Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2009 BMW 335 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2018.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 5 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 — 53
Against the median year of the BMW 335. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 28
17% 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 2009 BMW 335
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
736.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 91,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
315.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 71,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
210.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 71,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
210.5%
Median failure at 63,500 miles
Electrical System
210.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 71,000 mi
Seats
15.3%
Median failure at 95,000 miles
Seat Belts
15.3%
Median failure at 95,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.3%
Median failure at 67,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
216.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
433.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
650.0%
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.
Oct 2013peak 5Jul 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 BMW 335
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...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 87,000 milesAurora, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING MINOR ACCIDENT CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. IMPACT OCCURED FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP AFTER ACCIDENT CAUSING NOSE DAMAGE AND BURN AND BRUISE ON LEFT ARM. IRREGULAR DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS SEATED ON PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVER SIDE VEHICLE SIDE AIRBAG WHERE I WAS SEATED DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11111640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesFlorissant, MOFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON 8/21/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 BMW 335D TO WORK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SPEWING SMOKE ON JEFFERSON AVE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY WORK AND SAW SMOKE SEEPING IN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I RAN INSIDE MY WORKPLACE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER FILING A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND PLAZA MOTOR COMPANY BMW CAME TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT MY ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLAZA MOTORS NOR STATE FARM CAN TELL ME WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD BEEN CLOSE TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CLAIM IS BEING HANDLED IN A VERY LEISURELY, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MANNER AKIN TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE OR A DENTED BUMPER. BUT A CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL. PLAZA MOTORS AND STATE FARM'S CASUAL NATURE IS DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE BMW IS TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CATCH SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE. ALSO, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST CONDUCTED ON MY CAR BY AUTOHAUS BMW IN ST. LOUIS, MO AND THE TWO MINOR ISSUES WERE UNRELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10761125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesFlorissant, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 8/21/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 BMW 335D TO WORK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SPEWING SMOKE ON JEFFERSON AVE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY WORK AND SAW SMOKE SEEPING IN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I RAN INSIDE MY WORKPLACE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER FILING A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND PLAZA MOTOR COMPANY BMW CAME TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT MY ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLAZA MOTORS NOR STATE FARM CAN TELL ME WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD BEEN CLOSE TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CLAIM IS BEING HANDLED IN A VERY LEISURELY, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MANNER AKIN TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE OR A DENTED BUMPER. BUT A CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL. PLAZA MOTORS AND STATE FARM'S CASUAL NATURE IS DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE BMW IS TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CATCH SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE. ALSO, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST CONDUCTED ON MY CAR BY AUTOHAUS BMW IN ST. LOUIS, MO AND THE TWO MINOR ISSUES WERE UNRELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10761125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesFlorissant, MOFire
ENGINE
ON 8/21/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 BMW 335D TO WORK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SPEWING SMOKE ON JEFFERSON AVE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY WORK AND SAW SMOKE SEEPING IN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I RAN INSIDE MY WORKPLACE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER FILING A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND PLAZA MOTOR COMPANY BMW CAME TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT MY ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLAZA MOTORS NOR STATE FARM CAN TELL ME WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD BEEN CLOSE TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CLAIM IS BEING HANDLED IN A VERY LEISURELY, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MANNER AKIN TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE OR A DENTED BUMPER. BUT A CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL. PLAZA MOTORS AND STATE FARM'S CASUAL NATURE IS DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE BMW IS TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CATCH SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE. ALSO, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST CONDUCTED ON MY CAR BY AUTOHAUS BMW IN ST. LOUIS, MO AND THE TWO MINOR ISSUES WERE UNRELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10761125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 87,000 milesAurora, FLCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING MINOR ACCIDENT CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. IMPACT OCCURED FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP AFTER ACCIDENT CAUSING NOSE DAMAGE AND BURN AND BRUISE ON LEFT ARM. IRREGULAR DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS SEATED ON PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVER SIDE VEHICLE SIDE AIRBAG WHERE I WAS SEATED DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #11111640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL; BOUGHT CAR ONLINE FROM SCHMBURG IL. BMW AND THE BMW WAS DELIVERED TO MY HOME ADDRESS IN SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS. CALLED SCHMBURG BMW AND THEY TOLD TO CALL SAN ANTONIO BMW. I DID CALL SAN ANTONIO BMW IN 2-2-2017. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM THEM AND IT'S 5/7/2018---HELP!!!
NHTSA complaint #11092328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SCHOMP BMW, CAR DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN HIGHLANDS RANCH COLORADO, IS ILLEGALLY SELLING RECALL AFFECTED BMWS. THE ABOVE VIN IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL BMW'S SOLD LAST MONTH WITHOUT THE DEALER REPAIRING THE NHTSA BMW US BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS RECALL. ANOTHER RECALLED AFFECTED BMW 3 SERIES SCHOMP BMW SOLD IN THE PAST 60 DAYS: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11065301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SCHOMP BMW, CAR DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN HIGHLANDS RANCH COLORADO, IS ILLEGALLY SELLING RECALL AFFECTED BMWS. THE ABOVE VIN IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL BMW'S SOLD LAST MONTH WITHOUT THE DEALER REPAIRING THE NHTSA BMW US BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS RECALL. ANOTHER RECALLED AFFECTED BMW 3 SERIES SCHOMP BMW SOLD IN THE PAST 60 DAYS: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11065301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
SEATS
ISSUE: WHEN SEAT UNOCCUPIED, WILL RECEIVE SEAT BELT WARNING AS IF A PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. ISSUE: WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT, AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON, WITH WARNING ON THE DISPLAY THAT THERE IS A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DEFECT WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE IN DIFFERENT YEARS/MODELS. MY YEAR IS NOT COVERED FOR THE CURRENT RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND LIKELY THE SAME MAT AND/OR SEATS. EXAMPLE RECALLS: 17V-428 13V-564 17V-605
NHTSA complaint #11063038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
SEAT BELTS
ISSUE: WHEN SEAT UNOCCUPIED, WILL RECEIVE SEAT BELT WARNING AS IF A PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. ISSUE: WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT, AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON, WITH WARNING ON THE DISPLAY THAT THERE IS A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DEFECT WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE IN DIFFERENT YEARS/MODELS. MY YEAR IS NOT COVERED FOR THE CURRENT RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND LIKELY THE SAME MAT AND/OR SEATS. EXAMPLE RECALLS: 17V-428 13V-564 17V-605
NHTSA complaint #11063038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
AIR BAGS
ISSUE: WHEN SEAT UNOCCUPIED, WILL RECEIVE SEAT BELT WARNING AS IF A PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. ISSUE: WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT, AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON, WITH WARNING ON THE DISPLAY THAT THERE IS A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DEFECT WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE IN DIFFERENT YEARS/MODELS. MY YEAR IS NOT COVERED FOR THE CURRENT RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND LIKELY THE SAME MAT AND/OR SEATS. EXAMPLE RECALLS: 17V-428 13V-564 17V-605
NHTSA complaint #11063038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL IN LATE SEPTEMBER I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A ROUGHLY 3 WEEK WAIT FOR PARTS. CALLED AGAIN THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 4-6 WEEK WAIT. I'M STILL GETTING THE RUN AROUND BY BMW OF DALLAS AND BELIEVE THEY MAY BE ONLY HELPING SELECT PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint #11056971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ventura, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE STEVE THOMAS BMW DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR WHEN THE REMEDY WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11005159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boulder City, NV
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG.
NHTSA complaint #10934286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
ENGINE
FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAULTY
NHTSA complaint #10930013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAULTY
NHTSA complaint #10930013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesWashingotn, DC
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN I HEARD AND EXPLOSION. ACTUALLY MY SUNROOF BURST IN TO PIECES WITHOUT ANY REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10919184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND STILL THE OLD AIR BAG HAS NOT BEEN CHANGED...HIGH HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE ZONE A PRIORITY.
NHTSA complaint #10910459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesFlorissant, MOFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON 8/21/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 BMW 335D TO WORK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SPEWING SMOKE ON JEFFERSON AVE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY WORK AND SAW SMOKE SEEPING IN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I RAN INSIDE MY WORKPLACE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER FILING A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND PLAZA MOTOR COMPANY BMW CAME TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT MY ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLAZA MOTORS NOR STATE FARM CAN TELL ME WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD BEEN CLOSE TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CLAIM IS BEING HANDLED IN A VERY LEISURELY, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MANNER AKIN TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE OR A DENTED BUMPER. BUT A CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL. PLAZA MOTORS AND STATE FARM'S CASUAL NATURE IS DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE BMW IS TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CATCH SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE. ALSO, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST CONDUCTED ON MY CAR BY AUTOHAUS BMW IN ST. LOUIS, MO AND THE TWO MINOR ISSUES WERE UNRELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10761125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesFlorissant, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON 8/21/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 BMW 335D TO WORK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SPEWING SMOKE ON JEFFERSON AVE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY WORK AND SAW SMOKE SEEPING IN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I RAN INSIDE MY WORKPLACE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER FILING A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND PLAZA MOTOR COMPANY BMW CAME TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT MY ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLAZA MOTORS NOR STATE FARM CAN TELL ME WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD BEEN CLOSE TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CLAIM IS BEING HANDLED IN A VERY LEISURELY, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MANNER AKIN TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE OR A DENTED BUMPER. BUT A CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL. PLAZA MOTORS AND STATE FARM'S CASUAL NATURE IS DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE BMW IS TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CATCH SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE. ALSO, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST CONDUCTED ON MY CAR BY AUTOHAUS BMW IN ST. LOUIS, MO AND THE TWO MINOR ISSUES WERE UNRELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10761125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesFlorissant, MOFire
ENGINE
ON 8/21/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 BMW 335D TO WORK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SPEWING SMOKE ON JEFFERSON AVE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY WORK AND SAW SMOKE SEEPING IN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I RAN INSIDE MY WORKPLACE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER FILING A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND PLAZA MOTOR COMPANY BMW CAME TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT MY ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLAZA MOTORS NOR STATE FARM CAN TELL ME WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD BEEN CLOSE TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CLAIM IS BEING HANDLED IN A VERY LEISURELY, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MANNER AKIN TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE OR A DENTED BUMPER. BUT A CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL. PLAZA MOTORS AND STATE FARM'S CASUAL NATURE IS DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE BMW IS TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CATCH SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE. ALSO, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST CONDUCTED ON MY CAR BY AUTOHAUS BMW IN ST. LOUIS, MO AND THE TWO MINOR ISSUES WERE UNRELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10761125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesGarden Ridge, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO MY CAR 2009 335D PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2009 FROM MOMENTUM BMW IN HOUSTON, TX. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE PRIMARILY FOR ITS ADVERTISED FUEL ECONOMY OF CITY/HWY 23/36 COMBINED WITH SUPERB PERFORMANCE. I PRIMARILY USE THIS CAR FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING FROM SAN ANTONIO TO HOUSTON, APPROX. 150 MILES EACH WAY. I GO TO HOUSTON TWICE A MONTH TO VISIT MY TWO SONS WHO ARE DOCTORS. I HAVE PUT ON AN AVERAGE OF 10,000 MILES PER YEAR, AND TODAY HAVE APPROX. 40,000 MILES. I ALSO PURCHASED BMW EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 7 YRS./70K MILES. BEFORE ALL THE MAJOR SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE UPDATES, I USED TO ROUTINELY GET AROUND 36-38 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND SINCE ALMOST 1 YEAR OR MORE, I AVERAGE LIKE 28-30 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS DROPPED BY MORE THAN 6-8 MPG BEFORE THESE UPDATES FOR BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY MPG. BEING AN ENGINEER BY TRAINING, THIS IS A STATISTICAL AVERAGE FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAVE MENTIONED MANY TIMES SINCE 2012 TO PRESENT TO THE BMW DEALER IN SAN ANTONIO THAT MY FUEL ECONOMY HAS SUFFERED SUBSTANTIALLY. I ALSO HAD THE SHOP FOREMAN AT BMW DEALERSHIP VERIFY BY TEST DRIVING FOR ALMOST 40 MINUTES EACH WAY ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT THE MAX. I GOT WAS 30.6MPG WITH AVERAGE SPEED OF 65MPH. FROM DAY ONE, I HAVE ONLY PUT EITHER SHELL OR CHEVRON DIESEL FUEL IN THIS CAR. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE BMW OF SAN ANTONIO. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I NO LONGER CAN GET THIS FUEL ECONOMY AND BMW DEALER HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR EFFORTS IN FIXING THIS ISSUE BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE IT. I NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF MY OTHER GERMAN CARS THAT THEY STILL GIVE ME THE SAME FUEL ECONOMY OF WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THEM BUT IN FACT IN MOST CASES THE FUEL ECONOMY HAS IMPROVED AFTER THE ENGINE BREAK IN PERIOD. FOREMAN STATES THAT IT NEEDS DECARBONIZATION BUT BMW DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR IT AND IT IS QUITE EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10549352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesGarden Ridge, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO MY CAR 2009 335D PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2009 FROM MOMENTUM BMW IN HOUSTON, TX. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE PRIMARILY FOR ITS ADVERTISED FUEL ECONOMY OF CITY/HWY 23/36 COMBINED WITH SUPERB PERFORMANCE. I PRIMARILY USE THIS CAR FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING FROM SAN ANTONIO TO HOUSTON, APPROX. 150 MILES EACH WAY. I GO TO HOUSTON TWICE A MONTH TO VISIT MY TWO SONS WHO ARE DOCTORS. I HAVE PUT ON AN AVERAGE OF 10,000 MILES PER YEAR, AND TODAY HAVE APPROX. 40,000 MILES. I ALSO PURCHASED BMW EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 7 YRS./70K MILES. BEFORE ALL THE MAJOR SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE UPDATES, I USED TO ROUTINELY GET AROUND 36-38 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND SINCE ALMOST 1 YEAR OR MORE, I AVERAGE LIKE 28-30 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS DROPPED BY MORE THAN 6-8 MPG BEFORE THESE UPDATES FOR BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY MPG. BEING AN ENGINEER BY TRAINING, THIS IS A STATISTICAL AVERAGE FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAVE MENTIONED MANY TIMES SINCE 2012 TO PRESENT TO THE BMW DEALER IN SAN ANTONIO THAT MY FUEL ECONOMY HAS SUFFERED SUBSTANTIALLY. I ALSO HAD THE SHOP FOREMAN AT BMW DEALERSHIP VERIFY BY TEST DRIVING FOR ALMOST 40 MINUTES EACH WAY ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT THE MAX. I GOT WAS 30.6MPG WITH AVERAGE SPEED OF 65MPH. FROM DAY ONE, I HAVE ONLY PUT EITHER SHELL OR CHEVRON DIESEL FUEL IN THIS CAR. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE BMW OF SAN ANTONIO. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I NO LONGER CAN GET THIS FUEL ECONOMY AND BMW DEALER HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR EFFORTS IN FIXING THIS ISSUE BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE IT. I NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF MY OTHER GERMAN CARS THAT THEY STILL GIVE ME THE SAME FUEL ECONOMY OF WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THEM BUT IN FACT IN MOST CASES THE FUEL ECONOMY HAS IMPROVED AFTER THE ENGINE BREAK IN PERIOD. FOREMAN STATES THAT IT NEEDS DECARBONIZATION BUT BMW DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR IT AND IT IS QUITE EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10549352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.