1989 BMW 320 User Comment / Complaint

Frame weld at power steering box broke three times recall repairs refused due to no longer being under recall.  view

When applying the brakes, the steering wheel vibrates badly. this condition is worse when it is raining. the dealer not able to correct the problem. please describe details.  view

Seat belts lock in retractor when used. dealers have ordered parts for problem.  view

While drving the hood latch released from the lock which caused the hood to fly up, cause unknown. please give any further details.  view

Problem is with factory passenger's key ii security system. vehicle will most of the time, but will not start at times. the owner's manual states that if this occurs wait three minutes then it will start exactly three minutes later. i have talked with several other people who own the same type of vehicle and have or have had the same problem. i spoke with a service department supervisor at a pontiac dealer and he stated that he has replaced a "barrel full" of the key cylinders and not the security system module. it appears that in an area this small with an incident rate that high that there is a definite problem in which pontiac needs to investigate.  view

The automatic temperature control is not working. it only blows fan air. i've had the car serviced by the dealership who determined that the problem was the a/c module on the dashboard so they replaced it. afterwards, the a/c was working properly, but a month later after a long trip it stopped working again. i am baffled to what the problem is. i have gone to several websites which record car owner's complaints, and they have similar complaints with the same vehicle described above. i will post an announcement through these websites to direct their compaints to nhtsa. thank you.  view

Accelerator pedal stuck to floor and would not release while entering freeway @ 40mph. put both feet on brake pedal @ 70mph before pedal released and was able to regain control. cruise control was not engaged at time of incident.  view

Abs light comes on, it began when it rained and now at various times. the sensor has been worked on by a dealer 6 times, it has been cleaned, checked, replaced, repositioned,test driven, etc. and the problem still exists at this date.6/3/99.  view

Oct-nov-98, consumer exprienced windshield wiper control panel failure. there is a recall through gm for this problem, consumer's vehicle is not included.  view

Abs light stayed on and repairs were made. problem occurred three times. when brakes are applied vehicle makes noise, and extended stopping distance occurs. dealer notified about 14 times or more. problem still exists. provide further information.  view

Pulley on the serpentine belt assembly broke, causing loss of steering control. .et.  view

Upper ball joints failed, causing control arm damage/loss of control.  view

While driving at 30 mph ring and pinion gear broke, causing the transmission to fail without prior warning.  view

While driving at 30 mph ring and pinion gear broke, causing the transmission to fail without prior warning.  view

While driving at 40-50mph,on dry pavement, vehicle hit large tree, frontal impact, neither air bag deployed. dealer contacted and cannot remedy the problem. no warranty. provide further information.  view

While driving at 40-50mph,on dry pavement, vehicle hit large tree, frontal impact, neither air bag deployed. dealer contacted and cannot remedy the problem. no warranty. provide further information.  view

While driving at nightthe headlights would go out. there would be no warning. took vehicle to dealer at least 4 different times for headlights. problem could not be located.  view

Eventhough the 4- wheel drive light indicates that the system is engaged, it is not engaging in 4-wheel drive. the cold weather causes the seals in the vacumm to shrink. the manufacture/dealer acknowledge that this is a prolbem.  view

Consumer experiencing engine stalling upon starting the vehicle. after engine warms up, the vehicle would run normally. dealer was not notified.  view

When brakes were applied the vehicle suddenly accelerated, and stopped on its own. the dealer will inspect the vehicle.  view

While traveling the vehicle indication lights would come on without warning. dealer has been contacted. please provide further details.  view

The passenger's seat belt system malfunctioned, causing the shoulder belt to be in a "l" shaped position, resulting in the seatbelt being inoperative. the rear right side seatbelt will not buckle in, causing seatbelt to be inoperative. the left rear seatbelt is too loose and the seatbelt will not retract properly, it will not protect the occupant in event of an accident.  view

Faulty wiring harness included with alternator caused fire.  view

The passenger's seat belt system malfunctioned, causing the shoulder belt to be in a "l" shaped position, resulting in the seatbelt being inoperative. the rear right side seatbelt will not buckle in, causing seatbelt to be inoperative. the left rear seatbelt is too loose and the seatbelt will not retract properly, it will not protect the occupant in event of an accident.  view

Horn does not work properly; intermittently it would work sometimes. dealer not notified at this time.  view

Due to the location and the style of the manuel seat handle behind the left knee of the driver, when exiting the vehicle consumer dress got caught in the handle, resulting in the consumer falling out the vehicle face first. consumer sustained some minor injuries. consumer has contacted the dealer. please provide any further details.  view

At 30,000 miles the front and rear brake pads are prematurely wearing, and the wheel cylinders are leaking. cause unknown. please give any further details.  view

At 30,000 miles the front and rear brake pads are prematurely wearing, and the wheel cylinders are leaking. cause unknown. please give any further details.  view

Low beams dim, visibility approx. 30 feet. both headlight lenses have cloudy film inside. i have noticed this on several vehicles at dealer  view

Low beams dim, visibility approx. 30 feet. both headlight lenses have cloudy film inside. i have noticed this on several vehicles at dealer  view

The driver's bucket seats broke where it attaches to the seat support.  view

Steering completely failed when driving in clear, dry, midday weather on i-695 in baltimore. car wobbled right then left. driver tried to compensate, but car radically oversteered at first. then, on its own, the car sharply veered left across highway into concrete wall. skid marks showed car traveling in direction of wheels, i.e. no lateral skid marks, so wheels were turned to left in spite of attempts to turn right. we are temporarily holding the car for your possible investigation. please notify asap.  view

Cannot find anyone to install on/off switch for air bag!.  view

Starter replaced.  view

Transmission slips. dealer unable to identify problem.  view

Lock on the child safety seat isn't locking properly, enabling the child to get out while the consumer is driving. this is a safety problem.  view

Vehicle overheated without registering it on temperature gauge inside instrument panel, causing vehicle to lose compression/ anti-freeze/oil and stall. dealer notified.  view

Vehicle overheated without registering it on temperature gauge inside instrument panel, causing vehicle to lose compression/ anti-freeze/oil and stall. dealer notified.  view

Windshield wiper switch stops completely when hitting a bump, problem is intermittently. dealer is aware of the problem. vehicle is not included in a similar recall. problem still exists. provide further information.  view

While vehicle was stopped it was rearended. had child in extended cab bench seat. the seat collapsed backwards & child's head hit side of cab. the front seats collapsed backwards onto child seated in rear. child sustained serious injuries from the seat. both seats fell backwards upon impact. vehicle was totaled.  view

The fuel filter housing has pin holes in it that are leaking onto the motor. eadelr says the housing needs to be replaced.  view

While driving at night the instrument panel lights behind the speedometer would go out for no reason, other panel lights ok. whenever vehicle hit a bump, the lights on the panel are affected. took to dealer & was informed instrument panel lights not covered by warranty. this is a consistent problem.  view

While warming up the vehicle the starter caught on fire. consumer opened the door's to let out the smoke, and cut the vehicle off. started to put out the fire, and then the fire went out by itself.  view

Consumer noticed that upon starting the vehicle all the coolant had leaked out due to the timing chain cover gasket which needed replacing. if the vehicle was driven under those conditions the vehicle would overheat. consumer has contacted the dealer. please provide any further.  view

Intermittent stalling.  view

The passenger seat belt motorized shoulder belt is stuck in a forward position, causing the shoulder belt to be inoperative which will not protect the occupant in event of an accident. cause unknown. please provide details.  view

The defective engine cooling fan malfunctioned when the air conditioner was activated the fan melted into the shroud which caused a fire. cause unknown. please provide details.  view

Consumer was involved in an accident. another vehicle struck consumer's vehicle from left front bumper and driver's side. seat belt failed to retract; causing consumer's head to hit windshield. dealer/manufacturer notified.  view

Intemittently while driving the windshield wipers will come on. often times the washer fluid will spew out and the wipers will become inoperable, causing the driver's view to be obstruced. the manufacturer has been notified.  view

Car has had serious braking, transmission and cooling problems since the date purchased. has been in the shop for these repairs more then 12 times. dealer & ford have said there is nothing wrong with this car. i have read 33 pages of comments of 1996 mustang owners who are experiencing the same serious defects that i have. please do something about this unsafe vehicle!  view

Car has had serious braking, transmission and cooling problems since the date purchased. has been in the shop for these repairs more then 12 times. dealer & ford have said there is nothing wrong with this car. i have read 33 pages of comments of 1996 mustang owners who are experiencing the same serious defects that i have. please do something about this unsafe vehicle!  view

We have been having a problem for over a year with our windshield wipers stopping for no reason. i heard about the recall in september 1998, and have been trying with no luck to get the manufacturer to fix it. but they say our vin number is not on the list. this is very fustrating to not be listened to. i feel that they are deliberately putting customers at risk by not listening to our concerns. what will happen when people die from a defective wiper that wasn't on the vin list???  view

The repair cost has been quoted as $1,200. the air conditioner has only been used for three summers, it is a seasonal convenience.  view

Shoulder buckle on intergrated child seats fails to stay secured, giving way with slight pressure.  view

While driving on freeway placed automobile in cruise control. after a while automobile began to speed up out of control. consumer could not disengage automobile. applied brakes until rear brakes caught on fire. no injuries.  view

The gear shift lever button corroded off. explain further.  view

While driving on freeway placed automobile in cruise control. after a while automobile began to speed up out of control. consumer could not disengage automobile. applied brakes until rear brakes caught on fire. no injuries.  view

Joann larkin is the owner of the vehicle. the hood cylinder that holds the hood up broke, causing the fluid to come out and the hood to fall, resulting in injuries. please provide further information and vin#.  view

While driving at 30 mph the brake pads fell off the vehicle which damaged the rotors and other parts on the vehicle.  view

Engine check light came on because the gaskets are leaking oil. dealer replaced the valve gaskets and the seals. leaking oil messed up the wiring and the spark plugs.  view

Engine check light came on because the gaskets are leaking oil. dealer replaced the valve gaskets and the seals. leaking oil messed up the wiring and the spark plugs.  view

While driving 60 mph a malfunction occurred within the transmission, causing vehicle to remain in 2nd gear. cause unknown. please give any further details.  view

While driving vehicle dies. restarted vehicle, but it lost control.  view

Someone ran into consumer head-on, and seat belts did not hold him. driver/wife and two children were injured.  view

Engine failure was complete loss of power at highway speed. no warning but problem self corrected each time after stopping the car.  view

Engine failure was complete loss of power at highway speed. no warning but problem self corrected each time after stopping the car.  view

Brakes wearing prematurly on front, no accident yet.  view

Engine failure was complete loss of power at highway speed. no warning but problem self corrected each time after stopping the car.  view

Engine failure was complete loss of power at highway speed. no warning but problem self corrected each time after stopping the car.  view

Engine failure was complete loss of power at highway speed. no warning but problem self corrected each time after stopping the car.  view

While driving the vehicle will stall without any warning but the vehicle will start up again. took to the dealer numerous times, dealer cannot determine problem.  view

When brakes are applied they would vibrate. power steering belt not working properly. took to dealer & mechanic repaired brakes & steering belt. was going upan incline & applied brakes lightly. vehicle pulled to left. emergency brake failed. hit phone pole. air bags did not deploy. taken vehicle back to dealer.  view

When brakes are applied they would vibrate. power steering belt not working properly. took to dealer & mechanic repaired brakes & steering belt. was going upan incline & applied brakes lightly. vehicle pulled to left. emergency brake failed. hit phone pole. air bags did not deploy. taken vehicle back to dealer.  view

The driver's side restraints do not retract, causing the metal to tear a hole in the seat. the dealer replaced the restraints. the passenger restraint will not retract. also, the dealer will replace the restraints. the manufacturer will be contated.  view

When the vehicle is driven with the air conditioning and/or the lights, the ignition switch and the key become extremely hot. the dealer will be notified.  view

Engine stalls at driving speeds/this has happen 6 times since nov 98/dealer and says he can not explain it/mazda says they can not explain it/research has come up with 3 other similiar problems/odi id's 539648/813760/826489///this is a major safety problem.  view

This is the third time the power sunroof has failed, each time it fails in the exact same manner, the window is opened slightly to vent and then the unit fails, and it won't open or close. the second time, the car was in the shop for over a week, then i had to wait a month for a part to come in. in the meanwhile, i could not use the sunroof either. the headlights stay on most of the time when the car is on. the sensor seems to work intermittently. on bright, sunny days, the headlights come on. on cloudy, rainy days, when the lights should be on, they don't come on. the dealer couldn't find anything wrong with it.  view

Pe96-029, active, pitman arm failure, discovered when checking the parts (other vehicle from 985920).  view

This is the third time the power sunroof has failed, each time it fails in the exact same manner, the window is opened slightly to vent and then the unit fails, and it won't open or close. the second time, the car was in the shop for over a week, then i had to wait a month for a part to come in. in the meanwhile, i could not use the sunroof either. the headlights stay on most of the time when the car is on. the sensor seems to work intermittently. on bright, sunny days, the headlights come on. on cloudy, rainy days, when the lights should be on, they don't come on. the dealer couldn't find anything wrong with it.  view

A pungent odor is coming from the ventilation system similar to a urine smell. this odor exists anytime the ventilation system is turned on regardless of whether it is the air conditioning system or heater. in contacting the dealer i was told there is a problem with mold and mildew build-up in the ventilation boxes of the late model taurus's. the dealer indicated there is a technical service bulletin published on this issue but they won't perfrom the work because of the health risk to service technicians using the required cleaning solvent. no only is this an irritating problem, i am concerned about the health risk to myself and my family from mold and mildew spores or any other biological health hazards created by this problem. please advise. thanks.  view

No summary listed for this vehicle.  view

While driving at any speed the engine check light keeps coming on and off. vehicle will shut down while driving, and the ignition is experiencing some internal short circuit problems.  view

We took the car to the dealer to have a transmission line leak fixed (replacement of the line). we alos smelled a gasoline smell when starting the car in the morning. the dealer informed us that there was also a fuel leak in a line on the engine. the delaer told us that the line needed to be replaced or it could cause a fire. we let them have the vehicle and they said it would be fixed in a week. three weeks later we were still without the car; the delaer told us that chrysler was not supplying the original factory part for replacement because the part was apparently being redesigned. we asked why an original factory part could not be installed; they said it could, but that the part might not work and we might risk a fire. chrysler did not charge for the part, but we were out of us of the car for about 3 weeks.  view

The truck has had chronic brake pull problems - either to the right or left side. the dealer hasn't been responsive to resolve the problem in question. no parts were replaced by the dealer; chrysler has been very unresponsive to the problem. the pull is so bad that the truck will actually change lanes while braking. i am not sure if nhtsa really does anything, but if they stand for safety, then this problem should be very seriously looked into. many other people have complained about this same problem. for more information concerning the brake pull problems, please refer to: http://www.cartrackers.com/forums/messages/164.mechgoblins.html. there are many people there that have experienced the same problem i have.( dot number: tire size: 245/75 )  view

When engine is hotter than normal or in warm weather the vehicle will stall without warning. cause unknown. please give any further details.  view

Tensioner rod broke. this happened while driver was pulling into a parking space. the problem has been corrected by the dealership.  view

Abs sensor light stays on. dealer notified, and informed consumer it would cost $75.00 to inspect, and estimated $1000.00 for repairs.  view

Check engine light comes on all the time for no reason. the transmisson locked up, causing the car to cut off when put into gear. dealer says vehicle needs new transmission.  view

Automatic door malfunctions everytime consumer unlocked it -it relocked itself-also auto jumped into gear an rolled by itself.  view

Check engine light comes on all the time for no reason. the transmisson locked up, causing the car to cut off when put into gear. dealer says vehicle needs new transmission.  view

Consumer noticed that when the gas tank is fulled up the gas will start leaking from the bottom of the tank as if there is a hole in it. consumer was told by a dealer that it may be an hose clamp.  view

Whenever driving all of a sudden the engine will shut off. theis has happened three times within ten days. the dealer has changed the fuel pump three times, and the problem still happens.  view

Intermittent problem: when depressing the brake pedal under normal braking, consumer noticed a very loud griding noise sound as if it's metal to metal coming from the front brakes. consumer has contacted the dealer on four occasions. dealer has attempted to correct problem, problem still occurs. please provide any further details.  view

Anti-lock brake module failed. i took vehicle to mechanic. he could not obtain replacement part because dealer would not provide it to him. dealer stated that vehicle had to be brought into them for rapair. dealer mechanic advised us that repair was not necessary bacause brakes worked, just anti-lock feature would not work. we waited for several months to save up for the repair. and had the dealer repair the antilock brakes. i feel the dealer is making a hazard on the road by not providing the necessary replacement parts to other repair shops. the dealer also charges higher prices and this dealer always causes somthing else to go wrong in the process of repairing the problem it was brought in for. that is the main reason we use an independent mechanic to repair problems that were under warranty. we paid for the repairs so the dealer couldn't screw up the truck any more.  view

When attempting to make a left hand turn at 35 mph lost all power and all acceleration. consumer contacted the dealer. dealer stated cause was due to a faulty fuel pump and sending unit which need replacing. please provide any further details.  view

When exiting the highway at 15-25 mph and when attempting to make a turn off the highway consumer lost all power. vehicle became very hard to steer and operate. also, noticed all lights illuminated on the dashboard. consumer contacted the dealer, dealer stated problem was due to the serpentine belt and tensioner which needed replacing. please provide any further details.  view

Rear leaf spring separation of lower leaf from upper part of spring. problem was resolved by dealer under warranty by replacing both rear leaf spring assemblies. the part that failed appears to be a shear pin that locates and mantains the alignment of the leaf spring layers.  view

Over several weeks i noticed an intermittent problem with my automatic transmission. it would "lunge forward" and then default to the "limp home" mode (3rd gear). the problem became more serious a few days ago, when it reset into 1st gear or neutral while driving. given the more urgent and possibly dangerous situation i took it to my dodge dealer. the transmission must be overhauled. chyrsler is willing to pay for the parts ($950), however i am stuck with the labor ($1000). investigation at another internet site suggests that many owners of '94 and '95 intrepids have experienced a similar problem. i believe that this defect may warrant a recall. it is interesting that chysler is willing to pay for the parts, this suggests to me some admission of a system defect. if it is a known and widespread defect, why am i still required to pay the labor costs to correct it?  view

Displeased with auto transmission, problem #1, when the transmission shifts from 2nd into 3rd gear it will shift with a very uneasy noise ( like the transmission has a problem shifting into 3rd, this will not happen all the time and the truck can be cold or at normal running temperture for the transmission to shift uneasy. the dealer this problem has been on going for years and their are trying to come up with a quick fix to fix this issue without having to replace my transmission, they did tell me that gm has already replace and rebuilt alot of transmission in the united states for this problem. i have been told by the sales rep. that sold me the truck that he has a flyer from gm with a statment just to the dealer's about this problem. problem #2 while driving the truck between 41 to 45 mph the truck will shake cause from the transmission and engine not working together, i went to my local chevrolet dealer and had there service garage drive the truck and he said this was cause from the engine running a 1000 rpm while driving between 41 to 45 mph and if i didn't like the shaking of the truck, to drive it in 3rd gear and not overdrive so to allow the engine to run at a higher rpm. i paid almost $30,000.00 for this truck, i feel as if i been burnt gm and the term "let a rock" means let a rock like "nogo"  view

Automatic door malfunctions everytime consumer unlocked it -it relocked itself-also auto jumped into gear an rolled by itself.  view

Transmission jerks while increasing speed  view

While traveling from minnesota to texas consumer learned that the trunk cargo light remained on and had burned several holes in a coat/ burned through a garment and a suit. light did not have a shield and it stayed on while trunk was closed. delaer was not contacted at this time.  view

When applying the accelerator, the pedal stuck and caused the driver to run into a fence. dealer could find no cause for failure.  view

When the child safety seat is rear facing, child cannot be strapped in tightly. also, cannot reach the harness adjustor when the seat is rear facing. please include the model number and date seat was made.  view

Consumer awoke to a small fire in garage due to an electrical problem that occurred in the engine compartment. dealer determined starter spring broke causing it to remain engaged while driving. .et.  view

Consumer was involved in a rear end collision and was forced into another vehicle in which neither driver or passenger side air bags deployed, causing injuries to both driver and passenger. consumer has contacted the dealer. dealer stated vehicle had over 5000 dollars worth of damage to the front end.  view

Consumer was involved in a rear end collision and was forced into another vehicle in which neither driver or passenger side air bags deployed, causing injuries to both driver and passenger. consumer has contacted the dealer. dealer stated vehicle had over 5000 dollars worth of damage to the front end.  view

Accidental fire, resulted from an unspecified fuel leak emitting from the front of the holley carburetor.  view

Vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control, result of a defective carburetor, secondary throttle plate on the carburetor corroded shut during the normal, throttle linkage sticking against the secondary throttle linkage.  view

During front impact at less than 5 mph, the passenger's side air bag deployed without reason, causing passenger to sustain burns to the skin. please provide details. 838195 dup of 824824; posted on 09-07-1999.  view