Owners have filed 34 complaints
about the 2013 BMW 3 Series with NHTSA between 2012 and 2019.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 20
Against the median year of the BMW 3 Series. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 61
11.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
90% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2013 BMW 3 Series
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
720.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 3,750 mi
Engine & Cooling
720.6%
Median failure at 1,825 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
617.6%
Median failure at 2,382 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
411.8%
Median failure at 5,225 miles
Airbags
38.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 2,755 mi
Brakes
25.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 5,625 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
12.9%
Median failure at 300 miles
Wheels
12.9%
Median failure at 37,500 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.9%
Median failure at 12,650 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
12.9%
Median failure at 2,515 miles
Body & Structure
12.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 2,755 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
412.9%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
2271.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
26.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
13.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
26.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2012peak 6Mar 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 BMW 3 Series
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
PE13030Opened 6 Sep 2013Closed 25 Oct 2013SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Loss of power assist braking
In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the ca...
Recalls on the 2013 BMW 3 Series
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024544587,250 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 202446878,381 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles, fluid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could leak on the intake air hose. As a result, the fluid could enter the electrical connector for the water pump and cause a short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, BMW advises you to park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs are completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the water pump and electrical connector. The dealer will also install a shield on the connector.
Recall 202209598,111 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat. Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair. Safety Risk: An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.
Recall 20210931,519 units in Canada
Steering
Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist. Safety Risk: A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the bolts and apply a wax sealer. If one or more of the bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed.
Recall 202000847 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. The driver-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.
Recall 201858710,368 units in Canada
Engine
This recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2021-711. On certain vehicles, the cooler for Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module may develop an internal leak and coolant could mix with diesel engine soot/sediment. In rare circumstances, this condition could result in smouldering particles and lead to the melting of the intake manifold, increasing the risk of a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the EGR cooler, and if necessary, replace it. If it is determined that the EGR cooler has leaked internally, the intake manifold will also be replaced. The EGR pipe connecting the cooler to the manifold will be cleaned. Note: An operator may be alerted to this condition by one or more of the following symptoms: A warning symbol in the instrument cluster displaying a loss of engine coolant, a reduction in engine power, an unpleasant odour (exhaust gas), an unusual noise from the engine compartment, and/or smoke from the engine compartment.
Recall 2016142104,151 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator or air bag module, depending on the vehicle model.
Recall 2015369637 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain vehicles may not comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The front side markers may be inoperative due to a vehicle software update. This could result in the front side marker lamps not illuminating in conjunction with the parking lamps or headlamps, and no warning message would be displayed in the instrument cluster. The turn signal function of the front side marker lamps would remain operational. This could cause the vehicle to fail to comply with the requirements of the standard, and reduce vehicle conspicuity, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update vehicle software.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 9,000 milesSeattle, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-5 SOUTH ON JUNE 6 AT ABOUT 6.30 PM WITH 2 OF MY FRIENDS. THERE WAS TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES AFTER SEEING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLOWING DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT IT WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT KEPT ROLLING. I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD BUT I COULD FEEL A SQUEALING FEELING IN THE BRAKES AND IT JUST WOULD NOT STOP.IT KEPT ROLLING. I RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES FOR A MOMENT AND APPLIED FULL PRESSURE AGAIN BUT STILL IT WOULD NOT STOP. I FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS LEAKING AS I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THE THE COMPLETE HOLD AND STOP THAT HAPPENS AFTER THE BRAKES ARE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR DID NOT HAPPEN THIS TIME. I PULLED THE HAND BRAKES BUT BY THAT TIME IT WAS TOO LATE. MY CAR THEN ROLLED ON BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH MADE IT COME TO A STOP. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY IN THE PAST. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD SENT MY CAR TO BMW SEATTLE WHEN MY CAR SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF BECAUSE OF AN ENGINE FAILURE AND AS IT WAS ROLLING DOWN I PRESSED THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT PUSH IT DOWN. I HIT A PAVEMENT BY THE RIGHT TO MAKE IT STOP .BMW SEATTLE SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT EVEN AFTER ME REPEATEDLY TELLING THEM THAT IT DID HAPPEN AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THIS ISSUE RESURFACED A FEW WEEKS BACK BUT LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AND AFTER REPEATEDLY RELEASING THE BRAKES AND PRESSING IT HARD WITH FULL FORCE I MADE IT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UNFORTUNATELY THIS TIME I MET WITH AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW REALLY UNSURE OF DRIVING MY CAR ANYMORE.MOREOVER MY TRUST ON BMW IS COMPROMISED AS THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS ISSUE CANNOT AND DID NOT HAPPEN. IF THE SERVICE TEAM CANNOT FIND A GENUINE FAULT WITH THEIR SYSTEM THAT IS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY I DONT THINK THEY CAN BE TRUSTED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10723832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,755 milesMartinez, CACrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND THEY WERE MELTED AFTER IMPACT. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A SORE NECK AND FEW BRUISES, BUT IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN THEY WERE CLEARLY SUPPOSE TO. I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10513158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,755 milesMartinez, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND THEY WERE MELTED AFTER IMPACT. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A SORE NECK AND FEW BRUISES, BUT IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN THEY WERE CLEARLY SUPPOSE TO. I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10513158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,755 milesMartinez, CACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND THEY WERE MELTED AFTER IMPACT. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A SORE NECK AND FEW BRUISES, BUT IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN THEY WERE CLEARLY SUPPOSE TO. I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10513158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 65,536 milesChicopee, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED. THIS MAKES IT SO THAT THE DOORS DO NOT OPEN WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ALLOWING ME TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE. IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED BY PAYING THE $1500 TO FIX THE ISSUE THE DOORS WILL STOP OPENING COMPLETELY MAKING THIS EVEN MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE OVER TIME. THIS ISSUE ONLY GETS WORSE AND IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE CAR. THIS DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR SHOULD BE RECALLED ON ALL VEHICLES BMW MAKES THAT ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN LONG-STANDING ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND HAS YET TO BE RECALLED EVEN THOUGH IT IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE. BMW SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROFIT OFF OF THEIR POOR SAFETY MANUFACTURING MISTAKES.
NHTSA complaint #11191736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesBradford, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVER AND PASSENGER TRAPPED IN CAR AFTER PARKING AT AS GAS PUMP. DOORS WOULD UNLOCK BUT NOT OPEN RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL OF KILLING ITS PASSENGERS IN A CRASH. THERE IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11169906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,500 milesNottingham, PA
WHEELS
TWO WHEEL RIMS CRACKED, ONLY 38,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. RIMS WON'T WITHSTAND NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY WILL CRACK AND CAUSING LOOSING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11062979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Lorenzo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BY PULLING THE HANDLE IT DOES NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IS THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR OR BY USING THE CENTRAL LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON. MY FEAR IS THAT IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OR ACCIDENT IF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS COMPROMISED I COULD POSSIBLY BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CLAIM THAT THE PROBLEM BEING MECHANICAL IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. ON THE BMW INTERNET FORUMS THERE ARE MULTIPLE POSTS ACROSS VEHICLE MODELS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME FAULTY "DOOR ACTUATOR" AND BMW'S UNWILLINGNESS TO REPAIR IT FREE OF CHARGE. I WAS QUOTED OVER $950 TO REPLACE THE PART. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIFE SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
NHTSA complaint #11061217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrells Inlet, SC
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW ON MARCH 2016 NOTIFYING ME OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE RECALL, CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071. BMW DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF NOTIFICATION AND INDICATED THEY WOULD NOTIFY ME AS SOON AS THEY ARE ABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND I THINK WAITING FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE FIXED SINCE MARCH IS A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME, CONSIDERING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS MATTER. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO SPEED UP THIS PROCESS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
NHTSA complaint #10899248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sherman, CT
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO WORK WITH BMW CORPORATE AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN RIDGEFIELD CT WHERE I LEASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS AND I HAVE YET TO SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVE THE SITUATION. I HAVE 4 MONTHS LEFT ON MY LEASE AND I WANT BMW TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK EARLY AS IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I SURVIVED A TRAIN CRASH IN NY JUST OVER A YEAR AGO WHERE 5 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE FRONT CAR I WAS SEATED IN AND I'M NOT GOING TO RISK GETTING KILLED BY A FAULTY AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #10855404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesSeattle, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-5 SOUTH ON JUNE 6 AT ABOUT 6.30 PM WITH 2 OF MY FRIENDS. THERE WAS TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND I APPLIED MY BRAKES AFTER SEEING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SLOWING DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT IT WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT KEPT ROLLING. I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD BUT I COULD FEEL A SQUEALING FEELING IN THE BRAKES AND IT JUST WOULD NOT STOP.IT KEPT ROLLING. I RELEASED PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES FOR A MOMENT AND APPLIED FULL PRESSURE AGAIN BUT STILL IT WOULD NOT STOP. I FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS LEAKING AS I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND THE THE COMPLETE HOLD AND STOP THAT HAPPENS AFTER THE BRAKES ARE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR DID NOT HAPPEN THIS TIME. I PULLED THE HAND BRAKES BUT BY THAT TIME IT WAS TOO LATE. MY CAR THEN ROLLED ON BUMPED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH MADE IT COME TO A STOP. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY IN THE PAST. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD SENT MY CAR TO BMW SEATTLE WHEN MY CAR SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF BECAUSE OF AN ENGINE FAILURE AND AS IT WAS ROLLING DOWN I PRESSED THE BRAKES BUT COULD NOT PUSH IT DOWN. I HIT A PAVEMENT BY THE RIGHT TO MAKE IT STOP .BMW SEATTLE SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAULT EVEN AFTER ME REPEATEDLY TELLING THEM THAT IT DID HAPPEN AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THIS ISSUE RESURFACED A FEW WEEKS BACK BUT LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME AND AFTER REPEATEDLY RELEASING THE BRAKES AND PRESSING IT HARD WITH FULL FORCE I MADE IT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UNFORTUNATELY THIS TIME I MET WITH AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM NOW REALLY UNSURE OF DRIVING MY CAR ANYMORE.MOREOVER MY TRUST ON BMW IS COMPROMISED AS THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS ISSUE CANNOT AND DID NOT HAPPEN. IF THE SERVICE TEAM CANNOT FIND A GENUINE FAULT WITH THEIR SYSTEM THAT IS HAPPENING REPEATEDLY I DONT THINK THEY CAN BE TRUSTED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10723832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,650 milesNEW City, NY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WE HAVE HAD SOME SNOW HERE IN NEW YORK THIS PAST WINTER. IT SEEMS AS IF THERE MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. FOR WHATEVER REASON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE POPPED. PER THE DEALER THIS OUTSIDE INFLUENCE VOIDED THE GUARANTEE AS THERE WAS ICE UNDER THE COWL WHERE THE ARM IS CONNECTED TO THE MOTOR. THE PHOTO IN THE ATTACHMENT SHOWS THE AREA IN QUESTION. WHAT GETS ME IS THE "ICE BUILDUP" THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN MOST LIKELY CAME FROM THE DEFROSTER. THE SNOW MELTS AND DRAINS DOWN INTO THE AREA IN QUESTION. I'M ENCLOSING A COPY OF MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE BMW DEALER. 1 ATTACHMENT (1307.1 KB) CLICK FOR OPTIONS VIEW SLIDE SHOW (1) DOWNLOAD AS ZIP ADD TO ONEDRIVE HI [XXX], HERE'S A PICTURE OF MY CAR. I'M LETTING MOTHER NATURE GET RID OF THE ICE. THE DESIGN MIGHT WORK IN FLORIDA. IT'S A DESIGN DEFECT THAT, IF YOU ASK ME, SHOULD BE COVERED! REGARDS, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10691962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesMcdaniel, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY HUSBAND WAS REFUELING OUR 2013 BMW 335I AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. DURING THAT PROCESS, A PICKUP TRUCK BACKED UP AND WAS CLOSE TO HITTING OUR CAR. FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT, I TRIED TO WARN THE OTHER DRIVER WITH OUR CAR'S HORN, BUT IT DID NOT WORK, SO I RESORTED TO SCREAMING AS LOUD AS POSSIBLE SINCE THE WINDOWS WERE ALSO CLOSED. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND HEARD ME AND REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND GOT THE TRUCKS ATTENTION AND PREVENTED A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC COLLISION RIGHT NEXT TO A GAS PUMP. IT NEVER EVEN CROSSED OUR MINDS AT THE TIME THAT A HORN DID NOT OPERATE WHEN THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS SWITCHED OFF WITH THE IGNITION KEY, WHICH ONE MUST DO FOR FIRE SAFETY REASONS WHEN REFUELING. NEVERTHELESS, AFTER WE GOT HOME WE TRIED THE BMW'S HORN WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. WE TRIED OUR 2005 SUBARU OUTBACK'S HORN WITH ITS IGNITION SWITCHED OFF, AND ITS HORN WORKED JUST FINE. I SEARCHED ON '2013 BMW HORN DOES NOT WORK'S' ON THE INTERNET AND THE SYSTEM RETURNED 18,200 RESULTS. WHILE I DID NOT READ ALL OF THEM, I FOUND NUMEROUS POSTINGS ABOUT BMW HORNS NOT WORKING WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AS FAR BACK AS 2006. SOME INTERNET POSTINGS ADVISED HAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND I DRIVE SCREEN ACTIVATED, BUT THE HORN DID NOT. NEXT, I PUSHED THE START BUTTON, WITHOUT ENGAGING THE ENGINE, AND ONLY THEN DID THE HORN WORK. I CONTACTED BMW ASSIST FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SPOKE TO A BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IN COLUMBUS, OH. HE CONFIRMED THAT THE HORN IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. HE SAID HE WOULD ENTER MY CONCERN INTO THE CUSTOMER FEEDBACK DATABASE. WE THINK BEING UNABLE TO WARN DISTRACTED DRIVERS ABOUT TO CRASH INTO YOUR OCCUPIED BUT PARKED CAR IS A HAZARD AT LEAST WORTHY OF PROMINENT WARNINGS TO DRIVERS OF BMWS AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE WITH THIS "FEATURE".
NHTSA complaint #10598385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesArlington, TX
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR HAS DISPLAYED "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, DRIVE MODERATELY" TWICE NOW IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. WHEN THIS DISPLAY HAS OCCURRED, THE CAR GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" AND CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS OR WITH VERY SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS IT BECOMES EASY TO BE REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHEN IT SLOWS SUBSTANTIALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10569337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesArlington, TX
ENGINE
THE CAR HAS DISPLAYED "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, DRIVE MODERATELY" TWICE NOW IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. WHEN THIS DISPLAY HAS OCCURRED, THE CAR GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" AND CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS OR WITH VERY SLUGGISH ACCELERATION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS IT BECOMES EASY TO BE REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHEN IT SLOWS SUBSTANTIALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10569337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,300 milesOakley, CA
POWER TRAIN
SECOND PROBLEM WITH DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, FIRST PROBLEM BACK IN NOV 2013 BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10567982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesOakley, CA
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR STARTED SHAKING VIGOROUSLY, AND A MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED (DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION).
NHTSA complaint #10567979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,300 milesOakley, CA
ENGINE
SECOND PROBLEM WITH DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, FIRST PROBLEM BACK IN NOV 2013 BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2013.
NHTSA complaint #10567982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesOakley, CA
ENGINE
MY CAR STARTED SHAKING VIGOROUSLY, AND A MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED (DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION).
NHTSA complaint #10567979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,537 milesLewisville, TX
ENGINE
THE CAR WOULD SHAKE AT IDLE AND SLOW SPEEDS. THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION INDICATOR CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10561210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,109 milesPenn Valley, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED INCIDENT (09/30/2013), THE LOSS POWER. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME FOR ME. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 29, 2013. WHEN I PUT FOOT ON GAS, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND TWO DAYS LATER WAS TOLD THE AUXILIARY POWER SUPPLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS UNAVAILABLE: THERE WERE NO PARTS IN THE COUNTRY NOR COULD THEY TELL ME WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I WAS TOLD I COULD CONTINUE OPERATE THE CAR AND I SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED. THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AGAIN NOVEMBER 15. I ALSO NOTICED SIMILAR TO THE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED INCIDENT A CHANGE IN THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE - THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED FROM ABOUT 250 DEG TO ABOUT 205 DEG.
NHTSA complaint #10552529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,200 milesIselin, NJ
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RESULTING IN VIOLENT SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE BODY AND ABRUPT ENGINE STOPS RESULTING IN DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. FLUCTUATIONS IN THE TACHOMETER WHEN THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND THE CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE GEARS TO NEUTRAL OR PARK.
NHTSA complaint #10550631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,200 milesIselin, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RESULTING IN VIOLENT SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE BODY AND ABRUPT ENGINE STOPS RESULTING IN DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. FLUCTUATIONS IN THE TACHOMETER WHEN THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND THE CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE GEARS TO NEUTRAL OR PARK.
NHTSA complaint #10550631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,200 milesIselin, NJ
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RESULTING IN VIOLENT SHUDDERING OF THE VEHICLE BODY AND ABRUPT ENGINE STOPS RESULTING IN DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. FLUCTUATIONS IN THE TACHOMETER WHEN THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND THE CAR WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE GEARS TO NEUTRAL OR PARK.
NHTSA complaint #10550631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,825 milesForest Hills, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I WAS APPROACHING THE ON RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY, I SPED UP IN ORDER TO MERGE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR PICKED UP EXTREMELY SLOWLY AS IF IT DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER. I ALSO NOTICED AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE SEEMED TO BE UNUSUALLY LOW FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR OVER AN HOUR. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD FAN NOISE THAT WOULD COME ON EVERY 2 MINUTES OR SO. AS A RESULT OF THE LACK OF POWER, I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME BECAUSE THE ONCOMING VEHICLE DID NOT ANTICIPATE SOMEONE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT SUCH A SLOW PACE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT POWER FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AS IF THE CAR WAS A NATURALLY ASPIRATED VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CLEARLY TURBO CHARGED BUT THE TURBO NEVER KICKED IN. WHEN I GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED TO RUN AS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10546219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,825 milesForest Hills, NY
ENGINE
AS I WAS APPROACHING THE ON RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY, I SPED UP IN ORDER TO MERGE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR PICKED UP EXTREMELY SLOWLY AS IF IT DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER. I ALSO NOTICED AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE SEEMED TO BE UNUSUALLY LOW FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR OVER AN HOUR. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN AN EXTREMELY LOUD FAN NOISE THAT WOULD COME ON EVERY 2 MINUTES OR SO. AS A RESULT OF THE LACK OF POWER, I NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME BECAUSE THE ONCOMING VEHICLE DID NOT ANTICIPATE SOMEONE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AT SUCH A SLOW PACE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT POWER FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AS IF THE CAR WAS A NATURALLY ASPIRATED VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CLEARLY TURBO CHARGED BUT THE TURBO NEVER KICKED IN. WHEN I GOT OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED TO RUN AS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10546219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,755 milesMartinez, CACrash
AIR BAGS
I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND THEY WERE MELTED AFTER IMPACT. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A SORE NECK AND FEW BRUISES, BUT IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN THEY WERE CLEARLY SUPPOSE TO. I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10513158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,755 milesMartinez, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND THEY WERE MELTED AFTER IMPACT. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A SORE NECK AND FEW BRUISES, BUT IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN THEY WERE CLEARLY SUPPOSE TO. I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10513158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,755 milesMartinez, CACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS REARENDED, ON THE FREEWAY, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, BY AN SUV GOING ABOUT 40MPH, I SLAMMED IN TO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED. THE DISPLAY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG DEPLOY ERROR. ALSO, THE REASON MY CAR WAS TOTALED WAS BECAUSE ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRES FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ARE BEHIND THE REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND THEY WERE MELTED AFTER IMPACT. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO WHERE THE FUEL TANK IS. LUCKILY, I WALKED AWAY WITH A SORE NECK AND FEW BRUISES, BUT IT IS CONCERNING THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHEN THEY WERE CLEARLY SUPPOSE TO. I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10513158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.