2008 BMW 3 Series: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 3, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 140,000 miles · MI

While the car was travelling at a rate of about 45 MPH, it did something I never experienced before. It started to shake, sputter and lose power while ascending a on a paved city street that had about a 20 degree uphill grade. The vehicle behind me didn't expect my sudden speed change and nearly rear ended me.. The engine icon appeared on the dash and I sputtered all the way home.

Filed Aug 2, 2016 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · TX

My car abruptly losses all power. It's lost power on the freeway (3 times), at stop lights (too many to count) and after the car sits; either at work, over night or even if I'm out running errands. In other words, the power failure cannot be duplicated, it happens randomly (my car is unable to start as I type this!!). Needless to say my life as well as my families safety have been put to the test several times. On 2 separate occasions, I was nearly rear-ended on the freeway when my car lost power at highway speeds. I couldn't move over to the shoulder and ended up stalling in the slow lane. After spending a small fortune trying to fix this dilemma a friend sent me this letter that the federal safety agency sent to bmw in 2013 regrading a power failure that many cars were experiencing at the time. Here's the letter: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm433921/rcak-13v044-6848.pdf I've also drafted bmw this letter I sent them yesterday: (in part) to whom it may concern, I am writing to voice grave concern regarding my m3, which has: 1). Lost power several times while traveling on the freeway at highway speeds and has almost caused a crash on 2 separate occasions (near rear end collision) 2). Lost power at stop lights and several times as I started to accelerate 3). Consistent failure to start the car (no power) or it tries to start and immediately turns off after a brief second in addition to the imminent danger to my family and others, this has cost me thousands of dollars the included link below shows a document which was sent by the federal safety agency to bmw na in 2013. I was happy to realize that bmw acknowledged the problem for the e92 3 series (my car shares the exact same part number for the mentioned faulty part), but I was equally shocked to find out that my specific vehicle was not covered under the recall which is what my car is experiencing.

Filed May 12, 2016 · Fuel system · 130,200 miles · NJ

Currently I have the high pressure fuel pump in my 335i (2008). I have my "service engine soon engine malfunction. Reduced power" light on - it just came on yesterday. Original warranty was 4 years 40,000 miles. Which according to bmw was extended 10 years 120,000. So I am out of warranty because I already have 130k, my car was brought to bmw several occasion, it was never brought to my attention that there may a potential problems with the high pressure fuel pump.

Filed Mar 22, 2012 · Engine · 55,000 miles · NY

When travelling on harlem river drive middle lane, my car all the sudden displayed an engine overheat light yellow that turned red within 3 seconds and started losing power (from 50-60 MPH to 1 MPH) within 5 seconds...the car had to be towed to the nearest dealership. This is an extremely dangerous situation, as I did not have enough warning time to pull to the shoulder. The dealership is stating that this is a water pump failure. I am aware that there are recalls on x5s but not on my car. My friend who owns the same car and year had the exact same problem resulting in the same cost of repair ($1600). My vehicle already has many recalls including seat belts, air bags, and high pressured fuel pumps. This should not happen to a car that has been maintained by bmw and just out of warranty (less than 60000 miles). Not even 4 years yet. I have owned many bmws and other cars and never had a water pump failure that caused a danger of this magnitude... I would appreciate if you would investigate the situation to prevent this from happening to other owners.

Filed Sep 14, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 15,500 miles · CA

I took the vehicle for the following symptoms: 1.) long(er) crank 2.) engine malfunction, reduced power 3.) service engine soon 4.) heavy, erratic shaking and shuddering 5.) engine sounded like a union pacific train with loud pumping sound 6.) because of 4 + 5, decide to turn-off the engine or sometimes it just stalls before 7.) after reset, the car becomes drivable but symptoms will reoccur. 8.) able to recreate problem when I mash the gas after doing some research on an auto forum, I suspected that the caused of the problem was a failing high pressure fuel pump. The dealership kept the car for 3 days to run some tests and concluded that the fuel pump was the problem. Since they replace the part, the car has not broken down again. However, they introduce another problems. 1) the car's exhaust noise is much louder now 2) the car is less fuel efficient, lower miles per gallon 3) the car now has a turbo lag which was previously non-existent. This means bmw is falsely advertising the 335i twin-turbo has zero lag. This was true before they updated the car's software but is not longer true at this moment in time.