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.
Left rear brake and turn lights malfunctioning -issue not fixed after changing light bulbs. Noticed that metal pins in the connector was melted and stuck into the wiring harness. Problem affects brake light and turn signal. Melting of the the metal pin in the connector housing clearly is not a wear and tear situation but a defect in manufacturing that needs to be repaired and corrected by BMW.
the left brake lamp continues to come on after changing the brake lamp and checking sensor - I dont know if the light is out or its another issue the brake lamp has been working fine, the warning is incorrect Also, the added safety features installed in the car and paid 1000's extra for no longer work due 3g phase out, Bmw claimed drivers can use their phones but they will not retro fit the cars to get safety features back, they chose specific vins of this model to re-enable but not all"?" The car has no space within drivers sight to mount phones for directions/navigation and any voice activation /handfree usage iis disabled along with crash notificatiions/stolen vehicle recovery. BMW made crashes far more likely in the vehicle and far more vulnerable to be stolen! BMW service dept advised to use a cell phone to get some of the lost services back which is illegal and very dangerous to do so.
On Feb 20, 2020, I took my car to BMW dealership because I had a left rear signal and brake malfunction. I was given an estimate of approximately $600. Based upon my understanding of this issue, this is a manufacturer issue. The circuit board, connector, and wiring must be replaced. After further research, I found that there have been two recalls for this very same issue, but for older model BMW's. please reference 13V407000 and 17V6766000. BMW also issued a service bulletin to fix this issue. Please reference sib63-0611. Also reference 11V-438 campaign. It is apparent that BMW's are still being produced with the ground wiring issue. If you visit bimmerfest, you will see how many BMW's from 2010- 2014 are still being effected by this issue. If older models were recalled for this issue, newer ones with the same issue should also be recalled, and fixed free of charge. I am currently driving a vehicle with a faulty left rear brake light, and left rear signal light which is a safety hazard. I am requesting that BMW pay for the repairs as this is a manufacturing problem, not operator error or wear and tear. Please reference the complaint filed on 3.3.20 11315965.
From 40mph to 60mph the steering wheel gets a shaking, wobble that doesn't stop its a common problem with the 2012 to 2014 bmws to the best of my knowledge. On many BMW forms there are multiple owners who say they have replaced the steering rack, steering assembly and it will fix it for the time being but it will eventually default again. When turning the steering wheel you'll hear a clunking noise from the front of the vehicle that sounds as if the front axle is going to remove its self from your presence. To have this factory problem fixed is upwards of 2,000$, that owners should not have to worry about because it is a problem with almost every BMW. Also BMW has had the same issue with the blower motor or heater motor. It is a very common issue with these model bmws that BMW refuses to recall. The heater will not work at all or only the driver side will blow slightly warm air because of bmws faulty blower motor. Also the infotainment system will power off or stop working in general. This is a problem because it's the only way you can find out what issues the vehicle is having. BMW has to have some acknowledgement of these issues based off all of the people who have complained about these same issues, but has refused to do anything to insure the saftey of the people operating there vehicles with these factory defaults. Most of the issues that have occurred with the vehicle were happening while the vehicle is in motion.
Passenger front seat fasten seatbelt signals when I'm driving and no-one is in the front seat, I have to lock seatbelt to turn it off. It hasn't signal lately. Driver's door locks and won't unlock when I'm parked unless I use the remote but, not all of the time. Breaks squeaks only when I first exit the garage at home.
- Addis, LA, USA
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While driving, I received an error message that may left rear light had malfunctioned. A few days later, I took it to the BMW dealership for bulb replacement and my yearly oil change. The dealership informed me that it wasn't just the light bulb that needed replacing the entire rear light system had melted. The socket, connector, contact points all burnt. There must be a defect in the electrical system. BMW recalled earlier year vehicles for the exact same problem. I believe my car should be fixed at BMW's expense. Since I can not afford the $600 bill, I am driving without a left rear signal which is not safe. I have attached photos of parts.
I was driving my car as usual, made a left hand turn, and a notice came on the dashboard alerting me that the left rear turn signal and left rear brake light were not functioning. As this is very concerning, I immediately took the car to the nearest BMW dealership for analysis. They told me that there was an electrical issue and that the entire wiring harness in the left rear would need to be replaced at a cost of $905. It was at this point that I wanted to get a second opinion, so I had my local mechanic take a look. He told me that there were scorch marks where the ground wire connected into the wiring harness, and that the ground pin that it connected to on the other side was entirely eroded. He suggested the reason behind this was that BMW used an inappropriate gauge connector for the current that was being transmitted, causing erosion over time. He was able to order genuine BMW replacement parts and installed them for a fraction of the price quoted at the dealership. This is very concerning to me because of the risk of a potential electrical fire.
My vehicle currently has an egr problem but for some reason isn't covered under the recall... sometimes my front passenger door will not open! like at all! I will have to hit the unlock button multiple times before I can open the door. My def was filled with the correct fluid at the appropriate time about 1K miles ago. Suddenly as I'm driving down the road a light appeared that says incorrect fluid added no start after xxx miles. Now vehicle will no longer start. After searching the web others have had this issue connected to nox sensor. Taking to shop hopefully covered since nox sensor was just replaced from a recall.
There is a problem with my steering, electrical and lights on my 2014 328I. There is a steering column problem that is causing my electrical system and my brake lights and fog lights to randomly stop working at times when I'm driving my car down the road. I had it tested and they said it's a 6 pin steeeing column issue. It's causing my cruise control to malfunction, along with my brake lights and fog lights. I have the documents from the report in my email. Also, there is something wrong with my drive train/timing belt or power steering because my engine makes a loud whining noise when I turn the steering wheel a certain way and also it's louder when I have the air or vents turned on. I'm afraid all the defects are going to cause me to have an accident due to my lights failing and someone running into me or my steering going out on me or my engine shutting down due to the noise and it failing. I've read lots of other BMW owners reporting the same issues on different sites on google. They need to recall these things and check into them more seriously before someone gets hurt.
Egr valve failure while on highway traveling at highway speed. No indication on vehicle monitoring system that something was wrong. Failure cause significant damage to throttle body, air sensor, intake system due to high temperature gases being ingested into engine. Damage included melted plastic (fire) on the intake system. Repair ticket and record for damage and parts replaced is on record at mt. Laurel, BMW in mt. Laurel, NJ. Issue happened at 101,200 miles, 1000 mile over warrantee.
While driving, message displayed "drivetrain malfunction, drive cautiously" car lost power, but I made it to shoulder. While calling for help, I noticed thick grey smoke filling the car. I exited vehicle then noticed flames coming from under the hood on the drivers side. Car completely burned
11.3.17 car caught on fire while driving. Total loss. Car lost power. Message was displayed "drivetrain malfunction, drive cautiously" pulled to side of highway, car was engulphed in flames within 5 minutes.
Going about 60mph, my car completely loses power and shuts down. Power train malfunction loss of power flash on the screen. Ive had the car for 20 days, and at 52000 miles. 2000 over my warranty. BMW is auotibg ne $5,000 to fix the high pressure fuel pump and system, fuel rail sensor, and fuel rail pressure valve which all ultimately work together. But BMW has already recalled all other 2014 328 models for the exact same fuel pump problems im having except the 328D model was the only one left out"???! BMW makes very few of these models to begin with, so naturally there arent going to ve as many complaints with the 328D if there are fewer produced. Its common sense. Looking through the complaints on safecar.gov 98% of the complaints on the car ultimately come to some sort of fuel system failure causing loss of power and total shut down. At 60 mph and 2 babies in my back seat it was more than scary. Im disgusted with BMW leaving out and not recalling the 328D when they did all the others. I mean what does it take to get some answers around here on this when there are multiple upon multiple complaints?? I mean I got on my phone immediately and diagnosed the problem before sos even came on my speakers just off of the terrible reviews and complaints people are saying off the internet alone! the BMW service center also told me all of that exact year and model that they have had in there lately have been due to the same issue!! this is a cost I cannot even afford at the moment, especially for a vehicle 2000 miles out of warranty. And is basically a brand new car and to already be faulty?? I'm afraid to even drive it again once it does get fixed, being that they are replacing the parts that just failed!! with the exact same parts?!!! what to just fail again, and take the chance of next time on a busy road when it shuts down, actually having a collison with a vehicle instead"!
I have recently started to experience a significant safety concern. The doors will not always open with the double handle pull and will require that I hit the power unlock button. I've found several sites and blogs discussing this known issue. I would hope that BMW addresses this as it is a significant safety issue in the event I'm in a crash with lost power.
Unsafe headlights not able to see at highway speeds and inpossible to change headlight bulbs and highbeam bulbs without special tools and or danmade to hands. Non technical personal impossible to change or get changed. Light out put is danger this vehicle is unsafe to drive at night
My 2014 BMW 328I was rear-ended on a freeway ramp during rush hour (around 5pm Oct. 30, 2015). The traffic was stop and go. My car was still when the car behind hit. The impact to my rear bumper caused the seat belt to lock down. The seat belt held me very tight (almost strangled) me and would not eject nor release. After more than 5 mins, I was able to pulled it out while holding the eject button. On top of the seat belt lock-down, my car would not re-start. The system gave a "chassis stability" warning and would not respond to shifting gear or any operations. I could not move the car out of traffic to the shoulder. The car eventually was towed off the freeway ramp. Fortunately, all vehicles were moving slow due to the rush hour. Otherwise, either of the situation (locked down seat belt or the stalled vehicle with a bumper impact) would have killed me on the free way.
Vehicle stalled in driveway of gas station, just before I was about to turn onto street. Engine would crank when start button was pressed, but car wouldn't start.
On October 26, 2014 at approx. 5:00 pm est, my wife had pulled our car, listed above, into our neighbor's driveway after a small trip. As soon as she parked the car, she noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the BMW. Within a few minutes, the car was engulfed in flames. The fire started under the hood and completely engulfed the front end, melted the engine compartment and destroyed our car and neighbors garage siding and driveway. This was a brand new BMW purchased in August 2014.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mendota Heights, MN, USA