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.
Replaced an about to blow timing shaft and timing belt for a N26 F30 BMW 328I. Will cause catastrophic failure of engine in case its blows up. I had it happen to me when I had 74K miles. BMW extended warranty until 70K but since my incident happened at 74K BMW refused to offer any help. This is a manufacturer defect as the composite material used to make the timing chain was brittle and was replaced in 2015.
Without warning the oil pressure light came on, I stopped within 1/2 mile. Dealership has told me that it is catastrophic failure due to a broken pump chain.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. Also, the contact heard an abnormal bumping noise and the vehicle hesitated upon starting. When the vehicle was restarted, it resumed normal operation; however, the seat belt warning indicator illuminated. The contact called BMW of henderson (261 auto mall dr, henderson, nv 89014, (702) 570-0278) and BMW of las vegas (6900 w sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89117, (702) 570-0279) and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a warranty. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 39,000.
Exhaust started emitting white smoke during a cold start. Took it in to service and the oil supply line is bad and sending oil through the exhaust. $1500 repair. Meanwhile a recall was issued a few years ago for this vehicle but our VIN doesn't fall under it. "?"
- Parkton, MD, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Whining of the engine timing chain. Visible marks on chain and rough idle on car and hard starts. Took to mechanic and cause was timing chain guides broken. Shiny marks can be seen on the chain. Can be heard while vehicle is in motion, namely when there isn't much wind
Purchased the vehicle in late March. We have already had to go to the repair shop more than 3 occasions. I believe they are using faulty pieces in vehicles. We spent 13K and put down 4K. Now working 2 months the repairs are costing close to 5K in 2 months. I understand buying used vehicles as my first car was used. However I have had no issues in 2 years. I believe this piece was broken and they didn't want to repair the issues with the car based on cost.
I was driving from work and the car just instantly shut off on the highway. The car wouldn't go into neutral. After doing some research online I saw that it's a problem where a lot of BMW owners have encountered. What if I got my kids in the car that day
Car involved in rear end collision and car caught fire and burned up. Air bags did not deploy. Car was in slow motion approaching a stop light when hit in rear. Road conditions sunny and dry. My car was pushed into car in front causing more damage. Accident occurred in Illinois 159 in glen carbon, ill.
While driving on the fwy. The system in my car anounced for me to stop as it was detecting an error. I pulled aside turn off the engine, waited some time, turned engine back on and car would not start. Called towing services and taken to a mechanic. Per mechanic the motor engine died. Had no car since 12/20/2018. Please assist incident happen on 12/20/2019 near cerritos California. 605 S fwy around 6:30am
**press BMW to issue recall** 2013 BMW 328I - xdrive has faulty turbo actuator design. BMW corrected the design of turbo actuator arm in subsequent models. BMW realized it was their design mistake. Turbo act arm breaks very easily. Lot of customers have been made to spend a fortune (>$3000) to fix this issue. 2013 was the launch model for this generation. BMW has corrected the design of arm in 2014 onwards model. Turbo is one of the most expensive part on these luxury cars. 2013 model owners were left to fix it on their own expense, even after they realized their design was faulty. Arms have broken in less than 4 years (less than 40K miles). BMW should be pressed to accept fault and pay back customers who were made to pay themselves. An inquiry should also be requested for how many cars did BMW fix for the same issue while the vehicle was under original warranty. BMW blogs are full of same actuator arm issue. I work in automotive field in detroit. Similar actions have been taken against other brands for similar issues. I know more than 2 people who faced the same issue, which pushed me to investigate this issue further. Thank you! god bless!
3 days after receiving an oil change and brake pad change, while driving on a city street at approximately 25mph my car spontaneously switched into neutral and I could no longer accelerate. My dashboard stated that I had a drivetrain malfunction and that maximum output was not available. I proceeded to take my car into BMW in order to get a diagnosis. When I received the diagnosis I was told that my engine was non operable and I would have to pay ten thousand to change engine. The technician stated it was because of an internal engine failure, and that the reason for the failure was unknown but it was more than likely a bad oil filter. My vehicle has had two recalls concerning oil and I am concerned that it is a manufacturing defect. Thank you
Vehicle began not responding to gas input and turbo started going out. Diagnostic appeared to reveal waste gate operator malfunction, but further analysis showed complete turbo replacement required. Vehicle began making high pitched noise at various points (idle and acceleration). Less than 90K miles on vehicle.
While driving on the highway at 65mph, the plastic timing chain guides break causing the engine oil pressure to drop and timing chain snaps and lead to severe engine damage while car is in motion. The engine stops working and loses power while moving which is dangerous. BMW issued a tsb for this issue as the part was defective from factory however, did not issue a recall.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328I. While driving 50 mph, the oil pump and drivetrain warning indicators illuminated. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle violently jerked and stalled. As a result, the contact sustained injuries to the breast, but did not require medical attention. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The contact was in heavy traffic and was not able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to rallye BMW (1 brush hollow rd, westbury, NY 11590, (516) 393-0000) where it was diagnosed that the oil pump and drivetrain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
On 2016 I was driving on a very busy parkway in the afternoon at about 45 mph (which is a legal speed limit) when my car started shuddering, shaking and slowing down and a message came on saying "drive train malfunction." I immediately called my husband who told me to pull over and shut off the car for 5 minutes. He managed to calm me down. When I restarted the car, the car could not start I was very scared the car was tow to BMW and they state it was rhe starter that when bad. I had return the care several time to BMW for the same noise I was told the have a tech from the head quarter came out and the car is perfectly fine.the same hing happen 2 year later and I was on the highway during the incident. BMW service told me the engine fail and I need a new engine which would cost me $10,000 we were reading all the complaints and primarily they are about the drive train malfunction - it has a faulty plastic part, which since 2015 was replaced by a metal part. I was driving in the middle lane of a very busy highway and I could have been killed O). What does it take for BMW or NHTSA to issue a recall for this problem - a death or few? there is no way a 5 year old car engine should have fail with just 70,000 miles.
There's a leaking coming from the engine bay area I replace the valve cover gasket but that hasn't stop the smoke coming out of the car I've seen in several BMW forums that owners of 3 series have complain about these and the two major problems that cause this is 1. the valve cover gasket or the turbo oil lines the oil get into the catalyst converter and start smoking and heating and this might cause a fire while you are driving or coming to a complete stop
Error - "drivetrain malfunction: Drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center." This was taken to the dealer (BMW of silver spring, md) at first. They said it was thermostat issue. So, they installed a new thermostat and I paid my $100 deductible. The same error started appearing again just a few days later. The car suddenly shudders, jolts and shifts from eco mode to comfort mode if driving on freeway. If the error appears when the car is parked, the car does not switch from park mode to drive mode until you totally you shut down the engine, then restart and drive out immediately. Instantly, it shows "drivetrain malfunction" error on screen. The engine make a groaning noise. You can feel the power of the engine is significantly reduced. You have to hit the accelerator pedal deep to extract power out of the engine. The tachometer (the right dial on dashboard) moves up in the region of 3X1000 to 4X1000 /min range even to get to a speed of 30 miles/hour. So, when driving moderately, it can suddenly stall. This is a huge safety risk on city roads as one can get hit and be rear-ended by a car from behind with your family inside the car. I feel much unsafe driving this car now. BMW should fix this drivetrain error on install a new engine altogether. My car is still under warranty. This is a recurrent error, and it does not go away. I am losing faith in BMW.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- East Rutherford, NJ, USA