NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
7 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 13, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
The coating on the angel.eye wiring is made to deteriorate (environmental purposes) but leads to shorting out. Now my angel eyes don't turn on. Wiring needs to be replaced. Could possibly cause a fire I would assume as the live wires have no coating. Multiple forums talk about this issue and lots of drivers experience this. It i…
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The coating on the angel.eye wiring is made to deteriorate (environmental purposes) but leads to shorting out. Now my angel eyes don't turn on. Wiring needs to be replaced. Could possibly cause a fire I would assume as the live wires have no coating. Multiple forums talk about this issue and lots of drivers experience this. It is a hazzard and possible fire instigator the same as the blower motor wiring which does have a recall.
NHTSA ODI #11559984
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2023
Exterior Lighting
Vehicles equipped with the Xenon Headlight option that have spent time in warmer climates have very poor quality wiring inside the headlight itself, whose insulation degrades and falls off, exposing bare copper that shorts, causes lighting faults, and disables headlights. This happened in my own car, the driver side headlight Da…
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Vehicles equipped with the Xenon Headlight option that have spent time in warmer climates have very poor quality wiring inside the headlight itself, whose insulation degrades and falls off, exposing bare copper that shorts, causes lighting faults, and disables headlights. This happened in my own car, the driver side headlight Daytime Running Light just stopped working one day, first with no fault codes, then eventually fault codes started appearing as more parts of the headlight stopped working, including the low-beam while driving at night. Obviously the headlights ceasing to work randomly is extremely unsafe on roadways at night, like what happened in my case, but beyond that, wiring shorting inside the headlight can causes electrical fires as well. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request, and has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, due to testimonials I have heard from many other owners of cars with the same headlights, that BMW dealers and BMWNA are refusing to help at all with this issue. As previously stated, warning lamps did not initially appear, but as more of the wiring insulation began to degrade headlight fault codes did eventually appear.
NHTSA ODI #11518735
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2019
Exterior Lighting
I KNOW IT IS A FAIRLY WELL KNOWN ISSUE AS LOOKING INTO A FEW FORUMS AND YOU CAN FIND FOR YOURSELF. I HAVE A 2007 335I COUPE E92 WITH A AROUND 104K MILES AND AS I KNOW IT IS FAR OUT OF WARRANTY THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN. INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING ALL OF THE WIRES START TO WITHER AWAY…
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I KNOW IT IS A FAIRLY WELL KNOWN ISSUE AS LOOKING INTO A FEW FORUMS AND YOU CAN FIND FOR YOURSELF. I HAVE A 2007 335I COUPE E92 WITH A AROUND 104K MILES AND AS I KNOW IT IS FAR OUT OF WARRANTY THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING SHOULD NOT BE SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN. INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING ALL OF THE WIRES START TO WITHER AWAY AND SHORT OUT AGAINST EACH OTHER CAUSING YOUR HEADLIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING INSIDE OF A SEALED UNIT THAT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE SERVICED ALMOST ALL OF THE WIRES COMING FROM THE HARNESS ARE COMPLEATLY BARE AND WITHERED AWAY AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY MOISTURE LEAKING ISSUES SO THAT COULDN'T CAUSE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING EITHER. I BELIEVE IT IS FROM FAULTY WIRING USED INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES THAT CAUSE THEM TO DETERIORATE MORE RAPIDLY.
NHTSA ODI #11185725
52,650 miles · Apr 2, 2017
Exterior Lighting
THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING IS DETERIORATING. THE PLASTIC SHEATHING HAS BECOME BRITTLE FROM THE HEAT, AND IS FALLING APART, EXPOSING THE CONDUCTOR. THIS IS CREATING THE RISK OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #10969986
107,000 miles · Nov 8, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
UPON CAR SYSTEM NOTIFICATION THAT A HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED I OPEN THE HEADLIGHT ACCESS DOOR ON THE DYNAMIC PROJECTION HEADLAMP TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BULB. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS EXPOSED WIRING GOING FROM THE CONNECTOR TO THE MAIN HARNESS. AS I CONTINUED TO INSPECT THE WIRING THE INSULATING MATERIAL AR…
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UPON CAR SYSTEM NOTIFICATION THAT A HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED I OPEN THE HEADLIGHT ACCESS DOOR ON THE DYNAMIC PROJECTION HEADLAMP TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE BULB. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED LARGE AMOUNTS EXPOSED WIRING GOING FROM THE CONNECTOR TO THE MAIN HARNESS. AS I CONTINUED TO INSPECT THE WIRING THE INSULATING MATERIAL AROUND THE WIRES CONTINUED TO CRUMBLE EXPOSING MORE WIRING. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHTS, BOTH HEADLAMPS HAVE SEALED ACCESS DOORS AND IS CONCERNING FOR.ELECTRICAL SHORT OR FIRE HAZARDS IN/NEAR THE HIGH HEAT GENERATED FROM.THE LAMPS AND OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10789135
77,000 miles · May 1, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityExterior Lighting
LEFT HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE UNIT FOR XENON BULB STOPPED WORKING ON 2007 BMW 335I WHICH CAUSED THE LOW BEAM XENON HEADLIGHT BULB TO GO OUT AT NIGHT. MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME SIDE (LEFT). TYPE IN BMW 335I HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE AND SOMEONE POSTING THAT THEIR LEFT SIDE WENT OUT, IS THE FI…
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LEFT HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE UNIT FOR XENON BULB STOPPED WORKING ON 2007 BMW 335I WHICH CAUSED THE LOW BEAM XENON HEADLIGHT BULB TO GO OUT AT NIGHT. MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME SIDE (LEFT). TYPE IN BMW 335I HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE AND SOMEONE POSTING THAT THEIR LEFT SIDE WENT OUT, IS THE FIRST HIT ON GOOGLE AND MANY OTHER POSTS I HAVE SEEN ALSO STATE THE LEFT SIDE CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND THEIR LEFT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A CONSUMER PROTECTION ISSUE AS THE COST TO REPLACE IS $1100+. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586067
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingCrash
ON 20 FEB 2013, WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN SAN FRANCISCO. TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US SLOWED TO A STOP AND WE ALSO STOPPED. WE WERE THEN STRUCK HARD FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR THAT HIT THE RIGHT-REAR PART OF OUR BUMPER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMPACT, ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS IN OUR CAR FLICKERED AND BECAME VERY DIM.…
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ON 20 FEB 2013, WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN SAN FRANCISCO. TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US SLOWED TO A STOP AND WE ALSO STOPPED. WE WERE THEN STRUCK HARD FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR THAT HIT THE RIGHT-REAR PART OF OUR BUMPER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMPACT, ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS IN OUR CAR FLICKERED AND BECAME VERY DIM. WE DISCOVERED LATER THAT THE IMPACT HAD DAMAGED THE CAR'S BATTERY, EVIDENCED BY ELECTROLYTE LEAKING OUT OF THE UNDERNEATH, REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER THE COLLISION, TRAFFIC BEGAN MOVING AGAIN AND THE OTHER DRIVER MOVED HIS CAR OFF THE ROADWAY, LEAVING US SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY, 5-LANE FREEWAY AFTER DARK WITH NO LIGHTS OF ANY KIND IN OR ON OUR CAR. THE EMERGENCY FLASHER FLICKERED DIMLY, BUT WAS NOT WORKING. ALL THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE DARK. POLICE EVENTUALLY ARRIVED AND PUSHED OUR CAR TO THE SHOULDER. I WAITED INSIDE OUR CAR WHILE THE DRIVER SPOKE WITH THE POLICE. AS I WAITED, THE DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY LATCHED AND THE ALARM STARTED. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLES WERE COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN. I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CAR WERE UNABLE TO HELP ME ESCAPE. A TOW-TRUCK DRIVER ASKED ME TO RELEASE THE HOOD LATCH. HE ATTACHED A BATTERY PACK TO SOME TERMINALS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND LEAVE THE CAR. THEN HE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY PACK AND THE CAR WENT DARK. IF THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE OR AN INJURY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. AS AN ENGINEER I SEE TWO, NO-COST SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM. (1) SURROUND THE BATTERY WITH A STRONG BARRIER AND MOVE IT FARTHER AWAY FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. (2) INCLUDE A MECHANICAL LINK TO THE DOOR LATCHES SO THAT THE DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10499680
Official recalls
5Jul 3, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Jan 15, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Oct 25, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Nov 12, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Feb 7, 2013
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical System
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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