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BMW Miscellaneous Problems

BMW • Airbags • "Certified, pre-owned" BMWs • Cooling fan failure • Flaming seats • Flooded trunk • Paint problems • Steering failure • Transmission problems • Warranties • BMW Financial Services • Miscellaneous problems • 740 Series • 740 cell phones --- News • BMW Plans Price Hike • Transmission Failures Plague BMW Owners • New BMW to Burn Hydrogen and Gasoline • Gay Automotive Website Takes on BMW

Vincent of Maspeth NY (10/3/03):
I don't know whats going on, but everyone I know who has a BMW loves it and claims never to have any problems. That isn't the case for me. Maybe I just got unlucky. I'm really begining to think I purchased a lemon, and if the problems keep up, I will definitly be lemon lawing this car. I've had this vehicle since February 2003 with only 3,900 miles on it ... that's 8 months now, and I've been back to the dealer 6 times now and next week will be the 7th.

So far I've been back to the dealer for: bad smell coming from the A/C, alarm not arming, passanger one-touch window not working properly, trunk opening by itself, rear tow hook loose, passenger seat belt not locking causing my friend to hit his head on the dashboard, turning signal light went out, panic alarm malfunctioning, jack broke while changing flat tire leaving me stranded for 2 hrs waiting for BMW roadside assistance (which was 1 hr late and didn't bring the right jack), remote keys not functioning (several times, and a few times after picking up car from dealer), the vehicle also staled out a few times, the car sometimes shakes a lot when first starting and lasts about a minute.

I had to bring the car in for a recall on the electronic control unit, and a few other things, which I cann't remember at this time also went wrong, causing me to bring the car in as well. I'm going to give BMW a little while longer to get this car working properly, but am so far disappointed with the vehicle and service received. Just because this is the least expensive BMW shouldn't mean that a customer receives the cheapest service. I was told on several occasions to wait up to 1 month before getting a service appiontment. I of course didn't accept this and forced the dealer to service my car sooner.

I have contacted both BMW of Manhattan and BMW of North America. Both say that none of my problems qualify for lemon law. They are very nasty and unprofessional. Even if that is so, there is obviously something wrong with this vehicle, all I want is a replacement, they can keep the money.

Jeanine of Long Beach CA (9/24/03):
I purchased a 328i BMW in June 2000 and I have had nothing but problems with the car. Within 2 months of purchase the oil pan gasket was leaking. It had to be repaired twice. 3 of the window regulators have broken; the drivers side twice within 1 1/2 years of owning car. In November 2001 with 24,903 miles the water pump froze and lost bearings causing to wobble, tearing drive belt and causing to jump pully resulting in overheating.

The drive belt broke. Water pump replaced and new drive belt. On September 5, 2003 with about 53,000 miles the cylinder head cracked. Cost to repair $7,000; extended warranty denied claim. The car has been a lemon since day one and I am extremely disappointed in the number of problems with an expensive car for which I paid cash. The service writer at Long Beach BMW service technician doesn't respond when I have questioned why the cylinder head cracked on a car with 53,000.

Jennifier of Simi Valley CA (8/18/03):
The windows on my BMW SUV have continual problems. The windows will not roll up and I have to constantly keep taking the car into the dealership to repair the problem. Due to mileage my car is out of warranty. Therefore, I have to pay for the window repair. I feel that the parts that are replaced by BMW are defective because the repairs only last temporarily and then the same problem occurs. When I spoke to the receptionist at BMW she said that some cars have this problem. Why wasn't I warned before I purchased the car? I would have purchased a different brand hand I known.

Due to the broken window: Rain goes inside the car and causes wear and tear, car is unsecure & there could be possible theft or damage to vehicle, Children inside the car also suffer the consequences of cold and sickness because window can't be repaired.

Chad of Owings Mills MD (8/13/03):
On 1/21/03 I purchased a Certified Preowned BMW 328i from BMW of Towson. Six days after taking delivery of the car I had to return the car to the dealership for warranty service. Not only did the car require many repairs (see list below) but also these repairs were not completed in a timely manner. Repairs that should have taken a day took over a week and a half to complete. After picking the car up from service it was apparent that some of these repairs were not even completed at all. I immediately notified the service department of the situation and returned the car a few days later once again.

While the car was in for these warranty repairs (once again car was in for over a week) the dealership informed me that they damaged the car. Over 90% of the exterior panels on the car had been scratched and gouged in some way. I was told this damage occurred while the dealership was removing snow from their parking lot and from the car itself. The car subsequently had to have much of the exterior repaired and repainted. I was told that the car would be properly repaired and that you would only be able to tell the car had been repainted by using a micrometer. I was told that there would not be any paint seams visible and that there would not be any over spray anywhere on the car. I was told the car would look almost new.

For the first three weeks the car was in for repairs BMW of Towson ignored my inquiries and phone calls. During this time I didn't know where the car was nor did I know when the car would be ready. Almost a month later and after being ignored by BMW of Towson I was finally contacted and told the car was now ready and “perfectly” repaired. When I came to the dealership to pick the car up and evaluate the repairs it was obvious that the paint repairs were in fact not done properly. There was silver paint over spray all over the engine compartment, there were many areas of scratches still present, and tape seams visible. The car had to be sent back not once but three times to the body shop over the course of another month. Each time I was promised that the repairs would be done properly.

To date and after the car being returned to the body shop three times, there is paint that has peeled and that is flaking. These areas are present on both front left and right fender lips, both left front and left rear wheel well lips and on the left rear quarter panel lip where it meets the rear deck lid. There are panels that do not match adjoining panels (right front). There are still scratches that have not been repaired at all and there are areas of improperly repaired damage still present (rear deck lid). BMW of Towson is refusing to repair the car properly and any further. BMW of Towson is now also telling me that the previous owner had repainted the car. This only being told to me after three months into this ordeal and after being told the car was ready three times.

I am being told I purchased a Certified Preowned BMW with a bad paint job from BMW of Towson's own representative. When I first purchased the car the salesman told me that the car had not been previously damaged or repainted. The BMW of Towson representative told me that the previous owner was local and that he had taken very good care of the car. He told me that all maintenance was done on the car at the BMW of Towson dealership and that they knew the full history of the car. I would never have bought a car if I had known it had been repainted, or considered paying the premium dollars that I paid to purchase this BMW Certified vehicle.

I have appraisals indicating the car has diminished in value aprox $6000 - $10,500 because of the car having "extensive body repairs." I have been in contact with a quality certified and licensed paint repair facility and have been told it will cost a minimum of $6000.00 to properly repaint and repair the paint problems and damage that BMW of Towson inflicted on the car. A full thorough itemized repair estimate is currently in the works. I am also waiting on another diminished value appraisal to be completed. BMW of Towson has refused to honor the 5 year warranty on the paint repairs that I was promised through both BMW of Towson and the Carstar repair facility.

Warranty repairs that were required just after purchase... 1. Throttle linkage had to be replaced. 2. Left seat belt retractor needed to be replaced. 3. Right seat belt retractor needed to be replaced. 4. Sunroof/moonroof inoperative and off track. 5. CD player would not eject. 6. Drivers seat loose and makes noises while cornering/driving. (seat frame replaced, still not properly fixed) 7. Idle lumpy and surged. 8. Rear left tweeter was inoperative. 9. Drivers window regulator had to be replaced. 10. Drivers door key activation for windows and sunroof was inoperative. 11. Service Engine Soon indicator light has been coming on off and on. (current and not yet fixed)

Chad should pursue the dealership in Small Claims Court.

Kevin of Monroe MI (7/9/03):
I purchased a new BMW 745i and had it in for service several times (15) or more and experienced electronic failures as have thousand of other BMW 745i owners. Some have been given replacement cars. I have been told that when my warranty is up it is my problem. It appears that BMW is selective as to who they replace cars for. I have lost possession of my car at least 15 times and have been embarrassed beyond belief when this car has suffered electronic problems.

Cenk of San Rafael CA (2/18/02):
I have a 2001 bmw 330ci, with 15k miles on it. I had just pulled out of a driveway, made a left turn WHEN i heard a puff sound and didn't realize what happened. I then scraped up against a parked car, I was only traveling about 10mph. I found out that my steering in my car had gone out.

BMW investigated and said my car had somehow bottomed out and then I crashed which caused the steering to go out. Not our fault, they said. I am very dissatisfied with how they handled this problem.

Selma of Hartwell GA (6/2/03):
Purchased a 2001 BMW 330i from Athens BMW on 03/30/01. Oil light came on after approximately 600 miles; had to add a quart of oil. Dealer changed oil @ l5,000 miles....shortly thereafter had to add another quart of oil --dealer changed oil @ 30,000 miles, after 2.000 miles had to add a quart and after 2,000 more had to add 2 quarts.

Took auto to dealer on May 29, 2003 after being advised to bring it in; service manager informed us there was nothing he could do about it. My son said "bullshit" to him -- "My mom is 65 years old and you tell her you cannot do anything about this car after she paid $36,000 for it."

The next day I called the rep and he said this car should not be burning oil and that he would have the owner call me. The owner called and said "your son cursed" my people yesterday and do not bring your car back here again. I have 15,000 miles remaining on my warranty ... what am I supposed to do? This is the absolute height of haughty attitude toward a defenseless owner.

Nashell of San Jose CA (5/24/03):
1997 540i BMW pixels in the dash that displays the odometer, warning readings,gear placement (D-for Drive, R-for reverse) are going out. My car has 67K miles on it. However, if I sold my BMW my odometer pixels are almost completely out now and appears to have only 7K miles.

I can no longer read any warnings the car is trying to tell me (trunk open, car door open, brake light out) and I can no longer read my odometer due to the pixels going out on my BMW 540i dashboard. BMW owners can lie or simply lose tract of what the true mileage is on their car since BMW will not conduct a recall for these pixels that are going out on many BMW's. The cost for each consumer to replace the pixels is over $650.

Mary of Arcadia CA 95/20/03):
I leased a 2000 BMW 323i in August of 2000. This vehicle was a demo vehicle with 13,000 miles on it. In May of 2003 I noticed a squeaking sound. Upon taking the vehicle to a BMW specialist, I was informed that the floor pan was tearing at the cross-member on the rear driver side. There is absolutely no sign of abuse on any part of the undercarriage.

We took the vehicle to BMW and were provided a loaner vehicle to use until a decision was made about what would be done. Our vehicle has 52,500 miles on it (2,500 miles past the 50,000 mile warranty). Apparently, the 50,000 mile warranty includes the 13,000 miles which were already on the vehicle when we purchased it. As a result, the factory has stated that the factory defect on the vehicle is actually our responsibility and has offered to pay half of the $4,600 repair in what they referred to as a "good faith" offer. We should not be responsible to pay $2,300 to repair a factory defect and be forced to continue paying on a vehicle whose floor pan will have been weakened by cutting and welding.

Stephen of Heath OH writes (1/7/01):
I leased a 1999 BMW 528i from BMW Sacramento, CA. Shortly after I purchased it I was entering the 101 Freeway Southbound in Santa Clara when a truck carrying gravel hit a speed bump and showered the car with rocks. The windshield and the paint had chips and scratches that I promptly reported to my insurance company, State Farm. I took the car to have it repaired at Weatherford BMW in Berkeley, CA. Shortly after this service I completed my divorce and returned to the Weatherford BMW to have them buy back the car paying the cash difference.

The sales manager inspected the car and asked me if the car had ever been wrecked or repainted. I stated that the car had never been wrecked, but that it had been repainted. He stated that the car was worthless and that BMW would not buy back the car. I asked how if a BMW shop repaired the vehicle that BMW considered the car to be worthless. "You are telling me that your bodyshop does shoddy work?" I asked. He shot back "I never said that!" and then demanded that I leave.

I then took the car to BMW Santa Rosa, where I found the same situation, but this time the Sales Manager looked like he was going to have a heart attack when he told us the same thing and escorted me out of the dealership, like I had committed a crime.

Edie of Hamilton, Bermuda, writes:
My car got struck by lightning on the night on August 21st, 2000. I contacted Customer Service in Germany, Mr. Hans Heiland, who took awhile to respond, but he did. He said there was no record of a BMW ever being struck by lightning.

However, we felt that the car should be looked at thoroughly by a BMW expert. Well, Heiko Dorman came down and inspected the car. We felt that for safety's sake, as one could never know the effects of lightning, the the entire car should be rewired and looked at carefully. He stated that if the car were to be entirely rewired we might as well get a new car. Well, if that was the case we should then get a new car.

Since then the local garage here connected with BMW Germany have stated that the car is repaired to THEIR satisfaction. Unfortunately, their satisfaction does not count here. Mine Does. The car does not sound right -- the indicators do not sound like they originally did. The buzzer indicated that lights have been left on after the engine has been turned off sounds like it has a serious case of the flu. They have compared these sounds to other cars in their possession. But we have seen three other cars - one identical to ours which sounds just like what our car sounded like.

Why are they in such a rush for me to sign my car off and drive away? I am the customer. I am not satisfied. I need help with this. It has been well over three months and I feel that Heiko Dorman could have done more in order to satisfy us. He stated that the information I received from Hans Heiland in the Customer Service Department is not valid. Well if that is the case, why do they have this department? Please I am very frustrated, very confused and do not want to take my car if I am not satisfied.

We're curious how Herr Heiland is so certain that no BMW has ever been struck by lightning. But leaving that aside, the fact is that cars do occasionally take lightning hits, thanks to steel-belted tires and other factors. We think Edie is talking to the wrong people. If she wants compensation for damage, she should be talking to her insurance company. But she will have to demonstrate that the damage in fact occurred, which may not be easy.

Debbie of Monterey Park CA (3/31/03):
I own a 1997 BMW Z3 roadster. the car has 42,000 miles on it and has been housed in a gargage. I have taken the car in for routine maintenance. Most recently, both the front and passenger seats have begun to shift when I step on the brake. I took it to Crevier and they said that the seat rails were defective and needed to be replaced at the cost of $600.00 per seat. In all of the time I have owned cars, I have never had this happen to me. I am not overweight so I can rule weight or driving sytle out as reason the rails are failing.

In speaking to the dealer ship it is their position that the car is out of warranty so I need to pay for the repair. I contacted BWM headquarters via the internet and their position is that the car is out of warranty so they are no longer responsible. I called over to BMW and their position holds that the car is out of warranty. Their agents were very stoic and gave off the impression that they are too good to hear what I have to say. What concerns me is that my father is a retired auto mechanic and said that the seat rails should not fail and give since the seat is a very integral part of safety.

I've owned Toyotas, Hondas, Nissans and Chrysler-Plymouths and never had this problem. I am very concerned that if I get rear ended, the seat will give and I will fly into the air bag. Pay for the seat rails to be replaced if I am so concerned, well, I feel that if it was only the driver's seat, I might have caused the problem. But it is both the driver and passenger seat. If BWM is such a quality product, why did the seat fail? I have no issues with replacing water pumps, timing belts,and the like, but the seat?

I think that BMW needs to step up to this one. I paid for the broken shock absorber mount to be repaired. But then again on a vehicle that has 42,000 miles on it should not have a seat failure. Also, the passenger side airbag area is being blocked by the leather dash cover. Initially, I did not bring that up because I felt that BWM would say that the damage is caused by expoosure to the sun. However, there are not cracks in the leather. BMW's attitude of not wanting the customer to have the "great BMW" experience does not bode well. I am very disappointed in how I am being trated by BMW.

Rocio of Torrance CA (3/26/03):
Purchased new 2002 325 from dealership and within one week the car did not start. Irvine BMW serviced the vehicle. However 6 months later the differential began leaking. I took it back to Irvine BMW and claimed it was repaired. Within weeks the differential was still leaking and they had no comment to the first error and asked to service the vehicle again. Again, weeks later the differential was leaking. Finally, it was replaced completely on the third try.

Recently, the car was brought in to inspect: coolant light, sticking transmission, and humming noise. After two service attempts, none of the problems have been resolved.

Anthony of San Francisco (3/14/03):
I have a 2001 BMW 330i and the dealer stated the DME control unit needs to be replace because little traces for soda was found in the seal and enclosed area. They told me they can not determine how it got in there, since the DME is seal from water getting in. Since a little track of soda got in, it's not a manfacture defect and it's not covered under warranty. There were no tracks of anyone tampering with the DME.

They want me to pay $2600 to replace the unit. I think it's a manfacture detect since they did say the unit is seal from water getting in; well, soda is similar to water, it's liquid. Liquid got in and it's not covered?

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