43 of the 799 complaints about the 2011 BMW 328I are about the other systems — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,000 miles.
43
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Footwell module (FRM) module went out after negative battery disconnect to change fuse. Module being inoperable is causing windows to not operate,interior lighting not working, headlights stay dim (not good for nightime driving), blinkers inoperable (not good for driving with windows not working- no arm signals), dash light also inoperable.
NHTSA complaint #11699451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally file a complaint against Burdick BMW, located in Syracuse, NY, regarding their failure to address my request for a recall-related repair on my vehicle. Despite multiple attempts to schedule an appointment, I have received no response or follow-up from the dealership. Over the past month, I have contacted Burdick BMW a total of four (4) times via phone regarding a recall service for my vehicle. The contact was made on [XXX]. Each time, I spoke with a customer representative who assured me that a supervisor would return my call to schedule an appointment. However, I have never received a call back nor been provided with any opportunity to have my vehicle serviced. This ongoing lack of communication and failure to act on a manufacturer-issued recall raises serious concerns about the dealership's commitment to customer service and safety compliance. As a consumer, I am entitled to have my vehicle serviced in accordance with recall requirements, and Burdick BMW’s inaction has not only caused inconvenience but may also pose a safety risk due to the unresolved recall issue. Given that my attempts to resolve this matter directly with the dealership have been unsuccessful, I request that appropriate action be taken to ensure Burdick BMW fulfills its obligations. I kindly ask that you investigate this matter and take the necessary steps to hold Burdick BMW accountable for their failure to schedule or complete recall-related repairs in a timely manner. Additionally, I request assistance in obtaining a prompt appointment to address my vehicle’s recall issue. Please advise me on the next steps I should take to resolve this matter. I appreciate your attention to this issue and look forward to your prompt response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11645255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown
NHTSA complaint #11627962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The recall for the VANOS came out after we had our car breakdown. We brought our car to a local foreign car repair shop. They started to work on the when they made the diagnosis of these bolts failing. I have a detailed bill for this repair that was close to $6000!
NHTSA complaint #11601003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My VANOS bolts became loose and are missing. This caused my car to no longer turn on. The service engine soon light turned on right before this happened. It has been months since I have heard anything and it does not seem like BMW is doing anything to fix this problem. The remedy should be to replace the VANOS bolts free of charge, but nothing has been done.
NHTSA complaint #11592241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Got a recall notice in November 2023 and we are now in April 2024 and no remedy for my car yet. I am not able to drive this car due to this problem and do not want to risk getting stranded or having an accident due to a failure. How long to wait to be "timely"? My car is in a garage gathering dust because of this and me being forced to use another car for my transportation. Hope this issue is fixed soon...hopefully before the end of April 2024. Thanks. NHTSA Recall Number 23V707
NHTSA complaint #11581669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I got up to leave my house and entered my vehicle and proceeded to start my car. I started it and moved the gear shift so that I can reverse out my driveway. With my foot on the brake I attempted to put the car in reverse and soon as I took the car out of park, my car accelerated forward and the brakes completely locked up. It accelerated so hard and fast that it broke through my gate and knocked down my other gate. I turned the car off when it accelerated because the brakes locked and even with the power off the car accelerated. There is no possible way my foot was on the gas because I was pulled in my driveway facing my house and had that been the case I would’ve went backwards not forward. The very second I took the car out of park it accelerated forward and would not stop. Luckily I thought to turn it off as a last resort and even then it continued to accelerate and knock down my second gate as well. I was very scared and as a safety precaution, I will no longer drive the car. Had I been anywhere but home this could’ve caused serious injury to myself or others and had it been parked a few feet over it would’ve accelerated into my living room where my son was sitting.
NHTSA complaint #11571775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2011 bmw 328i vano bolts fail.my car stall in the middle of me driving .vechile doesn't want to start.starter just making a whine noise.before stalling I can here rattle in the engine like loose bolts jumping around.
NHTSA complaint #11558034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Battery died and had to jump start to take it for a replacement. Once the car started, there was warning related to the lighting system malfunction. I couldnt open the windows and the lights were not functional. Even after the battery was replaced, the functions were not restored. Dealer is recommending replacement of FRM module costing $1250. I understand there was a recall/repair offered for 10 years which i just missed by a year. Looks like it is a well known issue and caused by a simple battery issue causing huge safety issues. I had to drive the car to the dealer without any lights/indicator with tremendous risks. It is an irony that they will fix this issue for only 10 years when there is a clear manufacturing defect and safety issue. Would like to get any help on this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11538031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Vehicle has been on Recall since March 2, 2022. There are increasing problems and an occasional smoke and burning smell. This is effecting me getting an inspection and registering my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11501387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a safety recall on my car. This recall involves an engine component known as the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve heater. The PCV valve heater may not have been produced to specifications which could lead to a short circuit. BMW DOES NOT HAVE AN AVAILABLE REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL AND DOES NOT HAVE ANY TIMELINE FOR FIXING IT.
NHTSA complaint #11482507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vanos solenoid bolt came apart and manufacturer refuses to service vehicle advising my car is not part of recall notice # 14V-176. Also denying me SULEV warranty services basically do not want to honor any recalls or EPA compliance warranties.
NHTSA complaint #11464269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BMW HAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE 328XI ABOUT THE PCV VALVE HEATER AND HAD SENT NOTICE OF THE NEED TO REPLACE AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 YEARS AND THEY HAVE NOT FOUND A REMEDY FOR THE FIX. THE BMW WARRANTY GROUP CONFIRMED A DATE ON MARCH 7, 2022 FOR THE REPAIR. UPON GOING TO THE HERB CAMBERS IN BROOKLINE, MA. THEY TOLD ME THEY DID NOT HAVE A REMEDY TO FIX THE ISSUE AND WILL CONTACT WHEN THEY HAVE A FIX. ON APRIL 2022 THEY SENT A LETTER STATING THE PCV VALVE HEATER NEEDS TO BE FIXED UNDER (17V-673 / 19V-273) AND THE REMEDY IS UNAVAILABLE AND A NEW REMEDY NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED. ISSUE IS THAT IF THEY DO NOT FIX THE VALVE HEATER THE ENGINE COULD HEAT UP AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THEY SAY A REMEDY IS BEING WORKED ON, BUT BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE IF A FIRE DOES OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #11460077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I owned a 2011 BMW 328i vin number [XXX]. My car first began having problems with the coils, which I had repaired. Then, my engine light came on at least 7 different times and had to return to the the dealership for repair. Sometimes I was not even out of the driveway of the dealership before I had to return the car. They eventually repaired the systemic problem as well as recall notices. On May 3rd, 2020, my car was parked in my driveway and caught on fire and burned to the ground. These BMW fires that we keep hearing about are real issues and need to be investigated. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11452089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle keeps stalling on the highways and on the streets. We have taken the car in and have towed the car in to the bmw dealership costing us hundreds of dollars on what they think the problem is and it does not fix the issue. They perform a diagnosis and can’t find an issue but the car keeps stalling. The car first starting stalling last year around February.
NHTSA complaint #11446705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY VEHICLE WINDOWS ARE INOPERABLE, HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE, SIDE MIRRORS ARE INOPERABLE, TURNING SIGNALS ARE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION WHILE TURNING SIGNALS ARE INOPERABLE CREATING A HAZARD. IF VEHICLE BREAKS DOWN HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS IS INOPERABLE CREATING A POTENTIAL VEHICLE COLLISION . WINDOWS UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN IN AN EVENT OF BEING PULLED OVER. THE COMPONENT OR PART THAT IS CREATING THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS THE FRM MODULE OR FOOTWELL MODULE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11386126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM ON MY CAR EVERY ONE I KNOW WHO OWNS THE BMW E90 SERIES HAS THE SAME ISSUE THE EVAPORATOR LEAKS TOXIC GAS EVERY BMW OF THIS ERA HAS THE SAME ISSUE WHEN YOU TURN THE AC THERE IS A MOLDY GASY SMELL PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE CARS BREATH TOXIC CHEMICALS EVERY TIME THEY DRIVE THESE CARS TO FIX THE ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE WHOLE DASH TO GET TO THE LEAKY EVAPORATOR AND REPLACE IT WHICH COSTS $3000 THE PART ITSELF IS ONLY $300 AND THE REST IS LABOR , ANOTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. MY CAR AS OF NOVEMBER 16 2020 HAS ONLY 51K MILES
NHTSA complaint #11375136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR IS BELOW 70K MILES NEVER OVER HEATED OR HAD ANY ISSUES BUT OUT OF NOWHERE MY TRUNK STARTED UNLOCKING ON ITS ON, KILLING MY BATTERY. MY RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND I'VE BEEN HEARING NOISES FROM MY DOOR SPEAKERS. & NOW TODAY MY CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL & IF IT DOES IT TURNS OFF IMMEDIATELY.
NHTSA complaint #11353912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE HAS 70,000 MILES AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING TIMING CHAINS LAST FOR MORE THAN 200,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11324817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS SITTING IN A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT WAITING FOR A TAKE OUT ORDER AND I HEARD A BIG BOOM LIKE SOMETHING BIG HIT MY CAR. NO ONE AROUND. SCARED ME TO DEATH, SCARED TO GET OUT OF MY CAR, LEFT AREA AND STARTED TO DRIVE HOME ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY AND HEARD ANOTHER BIG BOOM! OPENED THE SUNROOF AND SAW THAT IT HAD A HUGE WHOLE AND SHATTERED!
NHTSA complaint #11323963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MARCH 13 TH. I LEASE A 328I 2011 A HOUR OR TWO LATER. IT STARTING SHAKING A LOT AND JERKING FORWARD. WHILE FOOT ON BREAK THEN IT CUT OFF I ATTEMPTED TO CUT IT BACK ON AND IT WOULD CUT BACK OF I WAS STUCK FOR A WHILE. SO I CALLED THE. DEALER THEY WAS CLOSED. I WENT THE NEXT DAY. TOLD THEM BOUT THE PROBLEM. AND THE TOOK THE CAR TO THE SHOP AND SENSE THEN I HAVEN'T. SEEN IT AGAIN AND AT THIS POINT THEY WANT ME TO STILL MAKE PAYMENT ON CAR I DNT HAVE. AND INSURANCE I ASK THEM TO. REFUND ME. AND. THE TOLD ME NO THERE NOTHING THEY CAN DO. AND I HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR. THAT I STILL DNT HAVE. TODAY'S THE 27TH SO THEY HAD IT ABOUT TWO WEEKS. NOW TODAY I VIOBTHE MECHANICS AND THEY TOLD ME THE. PPL AT THE DEALER. ORDER ALL THE WRONG PARTS TO THE CAR AND DNT NO WHEN HE WILL HAVE THE PART OR WHEN IT WILL BE FIX. I TRIED CALLING. THE DEALER. BACK TO BACK ABOUT 20 TIMES THEY KEPT COWARD MY CALL THEN SOMEONE FINALLY ANSWER. WITH A BAD ATTITUDE AND TOLD ME STOP CALLING CAUSE THE PERSON I'M LOOKING FOR ISN'T HERE ALTHOUGH THE SPECIFICALLY TOLD ME TO CALL HIM AND HE GUARANTEES THAT IT WILL BE READY TODAY MARCH 27 TH AT 6PM BUT WHICH IT WASN'T. AND I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM. THEM YET ALL I WANTED. WAS TO GET OUT OF IT. AND THEY KEEP DENYING. ME DAT. EVEN WHEN IT HAPPEN THE SAME DAY. I NEED HELP PLEASE I'M BEING SCAMMED. OF. FEEL LIKE I AM ALL I WANTED WAS A CAR. WITH NO PROBLEMS. RIGHT AWAY AND THAT'S EXACTLY WAT HAPPENED TO ME. AND NOW I FEEL SO IN IT BEING AROUND THOSE PPL AND VISITING THE DEALER TO. SPEAK TO THEM CAUSE THEY NOT ANSWER. PLEASE HELP ME
NHTSA complaint #11319543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN 2018 CLASSIC BMW DEALER DIAGNOSED OIL PAN GASKET LEAKING AND MY OIL LEVEL WAS LOW. HE RECOMMEND GASKET REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1100 I WROTE LETTER & CALLED BMW CORPORATE USA FOR INVESTIGATION AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE. BUT 1 YR LATER, THEY HAVE NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE & HAVE USED MY EXPIRED WARRANTY AS REASON FOR NOT LOOKING AT ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON ISSUE WITH BMW CARS THROUGH MY ONLINE RESEARCH. I WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THESE COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #11308451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE BACK DOOR PASSENGER SIDE WOOD DOOR PANEL IS OFF AND IT WAS NEVER FIXED OR REPLACED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THIS WILL PROBABLY COST ME MONEY TO GET THE WOOD PANEL PUT BACK ON THE DOOR. THE SAME LIGHTS ALWAYS APPEAR ON MY DASH BOARD. THE INDICATOR LAMPS ARE ON: DSC IS DEACTIVATED. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GET THIS FIXED. THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT IS ILLUMINATING A YELLOW LIGHT. I MANAGED TO RESET THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AFTER READING YOUTUBE. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP TWICE AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND COULDN'T GET THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO TURN OFF. ALSO THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAVE NEW BRAKES AND A NEW OIL CHANGE. A FRIEND TOLD ME HOW TO CHECK MY OIL AND MY OIL WAS A QUART LOW. I DROVE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION AND PUT IN A QUART OF SYNTHETIC BLEND MOTOR OIL. I DISCOVERED AFTER DRIVING TO WASHINGTON FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA MY CAR LEAKS FROM MY ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #11291151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONVERTIBLE TOP TENSION CABLES SNAPPED AND BROKE
NHTSA complaint #11282263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 16 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER BMW WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A MESSAGE POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN TO USE CAUTION AND TAKE THE CAR TO A BMW SERVICE CENTER FOR SERVICE. SHE IS A NEW DRIVER SHE COULD AT THAT TIME COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 20 MPH. SHE WAS TERRIFIED. WE CALLED FOR A TOW AT HER REQUEST. WE SENT FOR HELP
NHTSA complaint #11205227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CLOSED ELECTRIC SUNROOF EXPLODED AT 70 MPH. NO ONE NEAR ME, NOT DRIVING UNDER ANYTHING. SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION, GLASS FROM THE CENTER RAINED DOWN ON ME AND THE REMAINING GLASS IS PUSHED OUT, NOT IN
NHTSA complaint #11185136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BLOWER MOTOR RECALL AND PCV VALVE RECALL. HELLO, I GOT A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN THE E-MAIL FOR THE PCV VALVE AND THE BLOWER MOTOR. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN MY CAR INTO BMW PREVIOUSLY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE WORKED ON BY BMW AND CARMAX FOR PROBLEMS ON THESE PARTS AND RELATING PARTS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD PLEASE TAKE A DEEPER DIVE INTO MY ISSUE. BMW HAS SAID THEY WILL ONLY REIMBURSE ABOUT $250 WHEN I PAID MUCH MORE THAN THAT BEFORE FOR THE PARTS DIRECTLY AFFECTED AND INDIRECTLY AFFECTED BY FAULTY PARTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU AND APPRECIATE ALL THE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11142118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 RECALL ITEMS ON MY VEHICLE :-( CALING BMW CONSTANTLY TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE PARTS NEEDED SO I CAN TAKE MY CAR IN AND IT'S NOT HAPPENING... IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF ND NOTHING. BLOWER MOTOR WIRING: THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE WIRING FOR THE SYSTEM, KNOWN AS THE BLOWER-MOTOR, THAT CONTROLS AIR FLOW FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. OVER TIME, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WIRING AND THIS SYSTEM COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING. POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER : THIS RECALL INVOLVES AN ENGINE COMPONENT KNOWN AS THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER. THE PCV VALVE HEATER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED TO SPECIFICATIONS. OVER TIME, IT COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING.F OVERHEATING OCCURS, THEN IN RARE CASES, THIS COULD LEAD TO MELTING OF THE PCV VALVE. IN EXTREMELY RARE CASES, THIS COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. RECALL 17V676000- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING -MAY CAUSE FIRE EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS OFF. RECALL 16V071000- AIRBAG FRONTAL DRIVAR SIDE INFLATOR MODULE-IN CRASH THE INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE WITH METAL FRAGMENTS. RECALL 11V476000: POWER TRAIN DRIVELINE DRIVESHAFT- IF BOLTS LOOSEN COULD LEASE TO LOSS OF POWER TO FRONT WHEEL AND VEHICLE BREAKDOWN/CRASH. RECALL 17V683000 -COMPONENT ENGINE AND COOLING, EMISSION CONTROL CRANK CASE, ELECTRICL SHORT WILL CAUSE PARTS WITHIN PCV VALVE TO MELT INCREASING RISK OF FIRE. RECALL 12E029000 -ENGINE AND COOLING SYSTEM FAN-FA MOTOR CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE OR CIRCUTITBOARD TO OVERHEAT CAUING ENGINE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CATCH FIRE. RECALL 13V044000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM -LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM POWER FAIL -VEHICLE CAN STALL UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASING RISK OF CRASH. RECALL 14V176000 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ENGINE- IF THE BOLTS LOSSEN OR BREAK, THE ENGINE MAY HAVE REDUCED POWER OR STALL INCREASING RISK OF CRASH
NHTSA complaint #11110098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CAN NOT OPEN DRIVER DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT. CAN NOT GET OUT OF MY CAR. HAD TO CRAWL OF PASSENGER SIDE DOOR.THIS IS NOT AN ESSAY TASK TO DO.
NHTSA complaint #11104485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TWO RECALLS FROM OCT 2017 HAVE NOT BEEN REMEDIED YET
NHTSA complaint #11096816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.