BMW 328i Complaints

2,583 consumer complaints on file.

#11705161December 15, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted several times but continually stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The contact examined the engine and discovered metal shavings in the VANOS solenoid engine oil. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704595December 11, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle lost power and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the water pump and electrical plug connector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact requested reimbursement for the cost of the repair that was performed prior to the safety recall, but the dealer informed the contact that the reimbursement claim was denied. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the manufacturer also denied the reimbursement claim. The approximate failure mileage was 89,565.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702719December 3, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal dinging sound coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached VANOS bolt. The contact was informed that the failure was due to unrepaired recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The recall repair was performed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that when the vehicle was released to the contact, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking violently, and the RPM was fluctuating. In addition, the engine shut off while idling. The contact stated that the failure occurred before leaving the dealer. The dealer requested that the vehicle remain at the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer the following day. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact was requested to provide a diagnostic fee for further diagnostic tests and the contact declined. The contact stated that the vehicle was in worse condition after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701187November 24, 2025
AIR BAGS
Seat occupancy sensor -- seat belt is inoperable on passenger side. Seat belt stuck in passengers seat back. "Active fault for seat occupancy sensor." Belt tensioner - "Drive belt starting to walk off tensioner pulley"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701327November 24, 2025
ENGINE
Thermostat was a recall back then, brought it to the dealer they fixed it and now it has come back, i brought it to a mechanic to fix it, and it came back again one more time. thermostat is staying stuck open. safety recall with emissions
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699384November 14, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
See attached document for complaint. I am writing in reference to the recall on my 2013 BMW-328xi. The vin number is. The recall is for the water pump electrical connector. My water pump failed May 2024. I went to an independent repair service center that specializes in BMW repair, which in turn was the closest service center to where the vehicle broke down. I paid out of pocket for the repair. Now there is a recall on this part, I would appreciate reimbursement for the charges. I am enclosing a copy of the invoice.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699451November 14, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Footwell module (FRM) module went out after negative battery disconnect to change fuse. Module being inoperable is causing windows to not operate,interior lighting not working, headlights stay dim (not good for nightime driving), blinkers inoperable (not good for driving with windows not working- no arm signals), dash light also inoperable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698897November 12, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
I went to Lakeland bmw, for my recall, they only put a shield up for the recall instead of changing out my water pump which was draining my battery. Now they are trying to charge me for a whole water pump installation even after I informed them that it was supposed to be changed out when I came in for a the recall due too it causing a battery drain.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698625November 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was stolen. Dent on right back fender . Footage needs to be pulled from Gull Aire Village 34677. Witness was [XXX] . First dent. Sunpass has image. Reported to CLWR pd. Accident photos sent. Not same car. Allstate Insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698015November 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The water pump is draining my battery, the bmw dealership said they fixed the recall but it has not been fixed. They told me I needed a new battery which was replaced & now it’s back at the shop for a dead battery again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696839October 31, 2025
WHEELS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Tire Pressure Monitor failure intermittently reported while driving. The error lights up on the dashboard. Sometimes the TMP resets without my resetting the system. I took the car to the dealer and was told nothing is wrong with the system. The dealer told me to drive the car more frequently. This has happened over the last several years. Driver's door intermittently fails to lock and/or will not open (intermittently) using the interior door latch handle mechanism. The door will unlock using the electronic locking and unlocking switch/button located on the center of the dashboard. The problem would be exiting the vehicle in an emergency without electrical systems functioning. This has happened starting in the first year of purchase - 2017 continuing through 2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695666October 26, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The wipers will wipe 5-6 times then stop. Sometimes mid windshield. Does not reset at any setting on the washer arm. Leads to an urgent stop on side of the road. It is available for inspection. I have tested while sitting in driveway and it does every time (of the 4 times I tested). Only way to reset is to turn off motor and remove key. No confirmation by mechanic. Reading online similar happenings and people replacing wiper relay. No inspection by dealer or others yet. No warning lights before.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695569October 25, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
My 2015 BMW 328i xDrive (VIN [XXX] ) experienced an engine-compartment fire that began shortly after coolant sprayed from the front of the vehicle. This incident occurred before BMW’s official recall announcement for NHTSA Campaign 24V-608 / BMW 24V-608:474 (Safety: Engine Coolant Pump Electrical Connector). The fire originated near the coolant pump area, consistent with the recall’s described defect involving electrical shorting and overheating at the pump connector. The vehicle was declared a total loss by my insurance company. I believe this event was caused by the same defect identified in the recall and request that this incident be investigated and documented under campaign 24V-608. Supporting photos and insurance documentation are available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694622October 20, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Door handle plastics are disintegrating in to a soft sticky matter. Please advice as this seem to a poor decision on the type of material need in the door handles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691679October 6, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The recall repair was completed; however, on the drive home after the vehicle was retrieved, while driving 60 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was sluggish and hesitated before stalling in the middle lane of the highway. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and after several attempts, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the incorrect oil filter was installed on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact towed the vehicle back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered the contact a 10% discount on a new engine. The failure mileage was 126,657.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689878September 26, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Mid-mounted Dash/Display Screen has Delaminated, rendering “rear backup camera display” unusable. Delaminating has progressed over time, rendering screen virtually unusable. Since the camera display is unusable, there is immediate danger that the driver might not see an object immediately behind the vehicle, such as a child, and back into/over, causing injury or death. Note: while watching a YouTube video of ANOTHER BMW vehicle, the same phenomenon, mid-mounted (a BMW i8) display delaminated, was shown, meaning this is NOT unique to my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689920September 26, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact had been calling the local dealer for several months and was informed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not informed the contact about parts availability. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689985September 26, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
Virtually all parking brake cable attachment clips fail on this BMW product years 2012 to 2019. Complaints are easy to find online. Upon failure, the parking brake cable drops down onto the drive shaft creating a safety hazard for the brake system as well as the drive shaft mechanism. The piece that fails (breaks) costs less than $20, but replacement costs $1200 due to labor intensive access. I have repeatedly contacted BMW of North America, but they refuse to own this serious issue. Even the people at the BMW dealership here are surprised that there has been no recall. Please advise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689232September 23, 2025
ENGINE
While traveling at night on the toll road between Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA, the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. Power was lost completely, including power steering, while in motion on a major freeway, creating an immediate and severe risk of collision for us and surrounding motorists. Although the vehicle did restart, it stalled again shortly afterward while still on the toll road. The failure repeated when decelerating on the highway or coming to a stop after exiting. At no point were there warning lamps, check-engine lights, messages, or reduced-power mode indicators prior to the stalls; the shutdowns occurred without any advance notice. The vehicle was towed to an independent BMW-only repair shop in Pittsburgh. Their initial assessment indicated a high likelihood that the failure involved the VANOS assembly bolts, though the engine was not disassembled at that time, so the diagnosis could not be confirmed with certainty. Because the shop did not have immediate availability, we were asked to transport the car home until they could perform a full repair. After sitting for several weeks, the car was towed back for further inspection, at which point the shop discovered that a VANOS bolt had likely sheared off and caused irreparable damage to the engine. Our only options now are to replace the engine or scrap the vehicle. The vehicle remains in Pittsburgh, PA in our possession and is available for inspection upon request. At this time, the failure has not been reproduced or confirmed by a BMW dealer, nor has it been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Importantly, there is an existing recall on VANOS bolts for the 328xi station wagon, but our vehicle’s production date ([XXX]) falls just outside the recall window of October 1, 2009–August 4, 2011. Notably, for the sedan body model, the recall window was extended until December 6, 2011. 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
#11687727September 16, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact had received various unknown notifications of NHTSA recalls. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was repaired. The contact stopped by the dealer to pick up the vehicle, and when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling abnormally. The contact left the vehicle at the dealer. The contact believed that the dealer had damaged the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had other issues that the contact needed to repair for the dealer to repair the vehicle again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,184.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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