10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,897 miles

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problem #105

Dec 072024

328

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle on the sidewalk in front of his driveway, it caught on fire. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The location of the fire was the front engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police department report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The contact also noted that no warning lights had been illuminated prior, and received notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and believed the recall as probable cause for the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Drexel Hill, PA, USA

problem #104

Nov 042024

328

  • miles
UNKNOWN/ my car came up with an engine code. Trouble accelerating, tends to runs hot ( drive train malfunction

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #103

Dec 092024

328

  • miles
Unknown, Over time, this could lead to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a thermal event or a fire.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #102

Oct 242024

328

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied in a friend's driveway when a pop was heard and the contact noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. The contact stated that a police officer who was riding through the neighborhood stopped and attempted to extinguish the fire, however, they were unsuccessful. The local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. No injuries and no medical treatment was provided. The fire caused damage to the friend's garage and the window above the garage. In addition, the friend's vehicle, which was parked in the driveway next to the contact's vehicle, was damaged on the driver's side front bumper and headlight and the driver's side front tire. The vehicle remained at the fire location. The vehicle was deemed as a total loss by the insurance company. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was just purchased a month ago. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

- Weston, FL, USA

problem #101

Oct 012024

328

  • miles
Engine Timing Chain and Oil pump drive chain modules failed. I found this from BMW website that Defect Code: SI B11 03 17: For this vehicle the timing chain and the oil pump drive chain modules (N20, N26 engines) limited Warranty for in defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 7 years / 70000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New vehicle limited warranty for passenger cars and light trucks. for eligible vehicles that are beyond this 7/70 coverage, please refer to SI B11 02 21 for additional coverage that may also apply. I filed a case directly with BMW of NA - they told me get it towed to BMW dealership and get it diagnosed, I followed the instructions and got it diagnosed. BMW dealership confirmed the main cause was the Timing chain broke and engine seized. but BMW declined to do anything about it. please see the link by BMW below: [XXX] $ INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #100

Aug 302024

328

  • miles
My name is [XXX] I have 2013 bmw 328i that has a safety recall Vin [XXX] CAMPAIGN ID: 24V608000 Engine coolant pump problem It-??s been 4 months with no help from bmw.I contacted the dealer and they said there-??s nothing they could do right now, but I believe its causing the part not to work anymore and it-??s causing other problems that-??s related to this issue. I will have to hire an attorney because there-??s no remedy available and it-??s causing we-??re on my other parts of the car. Please if you can help or recommend what to do, I-??d appreciate it. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #99

Jul 172024

328

  • miles
It-??s been a few months with no remedy contacted the dealer and they said there-??s nothing they could do right now, but I believe the connectors, causing the part not to work anymore and it-??s causing other problems that-??s related to this issue. I will have to hire an attorney because there-??s no remedy available and it-??s causing we-??re on my other parts of the car. I believe this is caused other problems with the vehicle I don-??t think the coolant pump is working. Is bmw going to fix related problems free of charge?that are caused from them not fixing it fast enough and causing other problems since the coolant pump has failed and bmw hasn-??t offered anything or to fix the problems quick enough.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #98

Jun 032024

328

  • miles
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.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #97

Jun 032024

328

  • miles
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.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #96

Sep 202024

328

  • 90,000 miles
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.

- Valley Stream, NY, USA

problem #95

Aug 312024

328

  • miles
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.

- Houston , TX, USA

problem #94

Jun 052024

328

  • miles
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.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #93

Sep 232024

328

  • miles
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)

- Eagle, ID, USA

problem #92

Jul 262024

328

  • miles
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)

- Brookfield, IL, USA

problem #91

May 092024

328

  • miles
Timing chain broken, sas light on, drivetrain malfunction-??

- El Monte, CA, USA

problem #90

Apr 222024

328

  • 165,000 miles
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.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #89

Apr 052024

328

  • miles
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.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #88

Sep 242023

328

  • miles
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.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #87

Feb 022024

328

  • miles
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.

- Colchester, VT, USA

problem #86

Dec 292023

328

  • miles
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)

- Fresno, TX, USA

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