The contact owns a 2003 BMW M3. The contact stated that the electrical system shorted out and all the electrical devices failed to work. The vehicle decelerated without warning and the engine went into limp mode and lost power. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a new battery was needed and a part on the fuse box needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Chicago, IL, USA

Windows were closed. There had been a light rain. Temperature was about 90 degrees F. doors were unlocked. Upon shutting the ignition key off in a parking lot, both doors locked automatically and immediately. Lock button on console was not pushed. Both doors would not open, by use of the buttons on the keys or by the console button. Two different keys were tried. The door handles moved, but would not open the doors. I don't believe the outside door handles would have opened the doors either because the doors were "locked". the inside temperature of the car began to rise rapidly so the engine was started to provide air conditioning. Restarting the engine several times did not change the condition of the locked doors. After 10 to 12 minutes I decided to lower the driver's side window and use the key in the door lock on the exterior of the car. This finally unlocked both doors. This could have been deadly if there was an engine fire and I had pull over the car and shut the key off. The doors may lock. A disabled or weak person may not have the strength to break the glass or climb out the window if they panic. I am very scared to use the car at this point...even to drive it to get repaired.

- Newfoundland, NJ, USA

BMW M3 E46 (2001-2005) do not respond to any standard obdii commands from various tool manufacturers. These vehicles do not seem to be obdii compliant.

- Mesa, AZ, USA