RoadVitals

2011 BMW 328I Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints 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.
19
Latest Nov 29, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 573 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 BMW 328I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 29, 2024

Unknown

NHTSA ID
11627962
Incident
Nov 24, 2024
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 8, 2023

Engine is making weird noise and a mechanic told me it’s related to this recall that still has “no remedy” when it should’ve been a recall YEARS ago when the cars first came out and this issue became more apparent. I do not want to keep driving the car I paid hard earned money for just for a manufacturer defect to destroy it

NHTSA ID
11559067
Incident
Dec 4, 2023
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Mar 7, 2021

[XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11399568
Incident
Jan 24, 2016
Mileage
101,010 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 6, 2020

MY CAR STARTED GIVING ERROR CODES OF CHASSIS STABILIZATION MALFUNCTION ERRORS. IT STARTED DRAINING THE BATTERY (NEW BATTERY LESS THAN A YEAR) WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE JUMPED. THE DEALER SAID THE POWER SUPPLY CABLE FROM THE BATTERY TO THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE STARTED THEN WOULDN'T RUN NORMAL AND THEN BATTERY WAS DEAD. ONCE JUMPED IT RAN BUT SHAKES BAD.

NHTSA ID
11297502
Incident
Dec 12, 2019
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 2, 2020

BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC (BMW) IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2006-2011 323I, 325I, 325XI, 328I, 328XI, 330I, 330XI, 335I, 335XI AND M3, 2007-2011 328I XDRIVE, 335I XDRIVE AND 335IS AND 2009-2011 335D VEHICLES. THE WIRING AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR THE SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS AIR FLOW FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM MAY OVERHEAT. CONSEQUENCE WIRING THAT OVERHEATS COULD CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO MELT, AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNATTENDED. I HAVE BEEN SMELLING BURNING RUBBER AND AT TIMES IT LOOKS AS IF THE CAR IS SMOKING. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MATTER BUT WAS OUT ON BED REST DUE TO HIGH RISK PREGNANCY. I DID HAVE THE CAR SERVICED. PLEASE ADVISE!

NHTSA ID
11296633
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 7, 2019

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED AND LOST POWER. I TRIED TO RESTART WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY STREET WITH SEVERAL CARS BEHIND AND COMING FROM OPPISIT DIRECTION. I PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND JUMPED OUT LEAVING THE VEHICLE WHILE WATCHING AND LOOKING AT OTHER CARS AVOIDING FROM HITTING IT. TWO JENTALMAN CAN TO HELP ME PUSH IT OUT OF TH THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. MY SISTER WAS WITH ME AND WAS TELLING TO TO PULL TO THE SIDE BUT WITH NO POWER THE CAR WAS STIFF/SUFF AND BRAKES WAS ALSO STIFF. VERY SCRARY!THE VEHICLE WAS JUST RELEASED FROM THE DEALER 2/26/2019. ON A RECALL BLOWER MOTER WIRING AND RECALL PCV VALVE HEATER./CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON,ENGINE MAKING KNOCKING SOUND. ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS.

NHTSA ID
11194509
Incident
Apr 3, 2019
Mileage
129,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Nov 30, 2018

THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, BUT NOTHING WOULD BE WRONG WITH THE CAR AT LEAST I THOUGHT.

NHTSA ID
11155274
Incident
Dec 29, 2017
Mileage
6,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 6, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECIEVED SEVERAL RECALL LETTERS REGARDING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE NOTICED MY CAR DRIVING DIFFERENTLY, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE BEING IN THE CAR OR HAVING OTHERS IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE READ THE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND IT HAS STATED THAT CAR CAN GO ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING OR NOT AND PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THE VEHICLE MY FAMIY AND MY SAFETY COMES FIRST.

NHTSA ID
11149697
Incident
Jun 5, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 23, 2018

WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAIL UNDER HARD BREAKING HAPPENED 2 TIMES CAR BRAKES ABS AND ANTI SWERVE SYSTEM STOP WORKING AND BREAKING IS AFFECTED HARD PEDDLE STOPPING DISTANCE AFFECTED. BMW REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTEE BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE 2 THAT ARE WORKING UNTIL THEY FAIL. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR FOR SCHOOL AND IT IS A SAFETY HANSARD THAT BMW WILL NOT REPLACE. HAPPENED TWICE ONCE IN TOWN THE OTHER TIME ON HIGHWAY HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO DEALER BOTH TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11113119
Incident
Jun 21, 2018
Mileage
48,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 6, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF ROCKVILLE AT (301) 476-0126 (1300 ROCKVILLE PIKE, MD 20852) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11100170
Incident
Sep 19, 2017
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed May 15, 2018

OVERHEATING

NHTSA ID
11094053
Incident
May 15, 2018
Mileage
35 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 15, 2018

I BOUGHT A USED 2011 BMW 328I FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. I DROVE IT HOME THE FIRST DAY STARTED TO OVERHEAT. I CHECKED THE CARFAX ON THE CAR & IT HAS 2 RECALLS. IS IT ILLEGAL FOR A DEALER TO SELL ME A CAR KNOWING IT HAS A 2 SAFETY RECALLS?

NHTSA ID
11085150
Incident
Apr 12, 2018
AirbagsDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 14, 2018

THE VEHICLES RDC MODULE THAT COMMUNICATES TO THE TPMS GETS WET AND CAUSES A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. THIS MODULE ON IS LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL SPLASH SHIELD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IS EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN AND LOCATION. FAILURE HAPPENED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND EVEN WHEN OFF AND IT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL SAFETY FUNCTION. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE.

NHTSA ID
11062664
Incident
Jan 13, 2018
Mileage
104,209 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 28, 2017

WHEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED OF 10 MPH OR LOWER AND DECELERATING (APPLYING THE BRAKE, COMING TO A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE) OR AT A STATIONARY POSITION - THE VEHICLE IS SURGING FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. ENGINE IS NOT STALLING BUT OFTEN FEELS LIKE IT COULD AFTER SURGING FORWARD. SURGES FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE BREAK IS APPLIED. THIS HAS HAPPEND A NUMBER OF TIMES. TAKEN TO BMW DEALERSHIPS AND THEY REPORT NOTHING WRONG (NO SAFETY RECALL) BUT IT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. FEAR FACTOR OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE THIS IS ESCALATING. HAVE ASKED FRIENDS TO DRIVE OUR VEHICLE AND THEY VERIFY AND VALIDATE IT OCCURS FOR THEM AS WELL UNDER THE SAME CIRMCUMSTANCES.

NHTSA ID
11030352
Incident
Sep 28, 2017
Mileage
69,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 19, 2016

FOURTH WHEEL SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED TODAY. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 27,000 MILES. THE FIRST SENSOR FAILED WHEN THE CAR WAS ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS OLD. THE FACT THAT ALL FOUR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAVE FAILED SUGGESTS TO ME A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT THE ABS, STABILITY CONTROL, AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE DISABLED WHEN THIS HAPPENS.

NHTSA ID
10897252
Incident
Aug 10, 2016
Mileage
27,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Sep 27, 2014
Crash reported

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE ACCELERATED VIOLENTLY CAUSING IT TO CRASH OVER THE CURB AND AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. MINUTES BEFORE THIS CRASH I NOTICED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO ACCELERATE AND RPM RISED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AIRBAG SEEMS TO HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639507
Incident
Sep 26, 2014
Mileage
36,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 14, 2014
Crash reported

AS I WAS MOVING MY CAR FROM A SMALL PARKING LOT NEAR MY HOME, I WAS REVERSING THE CAR AND NOTICED THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE CAR HIT THE BASE OF THE POLE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO MY REAR BUMPER. SINCE I FELT THE IMPACT, I WAS VERY CAUTIOUS AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE MODE TO EXIT THE PARKING LOT WITH VERY LITTLE GAS APPLIED, BUT THE CAR TOOK OFF SUDDENLY AND HIT A PARKED CAR WITH A HUGE IMPACT. IT ALMOST TOTALED THE OTHER CAR AND MY CAR WAS VERY BADLY DAMAGED. INITIAL ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS AROUND $7,911 BY THE BMW AUTHORIZED BODY SHOP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER NEXT DAY ASKING THEM TO CHECK IF MY CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR HAS TO BE INSPECTED BY THE BMW ENGINEER, AND THE DEALER CAN'T TOUCH THE CAR BECAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUE. I CALLED THE BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP DEPT. RIGHT AWAY, AND THEY SCHEDULED AN ENGINEER TO COME AND LOOK AT MY CAR. ONE WEEK LATER, A BMW ENGINEER CAME TO THE BODY SHOP AND DOWNLOADED THE DATA, AND TODAY I WAS NOTIFIED BY BMW THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A LOCAL BMW DEALER AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE LAST YEAR WITH ABOUT 23K MILES ON IT AND STILL HAS THE WARRANTY.I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE MY FAMILY DOESN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE AND SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON BIMMERFEST AND ONE ON YOUR SITE FOR THE 2011 BMW 328I, REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I ASKED THEM BMW TO REPLACE THE CAR, WHICH THEY WOULDN'T DO. I REQUESTED BMW TO SEND A LETTER STATING THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE ALONG WITH A REPORT ABOUT THEIR FINDINGS, SINCE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE MY CAR. NOT SURE IF THEY WILL SEND ME ONE.AS A GOOD CITIZEN WITH GOOD DRIVING RECORD, I AM REALLY SCARED ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR WHICH IN MY OPINION IS NOT SAFE. I AM HOPING THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT WILL INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER CAREFULLY, AND GET A BETTER RESOLUTION TO MY ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588422
Incident
Apr 28, 2014
Mileage
27,500 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Feb 19, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

2011 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, SHE NOTICED WHEN DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 10 MPH OR LOWER, APPLYING THE BRAKE, OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE SAME SURGING FOR A SECOND TIME, AS SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CURB AND INTO SOME BUSHES. AS A RESULT, SHE RECEIVED WHIP-LASH TO HER NECK AND SLIGHTLY BRUISED HER ELBOWS, KNEES AND HURT HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. BMW SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE A WEEK LATER, THE CONSUMER AND HER HUSBAND CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE. A MONTH LATER, THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A PARKED SUV IN FRONT OF HIM, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND IT WAS READY FOR PICK-UP. HOWEVER, TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE SURGED AGAIN, AS THE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED THREE TIMES, WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS OF FINDING THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANISM/GEAR WOULD SHIFT WHEN DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED OR RIDING THE BRAKE AT A LOW SPEED WHEN COMING TO A STOP. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SAGGED ON THE RIGHT SIDE, WHICH HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MECHANICS, BUT IT CANNOT BE FIXED. UPDATED 05/13/14. *JB UPDATED 06/10/14

NHTSA ID
10564110
Incident
Jan 11, 2013
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 22, 2013

THROTTLE RESPONSE TO PRESSING ACCELERATOR LAGS DANGEROUSLY. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE LACK OF RESPONSE HAS PLACED ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THERE IS ADEQUATE RESPONSE SO CAR DOES NOT MOVE OR ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY EVEN THOUGH ACCELERATOR PRESSED DOWN ALL THE WAY. ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED LAST NIGHT AS I PULLED OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A ROAD AND ONCOMING CARS NEARLY REAR-ENDED MY CAR BECAUSE MY 2011 BMW 328I WOULD NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO MY PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; THE CAR BARELY ACCELERATED AND EVEN SLOWED FURTHER FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE THROTTLE RESPONDED AND BEGAN PICKING UP SPEED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT THE BMW EARLIER YESTERDAY AND THEY SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE A FIX FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553290
Incident
Jul 15, 2013

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.

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Data on this page last refreshed .