Several BMW vehicle owners are noticing their interior passenger or driver door handle begin to melt and become sticky. Even though both doors can be impacted, it seems the issue mainly affects the interior passenger side door and mainly occurs in the summertime. For those in warmer climates, the issue is ongoing. Several models have this problem: BMW M3, BMW X3, BMW 428i Gran Coupe, BMW F30, BMW E90, BMW 520d F10, and the BMW 320i vehicle. The issue is not readily covered under warranty so drivers often have to get the problem fixed themselves. (Some people can get this problem fixed under warranty.) BMW’s new vehicle warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship that originated at the factory. The warranty period starts on the sale date of the new vehicle, and lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

For customers experiencing this interior door problem and unable to get it covered under warranty, repairs cost a minimum of $150 and go up depending on the part or parts ordered.Gibbs Law Group filed a class action lawsuit against Mazda for a similar issue:  Mazda allegedly sold vehicles that had defective, melting dashboards. Both issues involve a part of a vehicle melting due to sunlight.