2006 BMW 5 Series Problems

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THOUGH NOT IN PREVIOUS RECALLS IN SIMILAR BMWS AND SIMILAR YEARS, THE ERROR PRESENTED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WOULD DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS AND INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A CRASH. WITH THIS ERROR, I WAS FORCED TO REPAIR THE SEAT MAT AND EXPENDED $1.5K TO REMEDY THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS SEAT MAT ISSUE IS A KNOWN BMW PROBLEM THAT BMW AND NHTSA HAVE NOT ADDRESSED. VIN: [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED CASING THE SEAT TO HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENSOR REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY CAR, AND 2 OF MY FRIENDS CARS WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL, MY FRIENDS WERE CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. MY ENGINE LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING SMOKE IN THE CAB AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ON EVERY BM I HAVE EVER OWNED THE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID WHICH IS ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.

NAVIGATION DISPLAY REBOOTS CONSTANTLY. WORKS PERIODICALLY. THIS DISPLAY GIVES ME ACCESS TO ALL OF THE CARS FEATURES INCLUDING WARNINGS AND MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE VEHICLE. IF THE DISPLAY WORKS WHEN THE CAR IS ON IT MAY NOT WORK IF YOU TURN OFF THE CARD AND TURN IT BACK ON.

HEAD LIGHTS ANGLE LIGHTS WIRES GETTING VERY DRY FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT AND THE INSULATION COMING OFF THE OPTICAL WIRES, LIGHTS GO OUT, POSSIBLE SHORTING AND BECOME VERY UNSAFE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY WHEN APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,932. *DT

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED CASING THE SEAT TO HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENSOR REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY CAR, AND 2 OF MY FRIENDS CARS WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL, MY FRIENDS WERE CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. MY ENGINE LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING SMOKE IN THE CAB AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ON EVERY BM I HAVE EVER OWNED THE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID WHICH IS ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.

I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD AN OIL LEAK, RADIATOR LEAK, DEVELOPED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, TAR IS ACCUMULATING ON TOP OF THE SUNROOF EVERY TIME I OPEN IT, THE HEATER FAN MAKES NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL. ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S HAVE ALSO HAD AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. NONE WERE PART OF THE RECALL, ALL PAID $1,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. THE PURPOSE OF RECALLING SOME IS TO AVOID A TOTAL RECALL. THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR CARS WITH INFERIOR PARTS SO THAT THEY DO NOT LAST FOR MORE THAN 60,0000 BEFORE MAJOR PROBLEMS OCCUR. ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAS SPENT OVER $10,000 ON REPAIRS TO HIS 2004 X3. *JS

I BOUGHT A USED BMW FROM LONG ISLAND AUTO FIND. BEFORE PICKING IT UP I TOLD NICK CERTAIN THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE THERE WAS A DRAFTY SOUND COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF THE CENTER RIMS WERE CORRODED, BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE VALVE COVER. I WAS CALLED THREE DAYS IN A ROW BY NICK WHO CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. WHEN I GOT THE RE NOT ONLY WAS THE BATTERY DEAD, NOTHING ON MY LIST WAS DONE! I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR 5 MONTH AND I HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 WEEKS SO FAR. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT CAUSED MY EYES TO WATER AND LEAVES A FUNNY TASTE IN MY MOUTH. THIS TOOK THREE DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO FIX. THE CAR MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT 65 MPH. THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK. I BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP IT DID IT ON THE MECHANIC BUT HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE SAID IT WAS SAFE TO TAKE TO FLORIDA WHICH IS THE REASON I BOUGHT IT. IT STALLED IN FLORIDA WHILE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION THEN AGAIN IN DELAWARE AT 3:30 IN THE MORNING AND 13 DEGREES! AND AGAIN ON THE BQE AS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC MERGED INTO ONE.I HAVE 2 FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR THEY WERE CHARGED $1300 TO FIX THE "AIR BAG MALFUNCTION"EVERYONE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. I AM TOLD THE GASKETS BECOME BRITTLE AND LEAK. ALL OF THESE ISSUE'S SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY WHEN APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,932. *DT

A LEAK DEVELOPED IN THE POWER BRAKING SYSTEM,CAUSING A VACUUM LOSS AND CONSEQUENT REDUCTION OF POWER BRAKING ASSISTANCE. MECHANICAL BRAKING IS STILL AVAILABLE TO SLOW AND STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

HEAD LIGHTS ANGLE LIGHTS WIRES GETTING VERY DRY FROM THE HEAT OF THE LIGHT AND THE INSULATION COMING OFF THE OPTICAL WIRES, LIGHTS GO OUT, POSSIBLE SHORTING AND BECOME VERY UNSAFE.

A MESSAGE ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SCREEN INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT-SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE THE BULB AND FOUND THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING TO THE TOUCH, RESULTING IN A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE HEADLIGHT BULB IS NOT ACTUALLY BURNED OUT. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE BMW FORUMS BUT BMW AND THE HEADLIGHT MANUFACTURER, HELLA, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED CASING THE SEAT TO HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND SENSOR REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT MY CAR, AND 2 OF MY FRIENDS CARS WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL, MY FRIENDS WERE CHARGED BY THE DEALERSHIP. MY ENGINE LEAKS OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING SMOKE IN THE CAB AND POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. ON EVERY BM I HAVE EVER OWNED THE RADIATOR LEAKS FLUID WHICH IS ENVIRONMENTALLY HAZARDOUS AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.

I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD AN OIL LEAK, RADIATOR LEAK, DEVELOPED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, TAR IS ACCUMULATING ON TOP OF THE SUNROOF EVERY TIME I OPEN IT, THE HEATER FAN MAKES NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL. ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S HAVE ALSO HAD AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. NONE WERE PART OF THE RECALL, ALL PAID $1,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. THE PURPOSE OF RECALLING SOME IS TO AVOID A TOTAL RECALL. THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR CARS WITH INFERIOR PARTS SO THAT THEY DO NOT LAST FOR MORE THAN 60,0000 BEFORE MAJOR PROBLEMS OCCUR. ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAS SPENT OVER $10,000 ON REPAIRS TO HIS 2004 X3. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. ONCE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE MESSAGE DISPLAY INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LOCKED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V504000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SINCE PURCHASING IN DEC 2008. THE VEHICLE JERKS VIOLENTLY AS IT SHIFTS AFTER STOPS. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT UP UNTIL I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND SHIFTING IT BACK TO D. CURRENTLY, IT JERKS DURING UP SHIFTS THRU ALL GEARS, MOST OF THE TIME. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE YEARS. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM VERY WORRIED OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILING SUDDENTLY AND CAUSING A CRASH. *TR

I BOUGHT A USED BMW FROM LONG ISLAND AUTO FIND. BEFORE PICKING IT UP I TOLD NICK CERTAIN THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE THERE WAS A DRAFTY SOUND COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF THE CENTER RIMS WERE CORRODED, BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE VALVE COVER. I WAS CALLED THREE DAYS IN A ROW BY NICK WHO CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. WHEN I GOT THE RE NOT ONLY WAS THE BATTERY DEAD, NOTHING ON MY LIST WAS DONE! I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR 5 MONTH AND I HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 WEEKS SO FAR. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT CAUSED MY EYES TO WATER AND LEAVES A FUNNY TASTE IN MY MOUTH. THIS TOOK THREE DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO FIX. THE CAR MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT 65 MPH. THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK. I BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP IT DID IT ON THE MECHANIC BUT HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE SAID IT WAS SAFE TO TAKE TO FLORIDA WHICH IS THE REASON I BOUGHT IT. IT STALLED IN FLORIDA WHILE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION THEN AGAIN IN DELAWARE AT 3:30 IN THE MORNING AND 13 DEGREES! AND AGAIN ON THE BQE AS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC MERGED INTO ONE.I HAVE 2 FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR THEY WERE CHARGED $1300 TO FIX THE "AIR BAG MALFUNCTION"EVERYONE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. I AM TOLD THE GASKETS BECOME BRITTLE AND LEAK. ALL OF THESE ISSUE'S SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL. *TR

THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON E60 BMW WAGONS HAS A FAULTY DESIGN OF THE DRAINS WHICH RE-DIRECTS WATER INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR (SPARE TIRE AREA) CAUSING MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING: LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, DOOR LOCKS, SPEEDOMETER, ETC. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS. THE DEALER AND BMW NORTH AMERICA REPAIRED THE CAR AT OWNERS' EXPENSE ALTHOUGH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS IN FORCE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY BMW BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FLAW AND REFERS TO THE FAILURE BEING CAUSED BY 'ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES'. *TR

I BOUGHT A USED BMW FROM LONG ISLAND AUTO FIND. BEFORE PICKING IT UP I TOLD NICK CERTAIN THINGS NEEDED TO BE DONE THERE WAS A DRAFTY SOUND COMING FROM THE MOON ROOF THE CENTER RIMS WERE CORRODED, BOLTS WERE MISSING FROM THE VALVE COVER. I WAS CALLED THREE DAYS IN A ROW BY NICK WHO CLAIMED EVERYTHING WAS DONE AND THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP. WHEN I GOT THE RE NOT ONLY WAS THE BATTERY DEAD, NOTHING ON MY LIST WAS DONE! I HAVE SINCE HAD THE CAR 5 MONTH AND I HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 WEEKS SO FAR. PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK THAT CAUSED MY EYES TO WATER AND LEAVES A FUNNY TASTE IN MY MOUTH. THIS TOOK THREE DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS TO FIX. THE CAR MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT 65 MPH. THE CAR JUST DIED WHILE TAKING MY WIFE TO WORK. I BROUGHT IT TO THE SHOP IT DID IT ON THE MECHANIC BUT HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. HE SAID IT WAS SAFE TO TAKE TO FLORIDA WHICH IS THE REASON I BOUGHT IT. IT STALLED IN FLORIDA WHILE ENTERING AN INTERSECTION THEN AGAIN IN DELAWARE AT 3:30 IN THE MORNING AND 13 DEGREES! AND AGAIN ON THE BQE AS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC MERGED INTO ONE.I HAVE 2 FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR THEY WERE CHARGED $1300 TO FIX THE "AIR BAG MALFUNCTION"EVERYONE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. I AM TOLD THE GASKETS BECOME BRITTLE AND LEAK. ALL OF THESE ISSUE'S SHOULD BE PART OF A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 525I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE RIM SPLIT IN HALF. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED INTO TWO PIECES. SHE PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS AT FAULT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR HER YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

I PURCHASED A SET OF KUMHO ESCTA SPT, SIZE 245/35-19 TIRES FROM MY RETAILER ON JAN.12 2009. ON MARCH 28, 2009, I HAD 1 TIRE REPLACED DUE TO SEPARATION OF THE SIDEWALL. ON SEPT 19TH, 2009, I EXPERIENCED ANOTHER TIRE FAILURE WHILE AT FREEWAY SPEED. 2 ADDITIONAL TIRES WERE REPLACED AS WELL, AS THEY WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILING. JAN 07, 2010 I EXPERIENCED A 5TH TIRE FAILURE. ALL TIRE SHARE THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE. INNER SIDEWALL SEPARATION OF THE CORDS (VISIBLE). I HAVE ASKED KUMHO TO REIMBURSE MY RETAILER, WHICH THEY HAVE DENIED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLATTENED BY A SCREW IN THE ROAD AND ALSO A POTHOLE. THE TIRE IS A RUN FLAT TIRE, WHICH MEANS THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN FOR AT LEAST FIFTY MORE MILES AFTER A FLAT WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL. ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED HOME, THE WHEEL SPLIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL SHOULD NOT HAVE SPLIT AND CRACKED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE TIRE, THE WHEEL, AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUT. THE TIRE DEPTH AND SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25,596.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING, WHICH FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN THE CAR GOES OVER BUMPS. I ALSO FIND THAT I HAVE TO PERFORM WHEEL BALANCING EVERY 2-3 MONTHS, WHICH IS A LOT MORE THAN OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION, EXCEPT FOR DIRTY BUSHINGS. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUED A FRENZY OF ALERTS, AND INTERRUPTED FUNCTION OF SEVERAL SUBSYSTEMS INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE SYSTEM ISSUED A MESSAGE "CONTINUED DRIVING NOT POSSIBLE" AND THEN FURTHER ALERTS. THE BMW CENTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE CAR THROUGH THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND FLOODED THE COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE CONTROL SYSTEMS, CAUSING THE SUDDEN MALFUNCTION. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE PROTOCOL ESTABLISHED BY BMW FOR THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM, I HAD THE SUNROOF DRAINS CHECKED ON OCTOBER 2009 AND WAS ASSURED BY THE BMW CENTER THAT IT WAS WORKING TO SPECIFICATION AT THAT TIME. NEVERTHELESS, BMW'S CENTER ATTRIBUTED THE FAILURE TO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM BEING PARTIALLY BLOCKED. (N.B. THE SYSTEM HAD NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF USE, SO WHY WOULD IT FAIL 1 YEAR AND 1 MONTH AFTER INSPECTION?) THE DRAIN SYSTEM IS CONCEALED WITHIN THE ROOF AND IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO CAR OWNER. THE COMBINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND THE PLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEMS AT THE POINT OF WATER COLLECTION PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET TURNS UP SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON OTHER BMW MODELS EQUIPPED WITH PANORAMIC SUNROOFS SUCH AS THE X3, X5, AND 535XI AND 325.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 530 XIT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN IT RAINED THE WATER PENETRATED THE VEHICLE SPARE TIRE AREA CAUSING DAMAGED TO THE VEHICLE MAIN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSING THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WILL CLEAN THE HOSES CLEAN THE UPHOLSTERY FABRIC, REPLACED THE DAMAGED WIRING SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 39,000. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOONROOF WAS NOT DESGINED CORRECTLY.

I BOUGHT THE CAR IT HAD AN OIL LEAK, RADIATOR LEAK, DEVELOPED AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, TAR IS ACCUMULATING ON TOP OF THE SUNROOF EVERY TIME I OPEN IT, THE HEATER FAN MAKES NOISE, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES NOISE AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS IT IS STILL LEAKING OIL. ALL OF MY FRIENDS WHO OWN BMW'S HAVE ALSO HAD AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONS. NONE WERE PART OF THE RECALL, ALL PAID $1,300.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED ALL OF THEM. THE PURPOSE OF RECALLING SOME IS TO AVOID A TOTAL RECALL. THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR CARS WITH INFERIOR PARTS SO THAT THEY DO NOT LAST FOR MORE THAN 60,0000 BEFORE MAJOR PROBLEMS OCCUR. ONE OF MY FRIENDS HAS SPENT OVER $10,000 ON REPAIRS TO HIS 2004 X3. *JS

ON START-UP FROM A NEAR STOP THE TRANSMISSION JERKED HARD BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. FELT AS IF SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM THE REAR END. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY AND IS VERY DISTURBING, CAUSING UNFAMILIAR REACTIONS FROM THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION LOCKS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE TO START STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW SZL MODULE, WHICH CONTROLLED MOST OF THE COMPUTER FUNCTIONS IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE, BUT ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE INCIDENT, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE FAILURE LASTED LESS THAN A MINUTE, BUT DURING THIS TIME HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP OR STEER THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A MONTH AND REPLACED THE SZL MODULE AND CLOCK SPRING, IN ADDITION TO AN ELECTRICAL REPAIR. WITHIN A MONTH, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAL. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL OF THE BRAKE PADS AND SENSORS. EVEN WITH ALL THE REPAIRS, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE DEALER IS STILL UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. HE BELIEVES THAT THE ISSUE IS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE HAS FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

CAR STARTED BEEPING UNCONTROLLABLY THAN SERVICE LIGHT REPORTED A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIR PAGES AND SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATS. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS DEFECTED SENSORS. HAD TO WAIT FOR PART THEN RETURN FOR ANOTHER SERVICE TRIP AND WAIT FOR COMPLIMENTARY CAR. ITS AMAZING WHEN YOUR IN A CAR SERVICE IS AN EMERGENCY THEY NEVER HAVE LOANER AVAILABLE. I DEPEND ON MY CAR, SO IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO WAIT FOR SERVICE. AGAIN WITH NO EXPLANATION THEY ALSO HAD TO UPDATE COMPUTER NOW MANY NEW FUNCTION THAT WERE NOT WORKING ARE NOW FUNCTIONING LIKE THE BLUE TOOTH. SIDE LIGHTS THAT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THERE. *JB

DUE TO A CERTAIN DEFECT IN THE AIRCONDITIONING AIR DUCT, THE HUMIDITY BUILDS UP TO A HIGH LEVEL CAUSING EVENTUAL MOLD FORMATION IN THE AIR DUCT. AS A RESULT OF THAT A BAD SMELL WILL PROGRESSIVELY INCREASE UNTILL IT CAN BE EASILY NOTICABLE ESPECIALLY DURING THE FIRST MINUTE OF STARTING THE AIR CONDITIONNER. MOLDS ARE KNOWN TO BE STRONG ALLERGENS AND CAN RESULT IN WORSENING NASAL ALLERGY SYMPTOMS, COUGH, NASAL CONGESTION, AND SNEEZING. I BELLEIVE IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD TO PEOPLE WITH MOLD ALLERGIES LIKE MY SON WHO HAD NOTICABLE WOSENING OF HIS NASAL CONGESTION AND EVENTUALLY HIS OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYMPTOMS AS A RESULT OF THAT. UP ON CANTACTING THE LOCAL DEALER IN TEH AREA AND LATER THE BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM SINCE I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, BUT THEY ONLY OFFERED TO CLEAN THE DUCTS ONCE A YEAR, WHICH IS A SHORT TERM REMEDY AND DOES NOT PREVENT THE RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. I BELEIVE IT IS A HAELTH RISK AND CUSTOMERS NEED TO BE INFORMED UPFRONT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THEY MAKE A SELECTION TO BUY THAT VEHICLE. *NM