BMW 328i Complaints (2008)

239 consumer complaints on file.

#10549554October 25, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND RESUMED NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEADLIGHTS AND THE RADIO WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE MELTED WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BATTERY CABLE AND FUSE BOX WERE REPLACE ON A SEPARATE OCCASION BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. KMJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545609September 27, 2013
ENGINE, STEERING
I WAS PRESSING ON MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT AND I HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE RIGHT SIDE. AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE STOP LIGHT, MY CAR STARTED TO RATTLE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND STARTED MY CAR AND THE CAR WASN'T RATTLING ANYMORE. AS SOON AS I PUT IT INTO REVERSE, IT STARTED TO RATTLE AGAIN AND DID THE SAME WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. THE VIBRATING GOES AWAY AS SOON AS I START DRIVING, AND IS ONLY NOTICED WHEN IDLED WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD SOMEONE COME CHECK IT OUT AND WAS TOLD HE NEEDED TO DO FURTHER INSPECTION AT HIS SHOP. HE INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME SOME BOLTS BROKE FROM THE ENGINE MOUNT AND THE LOUD THUMP WAS FROM MY ENGINE DROPPING ONTO THE AIR CONDITIONING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10544904September 23, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
IN MAY OF 2012, WITH THE VEHICLE DISPLAYING APPROXIMATELY 15, 228 MILES, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS) BECAME ACTIVATED AND REMAINS TO THIS DAY. BMW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED A NEW ABS SYSTEM WAS NEEDED, AND RECOMMENDED I NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT INCUR THE COST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538526September 3, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS DOOR LOCKED AS NORMAL WHEN CAR REACHED A CERTAIN SPEED BUT MADE A WEIRD NOISE. NOW IT WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS OR UNLOCK BUTTON ON DASH OF CAR. WILL ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR??? I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS... I HOPE THEY ARE COVERED WITH A RECALL SOON! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510544May 3, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING, ATTEMPTING TO PASS A VEHICLE, I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE PEDAL HAD NO RESPONSE AND THE RPMS DROPPED. AFTER TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE DIES AND I DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO DODGE TRAFFIC AS THE CAR'S GAS PEDAL IS NOT RESPONDING. UPON PULLING OVER SAFELY, NEARLY HITTING CARS ALONG THE WAY I COME TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR THEN NO LONGER STARTS. CRANKING CAN BE HEARD BUT ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER OR START. HAD IT REPAIRED, THE REASON IS A FUEL PUMP FAILURE, FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILURE, AND BLOWN FUSE ON FUEL PUMP. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COST TO REPAIR IS $1,800 AND A RISK TO MY SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509456April 24, 2013
ENGINE, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING, MY 2008 BMW 328I COUPE BEGAN ACTING STRANGE. THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS AS WELL AS MOST ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (RADIO, HAZARD BUTTON, ON-BOARD COMPUTER ETC.) BEGAN TO FLICKER ACCOMPANIED BY A TICKING NOISE IN SEQUENCE WITH THE FLICKERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ACTING AS THOUGH IT WAS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN; THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO PULL OVER. AS I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD, THE STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT AND THE FLICKERING BECAME MORE FREQUENT. WHILE COMING TO A STOP (TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10MPH), THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF VITAL MECHANISMS SUCH AS STEERING, POWER, LIGHTING (BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR). THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT UNUSUALLY FIRM/STIFF (NOT SPONGY OR SOFT AS IT SHOULD FEEL). AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR STILL IN "DRIVE". I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY APARTMENT AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE, INDEPENDENT BMW MECHANIC. HIS DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT SOMETHING RELATED TO THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CIRCUITRY WAS FAULTY--WHICH IN TURN, KILLED THE STARTER. HE REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A NEW OEM BATTERY AS WELL AS REPLACED THE STARTER WITH AN NEW OEM STARTER AND THE RELATED WIRING/CIRCUITRY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL-- MARCH 2013 RECALL NO. 13V-044 : POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM. BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS NOTED IN THE RECALL LETTER MATCH THOSE I EXPERIENCED IDENTICALLY, I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF REPAIR THAT CORRELATES TO THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, BMW STATES IT WILL ONLY REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPAIR PERTAINING TO THE SINGLE PART AT FAULT/RECALLED. THE CAUSE OF THIS RECALL IS KNOWN, BUT THEY ARE FAILING TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR THE DAMAGING EFFECTS THAT THE FAULTY/RECALLED PART MAY HAVE HAD ON OTHER COMPONENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10498381February 16, 2013
ENGINE
I TOOK MY 2008 BMW 328I 51K MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A ROUGH IDLE/VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN CAR IS STOPPED WITH BRAKE APPLIED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS TWO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THESE BROKEN BOLTS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP WHICH CAUSED ADDITION DAMAGE TO ENGINE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND SOLE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXPERIENCED ANY HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS. I GOOGLED "BMW BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BOLT" AND FOUND DOZENS OF FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO 2008, 2007 AND OTHER MODEL YEAR. THESE COMPLAINTS WERE FROM 328XI AND I OWNERS AS WELL AS MANY OTHER MODEL NUMBERS AROUND THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. I READ THAT BMW IS THE ONLY AUTO MAKER THAT USES ALUMINUM RATHER THAN STEEL BOLTS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE COMPLAINTS I READ MENTIONED THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA DID NOTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WILL BE CONTACTING THEM ONCE THE REPAIRS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10493286January 17, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482178October 25, 2012
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED ON ALL OF THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM BEING OPEN MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF YOU WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE YOU HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE KEY ON THE OUTSIDE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE UNLOCKED IN THIS SITUATION WAS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, ANY ONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE HAS TO CLIMB OVER TO THE DRIVER SEAT TO EXIT. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED AND VERIFIED THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WOULD OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE USE OF THE KEY WORKED. UPDATED 12/06/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10471987August 23, 2012
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
SINCE PURCHASING THIS BMW IN FEB 2012, I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AT THE DEALER 4 TIMES ( AND ITS ONLY AUG. 2012) DUE TO AIR BAG & SEATBELT LIGHTS ON, BOTH FRONT SEATS HAVE HAD SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS REPLACED, & VARIOUS OTHER AIRBAG WORK, FRAYED WIRES UNDER SEAT. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE UNSTOPPABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROX 104K MILES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY ON ITS WAY TO THE DEALER TODAY 08/23/2012 FOR ITS 4TH TRIP -FOR THE UN-STOPPABLE AIRBAG & SEAT BELT LIGHT THAT IT SEEMS TO BE DOOMED WITH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457508May 4, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT ABNORMALLY HARD IN SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER WAS BELOW FREEZING, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A RANDOM OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS ALWAYS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REVERSE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455719April 18, 2012
PARKING BRAKE
PARKED CAR USING HAND BRAKE (STANDARD SHIFT CAR). LATER (APPROX 2 HOURS LATER) HANDBRAKE RELEASED AND CAR ROLLED INTO STREET. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE HANDBRAKE RELEASED 1 MINUTE AFTER I SET IT (I WAS STILL IN THE CAR AT THE TIME) AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT ROLLED AWAY. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454558April 9, 2012
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANCY MALFUNCTION.FAULTY SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR MAT. WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT. LIGHT SAYS "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF". THAT MEANS IT IS SET FOR A CHILD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10437864November 30, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FOUR MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436158November 16, 2011
WHEELS
WHEN I WENT TO A TIRE STORE TO PURCHASE WINTER TREADS I DISCOVERED THE RIM ON THE BACK LEFT WHEEL WAS CRACKED. THE MECHANICS TOLD ME IF I CONTINUED DRIVING ON IT THE CRACKED RIM, THE WHEEL COULD COME OFF. I HAVE OWNED A NUMBER OF BMW'S AND NEVER SEEN A CRACKED RIM. (EVEN WHEN I LIVED IN THE POT HOLE LITTERED NE) THREE DAYS AGO I WENT TO THE SAME TIRE STORE BECAUSE THERE APPEARED TO BE A LEAK IN THE NEW, LEFT REAR TIRE. THE RIM WAS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES. THIS IS SCARY AND IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY COSTLY AS THE RIMS ARE ABOUT $300+. TO HAVE TWO OF THESE RIM FAILURES IN A MONTH IS A BIT SHOCKING. BMW SAYS PARTS FAIL THROUGH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR (NOT ON ANY OF MY PREVIOUS BMW'S) THE TIRE STORE SAYS THE RIMS ARE A VERY THIN ALUMINUM TO MAKE THE CAR FASTER AND THEY SEE A NUMBER OF FAILURES. NOT SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10432510October 23, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. MANUAL KEY WILL WORK IN THE DRIVE SIDE DOOR OUTSIDE ONLY. OTHER 3 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO CLIMB THRU THE WINDOW OR CLIMB OUT OF THE DRIVER DOOR. DRIVER HAS TO CLIMB OUT OF WINDOW AND USE MANUAL KEY TO OPEN DOOR. MANY POST ONLINE OF THIS PROBLEM. I WILL HAVE IT FIXED, HOWEVER, THE COSTS ARE VERY HIGH; THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! IF CAR IS WRECKED OR ON FIRE, RESCUE WOULD NOT LIKELY BE ABLE TO HELP DRIVER OR PASSENGER TIMELY. RECALL IS NEEDED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423131September 3, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, AIR BAGS
THROUGH OUT THE PAST MONTH I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED THREE TIMES WITH FIVE OCCURRENCES OF THE CAR NOT CRANKING AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN LEAVING ME STRANDED. OVER THE PAST YEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH FOR LESS THAN 5-10 MINUTES AT THE TIME. THE FIRST INSTANCE IT WAS TOWED BMW OF MOBILE REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TROUBLE SHOOTING EVEN THOUGH I HAD OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT CHECK THE BATTERY TO BE SURE THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE. THEY CHARGED ME OVER FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THIS BATTERY. TWO DAYS AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO BMW OF MOBILE BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN AND THE LIGHTS ETC. WOULD COME ON. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR OVER 5 DAYS RUNNING TEST THEN STATED THAT "NOTHING WAS WRONG." I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD IT TOWED IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. TWO DAYS LATER IT WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN WHEN MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE AT A LATE LOCAL HIGHSCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME. THIS TIME THEY SAID THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING THE PROBLEM CAUSING SOMETHING TO MELT NEAR THE FUSE PANEL($1,200) TO REPLACE). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416170July 28, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON JULY 9, 2011, I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING THE PARKWAY, WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING! THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, AND NOTHING WORKED IN THE CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS OR MORE THE STEERING WHEEL. AS THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN I KEPT TRYING TO RE-START THE CAR BUT NOTHING WORKED. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, BY USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE, I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE KEY IN AND OUT AND HIT THE START/STOP AND THE CAR FINALLY STARTED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO RALLYE BMW TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND ALSO CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE BECAUSE I DID NOT AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR ANYMORE. I WAS REQUESTING EITHER A NEW VEHICLE OR FULL VALUE BACK ON THE CAR. BMW SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND STATED "BMW REVIEWED REMOTELY UNABLE TO REPLICATE STALLING. NO PROBLEM FOUND", AND DECIDED THAT MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE AND FEEL THIS POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING ISSUE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383117February 17, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE RADIO ON, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR 40 MINUTES AND WAS UNABLE TO USE THE HORN TO INDICATE THAT HE WAS TRAPPED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE POWER IN THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB WAS LOW, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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