2007 BMW 328Xi complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED SOON AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

ONE EVENING IN DECEMBER 2014, MY CAR (2007 BMW 328XI) SUDDENLY STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANGING NOISE AND VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVESHAFT (PROPELLOR SHAFT) HAD BROKEN. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSFER CASE FAILED - DAMAGE FROM THE DRIVESHAFT THAT HAD BEEN UNDETECTED AT THE TIME OF THE DRIVESHAFT RUPTURE. IN JANUARY 2015 I CONTACTED BMW AS I HAD HEARD OF OTHER DRIVERS OF SIMILAR 3 SERIES BMWS HAVING DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE PROBLEMS, BUT BMW DENIED THERE WAS AN ISSUE. BUT IN AUGUST 2015, BMW ANNOUNCED A "COMPONENT SPECIFIC LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION" FOR THE DRIVESHAFT FOR THE BMW X5 - FOR 10 YEARS AND 120,000 MILES. NO SUCH PROGRAM HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THE 328XI. GIVEN THAT THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE OF MY 328XI WAS VERY PREMATURE AND THAT IT WAS IDENTICAL TO THE REPEATED DRIVESHAFT FAILURES THAT LED TO THE ACTION ANNOUNCED FOR THE X5, I BELIEVE THAT THE SAME ISSUE EXISTS FOR THE 328XI AND MERITS AN INVESTIGATION AND ACTION BY NHTSA.

HAD MANY IN WARRANTEE VISITS AND REPAIRS INVOLVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OC3 MAT...REPLACING THE MAT HAD PREVIOUSLY RESOLVED THE PROBLEM SUCCESSFULLY, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS A YEAR OR SO LATER.CURRENTLY,AS OF 9-23-15,THE ISSUE IS WHEN THE SEAT IS EXPOSED TO THE SUN ALL DAY, THE FRONT PASSENGER,WHILE SITTING IN THE SEAT IS NO LONGER PROTECTED BY THE AIR BAG..,THIS IS INDICATED BY THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" LIGHT IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE BEING LIT FOR THE DURATION OF THE TRIP.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD... I HAVE A VIDEO AVAILABLE SHOWING THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAPPENING IN MY CAR. THIS MAKE,MODEL, AND YEAR HAS RECALLS AND 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTEES CONCERNING THE OC3 MAT THAT BMW SAYS DOESN`T APPLY TO MY SPECIFIC VIN...I BELIEVE DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PASSENGER NOT BEING PROTECTED IN A COLLISION, MY SPECIFIC VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR 15 YEAR EXTENSION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCITON. VEHICLE CANNOT START. STEERING WHEEL COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND SOFTWARE UPGRADED.

DROVE TO MALL. PARKED CAR. CAME BACK OUT TO A RED STEERING WHEEL WITH A PADLOCK ON THE DASH. I PUT THE KEY IN THE CAR. PRESSED THE BUTTON, CAR WOULD NOT START. TRIED TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. I SEARCHED THE SYMBOL TO FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM "INTERMITTENT IR IMMEDIATE STEERING WHEEL LOCKOUT". I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT BMW SAID WAS THE ONLY OPTION. DIAGNOSIS NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN. NO WARNING. NO STEERING ISSUES. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. JUST AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED OUT AND LEFT STRANDED.

CONSTANT DAILY ISSUE WITH BMW. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR AT A MERGING INTERSECTION, WHEN I TRY TO STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE THE CAR, IT HAS A 2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE IT MOVES. HOWEVER IF I HAVE THE DTC (DYNAMIC TRACTION CONTROL) ON THERE IS NO ISSUE. APPARENTLY THERE IS A MOUNTAIN OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ONLINE CAR FORUMS REGARDING THIS; BUT NO RESOLUTION FROM BMW ON THIS KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR CARS. PLEASE HELP! THIS DELAY/LAG CAN EASILY CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY IF NOT DEALT WITH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE RESULT OF THE SEAT SENSOR MAT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED THE PART FOR FREE, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF A RECALL RELATING TO THE FAILURE, BUT WAS NOTIFIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:13V044000 ( ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED BUT SHORTLY AFTER THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH ,THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 4/6/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1400.00. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START. UPDATED 06/04/15*JB

STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND CAN'T START THE VEHICLE. I SEE NOW THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE TO DEAL WITH THIS NOW. *JS

HAD THE VALVE COVER REPLACED AND MECHANIC SAYS IT WILL NEED A ENGINE THE CAR ONLY HAD 81000 MILES BOUGHT IT WITH 60000 MILES ON IT ONLY HAD IT 2 YEARS. *TR

2007 BMW 328 XI WITH 67K MILES ON IT, FIRST THE CAR WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE THEN A FEW DAY LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE AUTOBAHN THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. THE ENGINE STAYED ON BUT I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY POWER. HAD THE CAR TOWED OVER 150 MILES BACK TO MY HOUSE ONLY TO FIND THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CALLED BMW AND AM WAITNG ON A CALL BACK TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL COVER. I HAVE READ A TON OF COMPALINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THERE WAS ALSO A LAW SUIT FILED BACK IN 2008 AGAINST BMW FOR 2000-2006 MODELS HAVING BAD TRANSMISSION. IF BMW DOESNT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IN A TIMELY MANNER, I WILL ALSO TAKE THEM TO COURT!! *TR

RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A WARNING LIGHT COMES ON STATING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, SO I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE POWER OFF TO READ UP ON THE WARNING LIGHTS, I GOT A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL AND CAR WOULD NOT START. *TR

VEHICLE HAS A CONSTANT STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT ACTUALLY LOCK, BUT THE WARNING IS CONSTANT. DEALER HAS STATED THAT THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. *TR

SOUND OF METAL BEING DRAGGED ALONG THE GROUND. FRIENDS WIRED THE METAL PIECE TO CAR'S UNDERBODY AND I DROVE OVER 300 MILES ON THE HIGHWAYS NOT REALIZING IT WAS THE STRAP FOR THE GAS TANK. TOOK IT TO BMW AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET IT ON A LIFT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, DUE TO TIME CONSTRAINTS. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE PUT IT ON THE LIFT AND TOOK OFF THE 'BROKEN' STRAP. NOW WAITING FOR TWO DAYS FOR THE PIECE TO COME FROM BMW. WENT ONLINE AND SAW THERE WERE OTHER POSTINGS ON A BMW 'BLOG SITE' REFERRING TO THIS PROBLEM, AND CAUSING ME SOME ALARM THAT THE GAS TANK COULD SPLIT!!! HOPE THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF 328XI MODELS! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERE WAS A RECALL ON MODEL YEARS 1999-2006. THE CONSUMER FEELS 2007 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL. UPDATED 4/20/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

BOTH REAR LIGHT HOUSINGS HAVE MELTED FROM SOME SORT OF SHORT OR GROUNDING ISSUE. *TR

I HAVE A COMPLAINT/SITUATION WITH MY 2007 BMW 328IX SEDAN. BMW REFUSES TO REPAIR AT THEIR COST A SIGNIFICANT LIFE SAFETY FUEL PROBLEM. ON AUGUST 1, 2014 WHILE DRIVING ALONG A PAVED STREET IN PULLMAN WASHINGTON, THE CARS ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO CAMP BMW IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON FOR EXAMINATION AND REPAIR. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOUT $700 AND WOULD BE REPAIRED THAT DAY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE REP WHO SAID THEY DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM TO BE WORSE THAN EXPECTED. THE FUEL PUMP HAD A DRAW TUBE THAT DREW FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP AND I WAS TOLD IT FELL OFF AND THEY WERE TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY TO FISH IT OUT OF THE FUEL TANK, AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE READY THAT DAY. I STARTED AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER BMW'S OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AGE/MODEL. WHAT WAS ALARMING WAS THAT COMMENTS I WAS SEEING INDICATED THAT THE DRAW TUBE THAT FELL OFF IN OTHER BMW'S HAD DONE SO BECAUSE THE FUEL GRADE REQUIRED FOR BMW'S WERE CORROSIVE TO THE DRAW TUBE AND THE FUEL ATE AWAY AT THE TUBES UNTIL THEY FELL OFF WITH THE SAME RESULT OF IMMEDIATE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. INDICATIONS FROM OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM INDICATED THAT DEALERSHIPS TOLD THEM THE ONLY SOLUTION WAS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, TANK AND DRAW TUBE FOR UPWARDS OF $3,000. A REPLACEMENT TANK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

STEERING COLUMN LOCK FAILED AND STRANDED CONSUMER. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE 2007 328XI AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS DONE NOTHING OTHER THAN FORCE THE CONSUMER TO MAKE EXPENSIVE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING FLAW. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 09/16/2014 *JS

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2007 BMW 328XI. TWO MONTHS AGO, I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME THAT CYLINDER 6 WAS THE PROBLEM. SO THEY FIXED CYLINDER 6 AND REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS. ON 24-APR-2014, MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND CAME HOME. THAT EVENING SHE TOOK THE KIDS TO AN EVENT AT THEIR SCHOOL AND PARKED THE CAR. AFTER THE EVENT, SHE TRIED BACKING THE CAR AND THE CAR WON'T GO INTO REVERSE. SO, I DROPPED THE CAR OFF TO THE DEALER SHIP AND AFTER THEY COMPLETED THEIR DAGNOSTIC TEST, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHICH WILL COST $6000 TO FIX. *JS

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR IS ON. THERE ARE OTHER 2007 WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS BUT MY BMW DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT MY CAR WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE FLOOR MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, IT UNEXPECTEDLY IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN BETWEEN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND UPPER HOOD AREA NEAR THE AIR BAG HOUSING. THE FIRE WAS DEEMED AS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SAVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING FUNCTION IN MY CAR HAS GONE OUT TWICE IN THE LAST 8 MONTHS. THE BUTTONS INSIDE THE CAR AND ON THE KEY FOB DID NOT OPEN OR LOCK THE DOORS. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS A PHYSICAL KEY SLOT. THE CAR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE WHEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAIL. A PERSON CANNOT OPEN THE DOORS USING ANY OF THE HANDLES, INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE WHEN THE LOCKS FAIL. THERE IS NO WAY TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THIS FAILS. I HAD TO PULL A BACK SEAT PASSENGER OUT THE WINDOW TO REMOVE HIM FROM THE CAR WHEN THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS FAILED THE SECOND TIME. BOTH TIMES I WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING FIRST ONE, THEN TWO FUSES IN THE BOX. BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENTS DO NOT CONSIDER THIS AN EMERGENCY, SO I HAD TO DO THE REPAIRS MYSELF. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE AT ALL BEING UNABLE TO OPEN ANY OF THE DOORS, AND HAVING TO DRIVE WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR UNLOCKED. IT IS NOT EASY TO REPLACE A FUSE WHEN THE BOX IS IN THE BACK OF THE GLOVE BOX ON THE FAR SIDE WHEN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR. BMW SAID THERE MAY BE SOMETHING IN THE CAR THAT IS CAUSING THIS TO FAIL FOR ME AND HAS QUOTED ALMOST $200 FOR AN ASSESSMENT. THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. ONE CAN EASILY BE STUCK IN THE CAR AS MY PASSENGER WAS WITH NO WAY TO GET OUT BESIDES THE WINDOW. THIS CAR IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO EASILY JUMP

THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED, MAKING ALL OF THE PASSENGER DOORS UNUSABLE, EVEN FROM THE INSIDE. IF THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE, THEY CANNOT GET OUT EXCEPT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S DOOR, REPRESENTING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. IN THE CASE OF FIRE OR OTHER EMERGENCY, PASSENGERS IN MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED, UNABLE TO ESCAPE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE IS NO MECHANICAL LOCK RELEASE ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. BMW HAS RELEASED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPLACE FUSE 57 WITH A 20 AMP FUSE INSTEAD OF A 15 AMP FUSE, BUT THIS DOES NOT FIX THE BASIC PROBLEM OF HAVING NO ESCAPE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE FUSE WITH A 20A, IT BLEW AGAIN AND WOULD HAVE TRAPPED PASSENGERS AGAIN. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE KNOWING THAT THIS SAFETY HAZARD HAS PERSISTED SO LONG WITHOUT A RECALL. *TR

THE CAR HAS A SERIOUS OIL LEAK AT THE HEAD GASKET. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY WELL MAINTAINED CAR, WITH ALL SERVICES BEING COMPLETED IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND JUST REGULAR COMMUTING IN MILD TRAFFIC AND MILD WEATHER. THE OIL LEAK IS OCCURRING DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT -- THERE IS NO SERVICEABLE PORTION DUE TO WHICH THIS LEAK COULD HAVE HAPPENED. AS THE CAR KEEPS LEAKING OIL, IT IS CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR

I HAD JUST EXITED OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A LIGHT WHEN THE STEERING "LOCKED UP". I COULDN'T GET THE CAR TO STEER AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY, THE CAR "COAST" TO THE SIDE OF THIS NON-BUSY ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO DRIVE BACK HOME WITHOUT ANY ISSUES A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER. HOWEVER, THIS INCIDENT HAS ME AND MY FAMILY FREAKED OUT AS WE FREQUENTLY TRAVEL WITH OUR CHILDREN. I CANNOT IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES IF THIS LOCK UP WERE TO HAPPEN ON A FREEWAY AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60MPH. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FOLKS COMPLAIN OF THIS ISSUE AND AM AFRAID IT MAY RESURFACE ANYTIME WITHOUT WARNING. I'LL HAVE MY CAR TAKEN TO A SERVICE SHOP NEAR MY HOME AND HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE, BUT HAVING READ SO MANY COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS TO BE ALONG SIMILAR LINES OF THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUE. HAS BMW OWNED UP TO THIS AND ARE THEY ISSUING A RECALL? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

THE CAR FORTUNATELY WAS NOT IN MOTION HOWEVER THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS NOT ALLOWING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE AS WELL AS PREVENTING THE CAR TO START. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON INHERENT PROBLEM WITH BMW. IN WHICH COSTS THE CONSUMER ~$1800 TO FIX EVEN THOUGH IT'S A MOST LIKELY A SOFTWARE ISSUE AND NOT A PARTS ISSUE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. *TR

PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL BULB WAS THOUGHT TO BE OUT. BROUGHT TO LOCAL BMW DEALER AND HAD THEM TELL ME I NEED A WHOLE HEADLIGHT SINCE THE TURN SIGNAL BURNED INSIDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ELV) IN THE STEERING COLUMN MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING AN OIL CHANGE PERFORMED AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, THE MECHANIC NOTICE THE HEAD BOLTS TO THE ENGINE WERE FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HEAD BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, LOCKING ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND DOORS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ONCE THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT 48 HOURS IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAINSTORM WHEN THE 4X4, BRAKES WARNING CAME ON. THE HANDLING IMMEDIATELY WAS AFFECTED. I DIDN'T FEEL THE TRACTION I WAS USED TO AND BRAKING BECAME DANGEROUS. I WANTED TO PULL OVER BUT THE BRAKES MADE THE CAR STOP TOO ABRUPTLY, CAUSING ME TO SKID ON THE WET ROAD. HAD THE HIGHWAY BEEN BUSIER I'M SURE I WOULD'VE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR GEAR. IT'S PLASTIC AND THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON....SO MUCH THAT THE REPLACEMENTS ARE MADE OF A DIFFERENT COMPOSITE AND MORE HEAT RESISTANT. MY QUESTION IS WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A GEAR THAT IS RECOGNIZED AS FAULTY. IF THE REPLACEMENTS ARE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL THEN OBVIOUSLY BMW RECOGNIZES THAT TOO. THIS IS BECOMING WAY TO COMMON FOR BMW NOT TO REACT. *TR

MY 2007 328XI TRANSFER CASE ON THE DRIVE TRAIN FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON SUNDAY 6/16/2013. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATELY LOSS OF ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND ABS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITH SOME SIMPLE RESEARCH ONLINE IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST SIMILAR MODELS AND YEAR GROUPS. THE X3 AND X5 ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THE ISSUE. A WHOLE AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY AND DEVELOPED ON REPLACING THE GEARS WITH NEWER, HIGH HEAT AND STRESS GEARS SO THIS ISSUE DOESN'T HAPPEN AND THERE ARE RETAILERS WHO MARKET TO PEOPLE WITH THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THEM. THE FACT THAT A SECONDARY MARKET HAS APPEARED AND IT HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SERIOUS ISSUE IS CONFUSING. THE INTERIOR OF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS THE GEARS ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC WHICH DEGRADE OVERTIME AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TO FAIL TO ENGAGE OR TO DISENGAGE AND CAUSING SEVERE BRAKE AND HANDLING ISSUES. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE. *TR

MY 2007 328XI BMW DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR LOCK. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THESE... *TR

AT APPROXIMATELY 4:15 PM ON 4/18/13 I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY ROADWAY AT APPROX 35MPH IN MY 2007 BMW 328XI COUPE, 65540 MILES. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLES INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHED ORANGE FOR COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING. WITHIN 5 SEC THE INDICATOR FLASHED RED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AS I PROCEEDED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION AND I WAS LEFT TO COAST OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. LUCKILY THE INTERSECTION WAS SLIGHTLY DOWN HILL SO I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE CURB WITHOUT BEING T-BONED. APPARENTLY THIS ENGINE SHUT DOWN IS A DESIGNED FEATURE IN THIS MODEL BMW (2007 328XI) TO SAVE THE ENGINE IN THE CASE OF OVERHEATING. WHILE THIS FEATURE MEANS WELL IT IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE AS OTHER BMW CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR EVENTS WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATES AND SPEEDS UP TO 80MPH (SEE BIMMERFORUMS AND ABOUTAUTOMOBILE). THIS TYPE OF EVENT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS COULD ABSOLUTELY LEAD TO LOSS OF PROPERTY AND/OR LIFE. THE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 85F AND I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR MORE THAN A 30MIN IN PRE-RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC BEFORE THE EVENT. AT THE TIME,TRAFFIC WAS NOT STOP AND GO AND I WAS MOVING AT A FAIRLY CONSISTENT 30MPH. THERE WAS LESS THAN 10-15 SEC BETWEEN THE FIRST COOLANT WARNING FLASHING ORANGE, PROCEEDING TO RED, AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THESE WERE THE ONLY INDICATIVE WARNINGS OF A PROBLEM. THE OIL TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 230F. AFTER LETTING THE CAR COOL FOR SEVERAL HOURS I CHECKED THE COOLANT WHICH WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR THE REM

DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPEN, DOORS NOT ABLE TO OPEN. FUEL DOOR TRAPPED CLOSED. *TR

UPON TRYING TO START CAR, CONTROL MESSAGE CAME ON SAID STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, ENGINE WILL NOT START. TURN WHEEL TO START ENGINE. THIS DID NOT WORK, MANY TRIES!. CAR IS NOT RUNNING. IN CHECKING THE INTERNET, FOR A SOLUTION, I FIND MANY WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME MODEL & EVEN YEAR BMW. SOMETHING SOUNDS FISHY. THERE WAS JUST A RECALL ON THE 3 SERIES FOR SOME SHORT INVOLVING FUSE BOX TO BACK OF CAR WRITTEN UP IN MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER. BMW SAID MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED. COULD THESE TWO ISSUES BE RELATED? I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR PER RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE! BMW OF NORTH AMERICA SAID THE WHEEL LOCK PROBLEM IS NOT WARRANTEED NOR IS IT A RECALL ISSUE. SOUNDS LIKE TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR THIS NOT TO BE A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE FIXED BY BMW AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ADVISE! *TR

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2013, AT AROUND 7AM, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON THE TACONIC STATE PARKWAY NEAR PLEASANTVILLE, NY ON MY WAY TO WORK . MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS SUDDENLY STARTED TO FAIL, AND I HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE FROM THE BACKSEAT. I LOOKED IN MY REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND I SAW FLAMES IN THE BACKSEAT. I PULLED OVER ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER RIGHT BEFORE THE PLEASANTVILLE EXIT. I STRUGGLED TO EXIT MY CAR BECAUSE THE SEATBELT WAS STUCK AS THE ENTIRE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR WAS ENGULFED WITH ME INSIDE. AFTER IT FINALLY RELEASED , I EXITED THE BURNING CAR IN A DAZE. A GOOD SAMARITAN STOPPED TO HELP ME, WHOSE NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE PROVIDED. SHE PUT ME IN HER CAR AND WE EACH CALLED 911. A NYS TROOPER CREATED A POLICE REPORT, WHICH CAN BE PROVIDED. AS WE WAITED FOR FIREMEN, THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BLEW UP TWICE. ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS STOPPED TO HELP ME AND WITNESSED THE CAR BLOW UP. I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE CAR COMPLETELY ENGULFED AND THE ENTIRE CAR CHARRED AND UNRECOGNIZABLE AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. I AM NOW AWARE THAT, AFTER THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE, BMW ISSUED ITS LARGEST RECALL EVER IN THE U.S. OF APPROXIMATELY 504K VEHICLES, INCLUDING THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS MY CAR. THE RECALL STEMS FROM A FAULTY BATTERY CONNECTION. IMPORTANTLY, THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY CONNECTION FOR BMWS ARE IN THE TRUNK, WHICH IS WHERE I BELIEVE THE FIRE STARTED IN MY CAR. AS A RESULT OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND CASE STUDIES, BMW HAD BEEN AWARE OF THIS BATTERY-RELATED DEFECT ON MY CAR

I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GEORGIA 400, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST TRAVELED HIGHWAY'S IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. CARS FREQUENTLY TRAVEL 20-30 MPH ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT AND IF YOU DO NOT GO AT LEAST 75 MPH, THEN YOU ARE OBSTRUCTING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. MY 2007 BMW 328XI SEDAN WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 80 MPH UNTIL AN ORANGE ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT CAME ON, THEN QUICKLY TURNED RED. IMMEDIATELY THE SAFETY MECHANISM KICKED IN WHICH RESTRICTS MY SPEED AND I COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I WAS IN THE FAST LEFT LANE AND TRIED TO PULL OVER ON THE LEFT HAND SHOULDER BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE. I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO AT LEAST PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE, BUT COULD NOT. LUCKILY THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC WAS NOT IT'S USUAL BUSY NATURE AND CARS BEHIND ME WERE HONKING AS I KEPT TRYING TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER (AS CARS WERE TRAVELING HIGH SPEEDS). THE ENGINE NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. I LIMPED OVER TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AS IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD EXPLODE. I COULD SMELL SMOKE AS WELL. THE WATER PUMP ENDED UP QUITTING ON ME, CAUSING THE ENGINE OVERHEAT. HOWEVER, NO WARNING AT ALL AND NO INDICATION THAT ALLOWED ME TO TAKE PRE-CAUTION BEFORE I TRAVELED IN MY CAR. THIS IS SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS AND A DESIGN FLAW. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. YOUR ENGINE SUDDENLY QUITTING ON YOU, WITH NO WARNING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY SYSTEM? CARS IN EVERY LANE TRAVELING AT LEAST 75 MPH OR GREATER WHILE YOU ARE QUICKLY REDUCING IN SPEED TRYING TO PULL OVER? ON TOP OF THAT, THER

THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER A WEEK. THIS TIME DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENSOR. FIRST TIME THE CAR STALLED ON LOCAL STREET BUT 2ND TIME ON THE FREEWAY. HAD TO TOW TO DEALER BOTH THE TIMES. LOSING ENGINE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE FATAL ACCIDENT. AFTER A WEEK THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST MOST OF THE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND NOW DRIVES AT MAX 50MPH OR SO. DEALER IS STILL TRYING TO TROUBLESHOOT THE CAR, ROOT CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALL THIS HAPPENED JUST AFTER 10 DAYS OF CAR GOING OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

FOR A FEW MONTHS PRIOR TO JUNE, VEHICLE ELECTRONICS WERE FLICKERING AND KEY FOBS WERE NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE BATTERY IN KEY FOB (REPLACED) BUT THAT DIDN'T WORK SO I REPLACED CAR BATTERY. STILL HAVING ISSUES TOOK CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ISSUES. A FEW WEEKS WENT BY AND ON MY WAY TO WORK, CAR JUST SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAD TO GET OVER TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH DEAD CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND BURNT POWER CABLE AND FUSE BOX. $1800 LATER CAR WAS REPAIRED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE. I HEARD FROM ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THAT THE REPAIR IS SOMETHING THAT STARTED HAPPENING LATELY. YESTERDAY 19 FEB 2013 THE RECALL NOTICE CAME OUT ON NEWS, I HOPE I AM REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR BUT IT FAILED TO OPEN SINCE THERE WAS NO POWER IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED MY SCALDING HOT COFFEE TO GET EJECTED FROM THE HOP HOLDER ONTO MY LEG. THE CUP HOLDERS IN THIS CAR ARE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE SPRING LOADED FROM UNDERNEATH. WHEN YOU HAVE A DRINK IN THE HOLDER IT (CUP HOLDER) EXERTS UPWARD FORCE ON THE CUP. WHEN THE CUP IS LIGHT ENOUGH OR YOU HIT A BUMP HARD ENOUGH IT WILL EJECT WHATEVER BEVERAGE IN THE HOLDER ONTO THE DRIVER AND / OR PASSENGER. I HAD A CAN OF SODA COME OUT ONE AND LAND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR. IT WEDGED UNDER THE BACK OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 3 SERIES OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

A RED STEERING WHEEL AND LOCK APPEARED ON THE DASH OF MY 2007 328XI WHICH DISPLAYS "STEERING WHEEL LOCK" ALERT AND READS THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE TURNED OFF OR ENGINE MAY FAIL TO START. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL WHICH IS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THIS KNOWN DEFECT AS IT IS QUITE COMMON IN THIS MODEL AND THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR