2003 BMW 3 Series Exterior Lighting

CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL, FACTORY-INSTALLED, BI-XENON HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MADE BY ZKW. THE PROJECTOR BOWLS INSIDE, WHICH GREATLY MAGNIFY THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE BULB, ARE MADE OF A PLASTIC THAT CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT OF THE XENON BULB. AS A RESULT, THE REFLECTIVE SURFACE BURNS AND TURNS BROWN. IN DOING SO, THE LIGHT OUTPUT IS GREATLY REDUCED TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS BOTH HIGH AND LOW BEAM OPERATION. SITUATION GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE PLASTIC BOWLS ARE NOT SOLD SEPARATELY, THEREFORE THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $1,900 FOR THE PAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRES WERE BURNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

THE PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT FAILS TO COME ON. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLDER AND THE AIR HAS MORE HUMIDITY. THIS IS NOT A BULB ISSUE IN THAT I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

BURNED HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL ON 2003 "ZKW" HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS. HEADLAMP OUTPUT SEVERELY DIMINISHED. ALSO EQUIPPED ON 03-05 3-SERIES. *TR

2003 BMW 330I. CONSUMER STATES THAT RIGHT REAR LAMP INDICATOR WAS LIT ON DASHBOARD. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT OF PREVIOUS REPAIR BEFORE RECALL WAS SENT. *KB BMW INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH BMW STANDARDS AND THEREFORE, THEY HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY TO REIMBURSE HER. RECALL # 11V438000. *JB

LOW BEAM REFLECTORS ON 2003 ZKW HID XENON HEADLIGHTS WAS BURN AND SCORCHED AND POSTED AS A FIRE RISK. THE SCORCHED REFLECTOR ALSO REDUCE THE LOW BEAM LIGHT OUTPUT AND POSTS AS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULB TWICE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

DUE TO THE PLASTIC BOWELS IN THE HEADLIGHT PROJECTORS, WHICH ARE CHROME LIKE LINED, AND THE HIGH HEAT OF THE HID BULBS, THIS CHROME LIKE COATING HAS BURNED OFF MAKING THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF MY HID HEAD LIGHTS VERY DIM. THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOWELS HAVE GONE FROM A CHROME LIKE COATING TO A BRONZE/CARAMEL COLOR/COATING. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY OBVIOUS. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES WITH HID HEADLIGHTS, AND THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THOSE CARS IS EASILY DOUBLE OR MORE, TO THE POINT WHERE ALOT OF TIMES I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY FOG LIGHTS ON JUST TO LIGHT THE ROAD UP TO BE ABLE TO SEE WELL ENOUGH SO THAT I DON'T HAVE A ACCIDENT. I HAVE PICTURES I TOOK OF THE DISCOLORED BOWELS IM TALKING ABOUT ON MY PHONE THAT I WOULD BE ABLE TO SEND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS) AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE BULB HOUSING WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BUT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD ONLY COVER THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH CONNECTED TO THE TAILLIGHT. THE REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED UNLESS THE BULB HOUSING WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BULB HOUSING WAS PERFORMED AS WELL AS THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS BEGAN WITHOUT FIRST INFORMING HIM OF THE ADDITIONAL CHARGERS FOR THE ADDITIONAL PARTS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER AFTER THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WAS DESTROYED DURING REMOVAL THAT IT COULD NOT BE RE-INSTALLED . UPDATED 06/07/12 *JS

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A FAILURE OF THE FACTORY XENON HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. I HAVE HAD REDUCED VISIBILITY AS A RESULT OF A BURNT BULB HOUSING THAT DID NOT MAKE ITSELF READILY APPARENT. BECAUSE THERE IS NO REMEDY OUTSIDE OF REPLACING THE POORLY DESIGNED HOUSING, I HAVE A CONCERN OF THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, MY OCCUPANTS, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. A FAILED BULB IS UNDERSTANDABLE MAINTENANCE. A FAILED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY DUE TO BURNING AND CRACKING THE PLASTIC LENS FROM SO MUCH HEAT IS NOT. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN, AND SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THERE WAS A SMALL ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 94,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS WAS IGNORED FOR MANY YEARS. UPDATED 02/23/12

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW WHILE I WAS STATIONED WITH THE US AIR FORCE IN GERMANY, TO MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS MADE IN GERMANY UNLIKE MOST 325'S AT THE TIME. IT WAS PRODUCED UNDER US SPECIFICATIONS AS I'D PLANNED TO BRING IT BACK TO THE STATES. I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS WITH THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING TURN SIGNAL ACTING INTERMITTENTLY AS MENTIONED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000. HOWEVER, AFTER CONTACTING MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, AND BMW N.A., THEY HAVE INFORMED ME MY VIN ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I BELIEVE I MAY HAVE SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS AS A VIN IDENTIFIED IN THE RECALL AS MY BMW WAS PRODUCED OUTSIDE THE NORMAL CHANNELS OF BMWS AFFECTED IN NORTH AMERICA. I BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE EXACT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECALL IN QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE MY VIN INCLUDED ON THE RECALL AS EVEN TODAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE THIS MORNING I DIDN'T FEEL SAFE BECAUSE THE TURN SIGNAL IS INTERMITTENT. *TR

2003 BMW 325I. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES, TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE REAR LAMPS. THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE SEVERAL OF THE REPAIRS WERE DONE PRIOR TO THE TIME FRAME ESTABLISHED BY THE RECALL, SHE WAS ONLY REIMBURSED PARTIALLY. RECALL# 11V438000. *JB

THE BMW E46 (3 SERIES BMW) THAT WAS MADE FROM 1999 TO 2006. IN SOME CASES DURING THESE YEARS THEY USED A LIGHTING MANUFACTURER "ZKW" FOR THEIR XENON HEADLIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY THESE LIGHTS HAVE A COMMON FAILURE ISSUE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A "BURNT REFLECTOR" ON THE INTERNET AND ON BMW FORUMS. THIS IS A NON-CONSUMER REPLACEABLE PART. WHEN THIS PART FAILS IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO NOT HAVE EFFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD TIMES WHERE MY FIELD OF VISION COULD NOT SEE ITEMS ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE DIM LIGHTS. THE ONLY REMEDY APPEARS TO BE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO THE TUNE OF HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS (WELL OVER A THOUSAND IF YOU DO BOTH SIDES). IN MY OPINION BMW SHOULD CORRECT THIS ISSUE FOR THE CONSUMER. HEADLIGHTS ARE AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM. TO HAVE A PART FAIL THAT IS NOT CONSUMER REPLACEABLE IS UNACCEPTABLE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE BUT HAVE NO WAY TO REMEDY IT. JUST GOOGLE IT OR CHECK E46FANATICS.COM. YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT REALIZE THIS IS AN ISSUE. *TR

ZKW XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTOR BOWL IS BURNED RESULTING IN VERY DIM LIGHT OUTPUT. I AM OFTEN AFRAID OF DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE I FEEL IT IS A DANGER TO MY SAFETY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 323. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD ALSO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

XENON HEADLIGHT REFLECTORS ARE MELTING/BURNING CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN LIGHT OUTPUT. VERY SIMPLE PROBLEM FOR WHICH THERE IS NO FIX OTHER THAN TO PURCHASE NEW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES FOR $2,000. SEEMS TO AFFECT ALL XENON HEADLIGHTS PRODUCED BY ZWK FOR THE 2002-2004 3 SERIES BMW. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL WIRING AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE QUALIFIED FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS), BUT THE CONNECTOR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 330I. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE WIRING CONNECTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO PERFORMING THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE WIRING CONNECTOR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE RECALL HAD DAMAGED THE WIRING CONNECTOR AND HE FELT IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

HEADLIGHTS FAIL RANDOMLY. HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, TURN OFF, TURN BACK ON. INDEPENDENT OF SPEED OR WEATHER CONDITIONS. BULB TESTING AFTER THIS FAILURE INDICATE THAT THE BULBS ARE NOT FAILING (THEY ARE NOT BURNED OUT). *TR

MY BMW 2003 330I IS EQUIPPED WITH ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES THAT HAVE PLASTIC XENON PROJECTOR BOWLS INSTALLED INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF USAGE THESE PROJECTOR BOWLS BURN OUT AND AS A RESULT, THE REFLECTIVE COATING THAT ALLOWS LIGHT TO BE FOCUSED THROUGH THE PROJECTORS ARE BURNED OFF REDUCING EFFECTIVE LIGHT OUTPUT FROM THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES SUFFERED APPROXIMATELY 50% LOSS IN EFFECTIVE LIGHT OUTPUT DUE TO BURNED OUT XENON PROJECTOR BOWLS AND I FOUND THAT MY FOG LIGHTS WERE PUTTING OUT MORE LIGHT THAN BOTH MY ZKW HEADLIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 3-SERIES SEDANS MADE FROM 2002 - 2005. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE, AS A RESULT OF BMW INACTION TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFICIENCY, EITHER REPLACED THEIR ORIGINAL ZKW HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WITH DEPOT AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLES OR HAVE REPLACED THE DEFECTED ZKW PROJECTOR BOWLS WITH AL PROJECTOR BOWLS OR FX-R PROJECTOR BOWLS. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT IS A SERIOUS ROAD SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *TR

ZKW BI XENON HEADLIGHTS REFLECTORS BURN OUT OVER TIME. THE BOWLS ARE SHOT AND THEY WERE BLACK, BURNED TO A CRISP. THEY WERE MADE OUT OF A PLASTIC MATERIAL WITH A CHROME COATING, INSTEAD OF A METAL REFLECTOR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR BMW. THEY GOT THE TAIL LIGHT WHICH WORKS FINE IN MY CAR, I NEED MY HEADLIGHTS TO SEE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF A RECALL UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS) BY HIS MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE VEHICLE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TURN SIGNAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW 325I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LIGHTS BURNED THROUGH THE HOUSING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V438000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: TAIL LIGHTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,250.