| Issue ID | 883718 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10427117 |
| Manufacurer | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| Brand | BMW |
| Model | 330I |
| Model Year | 2004 |
| File date | 30/01/09 |
| Component | EXTERIOR LIGHTING |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | The zkw-brand xenon headlights that came equipped on the vehicle (a 2004 bmw 330i) have lost their brightness intensity, resulting in nighttime light output that is dangerously low. The problem specifically is that the heat from the projector bulbs melt or discolor the reflective bowls, which decreases the high- and low-beam light output. The heat also discolors the plastic headlight lenses. The bulbs still throw a very low level of light, but without the reflectivity they do little to illuminate the road at night. Service records indicate that bmw noted the problem on my vehicle in the first three months of 2009, but if the parts were replaced they have failed again since then. This is a non-wear item. Many other vehicle owners have also reported this problem. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 83293 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | MINNEAPOLIS, MN |
| VIN pattern | WBAEV53444KXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 0 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |