NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
14 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 16, 2020
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT - REPLACED BULBS AND STILL NOT WORKING. REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND NOTICED EVERY WIRE WAS BARE WITH BARELY ANY COATING LEFT TO PROTECT THE WIRES- AT LEAST 15 WIRES. HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT COST IS OVER $650.00.!! THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE SHORTING OUT AND A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUAT…
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THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT - REPLACED BULBS AND STILL NOT WORKING. REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND NOTICED EVERY WIRE WAS BARE WITH BARELY ANY COATING LEFT TO PROTECT THE WIRES- AT LEAST 15 WIRES. HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT COST IS OVER $650.00.!! THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE SHORTING OUT AND A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION IN THE LEAST.
NHTSA ODI #11318308
139,000 miles · Jun 3, 2019
Exterior Lighting
INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRING INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS CRUMBLING APART. THIS LETS BARE WIRE TOUCH EACH OTHER AND SHORTS OUT HEADLIGHT, LEADING TO MALFUNCTIONING / VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND DANGEROUS LIGHTING. OTHER DRIVERS MAY NOT SEE YOU COMING
NHTSA ODI #11217523
105,000 miles · Nov 24, 2018
Exterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD A HALO LIGHT THAT BURNT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT BULB. WHEN I UNSCREWED THE LIGHT BULB, THE WIRING INSULATION FELL OFF AND EXPOSED ALL OF THE COPPER WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS. THEY DO NOT SELL A REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS AND NOW I'M REQUIRED TO BUY A NEW HEADLIGH…
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THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAD A HALO LIGHT THAT BURNT OUT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT BULB. WHEN I UNSCREWED THE LIGHT BULB, THE WIRING INSULATION FELL OFF AND EXPOSED ALL OF THE COPPER WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS. THEY DO NOT SELL A REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS AND NOW I'M REQUIRED TO BUY A NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHICH COSTS APPROX $1700+ AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. DUE TO THE HIGH COSTS OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, I'M NOT ABLE TO AFFORD IT AND NOW MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WHICH HAS PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING IT. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THAT THE OTHER HEADLIGHT HAS THE SAME ISSUE FROM READING 100'S OF OTHER FORUM POSTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I'VE ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS ISSUE MYSELF USING ELECTRICAL TAPE BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK FOR LONG. I'VE CONTACTED REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY WON'T TAKE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY APART DUE TO THE AGE OF IT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHT BULB BURNT OUT. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED IN 2015 AND I DECIDED TO DRIVE WITH THE HALO LIGHT BULB BURNT OUT BUT THEN THE LOW BEAM BULB BURNT OUT. NOW MY CAR WON'T PASS INSPECTION TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT IN TEXAS.
NHTSA ODI #11153521
120,000 miles · Sep 21, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingWheels
WIRING ON HEADLIGHTS FLAKING APART LEAVING BEAR EXPOSE WIRES !!!
NHTSA ODI #11130557
141,232 miles · Jun 22, 2018
Exterior Lighting
ALL RUBBER TUBING HAS FALLEN OFF OF LIGHTS CREATING A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD.WIRING IS CURRENTLY DOWN TO COPPER, WITH MULTIPLE WIRES TOUCHING EACH OTHER WHICH HAS CAUSED MY LIGHTS TO NO LONGER WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11103484
150,000 miles · Apr 24, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS INTERNAL WIRING GETA SO HOT IT MELTS AND CRACKS AND DETERIORATES AND CAUSES SHORT CIRCUIT EVENTUALLY LEADING TO BOTH OR SINGLE HIGH BEAM MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ODI #11089985
110,000 miles · Nov 7, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE LEFT FRONT PARKING BULB WAS NO WORKING, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW DEALERSHIP IN COLUMBIA, S.C. TO HAVE BULB REPLACED. UPON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE SAME BULB AND THE LEFT FRONT HIGH BEAM WARNING BOTH LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY APPEARED. I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO INQUIRE WH…
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THE LEFT FRONT PARKING BULB WAS NO WORKING, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW DEALERSHIP IN COLUMBIA, S.C. TO HAVE BULB REPLACED. UPON PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE SAME BULB AND THE LEFT FRONT HIGH BEAM WARNING BOTH LIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY APPEARED. I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO INQUIRE WHY THE WARNING WAS ON, WHICH THEY STATED IT WAS PROBABLY LEFT LOOSE. THE SERVICE ADVISER RETURNED TO BRING ME INTO THE SHOP TO SHOW ME THE WIRING FOR THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKING AND FALLING OFF, EXPOSING BARE WIRE CAUSING THE SHORT AND BLOWING THE BULBS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BMW STATED A NEW ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REQUIRED WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT $1500 EACH FOR THE PARTS. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE BULB WHILE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THERE WAS ANOTHER ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSING THE BULBS TO BLOW IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE READ THE WIRING WAS COATED WITH A SOY BASED PRODUCT, WHICH IS WHY THE WIRING COATING IS PREMATURELY CRACKING AND EXPOSING BARE COPPER WIRE, CREATING AN ELECTRICAL AND FIRE HAZARD. DUE TO THE INADEQUATE MATERIAL UTILIZED BY THE MANUFACTURER, IT SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #10924673
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
REPLACING THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BULB THAT FAILED, I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EASIER ACCESS TO THE BULB RECESSED DEEP INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. UPON OPENING THE ACCESS PANEL, I DISCOVERED THE WIRING INSULATION OF MOST OF THE INNER WIRING HARNESS OF HEADLIGHT BRITTLE AND FLAKING OFF, EXPOSING…
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REPLACING THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BULB THAT FAILED, I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FROM THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EASIER ACCESS TO THE BULB RECESSED DEEP INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. UPON OPENING THE ACCESS PANEL, I DISCOVERED THE WIRING INSULATION OF MOST OF THE INNER WIRING HARNESS OF HEADLIGHT BRITTLE AND FLAKING OFF, EXPOSING THE BARE WIRES. THE SHORT CIRCUIT PROBABILITY IS HIGH WITH THE EXPOSED WIRES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY.
NHTSA ODI #10849686
95,000 miles · Aug 7, 2015
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES HAD FRAYED, PROMPTING THE CONTACT TO TAPE THE WIRES IN ORDER TO AVOID WIRE CONTACTS WHICH CAUSED SPARKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACED THE LIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES HAD FRAYED, PROMPTING THE CONTACT TO TAPE THE WIRES IN ORDER TO AVOID WIRE CONTACTS WHICH CAUSED SPARKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10746966
78,000 miles · Jan 10, 2015
Exterior Lighting
MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, MANUFACTURED BY HELLA FOR BMW, HAVE CRUMBLING AND DECAYING INSULATION ON THE INTERNAL WIRES. MANY OF THE WIRES ARE BARE, AND CAN CAUSE SHORT CIRCUITS AND FAILURES. ALL OF THE DOZENS OF INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRES ARE ROTTEN AND FAILING. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SUDDEN LIGHTING FAILURE AT NIGHT, AS WELL…
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MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, MANUFACTURED BY HELLA FOR BMW, HAVE CRUMBLING AND DECAYING INSULATION ON THE INTERNAL WIRES. MANY OF THE WIRES ARE BARE, AND CAN CAUSE SHORT CIRCUITS AND FAILURES. ALL OF THE DOZENS OF INTERNAL HEADLIGHT WIRES ARE ROTTEN AND FAILING. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SUDDEN LIGHTING FAILURE AT NIGHT, AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITY OF SHORT CIRCUIT, COMBUSTION AND FIRE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM ACROSS MANY BMW'S, AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS TO SAFERCAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671551
Official recalls
2Oct 30, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗