2008 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 691 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 15 involved a crash and 63 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Mar 2, 2022
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 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
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.
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.
Campaign 22V119000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, cooling system, fanAug 10, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalJul 8, 2009
BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.
IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 09V257000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
212 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Dec 5, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A FUEL STATION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES FROM EXCESSIVE SMOKE INHALATION. THERE WAS NO MEDICAL ATTENTION REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. AAA WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE WIRING OF THE VEHICLE WAS IN POOR CONDITION. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Dec 4, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE INTERIM RECALL NOTICE INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY AND REPAIR PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHEN THE SECOND LETTER WOULD BE SENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, INDICATING THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND WAS TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Nov 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2017
I LOCKED THE CAR DOORS WHILE DRIVING USING THE DASHBOARD SWITCH. UPON ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK, I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR WITH THE DASH SWITCH, KEY FOB OR INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE BY CRAWLING OVER THE CONSOLE BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. HAD AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED PREVENTING EGRESS VIA THE PASSENGER DOOR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIR INVOLVED REPLACING A 15 AMP FUSE WITH A 20 AMP FUSE AND HAS OCCURRED WITH SOME BMW CARS. BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE VIA RECALL.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 8, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF THE SMOKE. THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT, DUE TO THE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN OVERHEATING, THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND THE AUXILIARY COOLING FAN AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED MOMENTUM BMW AT (855) 645-6452 (10002 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074), BUT THE CALL WAS DISCONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 24, 2017
THE CAR IS NO GOOD ..THE COMPANY SOLD ME A UN SAFE CAR
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2017, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR I WASN'T DRIVING MY CAR NO MORE THAN 15 MIN. I FELT MY AC CUT OFF THEN I SAW WHITE SMOKE ABOVE THE DASHBOARD I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND RAISE THE HOOD UP NO SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ABOVE THE DASHBOARD THEN FLAMES FELL OUT ABOVE THE GLOVE APARTMENT IN WHICH THE ENTIRE CAR CAUGHT FIRE MY CAR WAS WELL TAKING CARE OF NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEM WIT MY CAR (A BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC WORK ON MY CAR ) IM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT MY CAR CATCHING ON FIRE FOR NO REASON AT ALL I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE.
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2017
CAR IS TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE RPM NEEDLE DROPPED AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED. ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS COULD ALSO BE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE STALLING WOULD OCCUR AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A NOTIFICATION LETTER WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 19, 2017, fire
I OWNED A 2008 BMW 335I FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS. LAST MONTH I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AFTER PICKING IT UP FROM DEALER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILED AND ALSO WENT FOR THE BATTERY RECALL. DRIVING BACK FROM THE DEALER BACK TO MY APARTMENT WAS ABOUT 30-40 MINUTES. SO RIGHT WHEN I PULLED INTO THE APARTMENT PARKING LOT, I NOTICED MY TRUNK WAS SMOKING THROUGH MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I QUICKLY TRIED TO PARK SOMEWHERE EMPTY, THEN I GOT OUT AND I SAW THE REAR END OF THE CAR WAS FLAMING UP. IT TOOK LESS THAN 20 MINUTES, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS COVERED WITH FIRE. SINCE THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE REAR, I AM SURE THAT'S THE BATTERY WIRE CONNECTION THAT CAUSED THIS. I AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I DD THIS CAR AND ONLY HAPPEN AFTER THE SERVICE FROM THE DEALER. ALSO WHY BMW DESIGN AND POSITION THE FREAKING BATTERY AND WIRES BEHIND THE GAS TANK?
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2017, fire
ACCORDING TO FIRE FIGHTERS THE CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED A FIRE. THE SMOKE AND BURN PATTERNS INDICATED THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE FRONT DASH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, NOTHING WAS ON, NO ELECTRICAL DEVICES PLUGGED IN. IT HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN SEVERAL HOURS, NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR (DOORS WERE STILL LOCKED, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NO LONGER OPERATED AND THE WINDOWS HAD TO BE BROKEN TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE). THE FIRE MELTED THE FRONT DASH, ESPECIALLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, SMOLDERED FOR QUITE A WHILE, AND WAS HOT ENOUGH TO CRACK THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THERE IS EXTENSIVE FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE CAR.
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2017, fire
ON JUNE 24TH 2017 AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AT MY HOUSE IN MY 2008 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED BMW 328XI, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON AND HE NOTICED SMOKED COMING FROM THE VENTS. I TURNED MY HEAD AROUND TO SEE WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE VENTS AND GLOVE BOX AREA. I IMMEDIATELY UNBUCKLED HIM FROM HIS CAR SEAT AND TOLD HIM TO GET OUT. I EXITED THE VEHICLE, DIALED 911, AND GOT HIM TO A SAFE DISTANCE. I COULD SEE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE (BASED ON LOCATION AND SMELL) COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BOARD NEAR THE GLOVE BOX, WITHIN 4 MINUTES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS PHYSICALLY INJURED. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR SAYS THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE GLOVE BOX AREA WHERE A FUSE PANEL AND BATTERY CABLE ARE LOCATED AS IDENTIFIED IN THE FIRE REPORT ATTACHED. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION AT THE FUSE PANEL LOCATED UNDER THE GLOVE BOX. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IN 2013 THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000) FOR THE VEHICLES POWER CABLE ATTACHED TO THE FUSE BOX THAT WAS FIXED; HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS EITHER FIXED IMPROPERLY BY BMW OR THE RECALL DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE.
Electrical system, Jun 23, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, A FIRE STARTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND A FIRE INSPECTOR EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE INSPECTION REPORT WAS NOT PROVIDED AT THE TIME. THE FIRE BEGAN NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Structure, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, NONE OF THE DOORS (EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR) WOULD UNLOCK OR OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2017
POWER LOCK SYSTEM FAILED TRAPPING WIFE INSIDE WHILE STOPPED ON A PARKING LOT. NO MANUAL OVERRIDE ON DOOR HANDLES. WIFE DROVE HOME AND TRIED TO USE VALET KEY REACHING FROM INSIDE THRU WINDOW TO UNLOCK DOOR. VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. SHE DROPPED KEY. SHE WAS THEN TRAPPED. ONLY MEANS OF EGRESS AT THAT POINT AS PER ON LINE BMW REP WAS TO CLIMB OUT WINDOW. HAS HIGH POTENTIAL FOR INJURY FOR MOST FOLKS IF DONE ALONE. FORTUNATLLEY I ARRIVED ON SCENE AND UNLOCKED DOOR. IF VERY FRAIL 93 YR OLD MOTHER HAD BEEN IN PASSENGER SEAT RESCUE/EXTRACTION WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EXCRUTIATING AND REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE. POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE CONSEQUENCES IF MEDICAL EMERGENCY. BMW PROVIDES NO WARNING OF THIS EVENTUALITY OR INSTRUCTION ON SAFE EGRESS FROM VEHICLE IF VALET KEY IS DROPPED BY DRIVER. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE NO KEY WAS AVAIALABLE [DURING VEHICLE CLEANING FOR INSTANCE] . PERSON COULD NOT OPEN WINDOW AND BE TRAPPED AND FORCED TO BREAK WINDOW OR WAIT FOR HELP. MY WIFE HAS GONE IN CAR W OUT/ A KEY WHILE I'M ON BUSINESS AND COULD CONCEIVABLY HAVE BEEN TRAPPED FOR DAYS. BMW SAYS NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO MERIT ANY ATTENTION. BMW BLOGS HOWEVER HAVE NUMEROUS REFERENCES OF THIS ISSUE TO THIS SERIES OF VEHICLE!! WIFE WAS HIGHLY STRESSED AND AFRAID TO USE EITHER OF OUR 90/91 SERIES BMW'S.
Electrical system, Nov 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2016
I GOT LOCKED IN MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WILL NOT UNLOCK.THIS CAN CAUSE DEATH ON A HOT DAY.THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 BMW 328XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S HOUSE, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT, WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2016
HEAD LIGHT WIRING SHEATHING IS DETERIORATING , IT IS FLAKING OFF CAUSING WIRES TO TOUCH, IT HAS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND FRIED MY LIGHTING BALLAST AND BLOWN HEADLIGHT BULB.
Electrical system, Aug 15, 2016
6 WEEKS AGO MY CAR LOST ALL POWER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC THAT HAS WORKED ON AND REPAIRED MY CAR BEFORE. THEY REPLACED THE FUSE BOX AND ALL FUSES ($678.00) WHICH DIDNT FIX THE CAR. BECAUSE THEY WERE AT AN IMPASSE WITH THE REPAIRS I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO BMW MERCEDES SPECIALIST ($110.00). MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SECOND SHOP FOR A MONTH....IT STILL WILL NOT START. SO, THIS WEEKEND I GOT ONLINE AND DID SOME DIGGING ABOUT THE 2008 BMW 328I REPAIR HISTORY. AS IT TURNS OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BATTERY CABLE IN MARCH ON 2013. I BOUGHT THE CAR IS JAN. 2013. DID NOT RECEIVE OR WAS I MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL. SO NOW I AM OUT $1000.00 NOT TO MENTION WHAT I OWE THE SECOND REPAIRS SHOP. AND BMW USA INFORMS ME THAT I NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AT MY EXPENSE TO A BMW DEALERSHIP...AND HAVE THE CABLE REPAIRED THERE TO HAVE THE REPAIR COVERED BY BMW. FIRST OF ALL BMW IS LIABLE TO HAVE INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL...WHICH THEY DID NOT. SO, ITS MY UNDERSTANDING BY LAW I HAVE TO BE COMPLETELY REMEDIED MONETARILY BY BMW FOR ALL AND ANY COSTS RELATED TO THE RECALL. BMW IS TRYING TO STRONG ARM ME INTO BRINGING MY CAR TO THEM. MY CAR IS ALREADY TAKEN APART AT THE SECOND MECHANICS SHOP....I HAVE ALREADY BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 6 WEEKS. PLEASE REVIEW MY SITUATION AND ADVISE ME OF MY RIGHTS. AND THE LAWS THAT APPLY TO THIS RECALL
Electrical system, Aug 2, 2016
MY CAR ABRUPTLY LOSSES ALL POWER. IT'S LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY (3 TIMES), AT STOP LIGHTS (TOO MANY TO COUNT) AND AFTER THE CAR SITS; EITHER AT WORK, OVER NIGHT OR EVEN IF I'M OUT RUNNING ERRANDS. IN OTHER WORDS, THE POWER FAILURE CANNOT BE DUPLICATED, IT HAPPENS RANDOMLY (MY CAR IS UNABLE TO START AS I TYPE THIS!!). NEEDLESS TO SAY MY LIFE AS WELL AS MY FAMILIES SAFETY HAVE BEEN PUT TO THE TEST SEVERAL TIMES. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CAR LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I COULDN'T MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND ENDED UP STALLING IN THE SLOW LANE. AFTER SPENDING A SMALL FORTUNE TRYING TO FIX THIS DILEMMA A FRIEND SENT ME THIS LETTER THAT THE NHTSA SENT TO BMW IN 2013 REGRADING A POWER FAILURE THAT MANY CARS WERE EXPERIENCING AT THE TIME. HERE'S THE LETTER: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/UCM433921/RCAK-13V044-6848.PDF I'VE ALSO DRAFTED BMW THIS LETTER I SENT THEM YESTERDAY: (IN PART) TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I AM WRITING TO VOICE GRAVE CONCERN REGARDING MY M3, WHICH HAS: 1). LOST POWER SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS (NEAR REAR END COLLISION) 2). LOST POWER AT STOP LIGHTS AND SEVERAL TIMES AS I STARTED TO ACCELERATE 3). CONSISTENT FAILURE TO START THE CAR (NO POWER) OR IT TRIES TO START AND IMMEDIATELY TURNS OFF AFTER A BRIEF SECOND IN ADDITION TO THE IMMINENT DANGER TO MY FAMILY AND OTHERS, THIS HAS COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THE INCLUDED LINK BELOW SHOWS A DOCUMENT WHICH WAS SENT BY THE NHTSA TO BMW NA IN 2013. I WAS HAPPY TO REALIZE THAT BMW ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM FOR THE E92 3 SERIES (MY CAR SHARES THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE MENTIONED FAULTY PART), BUT I WAS EQUALLY SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL WHICH IS WHAT MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 5, 2016
THE CAR'S AIRBAG FAILURE WARNING LIGHT, AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT STARTED GOING OFF WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, INDICATING THAT THERE IS NO AIRBAG/PASSENGER SEAT BELT FUNCTION IN THE CAR. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT AND INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CARS UP UNTIL THE 2007 MODEL YEAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT BMW HAS YET TO EXTEND THE RECALL TO THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. BMW STILL HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, AND I WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO PERFORM AN INVESTIGATION AS THIS LOOKS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V-564. THE LIGHTS COME ON WHETHER STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, WHETHER A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR THE SEAT IS EMPTY.
Electrical system, Jun 21, 2016
MY FAMILY TOOK HE CAR TO THE GROCERY STORE AND WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE CAR, THE DRIVERS DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN. I EVENTUALLY DISCOVERED THAT FUSE #73 FAILED CAUSING THE DOORS TO LOCK THE PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CAR. INITIALLY IT WAS JUST THE DRIVERS DOOR, BUT AS I WAS PRESSING THE DOOR LOCK BUTTONS ON THE KEY AND THE CENTRAL LOCKING BUTTON ALL DOOR WERE EVENTUALLY AFFECTED. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE PASSENGERS COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 17, 2016, fire
I HAD A FUNNY CABLE OR PLASTIC SMELL INSIDE THE CAR . COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS. WHILE DRIVING THE SMELL WENT WORST . I STOPPED TO GET A FLASHLIGHT FROM MY TRUNK TO SEE IF SOMETHING IN MY ENGINE WAS BURNING. WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK I SEEN THAT THE BATTERY WAS BURNING THE PLASTIC OVER THE CONNECTORS. I HAVE CALLED LAST YEAR WHEN I PURCHEASED THIS CAR YO CHECK ON ANY RECALS. I WAS TOLD THERE WASN'T ANY RECALS . BY BMW VISTA EMPLOYEES .
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THAT IT WAS ILLUMINATED BECAUSE SHE PLACED GROCERIES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN THE GROCERIES WERE REMOVED, THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.