ATTENTION: BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON, SATURDAY, 01/02/2016, AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE FORT HAMILTON PKWY IN BROOKLYN, NY IN MY BMW 328I CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MILES PER HOUR MY CAR SUDDENLY STOP COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE TO TRAFFIC. IN ORDER TO EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY, I ALLOWED THE CAR TO ROLL TO REDUCE SPEED THEN USE THE HAND BRAKE IT TO STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY AT THE NEAREST EXIT, EXT # 5. AFTER EXITING I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY. IT APPEARED THAT THIS INCIDENT WAS THE RESULT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON MY 2008 BMW 328XI WHICH ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC BURNT THE CONTROL MODULE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. FUEL TANK FAILURE IS A HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND GIVEN THE FACT THAT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE RESULTS IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKES AND A POTENTIAL DESIGN FLAW. DUE TO THIS FUEL TANK FAILURE MY WIFE AND I LIVE WERE PLACED IN DANGER. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS. I INFORMED THEM OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND MY LIFE AND EXPLAINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE TO TODAY, 01/07/15, INFORMED ME THAT I SHOULD'VE GOTTEN A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD AND STATED SHE COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION UNLESS THE CAR WAS PRESENT. I INFORMED HER THAT AT THE TIME THE CAR BROKE DOWN THEIR DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED AND I WAS FORCED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO G & J SERVICE AUTO REPAIR SHOP LOCATED AT 198 28TH STREET, N
2008 BMW 328i complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →
ALL FOUR DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. I AM ABLE TO LOCK THEM WITH THE REMOTE BUT UNABLE TO UNLOCK THEM. ONCE INSIDE, YOU BECOME TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I HAVE TO UNROLL THE WINDOW AND USE MY KEY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR TO GET OUT. THIS COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
MY CAR WAS IN MOTION AND IT STALLED IN MIDDLE OF FREEWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING ! IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP THAT HAD FAILED ! BMW ALREADY HAS RECALLED MANY MODELS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. WHY PUT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER AND NOT RECALL THE 2008 328I ALSO WHEN THEY ARE ALREADY AWARE OF THIS FUEL PUMP FAILURE ?
WHILE DRIVING(IN MOTION) MY VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY STOP RUNNING AND STALL OUT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTICS, BUT HE STATED HE DIDN'T SEE ANY ISSUES. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY.
PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THEN IT SHOWS LIKE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. FOR THE PAST 2 WEEKS THE LIGHT WAS COMING INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOW IT IS ALWAYS ON WHEN I START THE CAR AND IT SHOWS PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. I SEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WENT TO MECHANIC. THEY GAVE ME ERROR CODE "93C3" WHICH IS PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT WORKING IN THE SEAT AND IT WILL COST AROUND 1300$ TO FIX THIS ISSUE. BMW HAD A RECALL ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT IT DOESN'T COVER 2008 MODELS. I HAVE A SPORT SEAT, AND WHEN I CHECKED ONLINE, I SAW IN THE FORUMS THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND BMW SHOULD RECALL EFFECTED CARS. BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE...
AFTER A SCHEDULED SERVICE THE ELECTRONIC LOCKS ON THE DOORS WOULD NOT WORK. RETURNED THE CAR THE SAME DAY FOR A "FUSE" THAT HAD BLOWN. WITHIN A FEW MORE DAYS, THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN, AND REMAINED LOCKED. I HAD TO USE THE VALET/METAL KEY TO OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR AND WAS TOTALLY UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OTHER DOORS. NONE WOULD OPEN FROM INSIDE, OUTSIDE OR THE REMOTE FOB. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE A DAY TO REPAIR AFTER A DAY OF TEARING THE DOORS APART AND DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET PARTS AND TOOK SEVERAL DAYS TO REPAIR THE DOORS WITH NEW "LOCK ACTUATORS" THAT HAD ALL FAILED. WHY? HOW CAN THREE DOORS FAIL ALL AT THE SAME TIME? IT MUST BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? DANGEROUS!!! THANK GOD I DID NOT HAVE TO DRIVE MY GRANDCHILDREN AROUND THAT WEEK. THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO AND OUT OF THREE OF THE SEATS WOULD BE TO USE THE WINDOWS OR CLIMB OVER THE DRIVER SEAT/ CONSOLE. THIS IS SCARY AND DANGEROUS, TO NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR. WHY HASN'T BMW HAD A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? I'M OUT ALMOST $2K FOR THE REPAIRS!
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO UNLOCK THUS TRAPPING MYSELF IN THE CAR. NO MECHANICAL OVERRIDE EXISTS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. I HAD TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND CLIMB OUT THROUGH THE WINDOW. THE 4 DOOR SEDAN HAS SMALL WINDOWS AND I HURT MYSELF (PULLED MUSCLES AND JOINTS) CLIMBING OUT. IF THE WINDOWS FAILED (THEY DID NOT), I WOULD HAVE HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOWS AND THEN CLIMB OUT. ELDERLY OR HANDICAPPED OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT! ANY POWER FAILURE WILL TRAP OCCUPANTS SINCE NO MECHANICAL OVERRIDE EXISTS!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY AND THE POSITIVE CONNECTION CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COIL, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND THE VALVE GASKET COVERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,025. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE CAR USE TAKE A LOOK A LONG TIME TO START NOW IT'S NOT STARTING AT ALL IT JUST MAKES NOISE. *TR
ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON TWO OCCASIONS NOW. THE FIRST WHEN OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT LATER REQUIRED A NEW FUSE. THE SECOND ON MARCH 5TH HAPPENED AFTER ENTERING VEHICLE, BUT 3 OF THE DOORS REMAINED LOCK, AND MY ELDERLY FATHER COULD NOT GET INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD LOCKING BUTTON THEN SUBSEQUENTLY LOCKED THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND UNLOCKING WAS SUBSEQUENTLY NOT POSSIBLE FOR ANY DOORS. IN EFFECT TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND THE DOORS COULD NOT BE MANUALLY OPENED NOR ELECTRONICALLY. I WAS ABLE TO PASS THE MECHANICAL KEY THROUGH THE SUNROOF FOR ASSISTANCE IN OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION (E.G. A CAR CRASH), THE OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY OR SAFELY. BOTH BMW AND NHTSA APPEAR TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE FROM OTHER POSTINGS, BUT NO RECALLS ISSUED. THE REPAIR BILLS TOO ARE ALSO HIGH AND FALL ON THE CONSUMER TO PAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND OFF, ALL FOUR WINDOWS INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,140.
ON THE AFTERNOON OF NOVEMBER 10TH, WHILE DRIVING, A RED LIGHT WITH A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. THEY WERE UNABLE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF, WHICH AFFECTED MY ABILITY TO RETRIEVE TIME AND TEMPERATURE ON THE DASHBOARD READER. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON NOVEMBER 26TH. THE PART IS CALLED SOP BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL (BATTERY CABLE PLUS POLE). I WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRES TESTED AS "BROKEN INTERMITTENTLY." I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN THIS BATTERY CABLE WORKS CORRECTLY IT WILL SHUT OFF THE GAS PUMP SO THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF FIRE. I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SEEMED TO BE ALL RIGHT, BECAUSE IF GAS LEAKED THE WHOLE CAR WOULD BE ON FIRE, NOT JUST THE PASSENGER SIDE. SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE ALSO RELATED. THE DEALER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE ON OTHER CARS BUT HE COULD NOT SAY HOW MANY. I AM GRATEFUL THAT THIS COULD BE FIXED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR
I AM UNABLE TO OPEN/UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. OTHER DOORS ARE FINE BUT I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN CASE OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT. DOOR DOES UNLOCK THROUGH MANUAL KEY (NOT FOB). *TR
MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS BROKE WHILE TURNING OUT OF MY BANK PARKING LOT. CALLED DEALERSHIP. ADVISED NO RECALL NOTED. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD ALSO ENDED. I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. TOOK TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT USE ALUMINUM BOLTS FOR MOUNTING THE ENGINE. SERIOUS DEFECT AND A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD . NEED RECALL... *TR
WINDSHIELD TRIMMING DETERIORATING / PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE IS MELTING. *TR
MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY. HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE AS CARS WERE COMING FROM BEHIND WITH FULL HIGHWAY SPEED. FORTUNATELY THE CAR BEHIND WAS ABLE TO CONTROL HIS CAR AND SAVED ACCIDENT. MY CAR IS NOW TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. AWAITING DIAGNOSTICS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 328I IN THE MORNING ON THE WAY TO WORK, IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, TRAVELING ABOUT 10 MPH (IN A SCHOOL ZONE), WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY CAME ON WITHOUT ME TURNING THEM ON. AT THE SAME TIME, MY ENTIRE DASH BOARD CONTROL SYSTEM PANEL AND THE AREA BETWEEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER LIT UP WITH SEVERAL SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGES: 1) CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES: CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION! CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION! 2) PASS. RESTRAINT SYSTEM: FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. TRANSMISSON MALFUNCTION! 3) TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION: FUNCTIONALITY OR DISPLAY OF GEAR POSITION MAY MALFUNCTION. IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO ENGAGE A GEAR WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION! 4) CRUISE CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY YOUR BMW CENTER. CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY. 5) CONTROL SYSTEMS. BRAKING AND DYNAMIC-RESPONSE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DRIVE MODERATELY. AVOID HARD BRAKING. CONTROL SYSTEMS! DRIVE MODERATELY 6) AREA BETW SPEEDOMETER/TACH IS LIT UP [E.G. BRAKE, ABS, TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE WARNING SYMBOLS]. 7) THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF AS LONG AS THE CAR KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, THE WIPERS DO NOT STOP UNTIL THE KEY IS REMOVED! THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT A
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
THE CAR'S AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT STARTED GOING OFF WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING THAT THERE IS NO AIRBAG FUNCTION IN THE CAR. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT AND INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CARS UP UNTIL THE 2007 MODEL YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT BMW HAS YET TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. IT APPEARS THAT E91 MODELS (MY CAR) HAVE THE SAME SENSOR MAT PART AS THE RECALLED MODELS, BUT BMW HAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE ACTUAL PART AND NOT THE "MODEL YEAR". *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BATTERY WIRES WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HALO LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND RESUMED NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE AIR CONDITIONER, HEADLIGHTS AND THE RADIO WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, A BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE MELTED WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE BATTERY AND STARTER WERE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BATTERY CABLE AND FUSE BOX WERE REPLACE ON A SEPARATE OCCASION BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. KMJ
I WAS PRESSING ON MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT AND I HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE RIGHT SIDE. AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE STOP LIGHT, MY CAR STARTED TO RATTLE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND STARTED MY CAR AND THE CAR WASN'T RATTLING ANYMORE. AS SOON AS I PUT IT INTO REVERSE, IT STARTED TO RATTLE AGAIN AND DID THE SAME WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. THE VIBRATING GOES AWAY AS SOON AS I START DRIVING, AND IS ONLY NOTICED WHEN IDLED WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD SOMEONE COME CHECK IT OUT AND WAS TOLD HE NEEDED TO DO FURTHER INSPECTION AT HIS SHOP. HE INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME SOME BOLTS BROKE FROM THE ENGINE MOUNT AND THE LOUD THUMP WAS FROM MY ENGINE DROPPING ONTO THE AIR CONDITIONING. *TR
IN MAY OF 2012, WITH THE VEHICLE DISPLAYING APPROXIMATELY 15, 228 MILES, THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS) BECAME ACTIVATED AND REMAINS TO THIS DAY. BMW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED A NEW ABS SYSTEM WAS NEEDED, AND RECOMMENDED I NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT INCUR THE COST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
DRIVERS DOOR LOCKED AS NORMAL WHEN CAR REACHED A CERTAIN SPEED BUT MADE A WEIRD NOISE. NOW IT WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS OR UNLOCK BUTTON ON DASH OF CAR. WILL ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY. DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR??? I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS... I HOPE THEY ARE COVERED WITH A RECALL SOON! *JB
WHILE DRIVING, ATTEMPTING TO PASS A VEHICLE, I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE PEDAL HAD NO RESPONSE AND THE RPMS DROPPED. AFTER TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE DIES AND I DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ATTEMPTING TO DODGE TRAFFIC AS THE CAR'S GAS PEDAL IS NOT RESPONDING. UPON PULLING OVER SAFELY, NEARLY HITTING CARS ALONG THE WAY I COME TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR THEN NO LONGER STARTS. CRANKING CAN BE HEARD BUT ENGINE DOES NOT TURN OVER OR START. HAD IT REPAIRED, THE REASON IS A FUEL PUMP FAILURE, FUEL PUMP MODULE FAILURE, AND BLOWN FUSE ON FUEL PUMP. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COST TO REPAIR IS $1,800 AND A RISK TO MY SAFETY. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING, MY 2008 BMW 328I COUPE BEGAN ACTING STRANGE. THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHTS AS WELL AS MOST ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (RADIO, HAZARD BUTTON, ON-BOARD COMPUTER ETC.) BEGAN TO FLICKER ACCOMPANIED BY A TICKING NOISE IN SEQUENCE WITH THE FLICKERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ACTING AS THOUGH IT WAS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN; THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO PULL OVER. AS I PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD, THE STEERING BECAME MORE DIFFICULT AND THE FLICKERING BECAME MORE FREQUENT. WHILE COMING TO A STOP (TRAVELING AT ABOUT 10MPH), THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF VITAL MECHANISMS SUCH AS STEERING, POWER, LIGHTING (BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR). THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT UNUSUALLY FIRM/STIFF (NOT SPONGY OR SOFT AS IT SHOULD FEEL). AT THIS POINT, THE VEHICLE HAD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH THE GEAR SELECTOR STILL IN "DRIVE". I ATTEMPTED TO RE-START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO START. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY APARTMENT AND THE FOLLOWING DAY, I TOOK IT TO A REPUTABLE, INDEPENDENT BMW MECHANIC. HIS DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT SOMETHING RELATED TO THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY, POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CIRCUITRY WAS FAULTY--WHICH IN TURN, KILLED THE STARTER. HE REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A NEW OEM BATTERY AS WELL AS REPLACED THE STARTER WITH AN NEW OEM STARTER AND THE RELATED WIRING/CIRCUITRY. A FEW WEEKS LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL-- MARCH 2013 RECALL NO. 13V-044 : POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM. BECAUSE THE SYMPTOMS NOTED IN THE RECALL LETTER MA
I TOOK MY 2008 BMW 328I 51K MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A ROUGH IDLE/VIBRATION PROBLEM WHEN CAR IS STOPPED WITH BRAKE APPLIED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND HAS TWO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THESE BROKEN BOLTS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP WHICH CAUSED ADDITION DAMAGE TO ENGINE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND SOLE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXPERIENCED ANY HAZARDOUS ROAD CONDITIONS. I GOOGLED "BMW BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BOLT" AND FOUND DOZENS OF FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENING TO 2008, 2007 AND OTHER MODEL YEAR. THESE COMPLAINTS WERE FROM 328XI AND I OWNERS AS WELL AS MANY OTHER MODEL NUMBERS AROUND THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. I READ THAT BMW IS THE ONLY AUTO MAKER THAT USES ALUMINUM RATHER THAN STEEL BOLTS AND COULD NOT FIND ANY RECALL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE COMPLAINTS I READ MENTIONED THAT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA DID NOTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WILL BE CONTACTING THEM ONCE THE REPAIRS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,400.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED ON ALL OF THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE DOORS FROM BEING OPEN MANUALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF YOU WAS INSIDE THE VEHICLE YOU HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND USE THE KEY ON THE OUTSIDE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY DOOR THAT COULD BE UNLOCKED IN THIS SITUATION WAS THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, ANY ONE ELSE IN THE VEHICLE HAS TO CLIMB OVER TO THE DRIVER SEAT TO EXIT. THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATORS FAILED AND VERIFIED THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WOULD OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH THE USE OF THE KEY WORKED. UPDATED 12/06/12
SINCE PURCHASING THIS BMW IN FEB 2012, I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AT THE DEALER 4 TIMES ( AND ITS ONLY AUG. 2012) DUE TO AIR BAG & SEATBELT LIGHTS ON, BOTH FRONT SEATS HAVE HAD SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS REPLACED, & VARIOUS OTHER AIRBAG WORK, FRAYED WIRES UNDER SEAT. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE UNSTOPPABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROX 104K MILES. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY ON ITS WAY TO THE DEALER TODAY 08/23/2012 FOR ITS 4TH TRIP -FOR THE UN-STOPPABLE AIRBAG & SEAT BELT LIGHT THAT IT SEEMS TO BE DOOMED WITH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT ABNORMALLY HARD IN SECOND GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER WAS BELOW FREEZING, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A RANDOM OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS ALWAYS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REVERSE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
PARKED CAR USING HAND BRAKE (STANDARD SHIFT CAR). LATER (APPROX 2 HOURS LATER) HANDBRAKE RELEASED AND CAR ROLLED INTO STREET. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE HANDBRAKE RELEASED 1 MINUTE AFTER I SET IT (I WAS STILL IN THE CAR AT THE TIME) AND WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT ROLLED AWAY. *JS
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT OCCUPANCY MALFUNCTION.FAULTY SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR MAT. WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN SEAT. LIGHT SAYS "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF". THAT MEANS IT IS SET FOR A CHILD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO JERK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FOUR MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
WHEN I WENT TO A TIRE STORE TO PURCHASE WINTER TREADS I DISCOVERED THE RIM ON THE BACK LEFT WHEEL WAS CRACKED. THE MECHANICS TOLD ME IF I CONTINUED DRIVING ON IT THE CRACKED RIM, THE WHEEL COULD COME OFF. I HAVE OWNED A NUMBER OF BMW'S AND NEVER SEEN A CRACKED RIM. (EVEN WHEN I LIVED IN THE POT HOLE LITTERED NE) THREE DAYS AGO I WENT TO THE SAME TIRE STORE BECAUSE THERE APPEARED TO BE A LEAK IN THE NEW, LEFT REAR TIRE. THE RIM WAS CRACKED IN 4 PLACES. THIS IS SCARY AND IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY COSTLY AS THE RIMS ARE ABOUT $300+. TO HAVE TWO OF THESE RIM FAILURES IN A MONTH IS A BIT SHOCKING. BMW SAYS PARTS FAIL THROUGH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR (NOT ON ANY OF MY PREVIOUS BMW'S) THE TIRE STORE SAYS THE RIMS ARE A VERY THIN ALUMINUM TO MAKE THE CAR FASTER AND THEY SEE A NUMBER OF FAILURES. NOT SAFE. *TR
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK. MANUAL KEY WILL WORK IN THE DRIVE SIDE DOOR OUTSIDE ONLY. OTHER 3 DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IS TO CLIMB THRU THE WINDOW OR CLIMB OUT OF THE DRIVER DOOR. DRIVER HAS TO CLIMB OUT OF WINDOW AND USE MANUAL KEY TO OPEN DOOR. MANY POST ONLINE OF THIS PROBLEM. I WILL HAVE IT FIXED, HOWEVER, THE COSTS ARE VERY HIGH; THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! IF CAR IS WRECKED OR ON FIRE, RESCUE WOULD NOT LIKELY BE ABLE TO HELP DRIVER OR PASSENGER TIMELY. RECALL IS NEEDED! *TR
THROUGH OUT THE PAST MONTH I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED THREE TIMES WITH FIVE OCCURRENCES OF THE CAR NOT CRANKING AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN LEAVING ME STRANDED. OVER THE PAST YEAR THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH FOR LESS THAN 5-10 MINUTES AT THE TIME. THE FIRST INSTANCE IT WAS TOWED BMW OF MOBILE REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TROUBLE SHOOTING EVEN THOUGH I HAD OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT CHECK THE BATTERY TO BE SURE THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE. THEY CHARGED ME OVER FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THIS BATTERY. TWO DAYS AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO BMW OF MOBILE BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN AND THE LIGHTS ETC. WOULD COME ON. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR OVER 5 DAYS RUNNING TEST THEN STATED THAT "NOTHING WAS WRONG." I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD IT TOWED IF NOTHING WAS WRONG. TWO DAYS LATER IT WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN WHEN MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE AT A LATE LOCAL HIGHSCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME. THIS TIME THEY SAID THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING THE PROBLEM CAUSING SOMETHING TO MELT NEAR THE FUSE PANEL($1,200) TO REPLACE). *TR
ON JULY 9, 2011, I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING THE PARKWAY, WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED OPERATING! THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, AND NOTHING WORKED IN THE CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS OR MORE THE STEERING WHEEL. AS THE CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN I KEPT TRYING TO RE-START THE CAR BUT NOTHING WORKED. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, BY USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE, I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE KEY IN AND OUT AND HIT THE START/STOP AND THE CAR FINALLY STARTED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO RALLYE BMW TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND ALSO CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE BECAUSE I DID NOT AND DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR ANYMORE. I WAS REQUESTING EITHER A NEW VEHICLE OR FULL VALUE BACK ON THE CAR. BMW SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND STATED "BMW REVIEWED REMOTELY UNABLE TO REPLICATE STALLING. NO PROBLEM FOUND", AND DECIDED THAT MY CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE AND FEEL THIS POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING ISSUE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE RADIO ON, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE FOR 40 MINUTES AND WAS UNABLE TO USE THE HORN TO INDICATE THAT HE WAS TRAPPED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE POWER IN THE BATTERY IN THE KEY FOB WAS LOW, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2008 BMW 328i → · Every 328i year → · How the figures are calculated →