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.
I checked the car history report for this car, it said that it had all of the scheduled maintenance. I have not driven this car hard, I used the best gas I could. I had this car for only 4 months - I took it in to Carmax to get checked out about 2 weeks after I got it back in October. They ran tests, and told me everything was fine that "it could've been a loose fuel cap". 3 months later, well before even an oil change was required - my car gave me the same error message only now it would turn off everytime I put it in drive. If this happened on the road I definitely could've been killed. This car showed 0 signs of any type of malfunction and did not give me any indication that anything was wrong. Fast forward to taking it to the Mins Auto (BMW recommended) they informed me that this car did not in fact seem it had regular oil changes contrasting what was in the carafe report. the timing chain seems to be the culprit and now I'm stuck with a $10,000 bill on a car before it's first oil change, on top of the dealership (carmax) not being helpful at all - when I did everything right with this car. When MinsAuto ran tests they found so many errors - I don't understand, neither can they - understand how Carmax could miss any of these. I was also told by them that because this happens EXTREMELY frequently on these 3-series models, they are pretty familiar with the process and it takes exactly 24 hours to remove the engine, the pistons and take these things apart. so I think this should be investigated and taken seriously. Thank you
the transfer case crack while driving at a 35 mph street thank god it didn't happen in the highway how do I know I herd a grinding noise and stop look under car and oil was driping got home jack it up and Sure enough I saw a hole in the transfer case
I recently had my car serviced and the oil changed over the summer, so there were no warning indicators or service issues prior to this incident. I left for work and had no indications of any problems. I drove for about 10-15 minutes when a warning notification popped up stating engine oil pressure low. A few seconds later, the check engine light came on with a notification there was a "drivetrain malfunction". The car started to decrease speed significantly and I pulled over as soon as I could. I turned the car off and waited a couple minutes, then tried to turn it on. The car power/battery was still working properly, but the engine did not start. I had the car towed to the dealership that I use. I was notified that the drivetrain malfunction is due to "timing chain components failure" and the cost is approximately $16,000. I have taken care of any previous recalls and there are no open recalls that exist currently. In 2014, the same situation occurred, in the same car, where I also received a "drivetrain malfunction" and check engine light. During this time my vehicle also stopped working while I was driving it. Both of these incidents happened very quickly, and I am EXTREMELY lucky that no one was injured in either situation. This issue is extremely unsafe and clearly has not been fixed by the required recalls so far. I urge you to look into this further.
Car stalled while driving on highway due to drivetrain error code. Once stopped, oil pressure loss light came up. No warning lights prior to issue presenting itself at highway speeds. Initial technician belief is timing belt guide failure per other similar reports.
- Worthington, OH, USA
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Was driving on the highway in columbus, Ohio when an error appeared on my screen for powertrain malfunction, please continue to drive moderately. Smoke came from my exhaust when going over 50 mph so I pulled over. Turned the car off and back on. Error message went away. Drove 20 mph home on side road. No smoke appeared. Started my car this morning and over huge smoke clouds (not evaporating) appeared. Called kelly BMW to make an appointment.
Worried about BMW timing chain in the N20 engine. I've heard so many story of engines getting blown and needing to be replaced. My son drives to school and I'm worried he's gonna get stranded. He's only 16 I want him to be in a safe vehicle. BMW needs to do a recall on this issue many people are having blown engines with the car not even being close to being paid off.
The car had recently had its 8 speed automatic transmission fluid changed. The transmission was not refilled to the correct capacity and was low. The car began exhibiting drivetrain errors and went into limp mode. The problem is that the computer automatically shifted the car into park while I was driving it. As I approached a stoplight and slow down to around 6 miles an hour the computer automatically put the car in park causing significant grinding of the shark locking gear. There is a bug in the control software did not recognize the car was rolling at a relatively high speed when it decided to put the car in park. The computer should not put the car in park if the car is fully underway.
3 days after receiving an oil change and brake pad change, while driving on a city street at approximately 25mph my car spontaneously switched into neutral and I could no longer accelerate. My dashboard stated that I had a drivetrain malfunction and that maximum output was not available. I proceeded to take my car into BMW in order to get a diagnosis. When I received the diagnosis I was told that my engine was non operable and I would have to pay ten thousand to change engine. The technician stated it was because of an internal engine failure, and that the reason for the failure was unknown but it was more than likely a bad oil filter. My vehicle has had two recalls concerning oil and I am concerned that it is a manufacturing defect. Thank you
Jerking with changes of lower gears (automatic) on city streets loss of traction in inclimate weather conditions at highway speeds, tranfer case replaced at 55K believe it to be failing again
On 2016 I was driving on a very busy parkway in the afternoon at about 45 mph (which is a legal speed limit) when my car started shuddering, shaking and slowing down and a message came on saying "drive train malfunction." I immediately called my husband who told me to pull over and shut off the car for 5 minutes. He managed to calm me down. When I restarted the car, the car could not start I was very scared the car was tow to BMW and they state it was rhe starter that when bad. I had return the care several time to BMW for the same noise I was told the have a tech from the head quarter came out and the car is perfectly fine.the same hing happen 2 year later and I was on the highway during the incident. BMW service told me the engine fail and I need a new engine which would cost me $10,000 we were reading all the complaints and primarily they are about the drive train malfunction - it has a faulty plastic part, which since 2015 was replaced by a metal part. I was driving in the middle lane of a very busy highway and I could have been killed O). What does it take for BMW or NHTSA to issue a recall for this problem - a death or few? there is no way a 5 year old car engine should have fail with just 70,000 miles.
Error - "drivetrain malfunction: Drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." This was taken to the dealer (BMW of silver spring, md) at first. They said it was thermostat issue. So, they installed a new thermostat and I paid my $100 deductible. The same error started appearing again just a few days later. The car suddenly shudders, jolts and shifts from eco mode to comfort mode if driving on freeway. If the error appears when the car is parked, the car does not switch from park mode to drive mode until you totally you shut down the engine, then restart and drive out immediately. Instantly, it shows "drivetrain malfunction" error on screen. The engine make a groaning noise. You can feel the power of the engine is significantly reduced. You have to hit the accelerator pedal deep to extract power out of the engine. The tachometer (the right dial on dashboard) moves up in the region of 3X1000 to 4X1000 /min range even to get to a speed of 30 miles/hour. So, when driving moderately, it can suddenly stall. This is a huge safety risk on city roads as one can get hit and be rear-ended by a car from behind with your family inside the car. I feel much unsafe driving this car now. BMW should fix this drivetrain error on install a new engine altogether. My car is still under warranty. This is a recurrent error, and it does not go away. I am losing faith in BMW.
Arrived at home, turned the vehicle off, and saw smoke coming from hood and smell of something burning. Opened the hood, and saw that the smoke was due to oil dripping onto the catalytic converter. There was no fire. The vehicle was then towed to dealer due to risk of fire. Video is available if needed; please contact me.
The transmission has suddenly failed while driving, about once a year, beginning a few months after I purchased the car new. I experience a sudden loss of power and the display reads "drivetrain malfunction, maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." Pulling over and restarting the car makes the problem go away. Many people are reporting similar problems: www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?T=667636 BMW refuses to make any further attempts to diagnose or repair the warrantied problem because they cannot reproduce it at will.
I have had two drive train malfunction messages since buying the car four months ago. The first message caused my car to stall, and I was stuck in the middle of the road, with the assistance of the police, in St.louis. This second time I had to have the car towed into the dealership (in Tacoma wa) where it is currently. I am working with the dealership to resolve the problem. My car is still under cpo warranty and I am concerned that BMW will not be willing to rectify the problem, or give me a vehicle of the same value. I have paid over 26,000 for this vehicle and am concerned about the value of my investment. Both incidents of the error message occurring, I was located on the highway. The first incident occurred in August. The second incident occurred yesterday, October 19th, 2016. "drivetrain malfunction, maximum output not available, consult service center".
Can't get the car into neutral. Tow truck driver was not able to get car into neutral as well. Could not get access on side of road to get car into neutral. The procedure in the manual did not work. This should be illegal, there should be a manual release from within the inside of the car
While drive on a city street around 30 mph a warning suddenly appeared indicating a power train malfunction which immediately reduced power. Fortunately I was coming upon a red light. Proceeded to pull over and turn the car off and wait a few minutes before starting it again. After I started the car, the warning did not reappear. Drove the car for a few more blocks, but the warning has not returned. Will continue to monitor.
I was driving at 55 miles per hour, at 5:30 pm in a very busy highway, and the car come to a full stop. This was very nerve wrecking. I am so thankful that the person behind me did not crash. The car is still doing funny holdings of speed at times.
In light of recent hearings into GM failure to correct vehicle issues resulting in deaths, and BMW past history of not reporting malfunctions I submit the following: On 2 occasions while driving on a high speed highway the engine malfunction indicator came on, the vehicle lost power and started to vibrate violently. I was able to get off the highway and the vehicle was returned to BMW for repair. I was told that in both incidents it was computer error. I don't believe them especially when they will not return my phone calls and E-mails, and I want to be on record as reporting both incidents.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Belmont , CA, USA