BMW 328i Complaints
2,583 consumer complaints on file.
- #11520709May 5, 2023SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was making a right hand turn my car started to lose breaking a ability and my car went in to a ditch and the air bags deployed the dust from the air bags practically disolved a hole in my jeans
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11520506May 4, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence. Later when the vehicle was started there was a large white cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was driven to his spouse's medical appointment; however, the vehicle could not be started, and the contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The contact had experienced a similar failure several months prior and had taken the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11520019May 2, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's son noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's son exited the vehicle. The engine exploded and caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance. 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 150,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11518860April 25, 2023ENGINE
Vehicle was idling rough. Would periodically accelerate without pressing the gas pedal. It would then go into limp mode. And display Services engine soon light. I took the valve cover off to inspect the camshafts and found the camshaft adjuster gear bolts were all loose. 5 of the 8 bolts were snapped off. 2 of the 5 missing bolt heads were found in the head of the engine 3 were found in the oil pan. If I did not discover the bolts were broken the timing chain could have slipped off causing an accident.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11518384April 22, 2023ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Timing chain guides broke while driving, so timing chain jumped a tooth and now car will not start because incorrect timing Car has only 92,000 miles
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11518311April 21, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment while the vehicle was shuddering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the PCV stem seals and cap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and took the vehicle to a local dealer for the repair; however, the contact was informed he would be responsible for the cost of the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and advised the contact to seek legal advice to have the repair completed. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517662April 18, 2023ENGINE
I buy the car in December 02 2022 and the same day a few hours the car engine it's star a sound in the engine. I go to my mechanic and he said don't run the car have problem with the timing belt. I go to de dealer and they said don't worry I pick up and our mechanic check the car but I pay the car but I don't have my car yet. I pay my loan 5 month but I don't have my car back and they don't say nothing.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517685April 18, 2023ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
The engine made noise and then turned off. Would not restart. BMW dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed exhaust camshaft Vanos unit. BMW refuses to repair it even though it the engine, model and year fit the Vanos recall. This is the second BMW vehicle I have owned that failed for this reason, but was outside the covered claimed VIN numbers. I am requesting that you investigate this as wider range of vehicles, fitting the recall description exactly, but not covered, are failing...this vehicle is a 2011 with only 62,000 miles. I would also like a list of the VIN numbers currently affected.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11517043April 14, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The central locking system frequently goes out and I'd have to replace the three doors actuators that don't work consistently. many times I'm locked in the car with the only way of getting out is by lowering the window and climbing out. according to my service advisor at BMW, this is a known problem with different models of BMW in this time frame. I really wish it would be considered a recall so at least myself and my family will feel safe and know that I can escape the car if necessary.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11516461April 11, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
2011 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-119.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11516579April 11, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service engine soon warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while idling, he heard a loud diesel sound under the hood of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle using a camera, he noticed that the camshaft housing bolts were fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the manufacturer's warranty however, the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that he was not notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was ten years outside the recall period. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11516276April 10, 2023ENGINE
2008 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LOSS OF POWER AND STEAM COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW TO PERFORM A RECALL. ON MARCH 13, 2023 THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AFTER REPAIRS AND THE RED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ENGINE WAS STEAMING ONCE AGAIN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11516331April 10, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact made several attempts to schedule the recall repair with the local dealers; however, the contact was unable to secure an appointment. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515728April 6, 2023SEAT BELTS
Passenger side seat belt work on and off and passenger side in the back seat belt does not work at all
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515665April 5, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a rattling sound coming from under the hood. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the bolts were missing from the exhaust VANOS camshaft unit side and the other bolts had backed out on the intake side and needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall existed for VANOS bolts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514530March 30, 2023SERVICE BRAKES
I drove the car downhill very slowly. (Good weather, no rain or anything) The traffic light turned red and I tried to brake. However, the brake felt rock hard and the car was not slowing down. In the end I read-ended the car in front of me. No one was injured because I drove very slowly. But the car will probably be totaled.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514696March 30, 2023ENGINE, STEERING
You guys have aluminum bolts that hold down the cylinder head they corrode or become loose thus pulling up the cylinder head and the head gasket is protruding out the front of the cylinder head causing oil and coolant to leak on to the belt causing the serpentine belt to slip off while it's raining and eventually causing a blown head gasket it's because of the aluminum bolts on the top of the engine that hold the cylinder head down the head gasket protrudes out the sides on the front where the camshaft sensors are and leaks onto the belt plus causing the belt to come off the track and possibly get sucked into the engine it's not something easy to get to or to fix for a person with low income
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514219March 28, 2023ENGINE
Due to this recall other parts of my vehicle are failing and it is frustrating that my vehicle overheats regularly especially when it is hot outside. The recall has been for a year but BMW has not come up with a remedy for this problem. We had to pay $951.67 in 2022 to get our vehicle inspected but they said if the recall was fixed I would not have had the issue I had. Please push BMW to fix this issue.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512925March 21, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car isn’t receiving enough power to charge the battery so it’s cutting off while I’m driving
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11512781March 20, 2023ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I checked the car history report for this car, it said that it had all of the scheduled maintenance. I have not driven this car hard, I used the best gas I could. I had this car for only 4 months - I took it in to Carmax to get checked out about 2 weeks after I got it back in October. They ran tests, and told me everything was fine that "it could've been a loose fuel cap". 3 months later, well before even an oil change was required - my car gave me the same error message only now it would turn off everytime I put it in drive. If this happened on the road I definitely could've been killed. This car showed 0 signs of any type of malfunction and did not give me any indication that anything was wrong. Fast forward to taking it to the Mins Auto (BMW recommended) they informed me that this car did not in fact seem it had regular oil changes contrasting what was in the carafe report. the timing chain seems to be the culprit and now I'm stuck with a $10,000 bill on a car before it's first oil change, on top of the dealership (carmax) not being helpful at all - when I did everything right with this car. When MinsAuto ran tests they found so many errors - I don't understand, neither can they - understand how Carmax could miss any of these. I was also told by them that because this happens EXTREMELY frequently on these 3-series models, they are pretty familiar with the process and it takes exactly 24 hours to remove the engine, the pistons and take these things apart. so I think this should be investigated and taken seriously. Thank you
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0