BMW 325

Defect: THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COMPLY WITH FMVSS 208. THE DRIVER'S CHEST RESULTANT ACCELERATION EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE 60 G'S IN A CRASH TEST WHEN THE SEAT HEIGHT CHANGES ADJUSTMENT UNDER SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.

Risk: THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE FACES INCREASED RISK OF INJURYIN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer fix: INSTALL A DAMPER ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION, BETWEEN THE CUSHION FRAME AND THE SEAT TRACK. IN A SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT THE DAMPER WILL HYDRAULICALLY LOCK, PREVENTING A CHANGE IN SEAT HEIGHT.

Defect: THE SCREW THAT SECURES THE WIPER SWITCH AT ONE LOCATION AND WHICH ALSO PROVIDES A GROUND FOR THE WIPER CIRCUIT, LOOSENS AS THE SWITCH IS OPERATED OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. AS THE SCREW CONTINUES TO LOOSEN THE GROUND FOR THE WIPER CIRCUIT IS INTERMITTENTLY OR COMPLETELY LOST.

Risk: THE INTERMITTENT OR COMPLETE LOSS OF THE WIPER CIRCUITGROUND CAUSES THE WIPERS TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY OR NOT AT ALL, RESULTING INREDUCED VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Manufacturer fix: RELOCATE THE WIPER SWITCH GROUND WIRE ATTACHMENT ON THE STEERING COLUMN.

Defect: THE OIL DIPSTICK TUBE ATTACHING BRACKET MAY HAVE BEEN BENT DURING PRODUCTION OR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, REDUCING THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE DIPSTICK RING AND THE THROTTLE BELLCRANK LEVER.

Risk: THIS REDUCED CLEARANCE MAY INHIBIT THE RETURN OF THETHROTTLE TO A FULLY CLOSED IDLE POSITION, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ISRELEASED.

Manufacturer fix: REQUIRES THE CUTTING OFF THE OUTBOARD END OF THE THROTTLE BELLCRANK LEVER TO PROVIDE NECESSARY CLEARANCE.

Defect: THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.

Risk: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.

Manufacturer fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Defect: THE TWO PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY DISCONNECT IF THE CAR CONTACTS AN OBJECT IN THE ROADWAY OR ELSEWHERE OF SUFFICIENT MASS TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING GEARBOX. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST.

Manufacturer fix: BOLT TWO SPECIALLY FORMED PLATES TO THE DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT SO THAT STEERING CAPABILITY WILL BE RETAINED.