BMW is recalling 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi - 241,000 cars effected!

Hi I'm a newbie with maybe a dumb question - is there any way a short like this could affect other parts of the electrical system?? yesterday my alternator died -- while waiting for BMW to approve me for an appt to go to the dealer...

I heard about the recall last fall just about the time my taillights really started acting up on my 2002 325i. My usual mechanic tried replacing the bulbs and other things but it was shorting occasionally and showing false warning lights on the dash. Then around November I noticed one of the left taillight bulbs was on, while the car was off with no key in the ignition. I couldnt get it to turn off so i yanked the bulb and drove around for a few months with less taillights than i should have... while waiting for bmwusa to finally send me a "certified letter" in the mail. [still haven't seen the letter by the way]

yesterday i was driving to work and sitting at a red light, when all kinds of warning lights started to go on. brake, oil, whatever. totally crazy. as i was driving (in automatic mode) the readout showed D and a gear icon. then it stopped shifting correctly and without being able to technically describe it, it started driving as if it had not enough electricity. the window rolled up slow. things were totally haywire. when i got to where i was going and shut it off, i figured the battery was dead or something - and then the car wouldnt start again.

anyway sorry i type too much - I got towed to the dealer after they said my VIN matched the recall. i had them diagnose the totally dead car and they came back with "your alternator's dead but the battery is totally normal" and of course that's like $1200.

Any way this otherwise simple thing could lead to these bigger problems? I only have 80k miles and the car was running just fine until this point. I dont suppose I could ever prove it but I can't afford this kind of work right now...

thanks if you know anything! and for the rest of you call your dealer service and tell them your VIN to get in there now!

Originally Posted by dweezy2012

anyway sorry i type too much - I got towed to the dealer after they said my VIN matched the recall. i had them diagnose the totally dead car and they came back with "your alternator's dead but the battery is totally normal" and of course that's like $1200.

Any way this otherwise simple thing could lead to these bigger problems? I only have 80k miles and the car was running just fine until this point. I dont suppose I could ever prove it but I can't afford this kind of work right now...

Try calling some independent shops in your area...I think you will be surprised at how much less they will charge for the same job. You can search these forums for an independent in your area or check out http://www.bimrs.org, and additionally check reviews on yelp.

The fix

Re: 2011 Recall due to Faulty Ground Wire in Tail Lights, 2002-2005 BMW325i
Does anybody else have an issue with the 8-pin connectors and bulb carriers not being covered by the December 2011 Recall???? Mine were burned out by the faulty ground wire, and I had them replaced in October 2011 by a non-dealer mechanic (using BMW parts) at a cost of $270. BMW replaced the ground wire at no cost, but the Corporate Office in New Jersey will not reimburse me for the other parts damaged by the defective wire. I have found in the "Final Rule" passed by the NHTSA in 2002 that "If it was appropriate to inspect, adjust, repair or replace the original part OR SYSTEM in order to correct a performance problem, the manufacturer MUST reimburse the owner for that work." (Note: emphasis is mine.) I have quoted this law to Customer Relations people at BMW of North America only to be completely blown off. Furthermore, NHTSA regulations state that the Recall Notice MUST contain language about the possibility of reimbursement for repairs prior to the recall, which is not to be found in BMW's December Notice of Recall. I had to write letters and make phone calls asking about reimbursement and was given a complete run-around. One dealer told me I was the first person to ask the question! Thinking of starting a Class Action.....

Yes. Mine wasn't covered....though I have the tail light issue since I bought the car.

So I did the below.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...ght=tail+light

Done. Fixed. Dealer doidn't need to touch my car...That's the way I like it anyways.

What happen if u did the recall urself Long Time AGO? Refunds?

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

What happen if u did the recall urself Long Time AGO? Refunds?

Here's the response I got from BMW customer service:
>>>
If you have previously paid repairs, you may be eligible for reimbursement under the TREAD Act. Please present copies of owner notification letter and the previously paid invoice to your local authorized BMW center.
>>>

I don't know the details of the TREAD Act, but based on what I've seen here, it looks like it has to be within a certain number of years prior to the recall. I don't think I qualify.

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

Here's the response I got from BMW customer service:
>>>
If you have previously paid repairs, you may be eligible for reimbursement under the TREAD Act. Please present copies of owner notification letter and the previously paid invoice to your local authorized BMW center.
>>>

I don't know the details of the TREAD Act, but based on what I've seen here, it looks like it has to be within a certain number of years prior to the recall. I don't think I qualify.

Same here. I did mine like 2 years ago. But it was only 5 bux?

Originally Posted by TrippinBimmer

Same here. I did mine like 2 years ago. But it was only 5 bux?

I did my own as well. The dealer claimed they still want to inspect the vehicle to determine all is well. I said fine, but as they were going to get paid by BMWA for the repair and in fact I did it, I would expect something of equal value to come my way.

Funny...they just laughed.

I never recieved the letter but just called and gave the dealership my VIN....I am covered. Scheduled to drop car off on Monday at Princeton BMW and have a loaner for the day....hmmm...maybe I should take the day off from work.

Didn't get the letter but I was covered. BMW of Honolulu did a great job with no questions asked. Very fortunate for this recall. My tail lights were almost completely disfunctional due to the connection of the ground wiring being burnt out.

Wow. Maybe future BMW recalls will be more timely.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/n...calls-15558303

Just took mine in today and got it done. They only had to do one side because I had already done the other. They took a photocopy of the invoice of the work that I had done and said they would submit it to BMW. By the time at got my car back, it was lunch time and the service folks were out, so I didn't get a chance to find out how to check on the status of the reimbursement.

Just got my notice in the mail, taking the car in on Tuesday to be fixed. Hoping I can talk my way into a loaner for the day, would mind a chance to drive a new 1 Series around! :P

Originally Posted by Chauntalei

Just got my notice in the mail, taking the car in on Tuesday to be fixed. Hoping I can talk my way into a loaner for the day, would mind a chance to drive a new 1 Series around! :P

Yeah, I wouldn't hold your breath on that one; the fix takes 20 minutes. That is unless you're like me and they take it in gladly for the quick fix but find something unrelated that warrants actual time and $$ for them to ding you for.

Just want you let all know, if you had the repair done before the 12/2009 date, try for a refund. I had my local dealer do the repair for both sides 11/19/2009 at a cost of $534 + tax. I contacted BMW corp. who told me to take it back to the dealer for them to go over the work that had been done and the dealer would take care of any refund. Well I took it back Jan 25, 2012 and they added 1 wire to the work they already had done and I just got my refund check in the mail yesterday. WOOOHOOOOOO

Originally Posted by bimergrin

Well I took it back Jan 25, 2012 and they added 1 wire to the work they already had done and I just got my refund check in the mail yesterday.

Awesome. I hope I get some money back too. Judging by your dates, I guess I'll have to wait till around the end of March.

Originally Posted by RCorney

Yeah, I wouldn't hold your breath on that one; the fix takes 20 minutes. That is unless you're like me and they take it in gladly for the quick fix but find something unrelated that warrants actual time and $$ for them to ding you for.

Got it done yesterday, didn't get a loaner, got there too late and they were all booked out. Told me it would probably take about 1.5 hours since there was a car or two ahead of me, so I told them I'd wait. Almost 3 hours later, my car was done. They told me they found a power steering leak and a coolant leak, but I'll be checking that out myself tonight and see if I can verify their claims.

I have a 2001 325i and have the issue with the tail light indicator is on all the time, it sometimes goes off when i turn on my lights but then as soon as I turn them off the indicator light comes back on.

Hi everyone I'm Trying to reprogram my key its diamond shape I've tried every way on here but it still just does nothing I got the car just before Xmas and the buttons worked when the felt like it I've changed the fzv under the spoiler and put a new rechargeable battery in the key I know the parts work as I took them from a working car from a scrap yard where I work. Any ideas can someone help cheers

Originally Posted by Fast Bob

For some odd reason, I`ve never heard of this problem affecting coupes....any feedback or opinions on that angle ?

And as far as BMWNA`s attitude goes, well, let`s just say the new corporate motto should be "We`re Only In It For The Money" . Things have certainly changed since I bought my first Bimmer in 1980....back then, there was not much plastic on those cars, the owner`s manual was quite informative, like a mini-Bentley manual, (they actually expected and encouraged you to work on your own car....what a concept ! :-), and the toolkit was about twice the size of the current one.

Here's your first. Title says it all.

Originally Posted by tim330i

Effected vehicles
325I - 2002-2005
325XI - 2002-2005
330I - 2002-2005
330XI - 2002-2005

Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC Mfr's Report Date: AUG 25, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V438000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Potential Number of Units Affected: 241,000

Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 325I, 325XI, 330I, AND 330XI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2001, THROUGH MARCH 1, 2005. OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING.

Consequence:
INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy:
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA Details - http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls...intVersion=YES

I definitely had the symptoms for this and just got around to dealing with it. The problem started probably 2 years ago for me, but the dash light was very infrequent. By the time I brought it in, the error showed itself 75% of the time upon start-up.

Took about an hour to fix. Stealer tried to tell me I had an oil leak and wanted $118 to diagnose for an hour. I lol as I left.

Thread re-opened after removing a few unnecessary comments.

Carry on.

Mine is affected, so tomorrow i will go to the BMW dealer ... =p My tail-Light is defected since last week i think.

Originally Posted by XtrlRulz

Mine is affected, so tomorrow i will go to the BMW dealer ... =p My tail-Light is defected since last week i think.

Have you looked at the situation ? YOu might be suprised how simple it is and save yourself all the hassle of taking the car in and either waiting hrs for them to get to it and paying $100--$125 hr for some slip-shod quicke work to get you out the door.

Wish I knew how to post a photo here to show you how simple it is.

Just open the trunk..... undo the plastic knob that holds the light bulbs in place and the whole assembly will come right out.

You will see the plug that is attached to the assembly. Squeeze the sides of it as you pull.....it will come right off.

Now look at the female part of the socket..... if it's fried, then you probably want the dealer to install a new one. If not.....and you can scrap the funk off the connector and get to some clean metal.....then you can save yourself $100--$200.

The next step is to have a 15" piece of #14 gauge wire with a femal push-on connector on one end and a round eyelet connector on the other.

Push the female connector onto the metal part of the light bulb assembly, there's two places right there for you to attach it. Just push it on.

On the other end peel back the rug on the wall and get to the wheel arch area where there's a metal stud with a nut on it...... take the nut off and put the other end of the #14 wire with the round connector onto the stud and put the nut back on...... YOUR DONE !!!

This takes about 2--3 mins ........ I've not heard anything about the right side tail light assembly......but if you are right there you might as well take another 2--3 mins and do it.

Any questions..... don't ask me here because I don't k now how to post or send you the photos showing how simple this really is.

Email me directly at mrc.engr@verizon.net and I can send you the pics directly.

My best........ Mike