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.
On 12/10/2022 I was driving to work and my BMW started smelling of like electrical fire. I pulled over on a exit in Sweetwater, TN and upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames under the hood of the car. The car was on fire somewhere in the engine. A passerbuyer stopped and called 911 for me Christianburg, TN fire Dept. done the report. But BMW has a recall on this vehicle for over 1yr with no remedy to fix knowing the car can catch on fire. Luckily I was not injured but I suffered a total loss from my vehicle. Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (pcv) NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 22V119000 Report Date: Mar 02, 2022 Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. What You Should Do: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X
This car is not safe to drive, when you accelerate lots of black smoke come from tail pipe and loose power at the same time, Its burning through spark plugs Im having to change them at least every 2 wks plugs cost 15$ a piece, Its burning through oil oil leaks popping up random all over every 2 weeks its burning through 5 quarts of oil, oil is 18$ a quart, Do to the lose of power i have to take the access roads to and from work. Its causing me to miss a lot of work Im afraid for my wife and kids to be in the car with me its just not safe we got the letter from BMW 2 months ago about the recall what is considered a timely manner because 2 months is a ling time we need this resolved asap bmw just giving us the run arounds verses solving this issue. This car has been riding this unsafe way for at least 6 months and its getting worst by the day, its costing us to much money plus lose of work
this vehicle is dangerous and I cannot drive it without it smoking and overheating, exhaust or fumes get inside the vehicle not safe for my family, I bought it last year and have had problems since and I cant get it fixed. I tried to call the BMW office last year to no avail and no returned calls, I constantly had to fill coolant when driving and afraid to drive no more because smoke from engine and smell of smoke is frightening while on the road. can't drive this vehicle anymore
suspension warning came up. air suspension bags. and air pump fail while driving at 65m/h. car was hard to control. I had to slow down to 40m/h. to drive safely.
- Los Osos, CA, USA
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Vehicle shut off while stopped. A smell of hot electrical was present immediately before the shut off. Inspection of the vehicle showed a blown fuse for the fuel pump circut, as well as melting of the plastic power connection to the fuel pump, and the insulation on the power wires themselves. The bare wires were exposed at the connection. The wiring harness was stiff from the connector of the fuel pump to the rubber seal on the body.
Brake light bulbs are installed in plastics that are melted quickly by the time which creates fire risk. I opened both brake light bulbs and saw that both sides are melted in plastics are completely black around from the heat. My car has unknown electrical issues that turns tons of lights and errors in my dashboard computer, then later on they go away. And also I smell burning smell sometimes. I believe all related to brakes bulbs are burning the inserts or somehow this model of BMW has electrical problems. Last time on 1/28/2020 when we were driving from NJ to ct on 95, car lost all of dashboard lights and details including speedometer, tacometer, miles, singals etc, all died and tons of error message poped up. But car drove just fine.
Vehicle started smoke from engine area and caught on fire. Vehicle was in motion driving on a city street at normal speed. I pulled over and got myself and child out of vehicle. Vehicle preceded to burn and was fully engulfed. Fire fighters extinguished fire.
Kept getting mail about a recall my car had didnt think it was that important so I stalled the process a little until I kept getting mail non stop about the matter so I finally find the time to take my car to get the recall done of course I imagined it will be a walk in the park due to the fact that it was free of charge, so after I get the recall done for fuel pump and airbags I pick vehicle up from the dealer everything seems to be fine, next day comes my car leaves me stranded on a random block and completely shuts down on me, what makes matters worst now im stuck somewhere and have to get a tow truck to take me somewhere im not bothering or move me out the way, I contact the dealer tel them whats going on they make me pay a tow truck to bring the car to them again, so I bring the car to the dealer and let them check over the work they just did on my car because I wasnt having any problems with my car before this literally none maybe a lightbulb went out that was about it nothing else even passes inspection with flying colors, so anyways pass that now they telling me that the problem is in the fuel system that they just was suppose to replace mind you I never had a problem with my vehicle and ive owned it a few years, so now I got this recall done and now this problem comes up, so now I agree to pay them 1100$ just to fix something that was suppose to be free which im not happy about one bit not only they take longer then they suppose too working on my car but few days after I pay them and take my vehicle now the same problem again !! get stranded so now im not thinking going back because I cant afford to have something else come up and have to pay once again ! so as of now I had to take my car to my own personal mechanic so he can fix a problem my car never had prior to this recall visit im furious and spend over 3000 trying to clean up the dealers mess !
The contact owns a 2008 BMW X5. The contact stated that the air conditioner failed to function while attempting to be used. Also, while driving approximately 55 mph, smoke appeared under the hood of the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to bimmer car care (2017 wabash ave, Chicago, il 60616) where it was diagnosed that the blower fan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Takata recall I have replace my key fob two time in one year each time it cost me $275 by BMW why can't BMW replace the key with a $2 like all its other models. Only the 2008 models cost that much
Water leakage on driver side rear- as well as accumulating in spare tire well submerging battery in 3 inches of water. Hi-fi amplifier - bluetooth- navigation- radio- sos damaged from this. All windows shut and vehicle filled with water.
While driving on the highway, the dashboard give error that the transmission has failed. Car loses power and would not accelerate. Pulled over to the sign and turned off engine. Subsequently, engine will not start or crank as if battery power is list. Engine can be restarted with a jumper or if the car is left for about 30 minute to an hour, the engine will start without a jumper.
While driving with the heat on, there's a burning smell that come through the vents. Continue driving with heat on long enough and despite the smell, the right side(passenger) began to smoke, so bad you cant see to drive... while driving and you press on the gas to accelerate, it's not a smooth transition, U cant beat a Honda... while driving every now and then U hear a loud screeching sound till you turn your car off... in stationary position with the car on, its makes loud engine running sounds... the car also pulls to the right...
After parking SUV, drivers side door will not unlock/open with double pull, however, using unlock button (unlocks all doors) door will unlock. In an accident, especially one involving fire, this could be a fatal safety issue. Worked fine up until yesterday, now it won't unlock; made three trips in the vehicle yesterday and the issue occurred all three times after parking.
The first occurrence was November 15 2015. The shut down happens intermittently without warning. After sitting 24 hours, the vehicle reboots and will start - it is then good for 7 days until it happens again. Several repair shops have diagnosed, but cannot identify/duplicate problem. Battery replaced, but did not remedy issue. First occurrence, vehicle was at complete stop - various messages on nav screen (warnings: Transmission malfunction, warned if vehicle is turned off, will not start again); on dash all lights were illuminated. Turned vehicle off, did not start again, as noted on nav screen. Next day, started with no problem. Towed to shop, but could not duplicate. Drove one week, then park brake came on. Next day, same alerts-this time while driving. Did not restart after turning off. Was able to start after 24 hours, but could only drive a few feet before totally shutting down in middle of the street while make a U turn. Towed to shop that night. Next morning, shop could not duplicate, as vehicle ran smoothly. Following week, returned to shop for further testing. Battery replaced and registered. When picking up vehicle, noticed nav screen was black, would not illuminate. 4 days later, it came on, but went out again the following day. The next day, engine shut down on interstate. While waiting for tow, wipers came on, door locks and windows would not work. Could not roll down window or open door to talk to safety patrol. Patrol jump started vehicle. It was later towed to dealer (where purchased). Nav screen is still black, dvd and cd do not work (cd changer spits out cds). Shifts very hard between gears. I am very afraid to drive this vehicle, as it cuts off intermittently and without notice. However, I have no choice, as I recently purchased it in August 2015; and I have too much negative equity to trade it for another vehicle.
The rear brake lights mounted in the tailgate failed. This is due to a known fault on the E70 model, where the poor quality sealant and method used to prevent the ingress of water into the lamp housing fails. This leads to corrosion of the connector housings and the failure of the unit which must be replaced in its entirity at great cost. As BMW are aware of this happening (indeed they issued a service bulletin admitting same ) si B 63 11 10 and the item is a safety component, I feel the cars should be recalled and the work undertaken at the cost of BMW and not the unfortunate owners. They should at the very least, replace the seals with the updated item (a neoprene gasket rather than something resembling bathroom caulk) at the next sheduled service before the driver finds themselves with two failed brake light units?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lenoir City, TN, USA