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 my vehicle from work, I was at a red light when my vehicle started making a rattling noise and cut off. It wasn't in motion at this point and it wouldn't start after cutting off. I had it towed to a mechanic shop to have it checked out. Their report was determined that it was the timing chain, so I had I towed to the nearest BMW dealership (tom bush BMW on atlantic blvd),where they currently have it. Right now, just to open the engine to see the extent of the damage is a $700 labor diagnostic test, which is rather pricey!!!. I saw that there is a recall on some of their other BMW vehicles concerning the timing chain and I would like to know if the 3 series is a part of that recall?? my vehicle is only 5 years old and shouldn't be having problems with the timing chain. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Catalytic permanent failure-replace, 08may14, 30kmiles. Oxygen sensor replace, 16jun14, 30kmiles. Extreme carbon build up-walnut blast cylinders, clean intake&exhaust side, 23mar15, 35kmiles. Replace injector, 08apr15, 35K miles. Replace nox sensor, 17apr15, 29kmiles. Diesel active tank failure 28 Sept 15, 37K miles. Catalytic converter failure-part on back order, 28sept15, 37kmiles. Dsc rear sensor failure,07dec15, 38K miles. Above engine and related emissions faults caused poor mileage and poor engine performance and expensive repairs, likely to be needed again-specifically walnut blasting. Per BMW problem caused due to car being driven in city and not highway, "to blow it out"- luckily no accidents
When driving on pa-401, I approached stop sign at pa-82. My speed was approximately 40 mph, slowing to make a routine stop. When approaching the intersection at low speed, I started hearing a pulsing thump from the passenger side of the car. Drove slowly home and had the car towed to a BMW dealer. It turned out that the two aluminium engine mount bolts on the passenger side of the car snapped. This meant that the engine was not properly fastened to the frame - a very dangerous situation. Engine mount bolts should not snap for no reason. And BMW should cover their replacement (parts and labor) at no charge to the owner. (my car was certified pre-owned, so I only had a $50 out of pocket cost, but once it expires later this year, my cost would have been significantly higher, not to mention the danger of driving a car with a bouncing, unsecured engine)
Engine ignition coil failed and car started to shake rendering it unable to drive. Car is towed to dealership who indicated that ignition coil failures are a common issue across bmws. There are recalls on this problem in european countries and I am wondering why there isn't a recall in the us.
While driving to work on the interstate my car began to hesitate and would not accelerate. The following day the check engine light came on and the problems with hesitation became worse and the car would not go over 50 miles per hour on the highway and would almost stall when I came to a stop. Took car in for service and they stated that there was a failining ignition coil in cylinder #3 which was replaced. On 11/28 the car starting doing the same thing. I had to take it to a different dealership that was closer to my work because the car would not accelerate on the highway and I felt very unsafe. At this time the car has 53440 miles on it. Right out of warranty! I called both dealerships and come to find out this is a known issue with this model BMW. I was charged $681.06 for a known issue and this being the 2nd time my car has had this issue. This time the failure was in cyliders 2 and 6! and was told to pay to replace all as they will continue to fail! I contacted the dealership BMW of towson and never received a return call. I should not have been charged for this service as BMW of catonsville would have done the replacement for free as this is a known issue with this car. I couldnt drive all the way to BMW of catonsville because my car would now accelerate on the highway. I am continuing to look for a refund of $681.06 as I should not have been charged for something that BMW should have recalled.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
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I was driving on the highway 295 around 67 mph. While I was on the highway about 10 minutes I felt a loss of speed about five times. It feel like I let go the gas pedal, but I never did. And suddenly the car stalled while I was on 67 mph. I try to pulled to the right side lane of the highway. I try to start the car back up but it won't start. I keep tryin for about ten times and it about half an hour went by it start back up again.
I started my car and begin pulling out of my parking spot. When I shifted from reverse to drive and pulled my foot off the brake to push the accelerator, the engine reduced power significantly, stalled, and the car died on me within a few seconds. There were several messages that appeared once the engine had died including "engine malfunction", "service engine soon" and "dsc - reduced drivability". the latter stated that it was still safe to drive the car though caution should be used. However, when I tried re-starting the engine, it would crank and sounded like it was trying to start, but would not actually start. Fortunately I was able to get a few people in the area to push me safely out of the active traffic lane I was stalled in into a parking spot. The car was towed to the nearest BMW dealership where cause of issue is still being diagnosed; so I still do not know root cause for this malfunction. Luckily I was in a parking lot when this happened, however, the thought that the engine could just stop and die on me at any point, such as when driving at 60+ mph on the freeway, is rather terrifying. Further, given the low miles and years on the car, running into such a serious issue is rather unsettling.
Car front end shaking and banging. Brought to repair. Was told that the engine mounting bolts were sheared off. Need to have bolts removed and replaced.
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 3 series. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, smoke started to emit from the front driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road in order to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that once the hood of vehicle was open, he observed flames coming from the engine. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated the emission valve overheated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
I received a recall note campaign no. 14V-176 vanos assembly bolts on my 2010 BMW 328I in June. It is now the end of August and I have not heard anything about repairs. The nearest garage hasn't the parts and says nothing of the safety of my faulty vehicle or when parts may appear. I don't know if I can safely drive the car. I need to use it, but the letter says it can cause a crash. How long will this crap go on" I tried to contact BMW customer service over a week ago.....no response. I tried to call the vehicle safety office at fed gov.....long wait on the phone.....I can't get any answers from anybody. It's like the whole country has gone on vacation. Who's in charge? when will my car be fixed? can I drive the car in the meanwhile without risking my life"
I was traveling on the pa turnpike near the quakertown exit at 75 mph in the left hand lane when my car shut down and came to a stop in active traffic. As the car was shutting down I had difficulty steering but was able to brake. There were no visible error codes or lights to indicate issue. When attempting to restart the car, the engine would roll but I was unable to move. I called 911 for assistance. I was fortunate that a state farm highway worker stopped to protect me from high speed traffic coming up behind me until I could be safely moved off of the road. The car was towed to West german BMW in fort Washington, pa. Cost for the above service was paid for by BMW under a "warranty extension" as this is a "known issue." I was unaware of this issue as no recall or service notices have been sent by BMW to inspect or repair failing fuel lines. I am filing this complaint because the issues found in my car are exceptionally serious and could have resulted in a major high speed accident. Furthermore these repairs will appear on my carfax and will position my car to other buyers as one with major issues. During inspection and repair process several issue were noted. 1. no faults were stored in the vehicle. 2. upon checking the fuel pressure, none was found @ rail 3. upon removing the fuel tan cover they discovered that a hose popped off inside the tank 4. after reattaching, they were able to restart the car, only to have the hose come off again the next day as it was going through the courtesy car wash 5. after opening the car again, they found that the fuel line that was clamped on "line a" ruptured, full fuel tank and assembly replacement was necessary.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jacksonville, FL, USA