VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH

Feb 17, 2000 — Recall Campaign #00V048000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 17,700 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

00V048000

Manufacturer:	BMW of North America, LLC
Recall date:	February 17, 2000
NHTSA Campaign #:	00V048000
Units affected:	17,700

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
Consequeces:: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 15, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2000 BMW 323I Complaints
I was driving normally, and made a right hand turn onto a street when the driver door airbag and driver curtain airbag deployed suddenly. The engine shut off and the hazards turned on automatically, and I pulled off the road to a safe location. I was able to restart the engine to bring the vehicle onto the tow truck. As far as I am aware there was no impact, and the outside of the car is not damaged. I am able to see some other NHTSA reports of this random deployment happening with other 3 series models, specifically 2000 model year vehicles like mine. I am unsure of what caused this, I can only assume a faulty sensor is the cause.;
2000 BMW 328I Complaints
May of 2019 my driver door airbag, driver side front to rear pillar airbag bursted open while driving 30mph on a flat smooth road. Took to BMW dealer and they informed me that there was a recall and they'd look into it. Days later picked up my car and they said they went off from aftermarket items on my car. Which is absurdly inaccurate. I'm an auto mechanic of 10 years and nothing I've done to my car has any effect on the airbag or safety systems of my car period. They were extremely rude, didn't want to fix the over $5000 of damage that was done to my interior. Treated me like I was some idiot. And didn't offer me a loaner vehicle for the 3 days they had my car either like they guarantee they do in the event of recalls.;
2000 BMW 528I Complaints
The contact owned a 2000 BMW 528i. The contact stated that shortly after arriving home and with the vehicle parked in his garage, he observed first white smoke and then brown smoke emanating from the engine compartment. While waiting for emergency services, the contact stated that he then observed flames engulfing the engine compartment and heard a loud pop. As a result, the contact reported extensive smoke damage to the interior of the garage. The local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire, and a fire report was filed. A police report was also filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic; instead, the contact has stored the vehicle at his home. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 120,000.;
2000 BMW 528IT Complaints
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER INITIALLY AGREED TO DO THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT MADE ANY ADDITIONAL CONTACT WITH THE CONSUMER. *AK BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR MOUNTED AIR BAGS FRONT AND REAR DEPLOYED ALONG WITH THE HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM ON THAT SIDE. *SC *JB;
2000 BMW 540I Complaints
The audio suddenly stops and my turn signals also stop working. When this happens when I'm in traffic, this is very frightening because I cannot signal lane changes or turns. Turning off the ignition and restarting the car always fixes the turn signals but only sometimes fixes the audio. It usually takes several restarts before the audio works. When in the failed condition with no audio and no turn signals and the engine running, disconnecting the Dynavin D9 "ibus box" from the vehicle instantly fixes the turn signals but not the audio. It has not been reproduced or confirmed nor has it been inspected. There is never any warning before the problem appears. I have been in continuous contact with the manufacturer in California. They sent a new ibus box, hoping that would fix the problem but it did not.;