10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,823 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 BMW 328 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 BMW 328 Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 212018

328

  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Wheel speed sensors fail under hard breaking happened 2 times car brakes ABS and anti swerve system stop working and breaking is affected hard peddle stopping distance affected. BMW replaced them under warrantee but would not replace the 2 that are working until they fail. My daughter drives this car for school and it is a safety hansard that BMW will not replace. Happened twice once in town the other time on highway had to tow the car to dealer both times.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #13

Sep 192017

328

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. While driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called BMW of rockville at (301) 476-0126 (1300 rockville pike, md 20852) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Fredrick, MD, USA

problem #12

Sep 282017

328

  • 69,000 miles
When driving at a low speed of 10 mph or lower and decelerating (applying the brake, coming to a stop sign or red light or pulling into a parking space) or at a stationary position - the vehicle is surging forward unexpectedly. Engine is not stalling but often feels like it could after surging forward. Surges forward even when the break is applied. This has happend a number of times. Taken to BMW dealerships and they report nothing wrong (no safety recall) but it continues to occur. Fear factor of getting into an accident due this is escalating. Have asked friends to drive our vehicle and they verify and validate it occurs for them as well under the same cirmcumstances.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #11

Sep 252016

328

  • 61,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328xi. While making a right turn at 5 mph, the vehicle accelerated independently onto the sidewalk. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Fort Washington, MD, USA

problem #10

Sep 262014

328 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
While pulling into a parking at low speed vehicle accelerated violently causing it to crash over the curb and airbags deployed. Minutes before this crash I noticed several instances where the vehicle seemed to accelerate and RPM rised on its own while I was not pressing the accelerator. The drivers side door airbag seems to have malfunctioned and did not deploy.

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #9

Aug 312014

328 6-cyl

  • 31,280 miles
After the car is stopped at a stop sign and when I try to accelerate the car, it hesitates to move even after I push the gas pedal. The car struggles to move forward and after pressing in hard it moves. The initial delay or the initial response time is huge. The time lag is large. The engine makes noise and will struggle to move. I hope the NHTSA will review the matter with BMW and see what needs to be done.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #8

Jun 012014

328

  • 23,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A letter from BMW came in June 2014 stating that my vehicle is effected for important safety recall and that I would be notified when the parts become available to have it fixed. The recall was for vanos assembly bolts. The letter states that I may hear increased noise, check engine light may come on leading to reduced power leading to engine stall. I noticed on this website many people have had similar complaints and leading to steering wheel to lock and engine to shut off which can lead to injury and death of anyone on the roads. I have called my dealer as well BMW headquarters and both state that they have no idea when the parts will become available. So for now I have to drive a car with a safety recall and I can do nothing about it other than hope I don't cause an accident due to my car malfunctioning. This is criminal of BMW and needs to be addressed. I asked them if I could bring my car in and have a loaner instead till the parts become available but was turned down, unless I want to pay out of my own pocket. This needs to be addressed! thank you for protecting americans on the road!

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #7

Apr 282014

328

  • 27,500 miles
As I was moving my car from a small parking lot near my home, I was reversing the car and noticed there was a sudden acceleration and the car hit the base of the pole causing minor damage to my rear bumper. Since I felt the impact, I was very cautious and put the car in drive mode to exit the parking lot with very little gas applied, but the car took off suddenly and hit a parked car with a huge impact. It almost totaled the other car and my car was very badly damaged. Initial estimate to repair is around $7,911 by the BMW authorized body shop. I immediately took the car to the dealer next day asking them to check if my car was safe to drive. The dealership said the car has to be inspected by the BMW engineer, and the dealer can't touch the car because of sudden acceleration issue. I called the BMW customer relationship dept. Right away, and they scheduled an engineer to come and look at my car. One week later, a BMW engineer came to the body shop and downloaded the data, and today I was notified by BMW that the car is safe to drive. I bought this car from a local BMW dealer as certified pre-owned vehicle last year with about 23K miles on it and still has the warranty.I am writing to you because my family doesn't feel comfortable and safe to drive this car. I have seen several complaints on bimmerfest and one on your site for the 2011 BMW 328I, regarding the sudden acceleration. I asked them BMW to replace the car, which they wouldn't do. I requested BMW to send a letter stating that the car is safe to drive along with a report about their findings, since they didn't want to replace my car. Not sure if they will send me one.as a good citizen with good driving record, I am really scared about driving this car which in my opinion is not safe. I am hoping that your department will investigate this matter carefully, and get a better resolution to my issue. Thank you.

- Cupertino, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 112013

328

  • miles
2011 BMW 328I. Consumer writes in regards to air bag malfunction. The consumer stated after the vehicle was purchased, she noticed when driving at a speed of 10 mph or lower, applying the brake, or pulling into a parking space, the vehicle would surge forward unexpectedly. The consumer experienced the same surging for a second time, as she pulled into a parking space. The vehicle went over a curb and into some bushes. As a result, she received whip-lash to her neck and slightly bruised her elbows, knees and hurt her chest on the steering wheel. BMW sent an engineer to inspect the vehicle and concluded nothing was wrong with the vehicle. After picking up the vehicle a week later, the consumer and her husband continued to experience the same issue. A month later, the consumers husband pulled into a parking space when the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward and hit a parked SUV in front of him, which caused damage to the front bumper. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, where they kept it for two weeks. The dealer stated the vehicle was fine and it was ready for pick-up. However, two days later, the vehicle surged again, as the consumer was approaching a stop light. The consumer stated the vehicle has been inspected three times, without any success of finding the problem. The mechanism/gear would shift when driving at a low speed or riding the brake at a low speed when coming to a stop. Also, the vehicle sagged on the right side, which has been acknowledged by the mechanics, but it cannot be fixed. Updated 05/13/14. Updated 06/10/14

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #5

Jan 302014

328 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,743 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328xi. The contact stated while driving 2 mph, the vehicle began to accelerate independently and crashed into some stone/brick stairs, upon enetering a short driveway. The vehicle was not destroyed but the driver sustained a bruise to the ribs and face. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but they could not determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000. Updated 04/04/14 the consumer stated the front suspension subframe and body shell attachment was ruined. The vehicle was a total loss. The side driver's side air bag did not deploy. The passenger's side air bag did deploy without a passenger. Updated 04/11/2014

- Telksdury, MA, USA

problem #4

Jul 152013

328 6-cyl

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Throttle response to pressing accelerator lags dangerously. Have had numerous instances where lack of response has placed me in dangerous situations. Sometimes it takes a few seconds before there is adequate response so car does not move or accelerates very slowly even though accelerator pressed down all the way. Almost got rear-ended last night as I pulled out of a driveway onto a road and oncoming cars nearly rear-ended my car because my 2011 BMW 328I would not respond appropriately to my pressing down on the accelerator pedal; the car barely accelerated and even slowed further for a few seconds before the throttle responded and began picking up speed. This is very dangerous. I had this car in for service at the BMW earlier yesterday and they service advisor told me that this is a common problem for these cars, but they don't have a fix for it.

- Cupertino, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 222012

328

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns 2011 BMW 328xi. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The front of the vehicle sustained extensive damages and the other vehicle also had extensive damages to the rear. The vehicles was towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who decided to send a representative to inspect the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 22,000.

- Avon, CT, USA

problem #2

Aug 172012

328 6-cyl

  • 9,000 miles
I was backing my car into a garage - car was in reverse - I put my foot on the brake pedal and my foot went to the floor - the car lunged backward at top speed and crashed into the rear wall of garage.

- Jenkintown, PA, USA

problem #1

Dec 102010

328

  • 5 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while sitting idle at a traffic stop, he noticed that the vehicle would slowly surge forward autonomously. On one occasion, while driving into a garage, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into a pillar. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 5. the VIN was not available.

- Irvine, CA, USA

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