BMW 328i Complaints

2,583 consumer complaints on file.

#11531405July 10, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled fuel within the interior of the vehicle and observed low RPM's before the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the road, where, after visual inspection, he observed fuel leaking within the rear driver's side wheel well. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to help. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530481July 5, 2023
ENGINE
The engine loses power unexpectedly, making merging into traffic dangerous. It's intermittent and can't be duplicated under the same conditions every time. There is an open recall for VANOS bolt issues, Recall Campaign 14V-176: N51, N52K and N52T Engine – Replace VANOS Gear Bolts that I believe to be the root issue, but it doens't seem to apply to my VIN. I think this issue is more widespread than the recall addresses.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529259June 27, 2023
ENGINE
My 2012 BMW 328i (F30 with N20 engine) had the dreaded timing chain guide failure, which is a very common issue with the N20 engine. There has been a warranty extension- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10142923-9999.pdf and class action settlement- https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10201140-9999.pdf for this. But these doesn't address the safety concern. There has been numerous reports of timing chain & guide failures happening everyday in the various forums. The broken guides can lead to sudden engine failure and a loss of power to the vehicles. If this happens on the highway, this could be life threatening for the passengers. I kindly request NHTSA to look into this problem and issue a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527691June 19, 2023
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Something from the passenger front wheel side must have messed up since after I went over a small bump in the road I lost control of my vehicle that resulted in my crashing into a bobbed wire fence and a pole that was holding up the fence. My car was completely totaled and no airbags deployed from anywhere in the car. The steering wheel hit me so hard in the abdomen that it caused my T11 and T12 vertebrae in my spine to break from the doctors reports it was stated that the airbags have failed witch resulted in a direct impact to my abdomen by the steering wheel and instantly I knew I broke my lower back. My 4yr old son who was restrained in his car seat was passenger in the backseat during the accident but didn’t sustain injuries besides some whiplash and having nightmares. The car was towed by CHP to a local tow yard since I was taken to the hospital by first responders after I was discharged I regained possession of my vehicle that sits in my driveway considered to be un toweable by the tow company storeing my car and needed to pay extra to have them tow it to my house. Please investigate any defects of my vehicle since my son and I could have lost our lives due to the airbag malfunction in the entire vehicle
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11527449June 16, 2023
STEERING
The steering rack in the car failed prior to 100,000 miles. BMW has had issues from models 2012 to 2015 and recalled their steering racks. The same issue was happening in the 2016 year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527111June 14, 2023
ENGINE
The serpentine belt ended up behind the crankshaft pulley. As it rotated and shredded, the belt was also penetrating the crankshaft seal. Shreds of rubber along with the seal entered the VANOS system. Rubber filled the oil pan, oil pick up tube was filled with bits of what was the belt. The engine has internal damage from the interception into the timing chain. Independent Service Center The warning light was not present until after stopping, exiting the vehicle, then returning and trying to crank. The oil light, engine light, and red car image (BMW dash light) were thn presented, Doing some research and talking to the shop, it's a far too familiar problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526520June 12, 2023
ENGINE
the car engine is dead and the car is 90k miles on it, this shouldn't happened to a BMW car and its going to coast a lot of money to fix even more than what I payed for the car, that's really sad. the car just suddenly stoped working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526613June 12, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, he felt a sudden surge and observed white smoke emitting from the rear passenger seat. As a result of the distraction, the contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a tree at approximately 35 MPH; the driver's steering wheel and driver's seat air bags both deployed. Upon exiting and inspecting the trunk of the vehicle, the contact observed flames engulfing the trunk liner. The contact stated that he was able to extinguish the fire himself with water. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. No police report was filed. No fire report was filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where it remained. The failure had not been diagnosed. After investigating the issue, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V314000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526064June 8, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, while idling, the engine was revving. The contact stated that while driving with the cruise control activated, the engine was revving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525204June 3, 2023
ENGINE
I own a 2011 BMW 328i xDrive with a known issue of Vanos bolts being sheered off, which is what just happened to my vehicle. There is only a recall on some of the vehicles and not all. My car is not covered through VIN which is ridiculous because it is a known issue. Upon contacting BMW here in El Paso, TX all they could tell me was my VIN was not covered. Since this issue affects far too many like models from the same time frame, BMW should be held responsible. Now I have to spend $1500 with an indy car shop and I hope we get reimbursed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524988June 2, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50- 55 mph, the vehicle caught fire. There was an abnormal burning odor detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to use her fire extinguisher and extinguish the fire. There were no reported injuries, police reports filed, or air bag deployments. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed her that the battery pack wiring had melted. and the PCV and wiring needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis regarding the electrical panel was provided. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 149, 000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524661May 31, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523069May 21, 2023
TIRES:SIDEWALL
Tire Size: 225/50RF17 Tire Type: Bridgestone Driveguard While driving my car southbound on I225 through Aurora, CO on 5/19/2023, I received an indication of a low right front tire. As I have received this warning when the tire pressure varies due to weather, I proceeded home. When I arrived home in Englewood, CO, I immediately inflated the tire to its proper pressure. After shutting down the compressor, I heard a hiss coming from the tire and found a gash near the rim. The errand that I ran on that day took me from home to I70 and Chambers and back home. At no time during this trip did I recall hitting a pothole or curb that would have caused this. Could it have been from a previous incident? Possibly, but when I took my car to Coloradoland Tire & Service at 6600 S. Quebec, Centennial, CO, the service advisor informed me that another customer had a similar problem (name can be provided upon request) with the same type of tire. Is there a problem with these tires?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521668May 12, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, she noticed an abnormally strong burning odor coming from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic had previously repaired the vehicle for a similar failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) that she related to the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521215May 9, 2023
ENGINE
I've had my car for less than a year, and started having issues with my engine around cold weather season. I would constantly get a light signal on the dashboard indicating that my engine needs coolant due to it overheating, although my car remained up-kept with coolant and fluids. there were times where I had to stop my car on the road due to an extensive amount of smoke and burning odor coming from the engine compartment, after being serviced a numerous amount of times, the only issue found was in regards to my engine overheating, and supposedly fixed by adding more and more coolant. eventually my engine gave out after taking a short 30 minute trip to my parents home on thanksgiving day. Now that a recall has been placed on my vehicle, I have an understanding that a PCV valve heater malfunction can cause an engine to overheat, and when not repaired, it can cause unrepairable damage to an engine. I also have an understanding that a valve heater malfunction can cause coolant to leak out, resulting in the engine overheating regardless of how much coolant is put in it. I have an understanding that a bad PCV valve heater can result in a rough idle, engine stuttering, and a drop in fuel efficiency, all of which I've dealt with. I've reached out to my local BMW shop in regards to this recall, and they refuse to even take in my car to look at it being that my engine is already no good, although the reason for my engine going out is most likely due to this recall. my car is sitting with a faulty PCV valve heater and the damage that its done to my engine, and the BMW shop of macon is telling me that this recall has nothing to do with my car without even looking at it, when I know for a fact the issues I've had with my car relates to the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520872May 8, 2023
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES
I stated on another form about my other safety issue. My son was in an accident in 2013 328I xdrive this website states this vehicle does not have an open recall or any recalls on it. I say bull crap not only did my son lose break, accessibility and crash into a tree doing 54 miles an hour. He also had the airbags deploy and burned him. Air bag dust literally ate right through his pants. I still have the severely burned up his hands We purchased this vehicle for Son last year, because BMWs are known to be safe. My 16-year-old son was almost killed in his car because of BMWs negligence.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11521081May 8, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My son's 2015, BMW 328i was taken to BMW in Canton, Ohio due to "fluttering" in gas pedal and "possible transmission slipping and variations in transmission while driving. The check engine light was on and was diagnosed at dealership that the Mass Flow Sensor was malfunctioning. The wires to the Mass Flow Sensor were corroded and needed fixed before sensor could be assessed. The wires were fixed and the check engine light went out so the car was considered by the BMW dealer service department to be fixed and I paid $545 for $42 in parts and $503 in labor. The service advisor named Mark, assured me that it had been test driven by service technician and that the car was in proper working condition. I picked the car up, for my son, at 10 am and drove south to West Virginia to deliver the car to my son. At 12:15, I pulled off the freeway and stopped at a light that was at a busy intersection, with a car in front of me. I came to a complete stop with my foot on the brake and my car accelerated at a high speed with my foot completely on the brake almost to the floor. I rammed into the car in front of me and the car flew forward 500 feet. My BMW stopped after it hit the car in front of me. I sat in the car in shock with my foot still on the brake as the driver in front of me came to my window and asked me " what the hell are you doing"? She could clearly see that my foot was still on the brake. There were minor scratches on her bumper and, her and her son had sore necks. The front of my car had a broken grill, and other broken pieces. Broken pieces were lying on thre road. I called AAA and had it towed to BMW in St. Albans, West Virginia. A call was made to Canton, BMW and Corporate BMW to make a report on BMW rapidly accelerating with brakes completely on. Corporate personelle are to call me to get a report from me and send a special team to investigate the "rapid acceleration" while the brakes were on. Now awaiting for the 2015 BMW 328i to be looked at.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520810May 7, 2023
ENGINE
Unknown/ Had recall on pcv heater control valve done by authorized BMW DEALER about 2 weeks ago. On date May 5 2023 Parked car, shut of engine,a smell of plastic and smoke started coming from hood area, flames erupted right away . Total loss
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520719May 6, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was preparing to yurn road had a lip when I attempted to turn breaks locked up would not engage resulting in my accident
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520778May 6, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
Driver was driving on a clear road on a straight level Road went to go make a turn as he tried to break the car would not break, causing him to skid and slam into a culvert and hit a tree resulting in a concussion
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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