My 2009 x5 with 127000 miles recently indicated a burnt out brake light. while replacing the light, i found the rear upper right brake light was burnt out, the taillight itself is melted, and the socket is severely melted and scorched. on further investigation, the opposite side (left/driver's side) was also melted! checking online, this appears to be a common problem. i am afraid this could be a fire hazard and was surprised to learn there is not an outstanding recall on the taillights for this vehicle.
I took my vehicle in to bmw service department because i was having problems with my vehicle dry starting (didn't want to start as if it was out of gas). service guy informed me after he ran a diagnostic check that it was my battery. i was flabbergasted, because that didn't sound of a dead battery. i paid 460 (new battery and diagnostic check) and he assured he ran it again with the new battery and no codes was shown again. before i even got into my vehicle the transport guy notice a light on. service guy checked it out and finds out rear light needs to be replaced, wait a few. calls me in the back and says we have a big problem, the right tail light wiring harness has burnt and melted the socket and the whole assembly, which will now cost 380 to repair. my husband takes a look at the left side, and it's worst then the right side, which means both sides needs to be repaired. this is a huge safety issue because it could lead to a fire hazard and the owner would bot even know it. the service guy said he ran a check before and after the replacement of the new battery all within 24hrs, and it didn't it catch this huge safety issue that has been going on in my vehicle, which is naked to the eye unless someone opens up those departments and look with a flash light. please be aware and lets get this resolved.
The rear tail lights get water leaks and corrosion and won't work. they need to be replaced. this happened on both the passenger and driver side lights. *tr
The headlights on low beam reach out only 3 car lengths. traveling at 40 mph or more you have inadequate forward visibility, if there is an object or an animal in the road ahead, due to low distance visibility, you have no response time. the tech knowledge on these headlights for up and down and left to right movement are fine if you are going up hill or turning left or right. they have been to bmw service in lubbock and dallas texas. i have had several friends and family drive this vehicle and they experience the same poor visibility. *tr