What happened: While driving, steering system malfunction warning appeared, power steering felt normal. Within 5 sec the HVAC blower quit, A/C shut off, and “Transmission not in Park” flashed although shifter was untouched (in Drive). All cluster gauges began sweeping randomly; iDrive screen flickered. Within 10 seconds, I heard a loud pop from passenger-side engine bay; voltage warnings continued. Pulled over immediately, switched ignition off, opened hood: active flames at passenger side of engine bay. Fire spread rapidly. Fire dept arrived within 5 min, but vehicle was fully engulfed. Total loss. No injuries. Suspected root cause: BMW’s PCV valve-heater (“blow-by heater”) or electric coolant-pump connector short-circuited, causing a massive current draw that browned out control modules (explaining the cascading warnings) and started the fire. These parts are the subjects of recalls 22V-119 (PCV heater, build cutoff 10 Oct 2013) and 24V-608 (water-pump connector, N20 engines only). My VIN shows NO open recalls, yet the failure sequence and fire origin perfectly match the defects acknowledged in those campaigns. Damage & consequences Complete destruction of vehicle forward of the firewall and significant damage to cabin. Towing, tow-yard and haz-mat cleanup fees incurred in excess of $1300 I only have liability coverage on the vehicle, so insurance will not get involved. Request to NHTSA Please investigate 2014 335i GT (N55) models excluded from 22V-119 and 24V-608. Evidence suggests the same defective components are present and can cause in-motion engine-bay fires. Please advise if I have any recourse on this matter.
NHTSA complaint #11664177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car hasn't start up for 2 years now. 1st it started with a dead starter, then alternator, then the radiator and water pump bursted, and as i was standing outside of my car the passenger air bag deploys while the car was off and key out of the ignition. Luckily no one was in my car but now my car doesn't and wont crank or turnover, it makes a buzzing noise for a split second when i hit the start/stop button and thats all. I'm getting full voltage to it. Every time i run my scanner, i get different codes every time, i bought a 2nd scanner (carly) to compare and both threw out different codes every time but the main ones was the starter and pcv code; which i got 3 different starters put in, all new and the code was still ahowing. Ive spent more time researching and more money buying parts to fix my car then what I bought the car for which was $6k. Worst part is that My car wont even start so i cant take it to the shop and im definitely not paying a toll fee just to have the shop tell me what i already know. Ive looked up forums and multiple people is facing the same issues as i am with their results ending with a "please help if anyone finds out what this issue is". I've replaced the battery 3 times and registered the batteries each time. I have a new starter, alternator, radiator, radiator fan, water pump, thermostat, reservoir, crankshaft and camshaft position sensor, battery, ibs cables, power distribution box, ground straps, oil filter, oil filter housing, spark plugs, coil packs, manifold and gaskets, pcv valves, start/stop switch, relays, fuses, and I still get the same results which is no crank/no start and a buzzing noise. When i spoke with BMW customer support i told them that the closest BMW repair shop is 2 hours away from me and the lady replied "that's going to be a huge chunk of money for towing". I mean seriously, BMW should be paying for or that and fixing their mess but won't own up to it.
NHTSA complaint #11495879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY BMW 2014 335XI GT 63900 MILES VIN:[XXX] SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AND LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT AND STUCK ON ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COST 23K, AND THE REPORTS SAID THE REASON MAY BE DUE TO FUEL PUMP OR PREVIOUS OIL LEAK. THIS ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN LEAVE ANYONE STRANDED ANYWHERE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. NO WARNING LIGHT SHOWED PREVIOUSLY. I WAS DOING REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE AND FIXED THE OIL LEAK. I THOUGHT IT DUE TO THE RECALL CASE BELOW: IMPROPER PLATING ON FUEL PUMP MAY RESULT IN STALL IF THE FUEL PUMP FAILS, THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 MANUFACTURER BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL OF BMW POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 18,054 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11384029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE CODES FOR FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS. A RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS INITIATED I N 2010 TO REPAIR THESE INJECTORS. I BELIEVE THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS TITLED 10E-A02: REPLACE FUEL INJECTORS. THE ELIGIBLITY WAS LISTED AS VEHICLES WITH PRODUCTION DATES FROM 4/01/2007 TO 11/30/2008. VEHICLES INCLUDED WERE BMW E90 MODELS. I HAVE A 2007 E90 MODEL WITH A PRODUCTION DATE OF 3/2007. IT IS PECULIAR THAT THE PRODUCTION DATE DID NOT INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES IN THAT MODEL YEAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND DETERMINED THAT THE PART NUMBER ON MY FUEL INJECTORS WERE THE SAME AS THE PART NUMBERS OF THE FUEL INJECTORS FOR VEHICLES PRODUCES IN 4/2007 AND FOR THE REST OF THAT MODEL YEAR. I FEEL MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL, PLEASE ADVISE.10
NHTSA complaint #11365528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTER SLOWLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD, HE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK INTO THE SPARK PLUGS. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER ORANGE COUNTY BMW LOCATED AT 101 MAHER LN, HARRIMAN, NY 10926, (845) 782-4269 AND WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH MANUFACTURER RECALL 10EA02, HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11348644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MISFIRED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CASEY BMW LOCATED AT (12861 JEFFERSON AVE. NEWPORT NEWS. VA) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11317471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BLOWER MOTOR RECALL. MY BMW CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 5/17/2018. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE CURRENT RECALL CONCERNING ENGINE FIRES IN SEVERAL MODEL LINES. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. HAD BEEN TURNED OFF FOR OVER 1 1/2 HOURS. DAMAGE WAS PRIMARILY ISOLATED TO THE FRONT AND REAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND ARRIVED WITHIN 3 MINUTES TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. COMMENTS MADE BY ARSON INVESTIGATORS WERE ODD BURN PATTERNS. FIRST THOUGHT WAS ELECTRICAL RELATED FIRE. THEY HAD TO CALL BACK FIRE FIGHTERS DUE TO WORRY THE BATTERY WOULD REIGNITE.
NHTSA complaint #11097717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE INFAMOUS HPFP FAILURE. THE CODE THROWN IS P2AAF (FUEL PUMP PLAUSABILITY) AND P29F2 (HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM, FUEL PRESSURE). WHEN STARTING THE CAR, THE ENGINE SHAKES, RUMBLES AND ALMOST DIES, ERRATIC IDLE...I HAVE TO REV UP THE ENGINE FOR A FEW MINUTES TO KEEP IDLE STABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SES LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAS REDUCED POWER, I CAN NOT ACCELERATE QUICKLY ANY MORE. I SEE PEOPLE BEHIND ME MOVE OVER EVERYTIME I GO FROM A STOP. I TOOK THE CAR TO BMW RECENTLY AND THEY FOUND $8,800 WORTH OF REPAIR COST ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THE HPFP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD AND PAST 120,000 MILES. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT FOR FREE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE PUMP WAS REPLACED A FEW TIMES BEFORE. I THINK I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR. I PURCHASED IT IN 2/2013. ROUGHLY 3 YEARS AGO, THE CAR'S ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT GOING ABOUT 4 MILES AN HOUR AND PULLED OVER. I WAS TOLD THE LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER CPO WARRANTY TO GET THE CAR WORKING AGAIN. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO ME AND MY KIDS. I THINK THE HPFP SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE IF THE SYMPTOMS EXIST, NO MATTER IF THEIR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11078583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 335XI. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OCCUPIED. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS AWAITING A PHONE CALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11058012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE STALLED ON ROAD WAY WHILE GOING 50 PLUS MILES AN HOUR. SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. POLICE WERE CALLED. COULD NOT GET CAR TO SHIFT AND MOVE. NEEDED TWO DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS TO GET DOLLIES TO MOVE CAR. BMW REPLACED FUEL PUMP. BMW SAYS WARRANTY ON NHTSA FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE. FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO GET KILLED AS CARS HONKED GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR AROUND ME AT 830 AT NIGHT ON BEACH BLVD.
NHTSA complaint #10969839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335XI. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FISHTAILED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10936324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR ON THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #10862455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR RANDOMLY LOST POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. HEAVY STUTTERING WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. OCCURRED WHILE MERGING ON THE HIGHWAY AND RESULTED IN NEAR COLLISION. CAR HAD 75K MILES AT THE TIME, NOW HAS 76K. CAR DRIVES FINE, BUT WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR PASSED 50% CAR BEGINS TO STUTTER AND GO INTO LIMP MODE. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ISSUES UNTIL THIS HAPPENS. CHECK ENGINE CODES READ, MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE. ALL SYMPTOMS POINT TO HPFP.
NHTSA complaint #10861294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SUPPLY MODULE (FUEL PUMP) FAILED IN MY 2014 BMW 335I XDRIVE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN ENGINE COMPLETELY QUIT. CAR STOPPED IN THE LEFT LANE DUE TO THE STALLED ENGINE. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT POLICE OFFICER WAS ABLE TO STOP TRAFFIC AND PUSH THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALER. DEALER REPLACED FUEL SUPPLY MODULE UNDER WARRANTY. REPRESENTATIVE MENTIONED THAT THERE'S NO OPEN RECALLS FOR MY CAR'S VIN. I ATTACHED A PICTURE OF REPAIR INVOICE THAT LISTS VIN AND PART NUMBER OF THE FAILED FUEL PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10811186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE IN STRAIGHT, FORWARD MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX. 60MPH) AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY. REACHING A SAFE RESTING AREA POSED SIGNIFICANT RISK DUE TO LACK OF WARNING OR DESCRIPTIVE VEHICLE FAULT. SMOKE AND/OR STEAM EMITTING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AT 56,000 MILES/5 YEARS IN SERVICE. SECOND OCCURRENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10794783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COOLANT / WATER PUMP HAS FAILED AT 57,000 MILES. THE PUMP SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND SHUT OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. A WATER PUMP SHOULD NOT FAIL AT SUCH AN EARLY AGE. INTERNET SEARCHES INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 3-SERIES (EXTREMELY EARLY FAILURE OF THE WATER PUMP). THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10785959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME I'VE OWNED MY 2011 335XI, I HAVE HAD TO -HAVE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS BECAUSE IT KEPT COMING ON EVEN THOUGH MY TIRES WERE FINE. DISCONCERTING AT BEST WHEN YOU'RE A SINGLE WOMAN COMMUTING AT HIGH SPEEDS EVERY DAY ON A TURNPIKE IN TRAFFIC. -CONTINUALLY REPLACE BURNED OUT DAYTIME RUNNING OR REAR BRAKE BULBS -DEAL WITH AN ONGOING SURGE OR LURCHING WHEN I START FROM A STOP, WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS ON, THAT REPAIR SHOPS STILL CAN'T PINPOINT -REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS -REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT (AND WORRY ABOUT POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE FROM THE OVERHEATED ENGINE; CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK) -REPLACE THE STARTER -REPLACE THE ENGINE TENSION BELT -I WILL SOON HAVE TO REPLACE LEAKING OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET -AND I HAVE A PROBABLE RADIATOR LEAK, AS I'M REFILLING COOLANT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 4 WEEKS (TO THE POINT WHERE I KEEP A GALLON OF IT IN MY TRUNK, WITH A FUNNEL, FOR WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON) TO DATE, IN THE TWO YEARS I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE (I BOUGHT IT OFF-LEASE), I'VE ALREADY SPENT ALMOST $5,000 ON WHAT SHOULD BE COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY REPAIRS FOR A HIGH-END VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10778322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY MODEL CAR HAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL INJECTORS. MY VEHICLE'S FUEL INJECTORS HAVE MISFIRED AND HAVE CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO REMAIN ON IN MY CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY HAVE TOLD ME MULTIPLE STORIES AS TO WHY THEY WILL NOT HONOR MY CAR UNDER THIS RECALL. ONE REASON THEY GIVE IS MY VIN #, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AS THE RECALL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THEN THEY SAY MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I THOUGHT THE PURPOSE OF A RECALL IS THAT IT REPAIRS YOUR CAR EVEN IF IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE SPENT OVER HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. BMW WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME OR FIX THE CAR UNDER THE RECALL THAT I KNOW MY CAR FALLS UNDER. THE RECALL IS EVEN LISTED ON MY FAILED DMV INSPECTION REPORT, AND THEY ARE STILL NOT COOPERATING. IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN DO? MY CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION, AND IT'S THE ONLY CAR I HAVE.
NHTSA complaint #10548338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOTICED THE WATER COOLANT LIGHT COME ON. AFTER TAKING IT TO BMW, THEY SAID THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. WANTED TO REPLACE IT FOR A NICE PIECE OF CHANGE. POOR PART DESIGN. THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10523945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.