RoadVitals

2000 BMW 328I Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
112
Latest Jun 24, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
8

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 328I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

35
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

May of 2019 my driver door airbag, driver side front to rear pillar airbag bursted open while driving 30mph on a flat smooth road. Took to BMW dealer and they informed me that there was a recall and they'd look into it. Days later picked up my car and they said they went off from aftermarket items on my car. Which is absurdly inaccurate. I'm an auto mechanic of 10 years and nothing I've done to my car has any effect on the airbag or safety systems of my car period. They were extremely rude, didn't want to fix the over $5000 of damage that was done to my interior. Treated me like I was some idiot. And didn't offer me a loaner vehicle for the 3 days they had my car either like they guarantee they do in the event of recalls.

NHTSA ID 11422080 · filed Jun 24, 2021

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE EARLY MORNING STILL DARK ON A STATE ROAD AND RAINING VERY HARD COULD NOT SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE I HIT A POT HOLE. THAT'S WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN DEPLOYED ON THE RIGHT SIDE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HEADLINER AND A PILLAR POST. UNKNOWN WHY IT WENT OFF. I KNOW THERE'S A RECALL FOR THE FRONT AIRBAGS AND SOME FORUMS STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AS WELL. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND I COULD NOT SEE ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 11403437 · filed Mar 17, 2021
All 35 reports naming airbags

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

31
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMING APART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY BMW OF DECATUR (1606 CHURCH ST, DECATUR, GA 30033, (404) 994-4329) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID 11162050 · filed Dec 17, 2018

WHILE DRIVING ON THE ON THE FREEWAY I FELT AND HEARD A POPPING OR CLUNCK NOISE WHILE SHIFTING LIKE SOMETHING WAS GOING TO FALL OFF AND IT BECAME HARD TO CONTROL AND STEER SO I TOOK MY 2000 328I BMW INTO A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM IS THE SUBFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR, I WAS ALSO TOLD THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I LOOKED UP ONLINE AND THIS EXACT SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO OTHER MODELS OF THE BMW , I DONT DRIVE MY CAR HARD AND IT IS WELL MAINTAINED AND I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD RECALL THIS FACTORY ERROR AND PAY FOR IT

NHTSA ID 11128381 · filed Sep 10, 2018
All 31 reports naming body & structure

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE HAS ALL LIGHTS LIT-UP EXCEPT THE DRIVE THOUGH DASHBOARD HAS D LIT UP. I KNOW I AM IN DRIVE MODE. NO PROBLEM DRIVING THE CAR. IT IS VERY CONFUSING AND DEFINITELY VERY CONCERNING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10374685 · filed Jan 4, 2011

THIS MORNING I WENT TO BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE IN MY 2000 328I BMW AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE...NOTHING HAPPENED, IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE WOULD REV UP WHILE APPLYING GAS PEDAL BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I PUSHED THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE, GOT A RIDE TO WORK AND RETURNED 8 HOURS LATER. MY SON HELPED ME PUSH IT INTO STREET BECAUSE DRIVE STILL WORKED. I DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK THEN PULLED IN FRONT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO PUSH IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND TRIED REVERSE.......AMAZINGLY REVERSE WORKED. I LOOKED-UP THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN NJ IN 2008, CASE 2:07-CV-05755-DMC-MF. APPARENTLY THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10366495 · filed Nov 17, 2010
All 18 reports naming transmission

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR WAS MAKING UNHEALTHY NOISES WHILE BEING DRIVEN AND ALSO WHEN GETTING ON AND OFF THE THE VEHICLE. NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE REAR AND MOSTLY UNDERNEATH, AS TIME GOES BY THE NOISES WERE PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE SUB-FRAME COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF FROM THE MAIN FRAME OF THE CAR. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE PROBLEM CAN OR MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, EVEN DEATH.

NHTSA ID 11001190 · filed Jun 25, 2017

I BROUGHT THIS CAR ON 3-2-16 WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ISSUES . SAME DAY I DROVE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE I IMMEDIATELY CALL THEM THEY SAID I CAN BRING IT UP TOO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR FROM . WENT TOO SHOP NO ANSWER NO ONE WAS THERE SO I LEFT I THEN MADE APPT TOO GET IT CHECK OUT FOR 3/8/16 THEY TOLD ME BAD NEWS AND CAR IS UNSAFE TOO DRIVE I WENT BACK TOO THE SHOP THERE NOT EVEN TRYING TOO REFUND ME ANY MONEY BACK .

NHTSA ID 10845562 · filed Mar 8, 2016
All 11 reports naming suspension

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PARKED THE CAR AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN TO DRIVE AWAY, I COULDN'T BACK UP AFTER PUTTING IT IN REVERSE. ENGINED REVVED BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PUSH CAR OUT OF PARKING SPACE. DEALER WANTS $ 5000.00 TO FIX, WHAT THEY SAY IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2000 BMW 328I'S.

NHTSA ID 10915539 · filed Oct 12, 2016

REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNT POINT FAILURE. THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH CLASS ACTION SUIT IN 2009, AND WAS INSPECTED BY BMW IN 2010--WAS TOLD EVERYTHING IS OK AND IT WILL NOT FAIL SINCE ONLY ONES WITH VISIBLE DEFECT WILL FAIL. BUT MINE FAILED ANYWAY 5 YEARS LATER. THIS SHOWS EVEN IF THE DAMAGE/DEFECT IS NOT VISIBLE IT CAN MANIFEST ITSELF AT ANY TIME. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20MPH ON CITY STREETS GOING STRAIGHT, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, SHIFTING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSIVE BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR WITH AN ALARMING JOLT THAT TRIGGERED AN INTERIAL LOCK ON SEATBELTS, MADE ALL OCCUPANTS SCREAM IN SHOCK AND CHILDREN CRYING. INSPECTION OF UNDERCARRIAGE REVEALED THAT THE FLOOR PAN WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME ATTACHES TO HAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED, LEAVING DRIVER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME, DIFFERENTIAL, AND REAR AXLE FLOATING WITH CHUNKS OF SHEETMETAL FROM MOUNT POINT MISSING. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS FAILURE AND I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THE CAR, AND THE ONLY REASON OF FAILURE IS DEFECT IN THE CAR. MECHANICS BELIEVE THIS FAILURE POSES SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD SAYING IT CAN EASILY SEPARATE THE REAR AXLE AND IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING, THE SEPARATED REAR AXLE WILL PULL ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE AND LOCK IT UP, IMMEDIATELY STOPPING THE CAR. IF THIS HAPPENS ON A FREEWAY IT CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC COLLISION INCIDENT, ENDANGERING LIVES. THEY WERE SHOCKED THE CAR WAS NEVER FORMALLY RECALLED FOR SAFETY. HUNDREDS OF CARS ARE AFFECTED AND THIS IS JUST ONE GLIMPSE OF THE EXTENT OF THE FAILURES: HTTP://FORUM.E46FANATICS.COM/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=16850066&POSTCOUNT=1473 IT IS APPALLING THAT SUCH DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT IS SO WELL-KNOWN AND PREVALENT IN 1999-2000 BMW 3 SERIES HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED TO MAKE BMW ACCOUNTABLE. REPAIR ESTIMATE MIN. $5000

NHTSA ID 10821825 · filed Jan 23, 2016
All 9 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VENTS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE POWER CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID NEEDED FREQUENT TOP OFFS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID 11318718 · filed Mar 19, 2020

"TAKATA RECALL" I WAS HIT BY A DRIVER GOING APPROX 100MPH ON HIGHWAY 50E FROM BEHIND AND AFTER BEING SEVERALLY HIT MY TEKATA AIRBAG DAMAGED MY CHEST, HURT MY FACE, BURNED MY CLOTHES, ARMS, AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BREATHE. THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IF BMW HAD MORE AVAILABILITY TO INFORM, REPLACE AND FIX SUCH A HORRIFIC EVENT.

NHTSA ID 11064300 · filed Jan 22, 2018
All 8 reports naming engine

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULARS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOME OF THEM WERE MAKING NOISE (FOUND BROKEN PIECES INSIDE DURING REPAIR) AND SOME WINDOWS GOT STUCK HALF OPEN. DEALER ESTIMATED $600/- PER WINDOW TO REPLACE THE REGULATORS. I HAD IT FIXED OUTSIDE FOR $250/- PER WINDOW, TOTAL COST $1000/-. DEALER INDICATED THE ISSUE WAS CAUSED BECAUSE OF TEXAS HOT WEATHER. I GUESS WE NEED TO KEEP THE CAR IN AIR CONDITION. THIS PART IS FAULTY AND BMW SHOULD RECALL IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10374682 · filed Jan 4, 2011

RE. BMW 328I, YEAR 2000. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM FAILURES ON THIS CAR. THIS IS "MORE THAN IT'S FAIR SHARE". THESE FAILURES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL OR TSB ON THIS? THANK YOU, SAM KELLER. *NM

NHTSA ID 10173775 · filed Nov 17, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERES A PROBLEM WITH THE GM5 MODULE INSIDE BMW'S THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED MY CURRENTLY ISN'T WORKING AND NONE OF MY DOORS WILL OPEN WHICH I CONSIDER A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. BMW NEEDS TO AKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE WITH THEIR CARS.

NHTSA ID 10993009 · filed Jun 3, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND HEADLINER AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HEAD LINER MODULE, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AIR BAG MODULE, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TRIM PANEL, BATTERY, AND BATTERY CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V223000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID 10745056 · filed Jul 30, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY CRASH OR ANY OBVIOUS REASON. WE DROVE THROUGH SOME ROCKS & DEBRIS ON THE SHOULDER GETTING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AND STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRES WERE PUNCTURED AND LEAKING AIR (APPARENTLY FROM THE DEBRIS) AND SUBSEQUENTLY WENT FLAT A WEEK LATER. WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF INADVERTANT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. EVEN IN LIGHT OF THE RECALL, BMW IS INSISTING THAT WE WERE "INVOLVED IN AN UNDER-BODY CRASH" AND THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A WARRANTY REPAIR. THE ONLY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED ONLY *AFTER* THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DT

NHTSA ID 769783 · filed Nov 16, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH HIT A CURB TIRE BLEWOUT, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA ID 8017901 · filed Sep 4, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE RECALIBRATED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V223000 (AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW), THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE BY A POLICE OFFICER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE BULBS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER REPLACING THE LIGHT BULBS SO THE BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS THEN REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V048000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH), THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL EITHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/04/12*LJ

NHTSA ID 10437453 · filed Nov 28, 2011

WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WHEN BRAKES GAVE OUT. CAR HIT 2 TREES AND CAME TO STOP. $6500 BODY DAMAGE. BODY DAMAGE REPAIRED. BREAKS AFTER INSPECTION REQUIRE OVER $1500 REPAIR. BREAK CALIPERS BENT. TECHNICIAN ATTRIBUTES BREAK FAILURE TO CALIPERS BEING DEFECTIVE AND WEAK IN ALL 3 SERIES AND 5 SERIES BMW.

NHTSA ID 10123691 · filed May 31, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND VEHICLE STARTED RACING & MOVING. CONSUMER SHIFTED GEAR INTO PARK , BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL MOVING. THEN, CONSUEMR REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. WILL BE CONTACTING DEALER TODAY. *AK

NHTSA ID 863278 · filed Jun 8, 2000

THROTTLE - ENGINE CUTS OUT, THEN THROTTLE PEDAL ACCELERATES BY ITSELF, I.E. NO FOOT PRESSURE. GARAGE TRACED TO FAULTY THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. AIR CONDITIONER? - CAR MADE HISSING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT BEING FILLED WITH THICK WHITE SMOKE. GARAGE (PERILLO BMW) INVESTIGATING. *AK

NHTSA ID 721988 · filed Apr 26, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BROUGHT THIS CAR ON 3-2-16 WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO ISSUES . SAME DAY I DROVE IT WAS MAKING A NOISE I IMMEDIATELY CALL THEM THEY SAID I CAN BRING IT UP TOO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR FROM . WENT TOO SHOP NO ANSWER NO ONE WAS THERE SO I LEFT I THEN MADE APPT TOO GET IT CHECK OUT FOR 3/8/16 THEY TOLD ME BAD NEWS AND CAR IS UNSAFE TOO DRIVE I WENT BACK TOO THE SHOP THERE NOT EVEN TRYING TOO REFUND ME ANY MONEY BACK .

NHTSA ID 10845562 · filed Mar 8, 2016

THE FUEL HOSE IS LEAKING FUEL, WHICH COULD DANGEROUS BECAUSE A FIRE CAN EASILY OCCUR. OWNER WILL TAKE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. *NM

NHTSA ID 10107345 · filed Jan 13, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE LOCKS ON MY 2000 BMW 328I VIN ([XXX]) DO NOT WORK ANYMORE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BECAUSE THE POWER LOCKS THAT PROBABLY ARE ACCEPTABLE TO FAIL OVER TIME HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY. THIS MEANS IN EVENT OF A COLLISION THE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE COULD NOT EGRESS TO SAFETY. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX AND SHOULD NOTIFY OTHERS THAT HAVE THE SAME VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM BEGAN 3 YEARS AGO WHERE THE LOCKS OCCASIONALLY (1/300 APPROX) WOULD FAIL BUT AFTER SEVERAL PRESSES OF THE KEY IT WOULD OPEN AND OPERATE NORMALLY. OVER THE LAST YEAR THE LOCKS HAVE FAILED HALF THE TIME WHEN IT IS COLD OUT (< 30 DEGREES F APPROX) AND ARE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE WHEN IT IS HOT OUT (> 90 DEGREES F APPROX). AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT IT NEEDS A REPLACEMENT OF THE GM5 MODULE. THIS REPAIR WAS QUOTED TO ME BY THE DEALER AT OVER $700! THAT IS $700 TO FIX A PART THAT SHOULD WORK. SOMETHING THAT OVERRIDES A PASSENGER FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FAIL. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE AT RISK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PLEASE HELP TO EITHER FORCE BMW TO REPLACE THESE MODULES ON VEHICLES OR STOP PEOPLE FROM OPERATING THEM, THEY'RE DANGEROUS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10407133 · filed Jun 16, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE EXACT DATE UNKNOWN. IT WAS DURING HEAVY RAINS IN SAN DIEGO. INSURANCE CO. SAID I NEED A DATE. WE PUT DOWN NOV 02 2005. DURING HEAVY RAIN SAN DIEGO DEVELOPS HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF POT HOLES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, THE CAR RAN INTO A LARGE POT HOLE. THE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ACCORDING TO THE MAN THAT INSTALLED NEW TIRES ON THE CAR. AT LATER WEEKS THE CAR WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES, I THOUGHT IT WAS REAR SHOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY SON TOOK THE CAR TO BMW REPAIR SHOP. AFTER THE INSPECTION MY SON WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT SHOCK BUT THAT THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES BODY SHOP AND INSURANCE ADJUSTER EXAMINED THE CAR AND SAID THAT HE CONTACTED BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS METAL FATIGUE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. (THE INSURANCE CO.) BMW DOES NOT HAVE A REGULAR FRAME THAT OTHER CARS DO. ALL THE WHEELS AND OTHER PARTS ARE HELD UP BY SOME KIND OF JOINT THAT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME. HE GAVE ME AN EXAMPLE "IF YOU HAVE A TOWEL RACK IN THE BATHROOM AND SOME ONE PULLS IT DOWN YOU KNOW HOW SCREWS AND DRY WALL WILL LOOK LIKE?" HE BLAMES IT ON MANUFACTURER DEFECT BECAUSE THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. *NM UPDATED *JB ON FEBRUARY 6, 2006 BMW ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLES DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE BODY SHOP BEING REPAIRED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *NM

NHTSA ID 10144320 · filed Mar 28, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THROTTLE - ENGINE CUTS OUT, THEN THROTTLE PEDAL ACCELERATES BY ITSELF, I.E. NO FOOT PRESSURE. GARAGE TRACED TO FAULTY THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. AIR CONDITIONER? - CAR MADE HISSING NOISE FOLLOWED BY THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT BEING FILLED WITH THICK WHITE SMOKE. GARAGE (PERILLO BMW) INVESTIGATING. *AK

NHTSA ID 721988 · filed Apr 26, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CRASH - NO INJURIES. XENON HEADLIGHTS OF A 328I 2000 BMW. LOW FLAT BEAM NOTED TO BE A PROBLEM - I CAME UP UPON FOUR VERTICAL STICKS IN THE CENTER OF THE ROAD, A RURAL 2 LANE COUNTRY ROAD, ON A DARK NIGHT. WHEN I WAS APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THEM, THE LIGHT REFLECTING FROM THE ROAD, ILLUMINATED THE UNDERSIDE OF A DEER. LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I ASKED THE BMW DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ,AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE RAISED BECAUSE THE XENON LIGHTS WOULD BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS, AND THEY WERE AT THE CORRECT HEIGHT. ONE YEAR LATER, MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, AND HIT A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK. CONDITIONS - NIGHT, RECENT SNOW PLOWED STREETS CAUSED THE PICKUP TO PARK A FOOT AND A HALF FROM THE CURB. THE TRUCK WAS A DARK GREEN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, FARM PICKUP (HIGH BUMPER)(MID BUMPER MEASURES 27" OFF PAVEMENT). MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. NEITHER SEEN THE PICKUP UNTIL THE LAST SECOND. MY DAUGHTER SPOTTED IT FIRST AND SCREAMED. MY SON LOOKED OVER AT HER AND LOOKED BACK JUST AS THEY HIT IT. I DO NOT BELIEVE HE EVEN HIT THE BRAKES. HOWEVER, HE STARTED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT. THE BUMPER OF THE CAR WENT UNDER THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK , HITTING ONLY THE TRUCK'S SPARE TIRE AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THE TRUCK'S BUMPER DID HIT THE RADIATOR AND VALVE COVER OF THE ENGINE. THE BMW WAS TOTALED - THE RIGHT SHOCK TOWER WAS MOVED BACK BY ABOUT 5 INCHES. THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF - DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IS BECAUSE, "THE BUMPERS DID NOT HIT". THE TRUCK HAD MINIMAL DAMAGE - BENT BUMPER, TRUCK BED WAS ELEVATED AND DID DENT THE BACK OF THE CAB/DRIVERS SIDE. I BELIEVE THAT THE XENON LIGHTS PROBABLY DID NOT ILLUMINATE THE PARKED TRUCK ADEQUATELY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT SHINE HIGH ENOUGH. HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR OTHER DRIVERS OF BMWS AND MERCEDES.*AK

NHTSA ID 10148894 · filed Jan 28, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .