Engine. Review the 194 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 175 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports25 fire reports15 injury reports

What owners actually said

577 reports

112,000 miles · Dec 17, 2020

Electrical System

MY CAR SHOWS IT IS OVER HEATING AND IT IS GETTING HOT WHEN I RECENTLY BEEN USING HEATING SYSTEM COOLANT IS AT LEVEL SO IT IS THE ELECTRICAL WIRING AS THE RECALL STATS HOW DO I GET MY CAR FIXED AND WHY WASN'T THIS VIN # ON THE LIST MY CAR SHOWED IT WAS HOT AND IT WANTED TO LOSE POWER. I WAS DRIVING ON A HWY 111

NHTSA ODI #11384002

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2020

Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

AIR BAG IS BROKEN STEERING IS VERY HARD TO TURN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WENT OUT AND 1S GEAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS TAKING OFF. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY ONLY CAR. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH THESE RECALLS PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #11378065

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2020

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

ONE DAY MY DRIVER DOOR PANEL JUST STOPPED WORKING I COULD NO LONGER ROLL DOWN MY FRONT WINDOWS AND ONLY THE BACK WINDOWS GO DOWN USING THE BACK WINDOW CONTROLS ONLY. ALSO MY BLINKERS RANDOMLY STOPPED WORKING AND THE LIGHTING IN MY CAR ALSO DOES NOT COME ON IN THE DASH AREA AND INSIDE MIRROR. WHEN DRIVING IT IS A DANGER BECAUSE I…

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NHTSA ODI #11377234

195,000 miles · Nov 26, 2020

Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

FOOTWELL MODULE FAILED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY BMW. DEVICE CONTROLS ACCESSORY LIGHTING, CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM, TURN SIGNALS, AND POWER WINDOWS. BMW SI B01 20 16 RELEASED EXTENDING WARRANTY ON FRM TO 10 YEARS, 152000 MILES. FRM ON MY VEHICLE FAILED AT 195,000. TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST WAS $1,000

NHTSA ODI #11376409

30,000 miles · Nov 17, 2020

Unknown Or Other

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THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM ON MY CAR EVERY ONE I KNOW WHO OWNS THE BMW E90 SERIES HAS THE SAME ISSUE THE EVAPORATOR LEAKS TOXIC GAS EVERY BMW OF THIS ERA HAS THE SAME ISSUE WHEN YOU TURN THE AC THERE IS A MOLDY GASY SMELL PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE CARS BREATH TOXIC CHEMICALS EVERY TIME THEY DRIVE THESE CARS TO FIX THE ISSUE YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE WHOLE DASH TO GET TO THE LEAKY EVAPORATOR AND REPLACE IT WHICH COSTS $3000 THE PART ITSELF IS ONLY $300 AND THE REST IS LABOR , ANOTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. MY CAR AS OF NOVEMBER 16 2020 HAS ONLY 51K MILES

NHTSA ODI #11375136

105,000 miles · Nov 9, 2020

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL WIRING ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #11373816

177,000 miles · Oct 19, 2020

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIRRORS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. ADDITIONALLY, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED INTERMITTENTLY. GRAYSON BMW LOCATED 10671 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37922, (865) 693-4555) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FOOT WELL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

NHTSA ODI #11365083

68,000 miles · Sep 9, 2020

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MY CAR IS BELOW 70K MILES NEVER OVER HEATED OR HAD ANY ISSUES BUT OUT OF NOWHERE MY TRUNK STARTED UNLOCKING ON ITS ON, KILLING MY BATTERY. MY RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND I'VE BEEN HEARING NOISES FROM MY DOOR SPEAKERS. & NOW TODAY MY CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL & IF IT DOES IT TURNS OFF IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #11353912

79,187 miles · Sep 5, 2020

Air BagsSeat Belts

I GOT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAILURE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN. SAID LIGHTS TURNED ON AS I WAS TURNING TO ENTER THE HIGHWAY ROUTE 2 IN FITCHBURG MA. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH BMWS SINCE MID 2000S YET MINES IS NOT ON RECALL. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT CAN NOT CORRECT THE ERROR. I AM CONCERNED OF AN…

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NHTSA ODI #11353268

100,000 miles · Aug 30, 2020

Electrical System

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CAR WOULD NOT START, DID NOT RESPOND TO CHARGING VIA JUMPER CABLES EARLIER THAT DAY. IT STARTED WHEN CONNECTED TO THE CHARGER BY THE TOW TRUCK OPERATER. I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE FOR 30-45 MIN BY THE BMW SERVICE CENTER AND THE TOW DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET ABOUT 35 MIN LATER EVERYTHING STOPPED, LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE. I WAS STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED POLICE TO HELP WITH TRAFFIC CONTROL AS WELL AS INSURANCE FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO IT WAS LOCKED IN PLACE. AND NO HAZARD LIGHTS EITHER. HAD TO CALL ANOTHER TOW TRUCK. BMW SERVICE STATES IT IS THE BATTERY CABLE AND WILL COST $3000.00 TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11352074

Official recalls

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 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

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

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

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.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

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.

14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

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.

13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

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

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

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical System

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

11V476000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Sep 15, 2011

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, THEY MAY BECOME LOOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN, IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.