The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that BMW is recalling 241,000 3 Series models for potentially faulty rear lamps. According to NHTSA, certain 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i and 330xi models built between September 1, 2001 and March 1 2005 may experience increased resistance at the electrical contacts. This resistance may eventually lead to the failure of tail light, brake light or turning indicator lamps over time. That failure could impede a driver's ability to warn other motorists of his or her intentions, potentially leading to an accident.
BMW dealers will repair the electrical components free of charge once the recall gets underway in October of this year.
Previously, BMW issued a technical service bulletin concerning a certain eight-pin connector which would overheat and melt under extreme electrical load. BMW dealers corrected the issue by adding additional grounding to the circuit. It's unclear whether this remedy will also be applied to the recall.
