11 of the 799 complaints about the 2011 BMW 328I are about the body and structure — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 56,400 miles.
11
Complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Door handle plastics are disintegrating in to a soft sticky matter. Please advice as this seem to a poor decision on the type of material need in the door handles.
NHTSA complaint #11694622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
While driving at city speed limit the headlights started flicking on-off very difficult to see in the dark. I pulled over to the side of the road for safety but now realized the turn signals not working and also the hazard lights are not working either. I was in a very dangerous situation sitting on the side of the road without any warning light on. Not only for mine safety but also dangerous for other drivers passing by without seen my car in the dark. Its due to well known BMW FOOTWELL MODULE that has high failure incidents rate but BMW refused not to do a recall. Since this a safety issue NHTSA should request BMW to do a recall instead of just extended the warranty to 10/150K miles which my car is not qualify for. I've contacted BMW customer care but they refused to offer any assistance. I feel that BMW has deserted their customer and leaving a high cost burden on their customers although failure/flaw was directly from BMW.
NHTSA complaint #11557086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:INTERIOR
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then stated that he noticed that the front passenger’s side interior door handle disintegrated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the door handle melted and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the local dealer was notified of the recall notice and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall repair however, the contact was advised to call the manufacturer. The contact was concerned that touching the door handle could cause harm to a passenger touching the door handle and could catch fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was informed that the repair was being developed and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distributions disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11492555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Car spontaneously caught fire
NHTSA complaint #11447048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY LICENSE PLATE HAS 1 SCREW THAT FITS INTO THE METAL MADE HOLES. IT IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE 2 SCREWS THAT FIT INTO THE METAL HOLES IN THE TRUNK. THE PLATE ITSELF HAS SCREWS WITH NO BACKS AND ARE STRIPPED. I DON'T WANT THE LICENSE PLATE TO RATTLE AND FALL OFF FROM FAULTY WORKMANSHIP WITH LICENSE PLATE PANEL. ALSO THE FRONT PLATE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE BACK LICENSE PLATE PANEL AND THESE SCREWS LOOK STRIPPED TOO.
NHTSA complaint #11291152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I HAVE TO RETURN THE CAR BECAUSE ALL THIS ISSUES AND NOW THE CAR IS FOR SALE AGAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP
NHTSA complaint #11196065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY MOONROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED TODAY (AROUND 5:40PM). I WAS DRIVING OPEN ROAD (CITY, ABOUT 30-35MPH) AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A ROCK OR OTHER FOREIGN BODY OTHER THAN GLASS IN MY CABIN. THE EDGES OF THE REMAINING GLASS OF THE MOONROOF TILTED UPWARDS. THE NOISE AND GLASS SURPRISED ME AND I DRIFTED INTO THE MEDIAN BRIEFLY BEFORE CALMING DOWN/REGAINING CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #11173842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY SON'S BMW (2011 BMW 328I XDRIVE) SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON SEP 4 2017 WHILE HE WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK AT 4 AM ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY NY. LUCKILY HE NOTICED SPARKS AND SMOKE AND PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT. THE CAR FULLY BURNT WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
NHTSA complaint #11043638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOUSE FOR WORK AND WAS A FEW MINUTES DOWN THE STREET AT A LIGHT WHEN I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH/HOOD AREA. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND GOT OUT WITHIN SECONDS THE CAR WAS UP IN FLAMES. I COULD HEAR THE CAR TURNING ITSELF ON EVEN THOUGH IT WAS OFF AND I HAD THE KEYS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME. MY CAR LITERALLY BURNT TO THE GROUND. THEY SAID IT SEEMED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IF I WASN'T AT A STOP, OR IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR FILLED SO QUICKLY WITH WHITE SMOKE THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE AND COULD HAVE CRASHED OR BEEN TRAPPED. BMW DID NOTHING AND TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY. THEY TRIED TO OFFER ME A DISCOUNT TOWARDS A NEW BMW IF I SIGNED AN NDA. I KNOW SEE ALL THE NEWS REPORTS AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS REPORTED. THIS HAPPENED IN 11/2016. I HAVE VIDEO AND PHOTOS
NHTSA complaint #10985035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TWICE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE DRIVER'S CAR DOOR FLEW OPEN. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THE DOOR WAS NOT LATCHED, NOR DID ANY ALARMS SOUND. THIS OCCURRED AS I WAS TURNING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A BUSY 4 LANE HIGHWAY IN TOWN, AND ACCELERATING TO 50 MPH. I TOOK THE CAR INTO MY BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY ACTUATOR THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, INCURRING A COST TO ME OF $622.00. I AM APPALLED THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED AS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE SO FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED....
NHTSA complaint #10854447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN LOS ANGELES. I WAS HEADING EAST ON 3RD STREET ( MAIN ROAD) 2 LANES, I WAS ON THE RIGHT LANE. OPPOSITE SIDE ALSO HAS 2 LANES GOING WEST. WESTMORELAND IS AN INTERSECTION ON 3RD STREET AND HAS THE STOP SIGN. THE VECHILE CROSSED 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT MY CAR ON THE DRIVE SIDE REAR WHEEL AND QUARTER PANEL. AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, THE MOMENTUM HAD ME GOING ALMOST SIDEWAYS ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AND MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS, THE 2 PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FLUNG OPEN. EVERYONE HAD THEIR SEATBELTS ON. MY WIF'E'S SHOULDER BAG WHICH WAS TUCKED ON THE FLOOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON 3RD WESTMORELAND. THE CAR WAS DISABLE AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE REAR WHEEL WAS BENT. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOLD THE BMW AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP. I AM NOT SURE IF THE DOORS WHERE DESIGNED TO OPEN DURING A COLLISION BUT INQUIRIES TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND DEALERSHIP HAS GOTTEN NOWHERE. I AM CONCERNED THAT WHEN THE CAR IS FIXED, I MAYBE DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS A SAFETY DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10462768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.