Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Seats complaints

1 reports

Clear category filter

42,000 miles · Jan 28, 2015

Electrical SystemSeatsStructure

Read full complaint

BLACK MOLD FORMED ON REAR SEATS, DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY WORKED (1/2 OF DASHBOARD ACTIVE, 1 FUSE POWERS THE DASH), 6" OF WATER POOLED IN REAR BACK PASSENGER FOOTWELL (LOCATION OF MAIN ELECTRICAL UNIT); WATER WAS DRIPPING ON MY FOOT WHEN RESTING ON PETAL OF MY 42000 MILE, $50,000, 2008 BMW 328XI COUPE. I CONTACTED BMW OF NA WHO ADVISED ME NOT TO USE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS DANGEROUS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO WORK WITH BMW OF NA & BMW DEALERSHIP (PLACE OF PURCHASE) A VAPOR BARRIER LEAK WAS FOUND BUT MORE WAS BELIEVED TO BE AT CAUSE. THE DASH NEEDED TO BE REMOVED, FOR $1800. I REFUSED TO PAY; REQUESTED BMW OF NA TO PAY. REQUEST DENIED. THE DEALER SAID BMW OF NA WOULD ONLY PAY VAPOR BARRIER REPAIR COSTS. I ASKED FOR NO REPAIRS; TOWED THE CAR HOME. FINALLY REACHING LINDA VITALE, EXEC. CUSTOMER SERVICES OF BMW NA, NJ, SHE TOLD ME THE DEALER DID DO THE REPAIRS. THIS WAS AGAINST MY EXPRESSED WISHES. I WANTED THE CAR INVESTIGATED ELSEWHERE TOO. IN A LATER CONVERSATION, [XXX] CLAIMED THE REASON FOR THE WATER WAS FROM A LEAK FROM A 3RD PARTY WINDSHIELD INSTILLATION. NOTE: MOLD, WATER, AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EXISTED PREVIOUS TO 3RD PARTY WINDSHIELD INSTALLMENT. [XXX] , PROVEN WRONG, DUE TO DATES, STATED, IN A SUBSEQUENT RECORDED CONVERSATION, PER THE DEALER, THE WATER ENTERED THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE DISMANTLED AND INCORRECTLY PUT BACK. NOTE:[XXX] HAS PROOF THAT THE DOORS WERE NEVER REMOVED. [XXX] TOTALED THE CAR DUE TO BLACK MOLD CONTAMINATION, HEALTH RISKS; RISK OF INJURY TO ME AND OTHERS DUE TO MOLD, THE ELECTRICAL COMPROMISED, AND POSSIBLE POWER CUT TO ENGINE WHILE IN MOTION. A PAID LOAN BUT HAVING NO CAR, BMW OF NA WISHED ONLY TO COMPENSATE ME WITH $1000 TOWARDS A NEW BMW. I FOUND MANY FORUMS, ON THE INTERNET, REGARDING 2002-2015 BMW'S W/THE SAME PROBLEMS & OWNERS SUSTAINING SAME LOSS OF PROPERTY WITH NO ETHICAL OR SUSTAINABLE COMPENSATION FROM BMW OF NA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679453

Official recalls

22V119000 · 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

09V257000 · Air Bags:frontal; Seat Belts:front

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seat Belts:front

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags:frontal

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.