10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 43,479 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle initially failed to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance due to an error with the VIN. The failure mileage was 160,000.
- Gadsden, AL, USA
i was driving to work and the car stalled in the middle of traffic when i slowed the vehicle down, the idle is rough and all over the place, car is very hesitant to accelerate and vibrates or shakes when approaching any speed. then the check engine light popped on and is still on, i-??ve parked the car since the incident to do some research on what the cause could be.
- Batavia, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's husband coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The contact's husband attempted to shift the vehicle into different gears; however, the vehicle remained in neutral(N). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and received the same diagnosis. The contact paid out of pocket for the transmission repair however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
Engine is making weird noise and a mechanic told me it-??s related to this recall that still has -??no remedy-?? when it should-??ve been a recall YEARS ago when the cars first came out and this issue became more apparent. I do not want to keep driving the car I paid hard earned money for just for a manufacturer defect to destroy
- Philadelphia, PA, USA
The engine made noise and then turned off. Would not restart. BMW dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed exhaust camshaft Vanos unit. BMW refuses to repair it even though it the engine, model and year fit the Vanos recall. This is the second BMW vehicle I have owned that failed for this reason, but was outside the covered claimed VIN numbers. I am requesting that you investigate this as wider range of vehicles, fitting the recall description exactly, but not covered, are failing...this vehicle is a 2011 with only 62,000 miles. I would also like a list of the VIN numbers currently affected.
- Wellington, FL, USA
Vanos System Camshaft gear Bolts sheared causing loss of power in the freeway.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
My vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms and is reporting the same trouble codes related to recall number: 17V683000. However, my vehicle is not included in this recall. I would appreciate it if this matter could be investigated and my vehicles VIN included in this recall.
- River Falls, WI, USA
The vehicle lost the ability to shift from P to R to N to D and vice versa due to a malfunction of the gear shifter mechanism while driving. This BMW model uses a mechanical cable to move the automatic transmission gear selector. The cable assembly is held in place by a metal clip (BMW securing plate, part number 25161421252) so the gear knob can push or pull the cable from P to R to N to D and vice versa inside the cabin when the driver selects different gears. This clip can easily fall off as the cable assembly bends the metal clip over time. This issue could be fatal if the automatic transmission shifts gears suddenly from drive to neutral or reverse while driving at speed.
- Coral Springs, FL, USA
My BMW does not idle smooth, it hesitates like it is choking on gas, its idle gauge goes from 0 to 15 constantly. At first I thought it was a transmission problem. I had it tunes=D up and the problem still exists. It has little power on and off. You have to accelerate hard to get it to go up hills and it is not a smooth shift when your riding it hard to get the idle up to par to go faster.
- Elizabeth, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328xi. While driving at a low rate of speed, the vehicle stalled and shut off without warning. Also, the service engine indicator illuminated. The contact associated NHTSA campaign number: 13V044000 (electrical system) with the failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
- Powell, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would not immediately accelerate and sputtered when depressing the accelerator pedal. On several occasions, smoke was present inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to classic BMW (2571 som center rd, willoughby hills, oh), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 80,000.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
The engine light would come on, but nothing would be wrong with the car at least I thought.
- Waco, TX, USA
Cam bolts shear off and fall into engine resulting in complete loss of power on the freeway while in drive, extended warranty should fix this however all they did at BMW tri cities was put new bolts on and there are massive issues happening related to bolts failing, they will do nothing about this
- Ellensburg, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. While driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called BMW of rockville at (301) 476-0126 (1300 rockville pike, md 20852) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Fredrick, MD, USA
As I came to a stop at a red light the screen showed red saying transmission issues take to nearest repair facility asap I drove thru intersection about 1000 ft made a U-turn to get off road turned car off for safety and car would not restart had to have it towed to nearest dealer where I was informed 4 days later that their diagnostics said it has had at least 2 faults on battery and possibly 3 faults on transmission it will cost $2500. Plus to repair depending on what they find now my issue is that I just purchased this car 84 days prior to this thinking that all I've heard is how great a vehicle these are dependable, sharp, etc. Foolish me since my purchase I had to get a new gas cap no problem replace front brakes and noticed that front passenger door doesn't unlock or lock with auto key trunk doesn't open from inside vehicle just little annoying things the fox report came with no reports of accidents but not the case when replacing brakes showing signs of accident so here I sit with a car parked in my driveway that I'm afraid to drive because I can't afford to fix for possibly 6 months inconvenient perplexed disappointed just todays feelings I don't think I would recommend this brand of vehicle to anyone. Because I was going for a weekend trip with friends plans already set we were forced to rent a car to get thru weekend at a cost of $130. And then it costs me $ 163. For diagnostics and an additional $399. To have it towed back to my residence because I couldn't afford repair work at this time this vehicle only has 83,000 miles to have this many issues just doesn't set right with me. So from BMW's viewpoint how can I get these issues resolved without going bankrupt
- West Melbourne, FL, USA
Ac/heat blower motor and final stage unit, vehicle at 5700 miles burned out resistor/harness connections. While in motion, blower suddenly stop and saw smoke come out of the vent with a burning smell due to the electrical shortage. I immediately turned the fan switch off. The resistor burned out and frayed the wires of the blower motor. Researched the issue and this is a common problem to the 2013 and earlier models. Due to this issue, the manufacturer changed their design/ harness but did not perform a recall on any vehicles. This issue is a safety concern due to internal cabin fires and total vehicle loss due to electrical fires. I did have my parts replaced at my own expense due to vehicle out of warranty.
- Westampton, NJ, USA
2011 328I with 53,500 miles. Engine cold start hesitation with vibrations while idling stationary. Took vehicle in to dealership to diagnose issue, oil change. Was told that it was the eccentric shaft sensor/gaskets, battery tested low to include vvt sensors and left pad brake sensor due to wire cut. Total cost $2300 dollars. Next day, continued to have the same problem. Went back to dealer and stated they didn't find any further issues. Did research into the issue with other BMW owners which had the vehicles serviced for replacements of vanos, mass air flow sensors, etc. These codes weren't showing up on my vehicle. Decided to take a look at my engine myself and noticed oil leaking from the valve cover gasket area and could see oil that had leak on the bottom of the engine bay, now at 60K miles, took it in early for an oil change and diagnosis again due to possible fire if oil spills on mounting struts. This replacement will cost me another $2K+ for a valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket replacements, yet this wasn't made known when I had gotten my oil changed previously. The safety issue is the possibility of an engine fire and BMW's negligence in taking responsibility for the manufacturing flaws, especially when so many owners are having problems with these issues starting early at 40K miles.
- Westampton, NJ, USA
Shortly after the warranty on this vehicle expired in September, 2014, I noticed a shutter while accelerating in the 35-45 mph range, however no warning lights were illuminated. I took the vehicle to an authorized BMW mechanic, and, initially, the mechanic could not resolve the problem. On October 27, 2016, I returned to the mechanic for some minor repairs, and the mechanic informed me that the shutter problem was due to a defect in the transmission (torque) converter. He said that he is seeing this problem arise with more and more frequency in bmws that are brought to him for service and maintenance. This may be a serial defect in BMW transmissions. While accelerating in my vehicle, the shutter impairs both driving pleasure and performance. It also raises safety concerns.
- Coral Gables, FL, USA
This vehicle has stalled numerous time when driven (in motion) at low speed on a city street. It has happened again 2 days ago when I was driving (in motion) and tried to make a right turn. The engine stopped and the steering wheel refused to turn. I would have been dead if another vehicle was coming from the other side of the road. This vehicle was taken to a BMW dealer's service numerous time for the exact same problem when it was under manufacturer warranty but the service and BMW usa always said that none of the other customers have ever reported this issue and they never heard of it from another customer.
- Katy, TX, USA
- Louisville, CO, USA