NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
4 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 4, 2024
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
My vehicles check engine light came on, and the car started to misfire and idle hard when driving. Jack Furrier Tire and Auto ran the code, and it came back with peoblems with the cam shaft. I brought it to BMW, and VANOS bolt (recall) code was confirmed, but they told me it was a problem with internal piece missing from the oi…
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My vehicles check engine light came on, and the car started to misfire and idle hard when driving. Jack Furrier Tire and Auto ran the code, and it came back with peoblems with the cam shaft. I brought it to BMW, and VANOS bolt (recall) code was confirmed, but they told me it was a problem with internal piece missing from the oil filter. I asked if the car was safe to drive, and they confirmed and also told me the car is having other mechanical issues I should be aware of. The service agent described possible future problems with transmission and told me that there was no remedy available for recall yet, so I need to wait. I paid to have oil filter replaced. A week later, I was driving myself to work and my daughter to daycare when the car began to stall out and misfire in traffic. After bringing it back to the dealership, they replaced 1 spark plug free of charge and advised me that the car was coming back with other codes. I addressed the safety risk and the continued mechanical breakdown of the car systems if I continued driving it, and I was encouraged to trade the vehicle somewhere. I will attach an email I sent detailing further frustration I have experienced with BMW. After speaking with customer relations, I received the same reply, which is yes, there is a safety risk it is minimal and unfortuanly, there is no remedy available yet. The following was my reply when asked to complete customer survey: I am getting no help with a car that has a recall on it and being told the exact thing at every level I have presented my legtimate concerns. With no viable or reasonable options. I basically have to continue driving my car and risk car further breaking down and put my family's safety at risk with hope that "it's low probabilty". Somehow, these are my only options on a vehicle with a recall.
NHTSA ODI #11569846
104,577 miles · Apr 3, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS, WHILE DRIVING MY 2010 BMW 328I ON A HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF SPEED OF 65-70 MPH, THE MOTOR STALLED, SHUT OFF, DIED, LOST POWER CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE BY FORWARD MOMENTUM ALONE. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD HAVE NO IDEA THAT MY CAR HAS NO POWER. AFTER SITTIN…
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OVER THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS, WHILE DRIVING MY 2010 BMW 328I ON A HIGHWAY AT A RATE OF SPEED OF 65-70 MPH, THE MOTOR STALLED, SHUT OFF, DIED, LOST POWER CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE BY FORWARD MOMENTUM ALONE. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD HAVE NO IDEA THAT MY CAR HAS NO POWER. AFTER SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, I TRIED STARTING THE CAR AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AS THOUGH NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I CALLED MY BMW DEALER AND AM BRINGING IT THERE TOMORROW. HE SAID THAT THE REPAIRS MAY BE COVERED AND THAT THEY WOULD KNOW BETTER AFTER LOOKING AT THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH IT. THE CAR ONLY HAS DIED WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11083172
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2017
Power Train
DRIVING CAR ON FREEWAY, TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN AND ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. CAR HAS ABOUT 70,000 MILES. POSSIBLE RECALL # IS 14V176000.
NHTSA ODI #11004941
45,232 miles · Feb 9, 2015
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION BECAME WORSE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD ALMOST STALL WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY ST…
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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE MY CAR BEGAN TO HESITATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION BECAME WORSE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD ALMOST STALL WHEN I CAME TO A STOP. TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILINING IGNITION COIL IN CYLINDER #3 WHICH WAS REPLACED. ON 11/28 THE CAR STARTING DOING THE SAME THING. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THAT WAS CLOSER TO MY WORK BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY AND I FELT VERY UNSAFE. AT THIS TIME THE CAR HAS 53440 MILES ON IT. RIGHT OUT OF WARRANTY! I CALLED BOTH DEALERSHIPS AND COME TO FIND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL BMW. I WAS CHARGED $681.06 FOR A KNOWN ISSUE AND THIS BEING THE 2ND TIME MY CAR HAS HAD THIS ISSUE. THIS TIME THE FAILURE WAS IN CYLIDERS 2 AND 6! AND WAS TOLD TO PAY TO REPLACE ALL AS THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FAIL! I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP BMW OF TOWSON AND NEVER RECEIVED A RETURN CALL. I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR THIS SERVICE AS BMW OF CATONSVILLE WOULD HAVE DONE THE REPLACEMENT FOR FREE AS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I COULDNT DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO BMW OF CATONSVILLE BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOW ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY. I AM CONTINUING TO LOOK FOR A REFUND OF $681.06 AS I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR SOMETHING THAT BMW SHOULD HAVE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682114
Official recalls
6Jul 3, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Jan 15, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Oct 30, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Oct 25, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Apr 10, 2014
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Feb 7, 2013
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical System
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗