Rear lamp illumination

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into BMW vehicles. Closed 22 December 2009.

Investigation
PE09036
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
7 August 2009
Closed
22 December 2009

What NHTSA investigated

Odi has received complaints from consumers stating that their tail light assembly is not properly illuminating.the tail light assembly consists of a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp and a brake lamp.the complainants have indicated that the issue is with an 8 pin connector and associated ground wiring.these components are allegedly overheating and melting due to excessive electrical current that runs through the system.bmw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) SIB-630306 on february 2007 to address the condition by adding supplementary ground wiring to the tail lamp assembly.odi is upgrading to an ea to further investigate the issue.

The recall that followed

  1. BMW — Exterior Lighting: Brake Lights11V43800026 August 2011241,000 vehicles

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
BMW318I2003
BMW3252002
BMW325I2002–2005
BMW325XI2002–2005
BMW328XI2005
BMW330I2002–2005
BMW330XI2002–2005
BMW335XI2005
BMW3 SERIES2002–2005
BMWE462002–2005
BMWM32002–2005

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.