56 of the
3,777 complaints filed about the BMW 328I
are about the glass, mirrors and wipers —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2011.
56
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year
The wipers will wipe 5-6 times then stop. Sometimes mid windshield. Does not reset at any setting on the washer arm. Leads to an urgent stop on side of the road. It is available for inspection. I have tested while sitting in driveway and it does every time (of the 4 times I tested). Only way to reset is to turn off motor and remove key. No confirmation by mechanic. Reading online similar happenings and people replacing wiper relay. No inspection by dealer or others yet. No warning lights before.
NHTSA complaint #11695666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mid-mounted Dash/Display Screen has Delaminated, rendering “rear backup camera display” unusable. Delaminating has progressed over time, rendering screen virtually unusable. Since the camera display is unusable, there is immediate danger that the driver might not see an object immediately behind the vehicle, such as a child, and back into/over, causing injury or death. Note: while watching a YouTube video of ANOTHER BMW vehicle, the same phenomenon, mid-mounted (a BMW i8) display delaminated, was shown, meaning this is NOT unique to my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11689878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Previously reported on February 20, 2024. NHTSA #1157301 RDC failure caused complete loss of all dashboard functions except the radio - loss of lights/turn signals/ speedometer/ tachometer/ HVAC etc. Received a call from BMW customer service today February 26,2024 at 4:38 EST duration 17 minutes. BMW informed me the conversation was recorded. I request that NHTSA obtain the transcript for that telephone call. This note will be sent to BMW with request to send a transcript of the call to NHTSA. BMW Custom Relations representative was polite. Her purpose for the call - "to inform me that BMW is cooperating with NHTSA".The person assigned had no useful information nor could she obtain any information to answer questions. Though BMW documents all reported parts failures and complications, she had no ability to provide information relevant to the RDC module problems.The call was useless from an owners viewpoint. It did not improve Customer Relations. The VANOS recall was also discussed.NHTSA: #23V-707 Recall notification October 2023 BMW has not provided a date when the repair will be available. Vanos Bolt problems were identified for my vehicle in 2014!!! A 10 year warranty without mileage limitation was created but BMW owners were not notified - unless engine failure occurred and the car presented to a BMW dealership. I am more than frustrated that repairs have not been initiated. The local BMW dealership would like to repair the car but cannot proceed without corporate approval. Parts are indeed available locally. BMW has been aware of the problems for a DECADE. Furthermore, the valve cover gasket has been replaced twice since 2014. The VANOS bolts were never inspected. The valve cover was replaced last at 149,000 miles. A mechanic advised replacing the VANOS bolts but did not inspect them. Cost of repair $1500. I declined. Abysmal customer service!
NHTSA complaint #11574109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tire pressure yellow warning light on. RDC module ordered but repair not completed. After starting the car at a gas station, multiple warning lights appeared in red including "car on a raised lift in red" which signifies car is to be taken directly for service. Drove to local mechanic one mile away. While observing the car with engine running at idle, ALL dashboard lights and functions stopped: No speedometer, No tachometer, No warning lights, No turn signals, No headlights, RDC module subsequently replaced with resolution of the problem. Opening the old RDC module demonstrated significant green corrosion - likely occurred over a long period of time. IF the loss of all dashboard function had occurred while driving, it would have presented very dangerous safety issues. Situation reviewed with local BMW dealership and BMW corporate customer relations. No recalls or warnings have been issued. Expressed my concerns in detail. This is a potentially dangerous problem for the BMW E90 models. The RDC module is located in the passenger rear wheel well and repeatedly exposed to wet/ snow/ slush conditions. This is a dangerous location outside the vehicle for the RDC module. The Tire pressure monitor system is a non-critical function. Repair of the RDC module is considered optional - yellow warning light. This event demonstrates that there is a serious risk when the RDC module is not functioning properly. BMW should make owners aware and offer replacement before dangerous events occur.
NHTSA complaint #11573011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The electrical keeps shutting off and own after hitting speed bumps. It shuts off all power on hvac windows seats and the odometer. I have heard this same issue with many owners
NHTSA complaint #11563996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Around 3:30 pm driving south on I 25, 10 miles north of Trinidad, CO, the panorama sunroof blew out with a loud bang. I pulled over had a quick look, drove to Trinidad and vacuumed up the broken glass from inside the car and broke out small remaining pieces. I was driving around 77 mph the inside sun roof cover was open and the air vents were off.
NHTSA complaint #11494902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unable to unlock/lock doors on car (obviously very worrisome), unable to use turn signals, no interior lighting controls or functionality. Unable to control headlights, they still do turn on but I cannot control them. Cannot adjust any mirrors electronically. Some speedometer lighting affect or but the dials do still work, cannot see all buttons inside interior due to electrical issue. Problem: Footwell Control Module (FRM) needs replacement costing around $1300 to do minimum from dealer. This module controls all of the functions above and has gone bad. This FRM module is hidden and not easily gotten to tells me something like a fuse needs to be installed just in case a power surge from the car happens so the car does not break this very expensive equipment. Looked into it online and apparently this happens very often and one guy had to have his replaced twice. This is an obvious issue that will require a remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11478189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Footwell module. Computer system that controls turn signals, headlights, highbeams, windows, door locks etc. Yes it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I can't use my turn signals, highbeams, headlights, Windows. I can't signal my cars lane changes or see clearly at night. I can't roll the windows down or up which creates a unsafe hazard. My child is able to climb out of the window in the back seat while I'm driving. I have zero control over the windows. I can't determine if my child's door is open or closed when the car is in motion. My car doors no longer lock at all. My child can open up the door at any moment that the car is in motion. I'm unable to see at night without my highbeams. I'm now forced to drive with reduced visibility. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Both by a dealership and independent shop. There have been reconcurring warrantee coverages offered but no recalls despite the clear determinant to safety. Common usage of the vehicle at this point in time is a safety concern of all surrounding users and transportation vehicles. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The manufacturer has inspected this module concern. I'm very sure that there have been accidents associated with this module malfunction. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There are zero signs of this issue prior to it's failure. The failure had no warning.
NHTSA complaint #11459157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a right turn into a parking lot, the turn signals, interior lights, and instrument panel lights became inoperable. Additionally, the side-view mirrors no longer operated as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and found that the footwell module needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and also not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #11455741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SOME OF THE BMW FOOTWELL MODULE FOR THE E7X TO E9X MODELS CONTAINING A DEFECTIVE MICROCHIP THAT UPON JUMP-START OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BATTERY LEVEL IS LOW WOULD CORRUPT ITS MEMORY. WHEN CORRUPTION OCCURS, THE CAR WILL DISABLE TURNING SIGNAL BLINKERS, POWER WINDOWS, INTERNAL LIGHTS, AND MORE. THOSE AFFECTED FUNCTION WILL RENDER THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BMW HAS ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THE PART, BUT ONLY FOR OWNERS WHO RUN INTO THE PROBLEM (IE: JUMP-STARTED) WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME IS COVERED. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS INFAMOUS DEFECT UNTIL RECENTLY AND BMW FAILED TO INFORM ME OF THIS ISSUE PROACTIVELY. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. AFTER I READ HUNDREDS OF ARTICLES ONLINE, THIS IS A PART THAT WARRANTS A BRODER RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11387038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH, THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME AND NO BRIDGES ABOVE ME, ONCE I GOT TO AROUND 70MPH MY SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARDS WITH EXTREME FORCE FOR NO REASON, I COULD NOT FIND A ROCK OR GRAVEL AND I DO NOT BELIEVE GLASS WILL SHATTER OUTWARDS WHEN BROKEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11377570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOOTWELL MODULE FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY BMW. DEVICE CONTROLS ACCESSORY LIGHTING, CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM, TURN SIGNALS, AND POWER WINDOWS. BMW SI B01 20 16 RELEASED EXTENDING WARRANTY ON FRM TO 10 YEARS, 152000 MILES. FRM ON MY VEHICLE FAILED AT 195,000. TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST WAS $1,000
NHTSA complaint #11376409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED BMW NORTHWEST LOCATED AT 4011 20TH ST E, TACOMA, WA 98424, (253) 922-8700, AND AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WAS SENT TO THE RESIDENCE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A WEEK AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 176,000. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11343334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FRONT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING AND THE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. WINDOW WILL NO LONGER ROLL UP AND I'M FORCED TO PUT A GARBAGE BAG TO COVER THE OPEN WINDOW WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. I NO LONGER HAVE VISIBILITY ON MY RIGHT HAND SIDE WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11265470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD, HE NOTICED THE SEAL AROUND THE GLASS THAT SECURED IT WAS PEELING AND HAD CRACKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CHUNK OF THE BLACK SEAL WAS CRUMBLING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO D-PATRICK BMW SHOWROOM (200 N GREEN RIVER RD, EVANSVILLE, IN 47715, (812) 473-6500) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT IF THEY REMOVED THE WINDSHIELD TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, IT COULD BE A 50/50 CHANCE THE WINDSHIELD COULD BREAK AND THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,774. CONSUMER STATED CALLED THE MANUFACTURER HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE DESIGN FLAW. THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #11242782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES AND STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR TURNED ON AND OFF AFTER THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE SYMPTOMS WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFIED THE FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. BMW PORTLAND (2001 SW JEFFERSON ST, PORTLAND, OR 97201, (971) 340-4590) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11179830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED EAST BAY BMW AT 925-264-8570 (LOCATED AT 4350 ROSEWOOD DR, PLEASANTON, CA 94588) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA complaint #11123206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FLEMINGTON BMW DEALER (908-788-2691, LOCATED AT 216 US-202, FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME BY THE SAME DEALER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. FE
NHTSA complaint #11120164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOLDINGS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS WERE CRACKED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEVERLY HILLS BMW (5070 WILSHIRE BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90036) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOLDINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,261.
NHTSA complaint #11118789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11102535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.