IMMEDIATELY AM AT A STOP SIGN. I PULLED OUT, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT FULLY ENGAGE IN... Read more
TIRES:SIDEWALL
Nov 10, 2006
Incident date: Nov 10, 2006
TIRE FAILURE--TOTAL DISINTEGRATION OF TOYO PROXES T1-R 97Y ZR 23545R17 PURCHASED ON 2/11/06. *NM
Technical Service Bulletins, 2003 BMW E36
6 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 350000 EQUIPMENT | 2 |
| 072100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| 120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| 121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| 121100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES | 1 |
B000706
Nov 13, 2023
350000 EQUIPMENT
When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customer??A???A???A?s key, the data is not updated or current.
B630516
Jun 1, 2021
121000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights
B630516
Jun 1, 2021
121100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
Moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights
B630516
Jun 1, 2021
350000 EQUIPMENT
Moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights
SIB-63-02-01
Aug 1, 2010
120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM
SIB-16-02-09
Dec 1, 2009
072100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WEL
BMW E36 - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW E36 across all model years (1991, 2003).
37
Total Recalls
26
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
4
Reported Crashes
1
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW E36 - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.