BMW 328i Complaints

2,583 consumer complaints on file.

#11544459September 14, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11544345September 13, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2015 Bmw 328i. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle had caught on fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The fire was in the engine area. The contact used a water hose to extinguish the fire. A fire department report was filed. There was no police report filed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543446September 8, 2023
ENGINE
Timing chain system failed. Inspection no longer possible due to being repaired in order to be used and not blow engine. Daughter driving on freeway to Phoenix, AZ in 115+ degree weather and left to sit on side of rode with no A/C until tow truck able to tow vehicle rest of way to Phoenix, AZ. Chandler BMW confirmed issue and repaired. Independent service provider in hometown informed me of every BMW owner having this issue a few months after repair. Discovered class action lawsuit from several years ago after research regarding this exact issue. Unknown of symptoms prior to failure, but vehicle has been very well maintained since purchase just about a year ago (2 trips to independent service provider in hometown and one trip to Chandler BMW mentioned above). Approximately 105,000 miles on vehicle at time of timing chain issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11542816September 6, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Drivetrain malfunction warning comes on when the car runs for a few hours in the heat or when randomly driving. Sometimes the warning will clear itself after waiting a few minutes, but it might come back after a few minutes driving or not. In other instances, the drivetrain will not clear itself and will take more than a few hours. Took it to the repair shop 3 times and they indicated it could be the fuel pump modular or spark plugs or it could just be that the heat is messing up the software system. The mechanic has mentioned that drivetrain malfunctions have been occurring more regularly with BMWs. The issue is that this drivetrain can malfunction at any random time. Driving on a highway, street, or just starting up the car after letting it sit for a few minutes or days. It's a safety hazard because it can happen at any time unexpectedly. When it does, the car goes into neutral and this is dangerous if driving on the highway at higher speeds and needing to pull over into right hand lane. I've not yet taken it to a dealer to look at, just a certified BMW repair shop. There have been no warning issues and the car clears whenever it is taken to the repair shop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11542113September 1, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I believe it was an electrical problem, my car caught fire in the trunk on the passenger side above the battery and behind the trunk lining. My safety was out at risk because I started the car a next thing you know I started smelling smoke, I looked back and my car was on fire from the trunk. I popped the trunk open and it was nothing but smoke an fire. Lucky there was a fire extinguisher Around, so I was able to detain the fire for the most part. But there has already been excessive damage inside the trunk. I just found out there was a recall for this car in March of 2022, but we had got this car in August of 2022. An we have never received anything in the mail stating it had a recall. There was no warning lamps or anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11541033August 27, 2023
ENGINE
While driving my 2011 BMW 328i, I experienced the engine stalling and would not re-start. I had the vehicle towed to an independent BMW mechanic near my house. It was determined that the VANOS cam shaft bolts sheared and went down into the oil pan. I contacted BMW knowing that there was a previous recall on the VANOS bolt failure (Recall Campaign 14V-176: N51, N52K and N52T Engine – Replace VANOS Gear Bolts) and BMW says that my vehicle is not an affected vehicle although the production year matches and the engine type match.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540060August 22, 2023
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
I was driving to target and from a stop I was 75% through the turn when a car ran the stop sign and hit my car straight on . The impact was supposed to deploy the airbags but was not deployed due to a malfunction, I was injured in this accident from my neck down my back . My injury claim is still open with the party at fault.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11540161August 22, 2023
ENGINE, SUSPENSION, POWER TRAIN
After consulting many others that own or previously owned 328i bmw from around the same years (2015-2017); a common issue was found and assumed to be the timing belt. when i press on the accelerator moderately/ as per usual, my RPMs and speedometer hesitate for a solid second then it will catch up and start shaking. i suspect its the timing belt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538820August 16, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
known what failed the entire car was on fire= if there was no one near by it could have consumed more cars/buildings it has been inspected by BMW of north america and Geico the car was overheating the night before and had a check engine light. it was taken to the shop immediately and the fire started within less than 24 hours of the initial symptoms occurring.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538073August 12, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Last Saturday, I was driving to New Jersey. I drove from Brooklyn through the Holland Tunnel with no issues. However, after driving about 4 or 5 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike the fuel pump malfunction light came on and the car started to slow down then jerk. Thankfully, I was able to pull off to the side since vehicles travel at a very high speed on the New Jersey Turnpike. After I pulled off to the side the engine stopped and would not restart. I was able to get a tow to the nearest BMW — BMW of Bloomfield. They took my keys and ran my VIN. The service manager from that location advised me that they could fix the fuel pump for me at no cost because it is a known issue and is covered under code SULEV. However, I would have to leave my car there for the weekend. Since I live in Brooklyn, I decided to get another tow to BMW of Manhattan where my car has been since Saturday. I did not receive a call from the service advisor until Monday evening, to whom I explained everything that I just wrote. He told me that there were no open recalls on my vehicle and he would let me know the cost to replace the fuel pump. I explained to him that the service manager at BMW of Bloomfield said that I absolutely should not be charged for the repair because it is covered for New Jersey and New York customers. Also, I looked up the code and issue on Google and saw that other customers had the same issue and BMW repaired the vehicle at no charge. BMW of Manhattan has stated that they will replace the fuel pump at no charge. However, I will need to pay over $1,000 to replace the fuel pump module and FPR module that both malfunctioned. Though the service advisor acknowledged that the fuel pump failure could have triggered the failure of the fuel pump module and the FPR module.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537953August 11, 2023
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bags warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that water had leaked into the trunk of the vehicle and onto the amplifier causing electrical shortage in the vehicle to stop functioning as designed. The contact was informed that an extensive diagnostic test was needed to locate the leak. Additionally, the contact was informed that the air bag positive terminal cable and the seat belt battery cable and amp needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was 97,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538031August 11, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Battery died and had to jump start to take it for a replacement. Once the car started, there was warning related to the lighting system malfunction. I couldnt open the windows and the lights were not functional. Even after the battery was replaced, the functions were not restored. Dealer is recommending replacement of FRM module costing $1250. I understand there was a recall/repair offered for 10 years which i just missed by a year. Looks like it is a well known issue and caused by a simple battery issue causing huge safety issues. I had to drive the car to the dealer without any lights/indicator with tremendous risks. It is an irony that they will fix this issue for only 10 years when there is a clear manufacturing defect and safety issue. Would like to get any help on this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536284August 3, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormally loud squeaky sound. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the PCV valve had failed. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535228July 29, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON ALL E90 SERIES 3 (2008 BMW 328i), the PCV VALVE FAILS AND IS WELDED INTO THE VALVE COVER, THUS IF IT LEAKS OR GETS CRACKS IN THE ORANGE MEMBRANE, IT WILL CAUSE CAR TO STALL.. I ALMOST CRASHED 2x and this part should be recalled..IT AFFECTS THE FUEL AIR RATIO IN BMW E90, AND THE CAR WILL RUN LEAN AND NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH GAS AS AIR IS LEAKING FROM THE BROKEN MEMBRANE IN THE PVC VALVE. BMW WILL THROW ENGINE CODES WITH LIT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DASH. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THE WHOLE VALVE COVER HAS TO BE REPLACED TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE $10 PCV VALVE WHICH IS LUDICROUS...THE DEALER CHARGES thousand dollars and up to replace a ten dollar part. THE CAR HAS ROUGH IDLE AND WILL STALL, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION AND FATAL ACCIDENT . PLEASE RECALL to HAVE BMW DEALER FIX ThESE PLASTIC PVC VALVES ON E90S...I HAVE ENCLOSED PIC OF THE VALVE ..IT ALSO HAS A SPRING BUT THE PLASTIC ORANGE MEBRANE CRACKS, BREAKS AND LEAKS AIR INSIDE VALVE, CAUSING CHECK ENGINE CODES, ROUGH IDLE AND STALLING OF VEHICLE.. THE VALVE IS LOCATED ON TOP OF VALVE COVER, WELDED INTO VALVE COVER. PLEASE HELP..THANK YOU STATE FLORIDA P.S. HEAT CAUSES THE PCV MEMBRANE TO CRACK MORE~~PIC ENCLOSED OF PCV VALVE ITS WELDED INTO TOP VALVE COVER..NO OTHER CAR HAS A PCV VALVE MOUNTED THIS WAY SO WHOLE VALVE COVER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED~ THANK U
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534902July 27, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle into the dealer for service, she was informed that the footwell control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to TSB: SI-B01-20-16, but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 215,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534592July 26, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Need to recall as it is Common Knowledge among the BMW technicians that these vehicles are plagued with hazard of Parking / Emergency Break line clip breaking and for the line contacting the rotating drive shaft. The holding clip Mfg Part # 34406854898 breaks regularly ! the plastic parking brake retaining clip (BMW part # 34 40 6 854 898) deforms due to age/heat. The cable guide does not hold the cable in place anymore and Hazardously starts to rub against the rotating driveshaft, causing the Emergency parking lines which makes a noise that and sounds like coming from the center console. This is endangering the occupants, and also it is very costly replacement with the same plastic part again. This is such a prevalent issue that there are alternative clips being sold to replace for this manufactures omission of quality: [XXX] also there are videos on this [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533623July 21, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated during cold starts, there was a large puff of bluish-white smoke coming from the tail pipe. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the oil supply line needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure. The independent mechanic researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Voluntary Emissions Recall Campaign Number: 16E-A05 Engine; Replace Turbocharger Oil Supply Line (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531729July 12, 2023
ENGINE
Timing chain tensioner failed clogging the oil pump with plastic which in turn starved the engine for oil. We got a low oil pressure light in the Interstate at 70MPH. 10 seconds later trying to pull across 3 lanes of traffic the engine seized. Luckily we were able to coast across the 3rd lane onto the side of the Interstate. With traffic flying by I had to get my family into an uber. I realize the class action suit ended but my car barely has 70k miles on it. I don't see how bmw could get away with this. There are many of their cars that are past the 10 year class action suit but under or at the 70k mile cut off like mine. The car is still at the dealership. It has been inspected and I have been informed that I'm not eligible for the repairs to be covered. The dealer wants 15 thousand dollars for a new engine to be installed on a 12 thousand dollar car. They have offered to sell me a USED engine with 135000 miles on it for 12,000 installed. Imagine the story this would be if one of my family members or myself had been hit on the Interstate trying to get into another vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531683July 11, 2023
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I.The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated at high speed before the vehicle shut off with the message “Transmission Not in Park” displayed. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road, and after the vehicle cooled down the contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the fuel pump was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531255July 10, 2023
STEERING
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering assist while driving at an undisclosed speed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force while driving back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where metal shavings were found in the steering pump. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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