BMW 328i Complaints (2008)

239 consumer complaints on file.

#10823109January 29, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
ATTENTION: BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON, SATURDAY, 01/02/2016, AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FORT HAMILTON PKWY IN BROOKLYN, NY IN MY BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR MY CAR SUDDENLY STOP COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE TO TRAFFIC. IN ORDER TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY, I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL TO REDUCE SPEED THEN USE THE HAND BRAKE IT TO STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY AT THE NEAREST EXIT, EXT # 5. AFTER EXITING I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY. IT APPEARED THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS THE RESULT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON MY 2008 BMW 328XI WHICH ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC BURNT THE CONTROL MODULE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. FUEL TANK FAILURE IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE RESULTS IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKES AND A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW. DUE TO THIS FUEL TANK FAILURE MY WIFE AND I LIVE WERE PLACED IN DANGER. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS. I INFORMED THEM OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND MY LIFE AND EXPLAINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE TO TODAY, 01/07/15, INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD'VE GOTTEN A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD AND STATED SHE COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION UNLESS THE CAR WAS PRESENT. I INFORMED HER THAT AT THE TIME THE CAR BROKE DOWN THEIR DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED AND I WAS FORCED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO G & J SERVICE AUTO REPAIR SHOP LOCATED AT 198 28TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 11232. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FURTHER SHE COULD DO OR ASSISTANCE SHE COULD GIVE WITHOUT THE CAR BEING PRESENT. A FUEL PUMP IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ANY CAR. GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LITERALLY PUMPING A VEHICLE'S FUEL FROM ITS TANK TO THE ENGINE, A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL PUMP WILL ALWAYS LEAD TO A TOTAL DISASTER. DRIVER'S NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822463January 27, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL FOUR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I AM ABLE TO LOCK THEM WITH THE REMOTE BUT UNABLE TO UNLOCK THEM. ONCE INSIDE, YOU BECOME TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I HAVE TO UNROLL THE WINDOW AND USE MY KEY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR TO GET OUT. THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10816660December 29, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY CAR WAS IN MOTION AND IT STALLED IN MIDDLE OF FREEWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING ! IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP THAT HAD FAILED ! BMW ALREADY HAS RECALLED MANY MODELS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY PUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER AND NOT RECALL THE 2008 328I ALSO WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY AWARE OF THIS FUEL PUMP FAILURE ?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10808891December 7, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING(IN MOTION) MY VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY STOP RUNNING AND STALL OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTICS, BUT HE STATED HE DIDN'T SEE ANY ISSUES. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10748556August 13, 2015
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THEN IT SHOWS LIKE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS THE LIGHT WAS COMING INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOW IT IS ALWAYS ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND IT SHOWS PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. I SEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WENT TO MECHANIC. THEY GAVE ME ERROR CODE "93C3" WHICH IS PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT WORKING IN THE SEAT AND IT WILL COST AROUND 1300$ TO FIX THIS ISSUE. BMW HAD A RECALL ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT IT DOESN'T COVER 2008 MODELS. I HAVE A SPORT SEAT, AND WHEN I CHECKED ONLINE, I SAW IN THE FORUMS THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD RECALL EFFECTED CARS. BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10734307July 15, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER A SCHEDULED SERVICE THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS ON THE DOORS WOULD NOT WORK. RETURNED THE CAR THE SAME DAY FOR A "FUSE" THAT HAD BLOWN. WITHIN A FEW MORE DAYS, THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, AND REMAINED LOCKED. I HAD TO USE THE VALET/METAL KEY TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR AND WAS TOTALLY UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OTHER DOORS. NONE WOULD OPEN FROM INSIDE, OUTSIDE OR THE REMOTE FOB. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE A DAY TO REPAIR AFTER A DAY OF TEARING THE DOORS APART AND DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET PARTS AND TOOK SEVERAL DAYS TO REPAIR THE DOORS WITH NEW "LOCK ACTUATORS" THAT HAD ALL FAILED. WHY? HOW CAN THREE DOORS FAIL ALL AT THE SAME TIME? IT MUST BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? DANGEROUS!!! THANK GOD I DID NOT HAVE TO DRIVE MY GRANDCHILDREN AROUND THAT WEEK. THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO AND OUT OF THREE OF THE SEATS WOULD BE TO USE THE WINDOWS OR CLIMB OVER THE DRIVER SEAT/ CONSOLE. THIS IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS, TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR. WHY HASN'T BMW HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? I'M OUT ALMOST $2K FOR THE REPAIRS!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10733183July 10, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK THUS TRAPPING MYSELF IN THE CAR. NO MECHANICAL OVERRIDE EXISTS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. I HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW. THE 4 DOOR SEDAN HAS SMALL WINDOWS AND I HURT MYSELF (PULLED MUSCLES AND JOINTS) CLIMBING OUT. IF THE WINDOWS FAILED (THEY DID NOT), I WOULD HAVE HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOWS AND THEN CLIMB OUT. ELDERLY OR HANDICAPPED OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT! ANY POWER FAILURE WILL TRAP OCCUPANTS SINCE NO MECHANICAL OVERRIDE EXISTS!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10721637May 27, 2015
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY AND THE POSITIVE CONNECTION CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COIL, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND THE VALVE GASKET COVERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,025. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10714661May 5, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR USE TAKE A LOOK A LONG TIME TO START NOW IT'S NOT STARTING AT ALL IT JUST MAKES NOISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692583March 6, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON TWO OCCASIONS NOW. THE FIRST WHEN OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT LATER REQUIRED A NEW FUSE. THE SECOND ON MARCH 5TH HAPPENED AFTER ENTERING VEHICLE, BUT 3 OF THE DOORS REMAINED LOCK, AND MY ELDERLY FATHER COULD NOT GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD LOCKING BUTTON THEN SUBSEQUENTLY LOCKED THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND UNLOCKING WAS SUBSEQUENTLY NOT POSSIBLE FOR ANY DOORS. IN EFFECT TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE MANUALLY OPENED NOR ELECTRONICALLY. I WAS ABLE TO PASS THE MECHANICAL KEY THROUGH THE SUNROOF FOR ASSISTANCE IN OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION (E.G. A CAR CRASH), THE OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY OR SAFELY. BOTH BMW AND NHTSA APPEAR TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE FROM OTHER POSTINGS, BUT NO RECALLS ISSUED. THE REPAIR BILLS TOO ARE ALSO HIGH AND FALL ON THE CONSUMER TO PAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10692371March 5, 2015
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND OFF, ALL FOUR WINDOWS INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,140.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10661172November 28, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), AIR BAGS
ON THE AFTERNOON OF NOVEMBER 10TH, WHILE DRIVING, A RED LIGHT WITH A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. THEY WERE UNABLE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF, WHICH AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO RETRIEVE TIME AND TEMPERATURE ON THE DASHBOARD READER. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON NOVEMBER 26TH. THE PART IS CALLED SOP BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BATTERY CABLE PLUS POLE). I WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRES TESTED AS "BROKEN INTERMITTENTLY." I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS BATTERY CABLE WORKS CORRECTLY IT WILL SHUT OFF THE GAS PUMP SO THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF FIRE. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SEEMED TO BE ALL RIGHT, BECAUSE IF GAS LEAKED THE WHOLE CAR WOULD BE ON FIRE, NOT JUST THE PASSENGER SIDE. SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE ALSO RELATED. THE DEALER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE ON OTHER CARS BUT HE COULD NOT SAY HOW MANY. I AM GRATEFUL THAT THIS COULD BE FIXED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652294November 3, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I AM UNABLE TO OPEN/UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. OTHER DOORS ARE FINE BUT I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN CASE OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT. DOOR DOES UNLOCK THROUGH MANUAL KEY (NOT FOB). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651860November 1, 2014
ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS BROKE WHILE TURNING OUT OF MY BANK PARKING LOT. CALLED DEALERSHIP. ADVISED NO RECALL NOTED. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD ALSO ENDED. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. TOOK TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT USE ALUMINUM BOLTS FOR MOUNTING THE ENGINE. SERIOUS DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD . NEED RECALL... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10643532October 9, 2014
STRUCTURE
WINDSHIELD TRIMMING DETERIORATING / PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE IS MELTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592898May 20, 2014
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY. HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE AS CARS WERE COMING FROM BEHIND WITH FULL HIGHWAY SPEED. FORTUNATELY THE CAR BEHIND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL HIS CAR AND SAVED ACCIDENT. MY CAR IS NOW TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AWAITING DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586721May 6, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY 328I IN THE MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK, IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH (IN A SCHOOL ZONE), WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY CAME ON WITHOUT ME TURNING THEM ON. AT THE SAME TIME, MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD CONTROL SYSTEM PANEL AND THE AREA BETWEEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER LIT UP WITH SEVERAL SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGES: 1) CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES: CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION! CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION! 2) PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM: FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. TRANSMISSON MALFUNCTION! 3) TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION: FUNCTIONALITY OR DISPLAY OF GEAR POSITION MAY MALFUNCTION. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO ENGAGE A GEAR WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! 4) CRUISE CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY YOUR BMW CENTER. CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY. 5) CONTROL SYSTEMS. BRAKING AND DYNAMIC-RESPONSE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DRIVE MODERATELY. AVOID HARD BRAKING. CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY 6) AREA BETW SPEEDOMETER/TACH IS LIT UP [E.G. BRAKE, ABS, TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE WARNING SYMBOLS]. 7) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF AS LONG AS THE CAR KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, THE WIPERS DO NOT STOP UNTIL THE KEY IS REMOVED! THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO EMAILED BMW USA NORTH AMERICA. MY REQUEST IS THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES WITH BMW USA NORTH AMERICA. SURELY, THEY HAVE MORE INTELLIGENCE ABOUT THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THESE TYPES OF PROBLEM AND NEED TO BE TRANSPARENT IN ADVISING CONSUMERS ACCORDINGLY BEFORE THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF THE DEFECT LEADS TO ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586645May 5, 2014
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10582812April 15, 2014
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS
THE CAR'S AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT STARTED GOING OFF WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING THAT THERE IS NO AIRBAG FUNCTION IN THE CAR. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT AND INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CARS UP UNTIL THE 2007 MODEL YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT BMW HAS YET TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT E91 MODELS (MY CAR) HAVE THE SAME SENSOR MAT PART AS THE RECALLED MODELS, BUT BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ACTUAL PART AND NOT THE "MODEL YEAR". *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556236December 16, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WIRES WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HALO LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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