Dealer recommends that tail light assemblies be replaced because electrical components have worn, leaving brake lights unreliable. How can a non-moving electrical part wear out?

- Bethesda, MD, USA

I also get the brake light circuit problem over and over again. The short is actually in the brake light housing, and the metal clip gets eroded from a heat build up due to the short. This causes a small hole in the metal clip of the bulb, and therefore, each time you replace the bulbs, you get a new hole. I have had this problem for about 4 years, and I just keep replacing the bulbs and the parts, since my warranty is expired. ( I have a '95 325 I that I bought in '97.) I also have trouble with the lock mechanism - sometimes the drivers side lock will not unlock automatically with the front seats. It is just expected that bmws have electrical problems. Perhaps next time I will get a Honda.

- Alexandria, VA, USA