The defect
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.
The risk
INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 325i | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| BMW 325xi | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| BMW 330i | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
| BMW 330xi | 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 325i | 2002 | 162 | 6 |
| BMW 325i | 2003 | 199 | 7 |
| BMW 325i | 2004 | 147 | 4 |
| BMW 325i | 2005 | 71 | 4 |
| BMW 325xi | 2002 | 68 | 6 |
| BMW 325xi | 2003 | 31 | 5 |
| BMW 325xi | 2004 | 55 | 4 |
| BMW 325xi | 2005 | 27 | 4 |
| BMW 330i | 2002 | 45 | 6 |
| BMW 330i | 2003 | 77 | 6 |
| BMW 330i | 2004 | 113 | 4 |
| BMW 330i | 2005 | 28 | 4 |
| BMW 330xi | 2002 | 20 | 5 |
| BMW 330xi | 2003 | 33 | 5 |
| BMW 330xi | 2004 | 13 | 4 |
| BMW 330xi | 2005 | 12 | 4 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2011
21 of the 597 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2011 concerned the exterior lighting; BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC filed 89 campaigns in all.
| 11V578000 5 Dec 2011 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
| 11V541000 3 Nov 2011 | LOTUS CARS LTD |
| 11V506000 19 Oct 2011 | HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY |
| 11V352000 13 Jul 2011 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 11V354000 13 Jul 2011 | KANDI USA INC. |
| 11V343000 27 Jun 2011 | INDIAN MOTORCYCLE COMPANY |
| 11V340000 27 Jun 2011 | YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA |
| 11V327000 15 Jun 2011 | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2011