IllustrationENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. WITHIN 1 MILE THE REDUCED POWER INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. SHUTOFF AND RESTARTED ENGINE - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. DEALER REPLACED PUMP UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
2007 BMW 335I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 335I years
Owner complaints for the 2007 BMW 335I are substantially higher than the model-year median of 31.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 335I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
780–25K
4525–50K
5450–75K
2175–100K
27100–150K
11150K+
236 reports with mileage · 52 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports9 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
288 reportsTHE CAR STARTED NORMALLY BUT WITHIN A MILE IT BEGAN TO SHUDDER ABOVE ~2.5K RPM. I GOT TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENCE. LATER THAT DAY SOON AFTER LEAVING THE PARKING LOT THE CAR DIED AT A STOP SIGN. SES AND OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON. I STARTED IT UP AND IT IMMEDIATELY DIED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY UNTIL I FOUND THAT…
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THE CAR STARTED NORMALLY BUT WITHIN A MILE IT BEGAN TO SHUDDER ABOVE ~2.5K RPM. I GOT TO MY DESTINATION WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENCE. LATER THAT DAY SOON AFTER LEAVING THE PARKING LOT THE CAR DIED AT A STOP SIGN. SES AND OTHER LIGHTS CAME ON. I STARTED IT UP AND IT IMMEDIATELY DIED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY UNTIL I FOUND THAT IF I GAVE IT THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF GAS AND KEPT IT UNDER A CERTAIN RPM I COULD OPERATE WITH VERY LIMITED POWER. THAT COMBINED WITH THE FACT IT WAS LARGELY DOWNHILL AND NOT VERY FAR TO MY HOUSE ALLOWED ME TO GET HOME SAFELY. I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY (KEEPING IT WELL UNDER 2.5K RPM TO DO SO) AND THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR
LONG CRANKING BEFORE MY 07 BMW 335I STARTS. ENGINE LOSES POWER AND GOES INTO LIMP HOME MODE! DEALER REPROGRAMMED MY VEHICLE,BUT NOW IT HAS NO POWER! IT ALSO HAS A LOT OF TURBO LAG AT THE LOWER REV RANGE! *TR
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN 2007 BMW 335I CONVERTIBLE @ 36K MILES. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL, 2010 WITH 32K MILES. *TR
HIGH POWER FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2007 BMW 335I SEDAN. VEHICLE BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE OUT THE BACK, AND RUNNING VERY ROUGH. ON A LATER RESTART THE ENGINE COULD NOT STAY RUNNING. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HPFP WAS REPLACED AND INJECTORS WERE REPLACED, ECU SOFTWARE UPDATED. *TR
MY VEHICLE IS 2007 MODEL BMW 335I COUPE. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY 405 GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR. THEN SUDDENLY AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" SIGN COMES UP WHICH LOWERS THE RPM AND THE SPEED OUTPUT OF THE ENGINE TO AROUND 30~ 40. I HAVE TO QUICKLY MERGE THE VEHICLE FROM THE INNER LANES TO THE RIGHT GOING O…
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MY VEHICLE IS 2007 MODEL BMW 335I COUPE. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY 405 GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR. THEN SUDDENLY AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" SIGN COMES UP WHICH LOWERS THE RPM AND THE SPEED OUTPUT OF THE ENGINE TO AROUND 30~ 40. I HAVE TO QUICKLY MERGE THE VEHICLE FROM THE INNER LANES TO THE RIGHT GOING ONTO THE CURB SINCE THERE WAS NO CURB ON THE INNER LANES. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AS I SLOWLY GUIDED MY VEHICLE TO THE SIDE, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN WITH STUTTERING SOUND AND ENGINE CRANKING. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. I WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE SUDDEN SLOW DOWN AND ENGINE SHUT OFF MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND THE CARS BEHIND OR NEXT TO ME MIGHT EASILY HIT ME WITH TYPICAL FREEWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH. I CALLED THE TWO TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A BMW CENTER. THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND BELIEVED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS BAD AND WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FOR ME. IT APPEARS TO BE THAT THIS VERY SAME ISSUE APPEARED QUITE OFTEN TO A NUMBER OF 335I OR OTHER BMW MODELS USING THE SAME ENGINE, IN PARTICULAR TO THE 07 AND 08 MODELS. MORE OVER, A LOT OF THE CAR OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED TO THEM EVEN AFTER THEIR FUEL PUMP REPLACED ONCE OR EVEN TWICE. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE FIX FOR SUCH ISSUE AND IT POSES AS A TREMENDOUS DANGER FOR BMW DRIVERS WITH THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE SINCE YOU CANNOT BE CERTAIN WHEN HE PROBLEM WILL RE-OCCUR. SIMILAR COMPLAINS HAVE BEEN FILED AND THE ACTION CAN BE REFERRED HERE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE08032. *TR
CAR STALLING AND NO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. NO POWER TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS MAKING A U TURN, CARS WAS COMING AT ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND I COULDN'T GET POWER TO ACCELERATE. TRIED PULLING OVER SAFELY. CAR WAS OOZING POWER AND CANT RESTART NORMALLY. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY 3RD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAIL IN THE 3.5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. ALL THREE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN MY MODEL. ALMOST EVERYONE PEOPLE IN MY CAR CLUB WITH A 2007 OR 2008 MODEL YEAR 335I HAS HAD THEIR HPFP REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE. T…
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I HAVE HAD MY 3RD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP) FAIL IN THE 3.5 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED MY CAR. ALL THREE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN MY MODEL. ALMOST EVERYONE PEOPLE IN MY CAR CLUB WITH A 2007 OR 2008 MODEL YEAR 335I HAS HAD THEIR HPFP REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE. THE CAR BREAKS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND GENERALLY WHEN COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNS OF MALFUNCTIONS AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN A "LIMP" MODE, OFTEN STALLING WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP...SHUDDERING DURING THE DRIVE UNTIL I AM ABLE TO BRING TO A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT ALL THREE FAILURE HAVE OCCURRED DURING LOW SPEEDS AND STALLING OCCURRING AT STOP LIGHTS AND NOT DURING HIGH SPEED OPERATION. IF IT WASN'T FOR MY BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON ONE OF THE THREE OCCASIONS. BMW KNOWS THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL. THEY HAVE ISSUED DEALER SERVICE BULLETINS AND HAVE INCREASED THE WARRANTY ON THE HPFP REPLACEMENTS FOR 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY DOES NOT FIX REPLACING THE HPFP EVERY FEW MONTHS (MY 2ND IN 4 MONTHS). BMW MUST ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS THEIR IS NO SYMPTOMS FOR THE IMPENDING MALFUNCTION AND THERE IS NO USER ERROR. *TR
I OWN A 2007 BMW 335I. A FEW MONTHS AGO AFTER A SERVICE ISSUE FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM, MY VEHICLE DASH DISPLAY WENT HAYWIRE AND SHOWED AN ENGINE PROBLEM. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED AND SUDDENLY NO POWER. THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME. IT WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO GET OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER.…
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I OWN A 2007 BMW 335I. A FEW MONTHS AGO AFTER A SERVICE ISSUE FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM, MY VEHICLE DASH DISPLAY WENT HAYWIRE AND SHOWED AN ENGINE PROBLEM. I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED AND SUDDENLY NO POWER. THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME. IT WAS ALSO DIFFICULT TO GET OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. AFTER SOME RECENT RESEARCH I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE, YET THERE HAVE BEEN NO MANDATORY RECALLS, MERELY REPLACEMENTS PUMP THAT IN MANY CASES FAILS AGAIN. I SEE THIS AS A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING ISSUE THAT IS WAITING TO OCCUR GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
LONG CRANKS TO START UP ENGINE AND MISFIRES UPON COLD START UP ALMOST EVERY DAY. OFTEN GETS CEL BUT DEALER DENIES WARRANTY/RECALL WORK ON HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP HEREON) BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE EXACT CODE THEY ARE SEEKING FOR. THEY CONFIRMED THE SYMPTOM BUT "UNLESS CAR BREAKS DOWN ON THE ROAD OR GET THE EXACT CODE, THEY WILL…
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LONG CRANKS TO START UP ENGINE AND MISFIRES UPON COLD START UP ALMOST EVERY DAY. OFTEN GETS CEL BUT DEALER DENIES WARRANTY/RECALL WORK ON HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HPFP HEREON) BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE EXACT CODE THEY ARE SEEKING FOR. THEY CONFIRMED THE SYMPTOM BUT "UNLESS CAR BREAKS DOWN ON THE ROAD OR GET THE EXACT CODE, THEY WILL NOT REPLACE FAILED PART". BASICALLY SAYING THEY WILL NOT VOLUNTARILY RESOLVE PROBLEM UNLESS THEY ARE FORCED TO. HPFP FAILURE ON BMW N54 ENGINE PLATFORM IS ALREADY WELL KNOWN FACT HENCE BMW PUT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON HPFP. BUT IT'S NOT A RECALL AND MANY TIMES DEALER DENIES TO REPLACE ALTHOUGH THEY CONFIRM THE SYMPTOM AND POSSIBLE DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILED PARTS ON VEHICLES. ALL THEY DID WAS UPDATING THE DME PROGRAM THAT SUPPOSEDLY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT LONG CRANK STILL HAPPENS EVERYDAY. *TR
Official recalls
524V513000 · 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
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.
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.
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.
13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Nov 12, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE08032 · Engine Stalling - Fuel Pump Failure
Opened Apr 28, 2008 · Closed Aug 15, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-032 BMW STATED THAT DURING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP THE CUSTOMER SHOULD INITIALLY EXPERIENCE LONGER ENGINE STARTING TIMES OR ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING.AFTER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MILES THE PUMP- AND ENGINE-EMERGENCY OPERATION PROGRAM IS ACTIVATED, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ILLUMINATED.DESPITE REDUCED ENGINE POWER BMW BELIEVES THAT SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION IS POSSIBLE AND THAT VEHICLE DRIVEABILITY, STEERING, AND BRAKING SYSTEMS ARE NOT AFFECTED AND FUNCTION IN A NORMAL MANNER.BMW INDICATED THAT ONLY IN VERY RARE CASES COULD THE ENGINE STALL. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA CLAIMS INDICATING POSSIBLE STALL INCIDENTS ESTIMATES THAT THE RATE AT THREE YEARS IN SERVICE WOULD BE LESS THAN 1.0% OF THE POPULATION (NOTE THAT SOME OF THE CLAIMS INDICATING STALL DO NOT APPEAR TO INVOLVE ACTUAL ENGINE STALLS, BUT RATHER OPERATION AT REDUCED ENGINE POWER).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DETERMINED THAT ABOUT HALF DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE AS OPERATION IN LIMP MODE, 27 PERCENT INDICATE THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN A HARD START OR NO START CONDITION AND 19 PERCENT STATE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR A MINOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOM. ONLY FOUR PERCENT OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND BMW INDICATE THAT AN ENGINE STALL OCCURRED.BMW INDICATED THAT A SERVICE ACTION WAS INITIATED IN APRIL 2008 TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND IT IS CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FIELD SITUATION AND ANALYZE FIELD DATA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-032 BMW STATED THAT DURING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP THE CUSTOMER SHOULD INITIALLY EXPERIENCE LONGER ENGINE STARTING TIMES OR ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING.AFTER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MILES THE PUMP- AND ENGINE-EMERGENCY OPERATION PROGRAM IS ACTIVATED, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ILLUMINATED.DESPITE REDUCED ENGINE POWER BMW BELIEVES THAT SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION IS POSSIBLE AND THAT VEHICLE DRIVEABILITY, STEERING, AND BRAKING SYSTEMS ARE NOT AFFECTED AND FUNCTION IN A NORMAL MANNER.BMW INDICATED THAT ONLY IN VERY RARE CASES COULD THE ENGINE STALL. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA CLAIMS INDICATING POSSIBLE STALL INCIDENTS ESTIMATES THAT THE RATE AT THREE YEARS IN SERVICE WOULD BE LESS THAN 1.0% OF THE POPULATION (NOTE THAT SOME OF THE CLAIMS INDICATING STALL DO NOT APPEAR TO INVOLVE ACTUAL ENGINE STALLS, BUT RATHER OPERATION AT REDUCED ENGINE POWER).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DETERMINED THAT ABOUT HALF DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE AS OPERATION IN LIMP MODE, 27 PERCENT INDICATE THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN A HARD START OR NO START CONDITION AND 19 PERCENT STATE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR A MINOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOM. ONLY FOUR PERCENT OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND BMW INDICATE THAT AN ENGINE STALL OCCURRED.BMW INDICATED THAT A SERVICE ACTION WAS INITIATED IN APRIL 2008 TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND IT IS CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FIELD SITUATION AND ANALYZE FIELD DATA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-032 BMW STATED THAT DURING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP THE CUSTOMER SHOULD INITIALLY EXPERIENCE LONGER ENGINE STARTING TIMES OR ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING.AFTER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MILES THE PUMP- AND ENGINE-EMERGENCY OPERATION PROGRAM IS ACTIVATED, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ILLUMINATED.DESPITE REDUCED ENGINE POWER BMW BELIEVES THAT SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION IS POSSIBLE AND THAT VEHICLE DRIVEABILITY, STEERING, AND BRAKING SYSTEMS ARE NOT AFFECTED AND FUNCTION IN A NORMAL MANNER.BMW INDICATED THAT ONLY IN VERY RARE CASES COULD THE ENGINE STALL. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA CLAIMS INDICATING POSSIBLE STALL INCIDENTS ESTIMATES THAT THE RATE AT THREE YEARS IN SERVICE WOULD BE LESS THAN 1.0% OF THE POPULATION (NOTE THAT SOME OF THE CLAIMS INDICATING STALL DO NOT APPEAR TO INVOLVE ACTUAL ENGINE STALLS, BUT RATHER OPERATION AT REDUCED ENGINE POWER).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DETERMINED THAT ABOUT HALF DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE AS OPERATION IN LIMP MODE, 27 PERCENT INDICATE THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN A HARD START OR NO START CONDITION AND 19 PERCENT STATE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR A MINOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOM. ONLY FOUR PERCENT OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND BMW INDICATE THAT AN ENGINE STALL OCCURRED.BMW INDICATED THAT A SERVICE ACTION WAS INITIATED IN APRIL 2008 TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND IT IS CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FIELD SITUATION AND ANALYZE FIELD DATA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-032 BMW STATED THAT DURING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP THE CUSTOMER SHOULD INITIALLY EXPERIENCE LONGER ENGINE STARTING TIMES OR ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING.AFTER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MILES THE PUMP- AND ENGINE-EMERGENCY OPERATION PROGRAM IS ACTIVATED, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ILLUMINATED.DESPITE REDUCED ENGINE POWER BMW BELIEVES THAT SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION IS POSSIBLE AND THAT VEHICLE DRIVEABILITY, STEERING, AND BRAKING SYSTEMS ARE NOT AFFECTED AND FUNCTION IN A NORMAL MANNER.BMW INDICATED THAT ONLY IN VERY RARE CASES COULD THE ENGINE STALL. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA CLAIMS INDICATING POSSIBLE STALL INCIDENTS ESTIMATES THAT THE RATE AT THREE YEARS IN SERVICE WOULD BE LESS THAN 1.0% OF THE POPULATION (NOTE THAT SOME OF THE CLAIMS INDICATING STALL DO NOT APPEAR TO INVOLVE ACTUAL ENGINE STALLS, BUT RATHER OPERATION AT REDUCED ENGINE POWER).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DETERMINED THAT ABOUT HALF DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE AS OPERATION IN LIMP MODE, 27 PERCENT INDICATE THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN A HARD START OR NO START CONDITION AND 19 PERCENT STATE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR A MINOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOM. ONLY FOUR PERCENT OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND BMW INDICATE THAT AN ENGINE STALL OCCURRED.BMW INDICATED THAT A SERVICE ACTION WAS INITIATED IN APRIL 2008 TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND IT IS CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FIELD SITUATION AND ANALYZE FIELD DATA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.