This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving(in motion) my vehicle will completely stop running and stall out. I took the vehicle to a mechanic for a diagnostics, but he stated he didn't see any issues. This happens frequently.
My wife was driving home from work on the highway at night and her entire car just shut off without warning nearly causing her to be killed by a tractor trailer we had car towed to BMW dealership and they say valvetronic sensor/seal issue...but this was scary and nearly killed my wife so I felt compelled to report this issue
Experienced same problem noted in NHTSA campaign # 14V176000. Vanos bolt sheared off, connected to the intake camshaft, then timing chain broke and came off.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. While parked, the vehicle failed to start and the battery and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the battery and the positive connection cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The engine warning light illuminated and engine malfunction was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the valve coil, the spark plugs, and the valve gasket covers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 13V044000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 73,025. The VIN was unavailable.
- Long Beach, CA, USA
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Driving car and vehicle started to shake, make rumbling noise and feels sluggish when accelerating. Doesn't feel safe to drive with sluggish, engine power intermittent.
Motor mount bolts broke while turning out of my bank parking lot. Called dealership. Advised no recall noted. My extended warranty had also ended. I would be responsible for repairs. Took to my personal mechanic and he stated this is a very common problem with BMW. They are the only ones that use aluminum bolts for mounting the engine. Serious defect and a serious safety hazard. Need recall...
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328xi. While waiting at a traffic light, the vehicle vibrated and idled roughly. The contact mentioned that when making sharp left turns, a thumping noise was heard from the passenger side of the vehicle. The failure recurred multiple times. The dealer stated that all four motor mount bolts were fractured out of the block and that the engine shifted significantly, which was potentially caused by a pothole. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
Three bolts on engine mount bracket sheared off and one bolt on the same engine mount bracket was missing. The three bolts that sheared are in the engine block. This incident occurred only two weeks after bringing in my car to the peter pan BMW dealership to have my car inspected.
I was informed the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket were leaking, which caused a problem with the eccentric shaft sensor. I paid for a new valvetronic motor, eccentric shaft sensor, valve cover and gaskets, and oil filter housing gasket, and the associated repair. Fast forward 3 months, I go in for a oil change and am told that again I have a significant leak from the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket.
I was going over a small bump in the road at 30 mph and my engine mount failed. All four aluminum bolts sheared off and the engine dropped. This drop snapped my passenger drive shaft (half axle) in two pieces. I think BMW has a serious problem with the strength of the engine mount hardware. The engine mount bolts should be stronger. The failure mode is dangerous.
My vehicle completely stopped suddenly while driving on a high way. Horrific experience as cars were coming from behind with full highway speed. Fortunately the car behind was able to control his car and saved accident. My car is now towed to the dealership. Awaiting diagnostics.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the passenger front turn signal failed to illuminate. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.
Noticed an unusual engine vibration. Went to my mechanic who inspected vehicle. Pointed out broken motor mount bolts. His comment I have seen several of these over the years. The bolts are made from aluminum -- they break. Said he this was an ongoing and well known issue with BMW from that year and 2009. Said BMW would not cover it. He also stated the car had no visible signs of damage, to undercarriage that would suggest any damage. He said it just happens, and a lot of people have complained to BMW, all to no avail. Instead of beamers... they should call this car a bummer. It is an very expensive problem, created by poor engineering and manufacturing. Aluminum bolts holding an engine.
As an example, when attempting to accelerate the vehicle onto a moving traffic situation the car hesitates/lags/delays before the engine catches, then it takes off like a rabbit when you don't expect it. This vehicle behavior has caused near miss accidents more than once when I was driving. It's not a delay which decreases a transient surge. It increases the transient surge as the car does not respond to the throttle for a half second then bolts forward with an awkward lurch and a slam. It's much rougher than a normal takeoff would be. It's not at all smooth. Some have described it as being rear-ended. The has been happening since I purchased the car in November 2010 many BMW owners have reported the problem to BMW as I have. The answer I got as well as many others from BMW was, "it's normal".
I was pressing on my brake to slow down for a red light and I heard a loud thump from under the hood near the right side. As soon as I got to the stop light, my car started to rattle and vibrate violently. I pulled over and turned off the ignition and started my car and the car wasn't rattling anymore. As soon as I put it into reverse, it started to rattle again and did the same when I put it in drive. The vibrating goes away as soon as I start driving, and is only noticed when idled while in drive or reverse. I had someone come check it out and was told he needed to do further inspection at his shop. He inspected it and told me some bolts broke from the engine mount and the loud thump was from my engine dropping onto the air conditioning.
Heard a loud bang from engine compartment, passenger side. Subsequent left turns resulted in a thud with each revolution of the tire from the same area. Suspected cv joint. Took it into shop, and mechanic found that two right side engine mount bolts had corroded and sheared. Bolts are aluminum and engine block is magnesium which resulted in dissimilar metal corrosion. Engine fell and came to rest on frame.
Noticed a loud rapid noise from right front tire area when taking a left car was fine infact days before was in the dealer for a recall but driving on the highway that day, we did hit a hard spot from grooved pavement to smooth, other than that no incident or accident to cause the sudden noise. Tool car to dealer and was told front engine mount and bolts were shredded. Charged almost $700 to replace and realign tires. Was told no warranty covers it and no explanation of how it could have happened. Im seeing alot of similar complaints, hoping someone takes notice and offers assistance with a recall.
As I was driving home from work one evening, my 2008 BMW 328I coupe began acting strange. The interior overhead lights as well as most all of the dashboard lights (radio, hazard button, on-board computer etc.) began to flicker accompanied by a ticking noise in sequence with the flickering. The vehicle was acting as though it was about to shut down; that's when I decided to pull over. As I pulled off of the road, the steering became more difficult and the flickering became more frequent. While coming to a stop (traveling at about 10mph), the vehicle completely shut off. I lost complete control of vital mechanisms such as steering, power, lighting (both interior and exterior). The brake pedal felt unusually firm/stiff (not spongy or soft as it should feel). At this point, the vehicle had completely shut down with the gear selector still in "drive". I attempted to re-start the vehicle but it failed to start. I had my vehicle towed back to my apartment and the following day, I took it to a reputable, independent BMW mechanic. His diagnosis was that something related to the vehicle's battery, power supply system/electrical system circuitry was faulty--which in turn, killed the starter. He replaced the battery with a new oem battery as well as replaced the starter with an new oem starter and the related wiring/circuitry. A few weeks later, I received a recall notice in the mail-- March 2013 recall no. 13V-044 : power supply system. Because the symptoms noted in the recall letter match those I experienced identically, I am seeking reimbursement for the cost of repair that correlates to this issue. However, BMW states it will only reimburse the cost of repair pertaining to the single part at fault/recalled. The cause of this recall is known, but they are failing to reimburse customers for the damaging effects that the faulty/recalled part may have had on other components.
I was driving on the highway at about 70 miles an hour when the engine just suddenly stopped. While the car was slowing down I have to pull over and restart the car. Then after driving for another 10 min the engine stopped again this time I didn't have time to pull over and stopped in the middle of a highway. I have to keep trying before it restarted. I stopped at a gas station and was afraid to drive it again. Finally without a choice after an hour I started the car back up and was able to drive back home.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cypress, TX, USA