Page 4 of 4 · complaints 151–193 of 193

2009 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 2009 record →

Air Bags
Filed Jun 20, 2016FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 13, 201685,000 milesFL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ

Structure › Body
Filed May 31, 201670,000 milesCO

DRIVING DOWN I-25 AT 75 MPG ON MAY 28 NEAR BERTHOUD, COLORADO MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO TRUCKS NEARBY. NORMAL TRAFFIC. WEATHER WAS ABOUT 70 DEG F. NO RAIN OR HAIL. LUCKILY THE SLIDER WAS CLOSED, OTHERWISE WE'D BE COVERED IN GLASS. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE COVERED IN GLASS, AS WAS THE ROAD. SEEMS IT'S HAPPENED TO A FEW BMW CARS LATELY ACROSS THE GLOBE.

Air Bags
Filed May 23, 2016CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 9, 201683,000 milesOH

DRIVING ALONG AT 80 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, HEADING INTO A CURVE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND CAR SHUTOFF. WAS ABLE TO ACTIVATE HAZARDS AND MANEUVER BETWEEN THE CAR AND SEMI NEXT TO ME TO GET TO RIGHT SHOULDER. (DITCH ON LEFT SIDE) ONCE SAFELY OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRIED TO RESTART AND CAR CRANKED BUT DID NOT START. JUST HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED 6 WEEKS AGO FOR SAME CRANKING, BUT NOT STARTING BEHAVIOR. BMW HAS CONFIRMED THE NEW HPFP THEY PUT IN 6 WEEKS AGO FAILED.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 15, 2016139,000 milesGA

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, TO PROCEED UP THE STREET LEAVING WORK, SEVERAL MALFUNCTION LIGHTS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH AND THAN MY CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY; NO INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE LIGHTS (IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE), NO DINGS OR ANYTHING. I THOUGHT MAYBE I NEEDED A JUMP. CALLED A CO-WORKER BEFORE HE LEFT WORK, WHOM ALSO HAS A BMW. HE SAID IT WAS NOT A JUMP I NEEDED AND PROCEEDED TO GO IN THE TRUNK TO LOCATE MY BATTERY. AS SOON AS HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SCREWS AND WIGGLE THE PANEL, TRYING TO GET IT FROM UNDER THE WALL PANELS THAT WAS HOLDING IT IN PLACE, ALL MY LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. HOWEVER, A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT REMAINED ON THE DASH. THANK GOD I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, NO CARS AROUND ME NOR HAD I MADE IT TO THE HWY TO HEAD HOME, SOME 30 MINUTE RIDE. I DON'T WANT TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED! THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS SAID TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIRBAG. I FEEL I AM DRIVING IN A VERY UNSAFE HIGH COSTING VEHICLE, AND EITHER WAY, I, MY PASSENGER OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD SERIOUSLY GET HURT WITH THIS CAR ON THE ROAD WITH THESE ISSUES.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 29, 201584,000 milesGA

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM DEALER WITH FAULTY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL. UPON RESEARCHING, THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND MODELS BUILT PRIOR TO MINE WERE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE ON THIS MODEL AND IT IS AFFECTING VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER BMW CLAIMS TO HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, RESULTING IN UNDUE HARDSHIP TO OWNERS. THE REPLACEMENT PART, WHICH BMW WON'T MAKE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE, HAS TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT A COST OF OVER $500 ON AVERAGE.

Engine
Filed Dec 11, 201563,521 milesFL

BOLT SECURING SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY AGAINST ENGINE BLOCK BROKE OFF . THE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY ALSO BROKE. THE SERPENTINE BELT COMPLETELY CAME OFF RENDERING VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.

Engine
Filed Dec 9, 201591,000 milesAZ

I HAD JUST LEFT HOME AND HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR FEW MINUTES. WAS WAITING ON TOP OF A SMALL HILL AT A STOP LIGHT AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN IT TURNED GREEN. THAT IS WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF AND STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD DOWN A HILL. HAD TO PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. SO HAD TO CRUISE BACKWARDS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER WATING 10 MINUTES TRIED TO RESTART CAR AGAIN AND IT TURNED ON. BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOW 4 MONTHS LATER MY CAR IS NOT WORKING AT ALL.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2015104,000 milesLA

BATTERY AND STARTER ALL CHECKED OUT. BUT BREAK PEDAL STIFFENS UP AND CAR WILL NOT START. I HAVE READ ON INTERNET AND WATCHED A FEW VIDEOS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO SUFFER AND PAY FOR BMWS PROBLEMS.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 16, 2015102,000 milesNC

PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON. IT STILL ON WHETHER THERE IS SOMEONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 28, 201555,000 milesCA

THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WAS NOT USED. THIS OCCURRED EVEN WHEN PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THIS IS UNSAFE... THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. BMW NEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 27, 2015CA

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED BUT STILL RUNNING. AN ERROR MESSAGE "FUEL PUMP FAILURE" POPPED UP ON SCREEN AND THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" TURNED ON; THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESTART. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS PRIOR.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 27, 2015114,000 milesCA

THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. ONLY AFTER DISENGAGING THE KEY AND WAITING ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE CAN START UP AGAIN. IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED, THIS EVENT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN ABOUT A DAY TO A WEEK. I DROVE THE VEHICLE DAILY ON MY COMMUTE TO WORK. THIS PROBLEM HAS ALWAYS OCCURRED ON MY RETURN TRIP IN THE AFTERNOON. THE ERROR CODES THAT SHOWED UP WERE: A GENERIC CODE FOR THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL MODULE CONTROL VOLTAGE TOO HIGH, AND FUEL MODULE CONTROL CURRENT TOO LOW. AFTER TWO TRIPS TO WEATHERFORD BMW, THE PROBLEM WAS TENTATIVELY SOLVED. ON MY FIRST VISIT, THEY MISDIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THAT THE FUEL MODULE CONTROL VOLTAGE WAS OUT OF CALIBRATION. THEY SUPPOSEDLY RECALIBRATED IT, TEST DROVE IT, AND SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THEY CHARGED ME THE $210 DIAGNOSTIC FEE BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED THE NEXT DAY ON MY AFTERNOON COMMUTE. AFTER BRINGING MY CAR BACK TO THEM. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE (EKPS MODULE). THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER THE SULEV WARRANTY FOR BMW VEHICLES WITH THE N51 ENGINE. THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME THIS TIME, BUT THEY REFUSED TO CREDIT THE CHARGE ON MY FIRST VISIT, SAYING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO RECALIBRATE THE VOLTAGE ANYWAY. I CONTENDED THAT THE FAULTY MODULE CAUSED THE VOLTAGE TO BE OUT OF CALIBRATION AND THAT A FUNCTIONAL REPLACEMENT MODULE WOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE VOLTAGE BACK WITHIN SPECIFICATION, AND THAT IF THEY HAD JUST REPLACED THE MO

SteeringCrash
Filed Jul 20, 201587,000 milesPA

I LOST ALL STEERING IN MY CAR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 2015114,000 milesGA

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THIS IS UNSAFE WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED THE LIKE INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS OFF. BMW NEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

Power Train
Filed Jul 8, 2015118,000 milesGA

2009 BMW 328I SERIES X DRIVE NOT ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN PARKING LOT. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. THERE A NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON GM TRANSMISSIONS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS. BMW PRODUCED TO 3/31/2009, EQUIPPED WITH THE 6L45 TRANSMISSION (GA6L45R), MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF NO ENGAGEMENT WHEN SELECTING FORWARD OR REVERSE RANGES.NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, TRANSMISSIONS BEING REPLACE ON NEW CAR THEY GO OUT AT 100,000 MILES OR LESS.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 23, 201557,000 milesTN

THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW...RECALLS WERE ISSUES FOR PREVIOUS YEARS (2006-2007) BUT DID NOT COVER 2009. INFORMATION AVAILABLE INDICATES THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY PREVIOUS RECALL/REPLACEMENT INITIATIVES. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 21, 201557,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 201472,000 milesFL

ON MY 2009 BMW 328I THE REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN BLINKING FAST AND AN ERROR CODE CAME ON SAYING I NEEDED TO REPLACE REAR TURN SIGNAL, I RESEARCHED IT TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS GETTING CORROSION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. THEY STATED THEY KNEW THE SERVICE BULLETINS WERE OUT BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL. AFTER FURTHER SEARCHING I FOUND OUT THE OLDER MODELS HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IF THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE THEN WHY DON'T THEY FIX IT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 3, 201463,000 milesGA

ON MY WIFE'S 2009 BMW 328I THE REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL QUIT WORKING, I RESEARCHED IT TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS GETTING CORROSION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. THEY STATED THEY KNEW THE SERVICE BULLETINS WERE OUT BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL. AFTER FURTHER SEARCHING I FOUND OUT THE OLDER MODELS HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IF THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE THEN WHY DON'T THEY FIX IT. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 9, 201429,520 milesGA

PURCHASED THE CAR USED APPX 4 MONTHS AGO WITH JUST UNDER 25K MILES. LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC APPX 45 - 50 MPH THE CAR STARTED TO SKIP AND LOSE FORWARD POWER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK THE CAR JUST LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AS WELL. I COULD HEAR RELAYS CLICKING BUT NOTHING WORKED. AT THE SHOP (NON-BMW) TO BE EVALUATED I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY (THIS REPLACED THE ORIGINAL). FINAL EVALUATION WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH I HAVE NOW PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUE LURKING AS WELL, BUT SO FAR THE CAR IS DRIVING WELL. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS BUT NOW I HAVE SEARCHED BY VIN AND FOUND THE RECALL ON THE BATTERY CABLE AND HAVE THAT SCHEDULED. 29,520 MILES IS TOO SOON TO NEED A FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT! *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 28, 201431,500 milesVA

THE WARNING LIGHT FOR NOT WEARING THE SEAT BELT HAS STOPPED WORKING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN THE PASSENGER IS NOT WEARING THE SEAT BELT THE WARNING LIGHT NO LONGER COMES ON AND THE WARNING SOUND NO LONGER HAPPENS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 27, 201477,000 milesCT

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30PM. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. NO INDICATION AS TO WHY THE PUMP FAILED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 24, 201440,000 milesCT

AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR NORMALLY MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE GOING 50. ITS TELLING ME ON THE SCREEN ITS THE FUEL PUMP. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 26, 201474,000 milesCA

I TOOK MY CAR INTO EASTBAY BMW FOR A LIGHTBULB CHANGE (A TAIL/BRAKELIGHT) AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE HOUSING OF THE TAILLIGHT IS MELTING ON BOTH SIDES, NOT JUST THE ONE THAT NEEDED A LIGHT BULB CHANGE. HE MENTIONED IT WAS PART OF A RECALL AND THEN THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, THAT MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BMW HAS STATED THAT IT PROBABLY ISN'T THE LIGHT BULB AND THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT I HAVE CAUSED, THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THEY AGREED THAT THIS IS A FAULTY PART, BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. BMW OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE REPAIRS WHICH MY RESPONSIBILITY IS $475, WHICH SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE ADMITTING SOME FAULT IN THE MATTER. I HAVE CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THE REPRESENTATIVE [XXX] SAID SHE ISN'T WILLING TO ESCALATE THE ISSUE BECAUSE SHE KNOWS IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE. IN ADDITION, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE WERE OVER 241,000 BMW'S RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON THAT THE CARS WERE OLDER THAN MINE AND OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE THIS IS OCCURRING ON BOTH SIDES AND NOT JUST ONE, IT SEEMS THAT PART, THE ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE IS PRODUCING TOO MUCH HEAT ON BOTH SIDES AND THEREFORE MELTING THE TAILLIGHT WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED PART OF ANOTHER RECALL & THEREFORE FIXED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 31, 201350,000 milesCA

TL* I WAS DRIVING ON WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE THE CABIN, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY AVOIDED IF THE SONNEN BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD PERFORMED THEIR JOB MORE DILIGENTLY. A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRE, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING RUBBER ODOR WHEN I TURNED ON MY HEATER/DEFROSTER. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO SONNEN BMW. THE SERVICE ADVISOR RESPONDED THAT IT WAS NOT BMW'S PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO BMW FOR SERVICE. I ALSO MENTIONED REPEATEDLY THAT I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER WHENEVER I TURNED ON THE HEATER/DEFROSTER. BMW KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK. APPARENTLY, BECAUSE I MENTIONED THE HEATER, BMW GOT FIXATED ON LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE HEATING DUCTS AND NEVER THOUGHT TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR WAS A LEAF THAT HAD GOTTEN SUCKED INTO THE BLOWER ASSEMBLY. THEY CHARGED ME $320 TO OPEN THE ASSEMBLY AND CLEAN OUT THE LEAVES. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR I INSISTED TO SPEAKING WITH ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS, AS THIS MADE NO SENSE TO ME. I POINTED OUT THAT BURNING LEAVES DO NOT SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER, AND I DOUBTED THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER INSISTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT, AFTER CLEANING OUT THE BLOWER ASSEMBLY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT IS APPARENT TO ME THAT BMW NEVER ONCE TURNED ON THE DEFR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 16, 2013100,000 milesAL

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328 CONV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE A/C HEATER BLOWER AND FUSES BOX WERE BURNING CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT RESULT, THE A/C HEATER BLOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. PM

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 21, 201343,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ACTIVATING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT, THE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ABNORMALLY FAST. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS BUT IT FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 22, 201365,000 milesGA

LEDS FAILING IN TAIL LIGHT TURN SIGNAL. NON-CONSUMER REPLACEABLE. $350 PART. BMW ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT OUT OF WARRANTY. THEIR SIB630610. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 11, 201364,600 milesMN

I HAD A LOW BATTERY ISSUE ON MY 2009 BMW 328I ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A BATTERY CABLE RECALL AT MOTORWERKS BMW DEALER IN BLOOMINGTON, MN. MOTORWERKS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TIRES PLUS REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY FOR HALF THE PRICE COMPARED TO MOTORWERKS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AFTERMARKET ALTERNATOR THAT TIRES PLUS INSTALLED CAUSED MY CAR TO OVER HEAT BECAUSE IT WAS OVER CHARGING. I EVENTUALLY TOOK MY CAR BACK TO MOTORWERKS TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I EMAILED THE SERVICE CONSULTANT IF IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR TO MALFUNCTION SO QUICKLY ON A 2009 BMW 328I. I ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT MOTORWERKS FOR A BATTERY CABLE RECALL IN MARCH 2013 AND ASKED HIM IF IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR ISSUE WAS RELATED WITH FIXING THE BATTERY CABLE. HE STRANGELY HAS NOT ANSWERED MY QUESTION WHICH MAKES ME WONDER IF THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ORIGINAL BAD ALTERNATOR IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL SERVICE. I'M ALSO WONDERING IF OTHER 2009 3 SERIES BMW OWNERS HAD A LOW BATTERY ISSUE DUE TO A BAD ALTERNATOR AFTER HAVING THEIR CARS SERVICED FOR THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL IN MARCH 2013. IF THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR ISSUE IS FOUND TO BE RELATED WHILE SERVICING THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL THEN I WOULD LIKE TO GET A FULL REFUND FOR THEIR SERVICE ON MY NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. THANK FOR TAKING THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE MY CAR ISSUE.

Air Bags
Filed May 31, 201360,639 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 26MPH, I HEARD AND FELT TWO LOUD CRACKS ON MY LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, MY CAR SLOUCHED ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS KNOCKED OUT FOR A WHILE AND WHEN THE AUTHORITIES ARRIVED, WE INVESTIGATED THE AREA AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO COLLISION WITH ANYTHING OR ANYONE, OTHER THAN BOTH OF MY TWO LEFT-SIDE RIMS WERE CRACKED RADIALLY AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION. IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITIES CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, OR ANY OTHER OBJECT THAT COULD HAVE PRODUCED THE INCIDENT. *TR

Wheels
Filed May 15, 201350,000 milesNC

I HAD A TIRE WITH LOW PRESSURE. TOOK CAR IN TO REPLACE TIRES. TIRE SERVICE STATION ATTENDANT REFUSED TO MOUNT THE NEW TIRES DUE TO CRACKS IN THREE OF THE WHEELS. I HAVE NEVER HIT A POT HOLE NOR DRIVEN ON ROUGH PAVEMENT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 29, 201362,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 26 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE BLINKING AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS THEN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 19, 201367,000 milesMA

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON RTE 495 IN MA IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAD JUST PASSED THE EXIT RAMP TO RTE 3 WHEN THE CAR SEIZED AND DRAMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN, I WAS GOING 70-75 MPH WITH OTHER CARS BEHIND AND NEXT TO ME GOING THE SAME SPEED. IT'S ONLY DUE TO THE ALERTNESS OF THE DRIVER BEHIND ME THAT BOTH OF US ARE NOT DEAD. HE SWERVED INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND WENT BY ME. AFTER THAT I CROSSED THREE LINES OF TRAFFIC GOING AT 10-20 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I SURVIVED THE EXPERIENCE, BUT I FEEL IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT AND HOPEFULLY SAVE THE LIFE OF SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE FUTURE IF BMW CAN BE COMPELLED TO FIX THEIR FUEL PUMP ISSUE ON THE 328I. I CALLED BMW AS I WAS WAITING FOR A TOW AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S A RECALL ON THE 335'S FUEL PUMP, BUT NOT ON THE 328I. I BELIEVE ONLY A DEATH WILL COMPEL THEM TO TAKE ACTION. AS FOR ME, I PAID THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN SUDBURY, MA $800 TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND TRADED IT FOR A CX-5 BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE BMW IS UNSAFE AND A POSSIBLE DEATH TRAP. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 2, 2012300 milesVA

SOON AFTER PURCHASING MY 2009 BMW 328I (WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION), I HAD THE DEALER INSTALL BMW CUSTOMIZED 328I RUBBER FLOOR MATS. THE MATS HAVE A FITTED SLOT FOR THE GAS PEDAL AND ANCHORS TO PREVENT THEM FROM MOVING AFTER INSTALLATION. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LENGTH OF THE MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS TOO SHORT FOR A VEHICLE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU DEPRESS AND RELEASE THE CLUTCH, IT CATCHES THE TOP EDGE OF THE MAT AND LIFTS IT UP, COVERING THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT BACK DOWN, YOU END UP STEPPING ON THE MAT, PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND/OR CLUTCH WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THEM ADJUST THE INSTALLATION BUT THEY CAN ONLY MOVE IT A FEW INCHES BECAUSE OF THE GAS PEDAL SLOT, SO THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. I DON'T DRIVE THIS VEHICLE VERY OFTEN BUT LAST MONTH (9/2012) I FINALLY GOT FED UP AND CONTACTED BMW TO LET THEM KNOW THEIR RUBBER MAT DESIGN HAS A SAFETY FLAW AND THAT I WAS FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THEY RECORDED MY COMPLAINT BUT SAID THERE WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP. SO, FOR SAFETY REASONS, I HAVE NOW REMOVED THE DRIVER'S MAT FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 1, 201220,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN THE UNIT OFF MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO WOULD ACTIVATE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE CONTROL DEVICE. THE TRUNK LID OPENED INDEPENDENTLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER EIGHT TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY, THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM WAS UPDATED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Steering
Filed Oct 12, 201210,000 milesCA

I BEGAN TO FEEL STRONG RAPID PULSATING AND AUDIBLE VIBRATIONS THROUGH STEERING WHEEL EVERY TIME WHEN I PARK THE CAR. ONCE I EXPERIENCED THE SAME WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHILE MAKING LANE CHANGE TO THE RIGHT. AND THESE VIBRATIONS AND NOISE STILL CONTINUE TO BE FELT SINCE THEN. *TR

Wheels
Filed Aug 21, 201238,300 milesCA

WHILE HAVING NEW TIRES INSTALLED, INSTALLER IDENTIFIED A CRACK IN THE RIM OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN THIS ON SIMILAR BMWS BEFORE, TOLD ME TO RETURN IT TO DEALER RIGHT AWAY, WHICH I DID. *TR

Tires
Filed May 8, 2012CA

2009 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE EXTRA COST SPORT PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDED 18 INCH SPORT WHEELS AND LOWER PROFILE TIRES THAN THE BASE CAR. THE TIRES WERE MICHELIN RUN FLAT TIRES WHICH WERE INSTALLED BY BMW SO THAT THEY COULD AVOID THE WEIGHT OF THE SPARE TIRE. THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE, JACK, INFLATION DEVICE OR OTHER BACKUP. THE TIRES HAD ROUTINELY FAILED DUE TO AN INHERENT DEFECT, BEFORE THEIR NORMAL SERVICE LIFE WAS COMPLETE. THE TIRES FAILED IN AS LITTLE AS 8,00 MILES AND A COUPLE HAVE LASTED UNTIL THEY WERE AT 3/32, STILL BEFORE THE NORMAL SERVICE LIFE WAS COMPLETE. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE, WAS DUE TO A SIDEWALL BULGE THAT DEVELOPED IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE TIRE BEAD AND THE SIDEWALL. AFTER THE BULGE BEGAN, A TEAR DEVELOPED AND AFTER THE TEAR BEGAN, THE TIRES AT THAT POINT OF THE BULGE BECAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AT ANY SPEED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TWICE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 6, 201261,000 milesCA

MAKE : 2009 BMW 328I SEDAN E36 PROBLEM : 11/11 : ENGINE STOP RUNNING, LOSE POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING AND BRAKES. TRIED TO RE-STARTED MY CAR BUT COULD NOT - LONG-CRANK ENGINE STARTING TIMES ALONG WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. TOWED TO BMW OF SAN DIEGO. 1 WEEK REPAIR AND HAD BEEN TOLD FUEL PUMP MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED. PAID $730.68 FOR REPLACEMENT. 01/12 : SAME PROBLEM - ENGINE STOP RUNNING, LOSE POWER, LONG-CRANK. TOWED TO BMW OF SAN DIEGO AGAIN. HAD BEEN TOLD FUEL PUMP BROKEN AND CAUSE FUEL PUMP MODULE BURNING. PAID AGAIN $7XX FOR REPLACEMENT FOR SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Visibility
Filed Nov 4, 201116,000 milesNY

AFTER ONLY 16,000 MILES OF USE, THE WINDSHIELD FIRST APPEARED TO BE COMPLETELY "SANDBLASTED" WITH TINY INDENTATIONS. WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN THE GLARE BECOMES SO INTENSE THAT YOU CAN NO LONGER SEE THE ROAD. YOU EFFECTIVELY BECOME BLINDED AND CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACT TO AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURS AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS RARELY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED. BMW DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, WILL NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY AND CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WILL NOT PERFORM IN THE SAME MANNER.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 7, 201138,473 milesGA

I PURCHASED A 2009 BMW 238I. I TOOK IT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON 30 SEPT 11. I DROPPED IT OFF, GOT A LOANER, AND WENT TO WORK. BEFORE I DROPPED IT OFF THAT MORNING THE CAR RAN GREAT, IT HAD NO TICKING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS NOR LOSS OF POWER. I HADN'T HEARD FROM BMW SO I CALLED THEM, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD TALKED TO BMW NA AND I NEED TO AGREE TO THEM REMOVING MY VALVE COVER, AT MY EXPENSE $700. I SAID THAT I ONLY WANTED AN OIL CHANGE. HE TOLD ME THEY TERMINATED MY WARRANTY. MY WARRANTY WAS FOR 4YR/50,000 MILES, IT HAD NOT EXPIRED. I WAS VERY UPSET AND MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CALL BMW NA AND THE SUPERVISOR TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH WHAT THE SERVICE CENTER SAID AND THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE TO TALK TO. DISAPPOINTED, I PICKED MY CAR UP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR MADE SOME LOUD TICKING NOISES AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE EXPERIENCING SOME POWER LOSS, IN THE MIST OF HIGH TRAFFIC. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN IT STARTED AND I IMMEDIATELY GOT OVER TO GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AND AS I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF (NO POWER), I BARELY MADE IT OFF THE ROAD. IT JUST SHUT OFF! I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW. THAT WEEKEND THE CAR CRANKED UP AND IT SEEMED TO BE NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK IT AROUND THE BLOCK TO SEE IF IT WAS OKAY. THE TICKING RETURNED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN AND I HAD TO COAST IT OFF THE ROAD ONTO CHURCH GROUNDS AND CALL A TOW TRUCK AGAIN. AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK AT ALL. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I HAVE TO RENT A CAR. I

Reading these

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 2009 BMW 328i → · Every 328i year → · How the figures are calculated →