2011 BMW 328I Powertrain (other) Problems

I recently brought my 2011BMW 328i in for recalls and a shutter noise. My vehicle is equipped with the N51 SULEV motor. I recently was not able to set monitors for smog due to a shutter issue. I was told by a reliable mechanic it was the torque converter, and it is covered under the SULEV warranty. I was shocked when Bob told me that the torque converter was not covered under BMW SULEV warranty. It clearly states that in the SULEV warranty and my car only has 123,000 miles. He proceeded to call my car "a can of worms" and told me the technician simply does not want to work on my car. I know for a fact my Torque Converter and Mechatronik are covered under the SULEV warranty. I was simply kicked to the curb. This is unethical and my car is not passing smog due to this issue which is illegal. Please help resolve my issue.

NHTSA ID

11628814

Incident

Dec 3, 2024

Check Engine light is illuminated. VANOS exhaust warning codes are stored. Other vehicles with the same N52 engine are subject to recall 23V707. BMW indicates that this vehicle is not included but could be in the future. In the interim, we are faced with a $3500 - $4500 out-of-pocket expense (which will probably never be reimbursed) or the possibility of the events described in the recall, which include a crash. For the safety of drivers of other vehicles in this same series with this same engine, it is imperative that the recall be extended to all potentially affected automobiles. Thank you for your assistance. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11587150

Incident

Apr 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle initially failed to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance due to an error with the VIN. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11571033

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

Mileage

160,000 mi

i was driving to work and the car stalled in the middle of traffic when i slowed the vehicle down, the idle is rough and all over the place, car is very hesitant to accelerate and vibrates or shakes when approaching any speed. then the check engine light popped on and is still on, i’ve parked the car since the incident to do some research on what the cause could be.

NHTSA ID

11566725

Incident

Jan 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's husband coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The contact's husband attempted to shift the vehicle into different gears; however, the vehicle remained in neutral(N). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and received the same diagnosis. The contact paid out of pocket for the transmission repair however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11561085

Incident

Nov 21, 2023

Mileage

80,000 mi

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

The engine made noise and then turned off. Would not restart. BMW dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed exhaust camshaft Vanos unit. BMW refuses to repair it even though it the engine, model and year fit the Vanos recall. This is the second BMW vehicle I have owned that failed for this reason, but was outside the covered claimed VIN numbers. I am requesting that you investigate this as wider range of vehicles, fitting the recall description exactly, but not covered, are failing...this vehicle is a 2011 with only 62,000 miles. I would also like a list of the VIN numbers currently affected.

NHTSA ID

11517685

Incident

Apr 7, 2023

Vanos System Camshaft gear Bolts sheared causing loss of power in the freeway.

NHTSA ID

11425641

Incident

Jun 19, 2021

THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO SHIFT FROM P TO R TO N TO D AND VICE VERSA DUE TO A MALFUNCTION OF THE GEAR SHIFTER MECHANISM WHILE DRIVING. THIS BMW MODEL USES A MECHANICAL CABLE TO MOVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR. THE CABLE ASSEMBLY IS HELD IN PLACE BY A METAL CLIP (BMW SECURING PLATE, PART NUMBER 25161421252) SO THE GEAR KNOB CAN PUSH OR PULL THE CABLE FROM P TO R TO N TO D AND VICE VERSA INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN THE DRIVER SELECTS DIFFERENT GEARS. THIS CLIP CAN EASILY FALL OFF AS THE CABLE ASSEMBLY BENDS THE METAL CLIP OVER TIME. THIS ISSUE COULD BE FATAL IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS SUDDENLY FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED.

NHTSA ID

11338664

Incident

Jul 8, 2020

Mileage

37,000 mi

MY BMW DOES NOT IDLE SMOOTH , IT HESITATES LIKE IT IS CHOKING ON GAS, ITS IDLE GAUGE GOES FROM 0 TO 15 CONSTANTLY. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAD IT TUNES=D UP AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT HAS LITTLE POWER ON AND OFF. YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE HARD TO GET IT TO GO UP HILLS AND IT IS NOT A SMOOTH SHIFT WHEN YOUR RIDING IT HARD TO GET THE IDLE UP TO PAR TO GO FASTER.

NHTSA ID

11282380

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE AND SPUTTERED WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, SMOKE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CLASSIC BMW (2571 SOM CENTER RD, WILLOUGHBY HILLS, OH), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11184535

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

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

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

AS I CAME TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT THE SCREEN SHOWED RED SAYING TRANSMISSION ISSUES TAKE TO NEAREST REPAIR FACILITY ASAP I DROVE THRU INTERSECTION ABOUT 1000 FT MADE A U-TURN TO GET OFF ROAD TURNED CAR OFF FOR SAFETY AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER WHERE I WAS INFORMED 4 DAYS LATER THAT THEIR DIAGNOSTICS SAID IT HAS HAD AT LEAST 2 FAULTS ON BATTERY AND POSSIBLY 3 FAULTS ON TRANSMISSION IT WILL COST $2500. PLUS TO REPAIR DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY FIND NOW MY ISSUE IS THAT I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR 84 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS THINKING THAT ALL I'VE HEARD IS HOW GREAT A VEHICLE THESE ARE DEPENDABLE,SHARP,ETC. FOOLISH ME SINCE MY PURCHASE I HAD TO GET A NEW GAS CAP NO PROBLEM REPLACE FRONT BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DOESN'T UNLOCK OR LOCK WITH AUTO KEY TRUNK DOESN'T OPEN FROM INSIDE VEHICLE JUST LITTLE ANNOYING THINGS THE FOX REPORT CAME WITH NO REPORTS OF ACCIDENTS BUT NOT THE CASE WHEN REPLACING BRAKES SHOWING SIGNS OF ACCIDENT SO HERE I SIT WITH A CAR PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX FOR POSSIBLY 6 MONTHS INCONVENIENT PERPLEXED DISAPPOINTED JUST TODAYS FEELINGS I DON'T THINK I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BRAND OF VEHICLE TO ANYONE. BECAUSE I WAS GOING FOR A WEEKEND TRIP WITH FRIENDS PLANS ALREADY SET WE WERE FORCED TO RENT A CAR TO GET THRU WEEKEND AT A COST OF $130. AND THEN IT COSTS ME $ 163. FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND AN ADDITIONAL $399. TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY RESIDENCE BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD REPAIR WORK AT THIS TIME THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 83,000 MILES TO HAVE THIS MANY ISSUES JUST DOESN'T SET RIGHT WITH ME. SO FROM BMW'S VIEWPOINT HOW CAN I GET THESE ISSUES RESOLVED WITHOUT GOING BANKRUPT

NHTSA ID

11051868

Incident

Nov 18, 2017

Mileage

84,306 mi

AC/HEAT BLOWER MOTOR AND FINAL STAGE UNIT, VEHICLE AT 5700 MILES BURNED OUT RESISTOR/HARNESS CONNECTIONS. WHILE IN MOTION, BLOWER SUDDENLY STOP AND SAW SMOKE COME OUT OF THE VENT WITH A BURNING SMELL DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE FAN SWITCH OFF. THE RESISTOR BURNED OUT AND FRAYED THE WIRES OF THE BLOWER MOTOR. RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO THE 2013 AND EARLIER MODELS. DUE TO THIS ISSUE, THE MANUFACTURER CHANGED THEIR DESIGN/ HARNESS BUT DID NOT PERFORM A RECALL ON ANY VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO INTERNAL CABIN FIRES AND TOTAL VEHICLE LOSS DUE TO ELECTRICAL FIRES. I DID HAVE MY PARTS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE DUE TO VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

10979403

Incident

Jan 15, 2017

Mileage

57,000 mi

2011 328I WITH 53,500 MILES. ENGINE COLD START HESITATION WITH VIBRATIONS WHILE IDLING STATIONARY. TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE ISSUE, OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR/GASKETS, BATTERY TESTED LOW TO INCLUDE VVT SENSORS AND LEFT PAD BRAKE SENSOR DUE TO WIRE CUT. TOTAL COST $2300 DOLLARS. NEXT DAY, CONTINUED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WENT BACK TO DEALER AND STATED THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY FURTHER ISSUES. DID RESEARCH INTO THE ISSUE WITH OTHER BMW OWNERS WHICH HAD THE VEHICLES SERVICED FOR REPLACEMENTS OF VANOS, MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS, ETC. THESE CODES WEREN'T SHOWING UP ON MY VEHICLE. DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY ENGINE MYSELF AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER GASKET AREA AND COULD SEE OIL THAT HAD LEAK ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE BAY, NOW AT 60K MILES, TOOK IT IN EARLY FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND DIAGNOSIS AGAIN DUE TO POSSIBLE FIRE IF OIL SPILLS ON MOUNTING STRUTS. THIS REPLACEMENT WILL COST ME ANOTHER $2K+ FOR A VALVE COVER GASKET AND OIL PAN GASKET REPLACEMENTS, YET THIS WASN'T MADE KNOWN WHEN I HAD GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED PREVIOUSLY. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ENGINE FIRE AND BMW'S NEGLIGENCE IN TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANUFACTURING FLAWS, ESPECIALLY WHEN SO MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THESE ISSUES STARTING EARLY AT 40K MILES.

NHTSA ID

10979398

Incident

Apr 17, 2017

Mileage

53,500 mi

SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER, 2014, I NOTICED A SHUTTER WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE 35-45 MPH RANGE, HOWEVER NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED BMW MECHANIC, AND, INITIALLY, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. ON OCTOBER 27, 2016, I RETURNED TO THE MECHANIC FOR SOME MINOR REPAIRS, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE SHUTTER PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION (TORQUE) CONVERTER. HE SAID THAT HE IS SEEING THIS PROBLEM ARISE WITH MORE AND MORE FREQUENCY IN BMWS THAT ARE BROUGHT TO HIM FOR SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE. THIS MAY BE A SERIAL DEFECT IN BMW TRANSMISSIONS. WHILE ACCELERATING IN MY VEHICLE, THE SHUTTER IMPAIRS BOTH DRIVING PLEASURE AND PERFORMANCE. IT ALSO RAISES SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10924033

Incident

Oct 1, 2014

Mileage

32,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIME WHEN DRIVEN (IN MOTION) AT LOW SPEED ON A CITY STREET. IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN 2 DAYS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING (IN MOTION) AND TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE STEERING WHEEL REFUSED TO TURN. I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD IF ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BMW DEALER'S SERVICE NUMEROUS TIME FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY BUT THE SERVICE AND BMW USA ALWAYS SAID THAT NONE OF THE OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE EVER REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF IT FROM ANOTHER CUSTOMER.

NHTSA ID

10899047

Incident

Aug 25, 2016

Mileage

47,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOOK EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOUSING BOLT OF THE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID

10599209

Incident

Jun 6, 2014

Mileage

101,000 mi

THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NOV. 2011. EVER SINCE, WE'VE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: THE MECHANISM/GEAR SEEMS TO WANT TO SHIFT TO A FASTER GEAR WHEN RIDING THE BRAKE AT A LOWER SPEED TO COME TO A STOP, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD. I HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS INJURED AND STILL SUFFERING FROM THE ACCIDENT. BMW MECHANICS/ENGINEER INSPECTED THE CAR BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE CAR SAGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE REAR, WHICH WAS SEEN AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE BMW. THEY SAID THAT THE SAG IS WITHIN BMW SPECS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH ONLY 3,684 MILES. WE WERE TOLD THAT ONE OF THEIR WEALTHY CLIENTS LEASED IT WHILE WAITING FOR HIS PORCH TO ARRIVE. WE DISCOVERED LATER FROM THE CAR FAX THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A PRIOR OWNER AND WAS PURCHASED FOR COMMERCIAL USE. WE FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE CAME WITH A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. WE CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, WHICH WE FEEL IS A DANGER TO US AND THE PUBLIC. WE'VE ALREADY HAD TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM; ONE BY ME AND THE OTHER BY MY HUSBAND. WE DRIVE IT WITH THE AWARENESS OF ITS DANGER BUT ARE NOT ALWAYS IN A SITUATION TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITH IT SURGES FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10583820

Incident

Jan 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,500. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525395

Incident

Mar 15, 2013

Mileage

49,500 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON FREE WAY AROUND 65-70 MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST CONTROL, VEERING,JERKING, STEERING WHEEL LOST CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10487388

Incident

Dec 4, 2012

Mileage

17,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO MOVE AS IF THE CONTACT HAD NOT SECURED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

NHTSA ID

10455684

Incident

Jan 19, 2012

Mileage

8,000 mi

1.) VEHICLE HAD VERY ROUGH IDLE WHILE IDLING IN NEUTRAL AT STOP LIGHT (0 MPH). TACHOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING RAPIDLY BETWEEN 500 AND 900 RPM AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY. DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP, WHO FOUND NO FAULT CODES AND MADE NO REPAIRS. VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY AFTERWARDS. ODOMETER APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES. 2.) VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IDLING IN NEUTRAL AT A STOP LIGHT (0 MPH). ENGINE DIED WITH NO SHUDDER OR ANY ABNORMAL NOISES. VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND DROVE NORMALLY AFTERWARDS. ODOMETER APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES. 3.) VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WHILE IDLING IN NEUTRAL AT A STOP LIGHT (0 MPH). AGAIN, IT RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND DROVE NORMALLY AFTERWARDS. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO FOUND NO FAULT CODES AND MADE NO REPAIRS. ODOMETER APPROXIMATELY 1500 MILES. 4.) VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH IN 2ND GEAR WHILE THE ENGINE WAS COLD. RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND DROVE NORMALLY AFTERWARDS. AGAIN, BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO FOUND NO FAULT CODES AND MADE NO REPAIRS. ODOMETER APPROXIMATELY 2050 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10428886

Incident

Aug 26, 2011

Mileage

100 mi