NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
36 reportsClear category filter18,300 miles · Mar 19, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR HAS SUDDEN REDUCED POWER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING AND "REDUCED POWER" WARNING SIGN COME ON. HAPPENED 4 TIMES. BMW HAS "REPAIRED" THREE TIME (REPROGRAMMED CAR, REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS) TO NO AVAIL. ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT THIS MORNING. WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE GAS, POWER DROPPED PRECIPITOUSLY A…
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CAR HAS SUDDEN REDUCED POWER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING AND "REDUCED POWER" WARNING SIGN COME ON. HAPPENED 4 TIMES. BMW HAS "REPAIRED" THREE TIME (REPROGRAMMED CAR, REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS) TO NO AVAIL. ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT THIS MORNING. WHEN I TRIED TO HIT THE GAS, POWER DROPPED PRECIPITOUSLY AND I NEARLY GOT REAR ENDED AND HIT IN AN INTERSECTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10320948
28,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
1) STARTING/DRIVING CAR 2) ENGINE MALFUNCTION, LOSS OF POWER, REAR END COLLISION POSSIBLE WHEN DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310403
20,102 miles · Nov 14, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON AND IS COMBINED WITH A SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER. HAVE HAD BMW DEALER TROUBLESHOOT BUT NO RESOLUTION AFTER 7 ATTEMPTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292151
28,000 miles · Nov 7, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291342
26,000 miles · Oct 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THIS TIME, 2 FUEL INJECTORS AND PLUGS WILL BE REPLACED. SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN THE SAME EACH TIME - ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, LOW POWER MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED AND CAR RUNS EXTREMELY ROUGH. ONE INCIDENT REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO…
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CAR IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THIS TIME, 2 FUEL INJECTORS AND PLUGS WILL BE REPLACED. SYMPTOMS HAVE BEEN THE SAME EACH TIME - ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, LOW POWER MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED AND CAR RUNS EXTREMELY ROUGH. ONE INCIDENT REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP AS IT STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RE-START. BASED ON INFORMATION ON THIS SITE AND IN THE BMW FORUMS, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR IS NOT BEING ADEQUATELY REPAIRED, BUT JUST PATCHED. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR THAT MIGHT STALL OR LOSE SIGNIFICANT POWER WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288573
5,785 miles · Sep 18, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN CAR BEGAN TO "SPUTTER" CAUSING ROUGH RIDE. AFTER ANOTHER 5 MILES, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED THE CAR, THEN RESTARTED IT. THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED, BUT REAPPEARED AFTER ANOTHER MILE OF DRIVING. CONTACTED BMW WHO SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIV…
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WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN CAR BEGAN TO "SPUTTER" CAUSING ROUGH RIDE. AFTER ANOTHER 5 MILES, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED THE CAR, THEN RESTARTED IT. THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED, BUT REAPPEARED AFTER ANOTHER MILE OF DRIVING. CONTACTED BMW WHO SAID THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. SERVICE CENTER FOUND THAT IT WAS STORED FAULT CODES, WHICH A PREVIOUS SERVICE BULLETIN HAD ADVISED. THESE FAULT CODES WERE CLEARED AND THE CAR FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS FOR A 2009 BMW 535I. THE CHOICES AVAILABLE FOR 2009 BMW'S DO NOT INCLUDE THE 5 SERIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284469
19,000 miles · May 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN ENGINE START IN THE MORNING, CAR IS SHAKING AND REDUCE POWER WARNING LIGHT COME UP. EVERY MORNING (WENT TO SERVICE RIGHT AWAY) DEALER PERFORMED THE SERVICE-REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR NEXT DAY-SAME HAPPEN AGAIN VERY BADLY CALL DEALER- BRING THE CAR AGAIN.. WASTE MY TIME AND , FEEL VERY UNSAFE, BECAUSE CAR IS S…
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WHEN ENGINE START IN THE MORNING, CAR IS SHAKING AND REDUCE POWER WARNING LIGHT COME UP. EVERY MORNING (WENT TO SERVICE RIGHT AWAY) DEALER PERFORMED THE SERVICE-REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR NEXT DAY-SAME HAPPEN AGAIN VERY BADLY CALL DEALER- BRING THE CAR AGAIN.. WASTE MY TIME AND , FEEL VERY UNSAFE, BECAUSE CAR IS SHAKING. I AM GOING TO DEALER AGAIN, BUT MY QUESTION IS ,WHAT IF SAME PROBLEMS OCCURS SEVERAL TIME, IS THERE ANY LAW TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER AGAINST TO BMW AUTO ? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272349
700 miles · Apr 19, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
2008 535I BMW REPEATED ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHTS AND NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP, PROBLEM HAS BEEN HPFP, SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING AND INJECTORS. STILL NOT 100% RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265995
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
2008 BMW 535I HAS AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL VALVES. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE HAD VERY LITTLE POWER. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER AGAIN IT WAS THE FUEL VALVES. THE CONSUMER EXPERIEN…
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2008 BMW 535I HAS AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL VALVES. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE HAD VERY LITTLE POWER. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER AGAIN IT WAS THE FUEL VALVES. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM FOR A THIRD TIME, IN HE LOST VIRTUALLY ALL POWER IN THE ENGINE. SO FAR, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10263349
3,000 miles · Mar 7, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE PURCHASED A 2008 BMW 528XI AS A DEMO. IT WAS SAID TO BE CERTIFIED. IT TICKED FROM THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT. BMW SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS AN ENGINE BLEED-DOWN. THIS WAS DONE 4 TIMES. THE VEHICLE STILL TICKED AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR TRUSTED BMW DEALERSHIP AND WA STOLD IT NEEDS A NEW CYLINDER-HEAD DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CA…
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WE PURCHASED A 2008 BMW 528XI AS A DEMO. IT WAS SAID TO BE CERTIFIED. IT TICKED FROM THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT. BMW SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS AN ENGINE BLEED-DOWN. THIS WAS DONE 4 TIMES. THE VEHICLE STILL TICKED AND WE TOOK IT TO OUR TRUSTED BMW DEALERSHIP AND WA STOLD IT NEEDS A NEW CYLINDER-HEAD DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 3,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE MARCH 2ND, NOT EVEN BEGUN TO START THE WORK. I FEEL THE CAR SHOULD BE REPLACED AS IT IS A LEMON , AND WE DESIRE A 2009 528XI WITH THE SAME OPTIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10261022
Official recalls
3Mar 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.
Mar 26, 2012
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PANEL, WHICH CAN LEAD TO A LOOSENING OF THE BOLT CONNECTION. AS IT LOOSENS, AN INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE AT THIS CABLE CONNECTION IS POSSIBLE AND COULD CAUSE THE CABLE CONNECTION TO OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, EVEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN USE. AS A PRECAUTION, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO PARK OUTSIDE UNTIL THE REMEDY HAS BEEN MADE.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
Oct 1, 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, 6-SERIES, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2008 7-SERIES VEHICLES. A CHECK VALVE OF THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP MAY LEAK A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS COULD RESULT IN CONTAMINATION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POWER ASSIST BRAKING PERFORMANCE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. IN EXTREME CASES THERE COULD BE A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AN UNEXPECTED REDUCTION OR LOSS IN POWER BRAKING ASSIST MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 24, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗