BMW 328i Complaints (2011)

580 consumer complaints on file.

#11580700April 2, 2024
ENGINE
BMW issued a recall for VANOS bolts on Oct 20, 2023. Vehicle had service engine soon light illuminate. Vehicle was diagnosed by Tucson BMW as having issue with VANOS bolts shortly before (within a month) recall being issued. At that time car was not repaired-but BMW suggested bolts be replaced at a cost of approximately $6,000. BMW advised car was not safe to drive. BMW had a solution- but wanted to charge for it (as the recall had not yet been issued). Now that recall has been issued BMW seems to be waiting out the clock and hoping owners get rid of the car before they have to repair the vehicle. Also they are now saying we can drive the vehicle until the remedy is available, which directly conflicts with dealers advice when they wanted to charge for the repair. They have not given any indication of time frames. We do not feel comfortable driving the car on highways due to risk of stalling. BMW states "The VANOS Assembly (Engine) Bolts May, Over Time, Loosen, And Eventually Break. If This Occurred, A Reduced Engine Power (Safe Mode) May Be Activated. In Some Cases, The Engine May Not Be Able To Be Restarted After Switching Off And, In Rare Cases, The Engine Could Stall Which Could Increase The Risk Of A Crash." In the meantime it has been over 6 months with no updates as to when the recall remedy will be made available. I want BMW repair the car as soon as possible. I have been in contact with BMW customer care who have not given any viable solutions/time frame for the repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580389April 1, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580438April 1, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while at a complete stop at a traffic light, the engine made an abnormal rattling sound. The contact stated that he continued driving; however, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to a bank. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the VANOS bolts had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580484April 1, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580046March 29, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579902March 28, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH the vehicle began to make an abnormal grinding noise from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the "check engine" light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that the vehicle had a recall associated to the VIN for the engine. The independent mechanic advised that the vehicle was under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called a local dealer and was advised that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579703March 27, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal noise coming from under the hood. In addition, the vehicle failed to maintain engine power, while driving at various speeds. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579049March 23, 2024
ENGINE
Recently there is a grind/rubbing noise coming from the engine compartment on my vehicle, Ive recieved a SAFETY RECALL notice from BMW in regards to the VANOS bolts coming loose. Notice states that remedy is unavailable, recently visited my local BMW dealership in Milford DE, and was simply told that they cant help. The recall clearly states the possibility of crashing or vehicle not turning on after shutting off. I've also gone ahead and purchased an endoscope and can clearly see that some bolts are loose in my engine, meaning that is only a matter of time before it gets really bad. A remedy is needed now, if the VANOS bolts are not available, simply replace the sprockets assembly( these are available and include the bolts on them). Solution needed ASAP, please help!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578641March 21, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577557March 15, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, he observed a tumbling noise emanating from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577336March 14, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577202March 13, 2024
ENGINE
vanos bolts my engine is currently roughing very very rough and im sure its due to the recall and its been over 5 months still so solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576542March 11, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2011 BMW 328i x Drive. The contact stated her son was driving home from a friend's house and refueling the vehicle. The contact stated when the son parked the vehicle at the residence, the son noticed smoke was coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The son attempted to open the hood of the vehicle but saw flames coming from the front hood of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A report was filed by the fire department. No one was injured during the fire and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) as a possible solution. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576280March 8, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking and vibrating while accelerating and the "Service Vehicle" warning light was displayed. The failure mileage was 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575782March 6, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine service and was advised by the dealer not to drive the vehicle due to an issue with engine. The contact stated that he received the recall notice several months after he was advised by the dealer not to drive the vehicle. The contact called the manufacturer and was advised that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575409March 4, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's friend owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while his friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal rattling sound emanating from the engine compartment. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to turn the vehicle off, after which the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the four VANOS camshaft timing bolts. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and the VIN was included, but the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 204,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574722February 29, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact observed an oil leak and smoke emanating from underneath the vehicle and surmised that that was the reason the vehicle seemed to be consuming oil abnormally quickly. The contact also stated that during the winter months, the vehicle intermittently failed to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the camshaft timing bolts. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was 187,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574487February 28, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574506February 28, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving the vehicle, there was a clicking noise coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the residence. The contact later took the vehicle to a BMW Specialist, who disassembled the engine to determine if the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The mechanic found the VANOS bolts had loosened and sheared off into the oil pan and damaged the cylinders, pistons, and the head. The contact was advised to do an engine swap but declined due to the cost. In December 2023, the contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and towed the vehicle to the dealer to have the recall repair performed. The dealer looked under the hood and saw parts of the engine opened from the previous mechanic and stated the contact had pay to have the engine put back together and diagnosed, but the previous mechanic stated he would do it for free. The independent mechanic did not put the engine back together, and the dealer stated they would call the contact before starting any repairs on the vehicle. The dealer put the engine together and stated the contact needed to purchase coil packs and a battery. The contact provided the coil packs and a battery to the dealer and the parts were installed. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not test-driven but ran smoothly and returned the vehicle to the contact. The contact drove the vehicle 10 miles from the dealer and the engine seized. Upon arriving home, the contact received an email from the dealer itemizing repairs performed on the vehicle. The dealer stated that the oil pan was removed and there was a liter of water from the engine, primed the engine with oil, and cleared the fault memory. The contact called the dealer, regarding the seized engine and the dealer refused to provide further assistance. The manufacturer was not no
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574031February 26, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made an abnormal sound, and then the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle failed to restart immediately and later restarted after cooling down. The vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact's daughter was able to drive to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,475. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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