BMW 320i Complaints

156 consumer complaints on file.

#11501517January 12, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 320I. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe due to engine oil leaking into the catalytic converter. As a result, the catalytic converted became clogged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil check valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500593January 7, 2023
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Timing chain malfunction and power train malfunction
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11494195November 18, 2022
ENGINE
When starting a cold engine, a “plume of blue smoke” can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. There is no engine malfunction light illuminated (no” turbocharger boost faults are stored) and no drivability issues are detected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493670November 15, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Timing chain issue that is common with the BMW n20 engines. The chain is starting to loosen and have some slack. Afraid it could brake and jump teeth as it does it so many online horror stories wrecking the car's engine after it breaks and gets sucked into it. I believe a recall should hopefully happen. A sorts of class action lawsuits and settlements but no recall yet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11493280November 12, 2022
SEATS
I have referred to the owner's manual of my vehicle and it does not show me nor indicate how to get access to the trunk from the inside of the vehicle in an emergency situation. I've looked for a seat release latch handle and there is not one. I've researched and contacted BMW experts and they state normally it should have one, other times it may not... I've pulled the middle seat armrest down to expose the plastic access hatch and when I pulled it out of the way, it exposed a metal frame that was in the way and appeared it was part of the backseat metal frame. I've felt around, looked and mentioned this to experts, and they could not explain anything of the sorts other than "normally it should have one, other times it may not...". Ultimately, I find this extremely hazardous, because it is very misleading in the manual to offer a trunk cable release handle (in the trunk) but not a single way to get access to the trunk from the inside of the vehicle if an emergency/accident happened...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484151September 12, 2022
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have smoke that comes from my exhaust pipe only whenever I first start my vehicle at the beginning of the day. I had a diagnosis done on my vehicle and was advised that my oil feed line was faulty. This is a known design flaw with BMW vehicles from years 2013 through 2016. I would like for BMW to repair the flaw on my vehicle since this is a known manufacturer issue which is something out of my control. Please contact me by email or cellular phone @ [XXX] or [XXX]. Thank you 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
#11479180August 14, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This is a serious problem with the handling of this car in standing water situations. This car immediately begins to hydroplane when it encounters standing water, every time. We had been lucky so far of the numerous instances we had encountered with this vehicle hydroplaning and rotating. Always slowing down when encountering rain to avoid these situations. Tonight 08-13-2022, we were driving on the highway where the posted speed limit was 70mph. We were encountering on and off heavy rain. Crossing a bridge at approximately 15 mph under the speed limit in moderate rain when the car completely lost it's grip on the road and went out of control, like on ice and was unrecoverable. We were hit by a vehicle passing us who was not experiencing the same hydroplaning problem. This has been an ongoing problem with this vehicle and I notified my service advisor at BMW about the problem, but he said it was common and he had even been in an accident with his BMW due to hydroplaning. He said there was nothing they could do about it. The tires were in good condition, recently purchased, and there is not reason this vehicle should not have handled the situation like all of the other vehicles on the road were.(We were the slowest vehicle).
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11475820July 25, 2022
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, WHEELS
The brakes wouldn’t work and car kept going even though I tried to brake several times and with all my strength The car stopped when crashed another car and I was able to shut down the car but the brakes did not work. The crash was very severe and airbags didn’t deploy. A faulty airbag message was shown on my car screen.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459634April 5, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Back light malfunction numerous repairs
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11453348February 22, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Clear Coat on car is peeling everywhere. Car manufactured in 2015 and purchased from Carmax in Doral, Miami.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11449196January 27, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
Vibration in the brakes heavily at higher speeds when gradually pressing brakes shakes. When pressed harder during shaking goes away with the breaking. Brand new brakes brand new rotors alignment yet the vehicle is still having this issue I’m hoping that the vibration doesn’t cause any electronics or braking mechanism not to properly work to me this is a safety concern a safety issue and I’m seeing it pop up a lot I watch video reviews on magazines pros and cons of this vehicle the one thing stayed it was a vibration in the brakes that the reviewer could not answer and he says it wasn’t a problem but it has to be a Manufacturing issue. I hope this helps anybody else Only the manufacture can answer this question
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11447154January 12, 2022
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, ENGINE
engine overheating, passenger safety belt, failed speed control (difficulty accelerating) Due to these issues and malfunctions; it causes injury to the driver as the airbags/seat belts are not stable. If the car suddenly stops it can injure the driver. The vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, vehicle loses power/ says to drive moderately or stop driving/ the car drives slow does not past 35 mph, the car goes into 'limp mode' (less than 10 mph) it goes in a very low speed with no acceleration; This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially. This can cause injury to the driver and surrounding drivers. The problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The water pump and thermostat was replaced, however, the car still does not accelerate and is in a low driving speed mode. It still shuts off unexpectedly. The issue has not been resolved. The warning signs were 'drive moderately, engine overheated, passenger safety belt, with cranking noises, no acceleration, limp mode (car is going very slow no more than 10 mph).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11421216June 16, 2021
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
i purchased this car in 2014 and since then i keep bringing my car for repairs the dealer keep finding so many problems, every time i take it for service. this car has stalled on me few times, and i almost have an accident with my two grandbabies with me, supposedly the dealer fixed it but few months later it broke again with the same issues, they said it was still under the warranty and i didnt pay for that, but they charge of other problems. i told them from the beginning that this car was almost new when i bought it and ,its was not possible that since then, its been having too many problems, and they were the only one that has been taking care of the car. now iit has scaled, to even more and major issues. such as breaks, tires, alternator drive belt, break pads, fuel injection, , engine oil filter housing gaskets, parkin brake cable clip, brake fluid, differential fluid exchange, battery replace and much more,. and that is why i really need your help. i am very scare of the safety of my love ones, my self and others. the car it has been inspected by the same dealer, where i been taking it since i bought it, for maintenance and mechanical and other issues. my vehicle always have the message (symbol) of either engine, tire. it appears since 2014, it goes away after i have taking it to the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413623April 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY
CAN NHTSA ENFORCE A RECALL ON THE WELL-KNOWN 'TRUNK OPENS ON ITS OWN' DEFECT ON BMW 3 SERIES, WHICH MY 2015 320I ALSO HAS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2016? PLEASE SEE ATTACHED 'TO NHTSA ON BMW SERIES 3 DEFECT.PDF'.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413487April 23, 2021
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EVERY TIME IT'S COLD AND RAINS OR SNOWS MY LIGHT COMES ON FOR CHARGING MALFUNCTION AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON ITS FINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11396344February 15, 2021
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE DISPLAYS WARNING FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAINT WHEN STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING. DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND SAID IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11384147December 18, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE HAD 300 MILES ON IT. ALL POWER WENT OUT IN THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE STEERING GOING STRAIGHT 45MPH WITH MY SMALL CHILD IN THE CAR. ALMOST DIED, BUT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL CAR TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ALMOST GETTING HIT HEAD ON. CALLED BMW FROM WITHIN THE CAR AND WENT LATER THAT DAY TO GET A LOANER. I REFUSED TO TAKE BACK CAR DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES. AFTER A WEEK OF THEM "FIXING" IT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A MAIN CONTROL PANEL FOR THE FUEL PUMP THAT WENT OUT. I DO SEE THROUGH WHEN CHECKING RECALLS FOR 2018 BMWS THAT THERE WAS ONE ISSUED FOR A PUMP, BUT NOT UNTIL SEPTEMBER 2018. THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN MARCH OF 2018, SO IF IT IS THE SAME ISSUE THE RECALL SHOULD BE SHORTENED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11377470December 2, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW 320I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RODENTS WERE FOUND EATING THE WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SPEAKERS WERE EMITTING A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PAUL MILLER BMW (1515 NJ-23, WAYNE, NJ 07470) WHERE NO FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE SPEAKER AND WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS WIRES WERE FOUND CHEWED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHOM INFORMED HIM THAT CHIPMUNKS WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO GRILL ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS ALLOWING THE RODENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11375256November 18, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON THE NIGHT OF OCTOBER 18 2020 AROUND 3:30AM I WAS WOKEN BY MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS NOTIFYING ME THAT ME 2014 BMW WAS CURRENTLY ON FIRE IN A UNCONTROLLABLE BLAZE. FROM THE ENGINE BAY OF THE CAR DOWN TO MY FUEL TANK AND PUMPS WERE SHOOTING OUT FLAMES COVERING THE CAR ITSELF BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO RUN FROM MY ROOM TO MY CAR I CAN SEE THAT THE DAMAGE WAS DONE. I PROCEEDED TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE MYSELF WHILE I WAITED FOR THEM TO ARRIVE, I DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 8+ HOURS AND IT WAS SITTING AND PARKED IN FRONT OF MY DRIVE WAY. MY CAR SHOWED NO SIGNS OF CATCHING ON FIRE ON ITS OWN, IT JUST RANDOMLY CAUGHT ABLAZE, AFTER I PUT OUT THE FIRE AND TALKED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM FIRST GLANCE WE KNEW THIS WASN'T ARSON BUT A POSSIBLE ELECTRIC AND OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE CAR ITSELF. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED, THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO PICK UP THE CAR THE NEXT DAY VIA TOW TRUCK AND TOOK IT TO A PROFESSIONAL TO LOOK AT WHAT CAUSED IT, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE ENGINE BAY AND AS STATED BEFORE A MALFUNCTION WITH THE VEHICLE (SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION), IT WAS THEN LABELED A TOTAL LOSS AND MY INVESTMENT WAS GONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11372674November 2, 2020
ENGINE
DEALER MAINTAINED 90,000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , PULLED OVER VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT START. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE SEIZED. WAS ADVISED THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. TRYING TO WORK WITH BMW ON THIS CURRENTLY
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to BMW 320i