Warning light came on stating electrical malfunction then several other warning lights came on and was lit up like a christmas tree. The odometer area starting going haywire. It was like the car was possessed !!

- Hot Springs, AR, USA

I discovered failures of multiple wires in the tailgate/rear window wiring harnesses. Through research online I have found this is a common problem with this vehicle over several model years - search for BMW E61 tailgate wiring problems. The failures are caused by a poor design where the wires entering the hinge guides (4) for the glass and tailgate are repeatedly flexed at a sharp angle until the insulation, then the copper wire breaks. Safety issues - possible electrical short circuit leading to fires (highest load is for rear defroster); lighting failures (rear high brake light, license plate lamps and others); reduced visibility due to loss of wiper/washer/defroster; rear glass latch opening while underway, possibly resulting in loss of cargo or ingress of exhaust fumes. This is not an easily repaired problem. It would be beyond the capabilities of all but a skilled mechanic with proper tools. I discovered it when the remote lock/unlock using the key fobs failed. As I investigated I found the broken wire, along with several others with broken insulation, some with broken copper strands.

- Kirkland, WA, USA

I was recently made aware that there is a recall regarding the rear tail lights on 2008+ 5 series vehicles. I recently expereinced the same symptoms as the recall notice on my rear tail lights; however my car is a 2007 model. The I-drive would intermittenly alert that a bulb is out. I have replaced it but it would go out again. I inspected the bulb carrier and bulb socket and noticed severly burned contact area's where one of the bulb sockets plug in. The recall clearly is for sedans 2008+ but I seem to have the exact issue and there are others who have the same issues (see 5series.net forum website).

- Norwalk, CT, USA

The headlights, driving lights are all shorted out. This was a dangerous situation as it happened at night. When taken to my mechanic, he told me that it is a common fault on BMW's. that the wiring for all the lights is made from recycled plastic and with the heat from outside and the engine the insulation completely deteriorates. He showed my bare wires everywhere and if you touch the insulation it just crumbles away. How could a $55,000 car have such poor wiring that is can create a dangerous and possibly fatal accident. To me there should be a complete recall of affected vehicles.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

My 2007 BMW 530I engine caught fire on April 15 the moment car was ignited in the early morning. I was with my wife and 2.5 years old son at the time of incident. It could have been a major disaster or even blast if we were not home or with fire extinguisher to control the fire on time. We reported about this life-threatening incident to BMW na multiple times but their customer service representative from corporate headquarters betsy hohmann called our concerns as hypothetical unless there were personal injuries involved. BMW of fremont service center identified that PCV heated hose shorted out and burnt other components. The wire harness and intake manifold were burnt out and melted. The dealership verbally accepted this issue a design flaw that caused almost 6-9 inches flames inside the engine. BMW na customer service offered a deal to fix the problem as long as we sign a confidential nda to hide the facts. BMW na also recommended us to sell this car after repairs but we don't want to risk anyone else's life by not disclosing the fire even if we agree to BMW na's proposed resolution. Our confidence in BMW brand has already shaken from the outcome of our conversations because after all this is the matter of customer life, safety, trust and brand.

- Fremont, CA, USA

The car battery died after sitting for 6 days, upon recharging the battery, the car started up and many warning lights came on including stability control issue, high discharge on battery, steering lock; and date/time reset. Once we restarted the car and began driving, all of the warning lights went away except for the steering wheel lock warning light. Warning light says "electric steering wheel malfunction. The wheel cannot be unlocked/locked. Please see the nearest BMW dealer for service". after reading reviews, I see a similar occurrence where the warning light occurs once a battery becomes discharged. Once brought to the dealership, they require a whole steering wheel column to be replaced. I feel that if the battery did not die due to it sitting, this should never have been an issue. Thank you

- Buffalo, NY, USA

Vehicle sent error message about passenger side airbag failure in the am, complete electrical system failure in the evening when I went to return home. Dealer found water in trunk, below spare tire. Trunk above spare tire was dry, no signs of moisture. We experienced heavy rainfall on 3/17. Electrical system is fried - vehicle is inoperable. Appears to be failed sunroof water seals per BMW service bulletin si B 61 13 06. In my professional opinion as a mechanical engineer, this is a design flaw. Multiple owners' forums concur.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 530xi sports wagon. The contact stated that a message indicating that the passenger side airbags would not deploy was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the diagnostic test indicated that the mat sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 87,400.

- Moneta, VA, USA

Water collects in spare tire well, battery well, and passenger front headlight, causing massive electrical failure. First occurrence was 2009 after ownership of this used BMW 2006 530xi wagon from the BMW dealership. The second occurrence was 23 May 2011.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

A 2007 BMW 530xi caught fire shortly after it was started. The lamp control module burned, causing sparks, smoke, and burning various parts. The mechanic at chambers BMW said that the left front head light collected moisture, and the lights drain clogged. The accumulated moisture caused the fire. The car has ahistory of electrical problems. In Dec. 2008, 1 year prior to the fire, the rear sunroof drain clogged, causing water to collect in the spare tire well. It caused the tire pressure light to falsely signal, as rdc module had burned out. There were other electrical problems, which required a radio replacement. A few days before the fire, the dashboard signal for engine overheating went on during a cold winter day. We towed the car to the dealer who claimed he fixed it. Two days after we got the car back, my wife turned it on, started to drive, and the fire started.

- Weston, MA, USA

Not precisely sure what is causing this electrical problem, but all 3 occurrences of this problem have happened after I washed the vehicle and did not drive it. The electrical system is malfunctioning to the point it completely drains the vehicle's battery. After the second time I went to start the vehicle, I had the battery replaced. The 3rd time, all of the vehicle exterior lights had turned themselves on during the course of the night, and had almost fully discharged the battery. The car started, but many items in the electronic memory were lost, including date and time. The car involved is a 2007 BMW 528I, which I purchased 3 months ago, certified pre-owned.

- Squaw Valley, CA, USA