BMW 328i Complaints (2013)

257 consumer complaints on file.

#11618370October 7, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I was driving and my car began to lose power and Drivetrain Malfunction appeared on the screen. I had to pull over to a side street and turn the car off. I turned it back on but it was very sluggish and moved very slow. Once I parked it I turned it off and tried to start it back up but it wouldn’t turn over. I contacted BMW and they said they couldn’t do anything. I need a new engine and timing chain, fuel pump and oil pan.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618363October 6, 2024
ENGINE
Check engine light came on and car began to slow down on the expressway going 45 mph. My car now does not start and will not turn over. Before all of this happened my car was misfiring and a warning came up saying Engine Oil pressure Low. I just received an oil change a week prior. Now my car doesn't work and I cannot drive it at all. BMW said my timing Chain is broken and I have an oil leak. I will need a new engine. My mechanic said my entire engine needs to be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617974October 3, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly vibrated before losing motive power, after which the message "Drivetrain Malfunction" was displayed. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No other warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who observed that the guides for the timing chain were fractured, causing engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the Service Information Bulletin: 11-03-17. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616677September 26, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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
#11616321September 25, 2024
ENGINE
There is a safety recall on my engine and it’s been out for 6 months and still no remedy and it’s causing problems with my car and safety .I would like bmw to pay for a loaner you’ll they fix the problem .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616031September 23, 2024
ENGINE
When starting a cold engine, a large toxic “plume of blue smoke” can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-30 seconds. I have been complaining about this to the BMW dealer in Boise Idaho since 2019. This issue is describe in SI B11 11 16 Warranties "N20 ENGINE OIL FEED LINE TO THE TURBOCHARGER: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES" - [XXX] My car is a 2013 Year BMW, F25 (X3 xDrive28i) (N20 Engine) Model, but BMW has excluded my VIN number from this warranty. I have the problem and my BMW meets the descriptions but the VIN number is excluded. As this model is identify as being problematic, the VIN numbers of all 2013 models should be included, not limited. Please help. Best, BMW 2013 328 ix owner. 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
#11616088September 23, 2024
ENGINE
REDUCED ENGINE AND AIR CONDITIONING On hot days or long drives, the AC stops blowing air. I took to dealership and they said it had error FC 801228 and recommended 850W electric fan and program "as first step" at a cost of $2,505.85. I noticed on many online BMW sites, that many other people had this same issue on hot days, long drives and sometimes stop and go traffic. This happened twice prior to 2024, once in June 2024 (air temperature was 100 degrees, driving 65 MPH) and September 24 (air temperature was 72 degrees, driving 65 MPH). All drives were longer than 2 hours. Saw in the news today that BMW is issuing a new recall for the Engine Coolant Pump and connector. Seems as though these issues may be related? Per BMW SI B12 25 13 Engine Electrical Systems publication dated February 2014, this was a known issue in 3 series sedans and 4 series coupes produced from 07/2012 to 12/2013 and the recommended correction was installing the fan housing with 850W electric fan. It notes "The improved parts were introduced into production at the end of November 2013..." BMW SI B12 29 14 dated October 2014 seems to relate to the same issue for production dates 11/2013-06/2014 and recommends replacing fan housing with "improved parts". As an owner of a 2013 3 series sedan, this seems unconscionable that BMW, after becoming aware of this issue so soon after manufacture/sale, wouldn't correct the known issue in their vehicles. I contact BMW Customer Relations about this issue after it happened the first time, they couldn't find the document above in their system and offered no resolution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612817September 5, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the message "Top Off Coolant" was displayed several times while there was sufficient coolant in the coolant reservoir. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway. An unknown message was displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610062August 21, 2024
AIR BAGS
I along with many others are getting a passenger restraint sensor error which prevents the airbag from deploying. This is very dangerous and the repair cost is $2000. This sensor determines if there is an occupant sitting in the front passenger seat and if they meet the weight limit for the airbag to deploy. When it malfunctions, the airbag will not deploy even though a passenger may be seated there.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605504July 30, 2024
ENGINE
The turbo charger electric waste gate actuator lever fell off the vehicle from rust. It disconnected at the two locations where it is installed. This caused an immediate loss of power at highway speeds. It is related to this issue where the the clip/link that holds the lever rusts off. [XXX] 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
#11593217June 8, 2024
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Timing chain broken, sas light on, drivetrain malfunction…
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588395May 13, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, there was a white plume of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The "Drivetrain Malfunction Drive Moderately" message was displayed. The contact also stated that after driving for a while, there was white smoke coming from the engine department. A local dealer was called about the failure and the contact was informed that the failure might be related to the turbo lines, the oil lines, or the head gasket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588285May 11, 2024
ENGINE
I bought the car new and since then, on four separate occasions with the engine running and the brake depressed, the engine begins to race at a high speed and on two of those conditions, the car lurched forward and I struck the vehicle in front of me. On the other two occasions, the car did not move forward but the engine was racing. BMW did their inspection on the vehicle and found nothing out of the ordinary but said when this happens again to place the car in neutral and turn off the engine, I'm concerned that when this happens again, I may be at a crosswalk and actually strike a pedestrian causing personal injury or worse. I honestly now feel uncomfortable driving the car as I deem it a safety issue and request assistance.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579079March 23, 2024
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
Passenger-restraint system This light has turned on and I see that certain BMW’s had recalls on this exact issue. Not sure why my 2013 328i was not included in the recall.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572816February 19, 2024
ENGINE
Timing chain in engine failed while the vehicle was going 70 MPH on a busy highway. Vehicle had 96,054 miles. “Low oil pressure” warning came on and immediately the engine lost compression and car had to be pulled over to side of the highway. The spot the car stalled was in a dangerous curve of the highway making the towing process dangerous. Vehicle does not switch into neutral when the engine isn’t on. Vehicle had to be dragged onto tow truck ruining the tires. Quoted the repairs at 6 different shops and they were all very familiar with this issue. All estimates for engine repair exceeded the value of the vehicle. Additional costs may have also been incurred as oil pump may have been damaged from timing chain failure. BMW never notified me of the timing chain issues and no dealership I had prior work at ever mentioned the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11571104February 9, 2024
ENGINE
BMW failed to inform customers about the class action lawsuit several years ago due to the premature failure of the primary and secondary timing chain assemblies for N20 & N26 engines. See SI B11 03 17. Owners of these vehicles were never notified of this documented and extremely hazardous problem. The government should make this a recall and not allowed it to just be an extended warranty that has since expired and was unknown to many owners. There are thousands of these vehicles on the road with this defective part that could suddenly cause the engine to cease working, resulting in an accident that could cause injury and death to many. If this chain fails while driving it is catastrophic to both the car and the people. A recall should be issued immediately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562537December 29, 2023
ENGINE
The turbo valve outside of the turbo leaks back into the engine and creates a cloud of smoke at start up.They created a new one way valve to come out of turbo but it's not in the recall list. It's very expensive to fix you have to take the whole car apart. It's dangerous at startup I had a huge cloud of smoke and can cause an accident from cars not being able to see from all the smoke in the parking garage. My number is [XXX] [XXX] Email- [XXX] 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
#11555373November 15, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Front driver side door will not open from the outside and the inside. Mechanical issue- electrical opening will not make the door open on the driver side
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553330November 3, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The engine component caught fire spontaneously when car was pulled into a parking lot. There was no warning sign. It did not show any service required notice like it usually does on the dashboard for example if oil is low. There were no recalls pending on this vehicle. The fire was big enough that we had to call fire department to put out. It would have affected other vehicles if not put out. The vehicle was declared total loss after an inspection by insurance company. The car manufacturer (BMW) was contacted but not responded yet. It is available for detailed inquiry and inspection in a secure place.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543446September 8, 2023
ENGINE
Timing chain system failed. Inspection no longer possible due to being repaired in order to be used and not blow engine. Daughter driving on freeway to Phoenix, AZ in 115+ degree weather and left to sit on side of rode with no A/C until tow truck able to tow vehicle rest of way to Phoenix, AZ. Chandler BMW confirmed issue and repaired. Independent service provider in hometown informed me of every BMW owner having this issue a few months after repair. Discovered class action lawsuit from several years ago after research regarding this exact issue. Unknown of symptoms prior to failure, but vehicle has been very well maintained since purchase just about a year ago (2 trips to independent service provider in hometown and one trip to Chandler BMW mentioned above). Approximately 105,000 miles on vehicle at time of timing chain issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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