59 of the
3,777 complaints filed about the BMW 328I
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
59
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
17
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
INCIDENT SUMMARY: On January 9, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM, while traveling at 50 MPH in North Carolina, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine seizure without any prior "Limp Mode" warning or Check Engine Light. This resulted in an immediate, total loss of motive power in active traffic. I was forced to navigate a dead multi-ton vehicle across lanes without power steering or vacuum-assisted braking, narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision. TIMELINE & NEGLIGENCE: This vehicle was purchased from an independent retail dealer on December 20, 2025—less than 21 days prior to this life-threatening failure. The vehicle was sold with an "Open" status for Safety Recall 23V-707. The failure occurred exactly as described in the recall’s warning: a catastrophic stall at speed. TECHNICAL EVIDENCE: A non-invasive borescope inspection of the cylinders has confirmed the presence of metallic "silver chunks" (sheared bolt heads) and "half-moon" impact marks on the piston crowns, indicating a total timing failure and internal mechanical collision (piston-to-valve contact). REQUIRED REMEDY: This incident is a direct manifestation of the safety risk documented in Recall 23V-707. Per BMW Service Bulletin SIB 11 09 23, the presence of sheared bolt heads and seized internals constitutes "Catastrophic Consequential Damage." I am filing this report to ensure federal oversight of BMW North America’s obligation to provide a complete engine replacement, as the safety defect was present at the time of sale and resulted in a near-fatal incident within 300 miles of ownership.
NHTSA complaint #11710165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the temperature gauge warning light illuminated, and the engine started to overheat. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11652596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated the vehicle lost motive power, and the contact drifted over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the intended destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,645.
NHTSA complaint #11649521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Starting Dec 1st, the check engine light displayed on my dash and the electrical system has malfunctioned for many features of my vehicle. I am unable to switch to Sport & Eco Mode. The car also takes multiple tries to start the engine. It has been almost 4 months since the recall announcement and remediations are still not available. the engine coolant pump is a direct cause of short circuits and engine problems
NHTSA complaint #11628738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine is making weird noise and a mechanic told me it’s related to this recall that still has “no remedy” when it should’ve been a recall YEARS ago when the cars first came out and this issue became more apparent. I do not want to keep driving the car I paid hard earned money for just for a manufacturer defect to destroy it
NHTSA complaint #11559067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I.The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated at high speed before the vehicle shut off with the message “Transmission Not in Park” displayed. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road, and after the vehicle cooled down the contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the fuel pump was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #11531683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bought car from third party with rebuilt title 333,000 miles currently and has been recertified by state patrol in 2015. Control cluster says taillight failure, and has issues with not starting. When jump started the car has reduced power with transmission limp mode light. Sometimes light comes on with limp mode, other time no limp mode at all. Have replaced taillights, battery and alternator with no fix. Still having reduced power, have to jump start my car and have a taillight failure. Cars front tires rub when turning even though all parts have clearance. Electrical problems surplus with this car. Everything from the radio, heater, transmission and taillights works intermittently.
NHTSA complaint #11455158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At random the car will display “Drivetrain Malfunction” which causes the car to shift into neutral and begins to slow down until it doesn’t move anymore. There is no check engine light or any other indicator of what might be the problem. The message just pops out of no where. It’s happen in the freeway making me scare to cause an accident because it so random. I’ve had to quickly turn my hazards and beginning switching lanes to avoid any accidents.
NHTSA complaint #11427667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING 70MPH CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL COASTING TO A STOP. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE GAS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITTUATION AS WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, IT WOULD NOT START AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL FOR TOWING PURPOSES. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE TIMING CHAIN HAD WENT OUT SEIZING AND RUINING THE ENGINE. 15K REPAIR BILL, VERY DANGEROUS SITTUATION HAVING NO CONTROL OVER A VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY DRIVING!
NHTSA complaint #11364235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PULLED INTO MY LONG NARROW DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 100 FEET) SLOWLY AT ABOUT 3 MPH. I LET THE CAR GO BY ITS MOMENTUM AND LIGHTLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE SO IT COULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN THE CAR APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 7 FEET FROM THE FRONT OF THE GARAGE, IT ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND SMASHED THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR AND PART OF THE GARAGE. I PUT MORE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT KEPT GOING AND HIT THE BACK WALL BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE POLICE AND MY INSURANCE, AND THE INSURANCE DECLARED THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOSS AND THEY TOWED IT AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #11296828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, I WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE CAR BEHAVED NORMALLY ONCE THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED: I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT AT A VERY SLOW SPEED. MY FOOT WAS OFF THE GAS PEDAL AS I WAS BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP. SUDDENLY (WITH FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE AND NOT THE GAS PEDAL) THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGH RPM WHICH LURCHED THE CAR FORWARD A BIT. SINCE I WAS ALREADY BRAKING, I WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY AND PRESS DOWN EVEN HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND KEPT IT IN PLACE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND I SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE ENGINE STAYED REVVED AT VERY HIGH RPMS AS IF I WAS FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, EVEN THOUGH I COULD LOOK DOWN AND CONFIRM THAT MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE BRAKE. AT THIS POINT I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES. I CHECKED THE FLOOR MAT AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS NOT OUT OF PLACE OR AFFECTING THE PEDALS IN ANY WAY. I THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND THE CAR IDLED NORMALLY WITH NO ISSUES. I TESTED DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND PULLED INTO SEVERAL MORE PARKING SPOTS TO SEE IF THE ISSUE WOULD REOCCUR, BUT IT DID NOT. I DROVE HOME NORMALLY AND PARKED WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS, AND WILL BE TAKING THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AS SOON A POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #11291436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOGERMANA BMW (787)-474-7000 (LOCATED AT 298 AVENDIA CARLOS E. CHARDN, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO 00919) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,038.
NHTSA complaint #11243276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED ARM INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11204750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION, REAR RIGHT BREAK LIGHT WARNING LIGHT IS ON WILL NOT GO OFF, HAD THE BULB CHANGED AND STILL NOT WORKING. DRIVE TRAIN GO ON WHEN TRYING TO GO INTO SPEED ON ALL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ECO MODE, NORMAL MODE AND SPORT MODE. INDICATOR LIGHT GOES BACK TO NORMAL AFTER CAR IS COMPLETELY OFF AND UPON START UP LIGHT GOES OFF. RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHEN BEING DRIVEN SOUNDS LIKE A FLAT BUT WHEN CHECKED ON THE EXTERIOR, SEEM TO BE NO DAMAGE TO THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11195700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE WAS GOING DOWN A HILL (STRAIGHT FORWARD) ON A CA CITY STREET WHEN THE DRIVER SHIFTED FROM AUTO TO MANUAL GEAR. INSTEAD OF WORKING AS EXPECTED, THE CAR UNDERWENT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKING PROVED INEFFECTIVE. THROUGH A COUPLE SECONDS OF ATTEMPTED BRAKING WITH NO RESPONSE, THE CAR KEPT ON ACCELERATING INSTEAD. FINALLY, AFTER MAKING TWO TURNS ON THE HILL, THE CAR SPUN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AND SWERVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET WHERE IT CRASHED THROUGH FIVE TREES AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE DRIVER LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND DELIVERED TO ER. THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS GOOD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,541. POLICY REPORT FILED.
NHTSA complaint #11171734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE BEGAN NOT RESPONDING TO GAS INPUT AND TURBO STARTED GOING OUT. DIAGNOSTIC APPEARED TO REVEAL WASTE GATE OPERATOR MALFUNCTION, BUT FURTHER ANALYSIS SHOWED COMPLETE TURBO REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING HIGH PITCHED NOISE AT VARIOUS POINTS (IDLE AND ACCELERATION). LESS THAN 90K MILES ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11119293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAIL UNDER HARD BREAKING HAPPENED 2 TIMES CAR BRAKES ABS AND ANTI SWERVE SYSTEM STOP WORKING AND BREAKING IS AFFECTED HARD PEDDLE STOPPING DISTANCE AFFECTED. BMW REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTEE BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE 2 THAT ARE WORKING UNTIL THEY FAIL. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR FOR SCHOOL AND IT IS A SAFETY HANSARD THAT BMW WILL NOT REPLACE. HAPPENED TWICE ONCE IN TOWN THE OTHER TIME ON HIGHWAY HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO DEALER BOTH TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #11113119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT AND THIS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY DUTY, I AM SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT AGAINST BMW AUTO MAKER. WE OWN A 2014 BMW 328I XDRIVE GT IN WHICH MY WIFE, (SAFE DRIVER), HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 06/26/2018 DUE TO "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" WHILE PARKING, LEAVING TWO (2) FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS BACK INJURIES. WHILE SHE WAS PARKING AND AT FULL STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDEN FORCEFULLY ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF JUMPING OVER A 12 INCH PARKING LOT BARRIER WALL LANDING 4 FEET DOWN ON A FOUR (4) LANES BUSY ROAD, WATERS AVENUE (TAMPA, FL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL BMW (REEVES, TAMPA, FL) DEALER WERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW AND HAVE BEEN SERVICING THE CAR. THE BMW AFTER CHARGING $190.00, CLAIMED TO BE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR ADMIT HAVING THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS THIS BMW 328I SERIES CONTRARY TO THIS AGENCY CLAIMS AND OTHER DISCLOSED IN PUBLIC MEDIA. THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN CHANGE THE ACCELERATION SENSOR FOR SAFETY UNCERTAIN. FURTHERMORE, BE AWARE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE EXPERIENCE THIS VEHICLE "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" MALFUNCTION AS IN 2016 DID IT AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED WHILE PARKING, STILL IN SLOW MOTION, ONTO A HANDICAP SIGN AND A PARKING LOT LANDSCAPE ISLAND (IN FRONT IF A BEST BUY STORE). LIKEWISE, AT THAT TIME THE DEALER (REVEES) CLAIMED TO BE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRONIC CHECK DID NOT SHOWED ANOMALIES. WE HAVE PICTURES, POLICE REPORT, AMBULANCE REPORTS OF LATEST INCIDENT AND A BUSINESS RECORDED THE INCIDENT ON A SITE SECURITY CAMERA, SO EVIDENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. IT IS A SAD DAY FOR US TO EXPERIENCE BMW NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RESPOND TO OUR CLAIM AND/OR AT LEAST PREVENT FURTHER SAFETY HUMAN AND PROPERTY INJURIES RESULTING IN TRAGEDIES.
NHTSA complaint #11104945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.