Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports8 fire reports4 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

4 reports

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92,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

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I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULD NOT STEER, AND THE POWER WAS GONE; IT WAS BARELY MOVING; AND THE LIGHT CAME ON SAYING TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH DIMINISHED SPEED. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME ON AN ACCESS ROAD; AND WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME. IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO GLOBAL BMW IN METRO ATLANTA; AND PAID CLOSE TO $3000 FOR REPAIRS. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH LATER I HAD A PROBLEM AGAIN. THE LIGHT CAME ON AND STATED ENGINE MALFUNCTION; REDUCED POWER, PROCEED WITH CAUTION. IN DOING RESEARCH THIS MORNING; I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I DID NOT KNOW IT; BUT GLOBAL BMW HAD TO KNOW IT. I CALLED BMW RECALL AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON THE PARTS. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 2010; SO THEY MUST HAVE THE PARTS. MOST OF THE LAWSUITS WERE SETTLED OUT OF COURT WITH A GAG ORDER; SO IT APPEARS THAT BMW DON'T RESPOND UNLESS THERE IS A FORMAL COMPLAINT; AND THIS IS THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT WITH YOUR OFFICE. I WILL APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU MAY PROVIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11121587

73,000 miles · Mar 28, 2014

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

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I WAS WARMING UP THE CAR IN THE MORNING FOR WORK, IT WAS ON FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES; AS I SAT DOWN PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE I HEARD A NOISE AND MY CAR SHUT DOWN. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND DROVE FOR A SHORT PERIOD BEFORE NOTICING THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY AIR BLOWING.... I TOOK IT THE MECHANIC A DAY LATER TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR.... THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE BLOWER MOTOR, THE PROBLEM WAS A RECTANGLE SHAPED CABLE FOR FOUR PRONGS BUT ONLY THREE WHERE CONNECTED TO THE BLOWER MOTOR MELTED AND BURNED OUT THE CABLE. THE MECHANIC FOLLOWED THE CABLE AND CUT THE AFFECTED BURNED CORRODED RUSTED !!! PART OF THE CABLE, AND REPLACED IT..... IF I WASN'T LOOKING HE WOULD HAVE CHARGED ME FOR A BLOWER....AND MAYBE MORE !!! I HONESTLY DO THINK BMW SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM... TWO DAYS LATER MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SWITCH WHEN OUT- I PURCHASED ONE AT ORIELYS AUTO PARTS; THE WATER PUMP ALSO FAILED THE SAME DAY AND MY CAR OVER HEATED THAT MADE THE TOTAL OVER 2 GRAND IN LESS THAN A WEEK!!! , BUT MY BLOWER WORKS PERFECT WTF !!! EVERYTHING BEGAN THAT MORNING.... BECAUSE OF THE CABLE THAT SHORTED !!! OH AND ON TOP OF THAT THE TURBO IS MAKING NOISES AND I THINK ITS FAILING NOW!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575439

29,000 miles · Oct 18, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

COMPLETE FAILURE OF ABS PUMP AND STABILITY CONTROL WITH ONLY 29000 MILES. COST TO REPAIR THIS BASIC SAFETY SYSTEM OVER $2900. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548369

48,500 miles · Mar 1, 2013

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATOR SHOWS THAT STABILITY CONTROL IS NOT FUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10501001

Official recalls

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags:frontal

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

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 & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Feb 7, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical System

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.