BMW 3 Series loss of power problems

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 Jan 31, 2018 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · NC

Complete loss of electrical power while driving, usually from 30 to 70 MPH, on a city street, country road and interstate highway. This has happened multiple times since buying the car second hand in july 2017 to the present january 2018. We will no longer drive the car since it is quite frightening to lose power while driving 70 MPH on the highway in traffic. Also, several times there is no electrical power at all in the car after stopping the car and trying to restart it. The battery has been tested and is charged and working normally. There is a recall for the positive battery connection and cable to the terminal connection at the cabin fuse box which can wear out and fail for bmws starting in 2007 that cause the same problems. Our car has the same problem but why is it not included in the recall ?

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 Feb 20, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 89,000 miles · GA

Noticed a very slight tapping when the car was first cranked--but no engine warning lights. After driving it for a few miles, a warning light indicating "charging malfunction" flashed on, and the battery symbol appeared. Because I was the passenger, I googled "bmw 328i charging malfunction" and the first result that came up read "bmw/ january 2013/ recall campaign no. 12v‑550: engine belt idler pulley bolt" for mys 2009-2012 bmw x5 xdrive 35s savs. Before I could inform driver, he complained that he had lost power steering. As we were literally yards from our destination, we parked, and returned to the car two hours later. When we recranked the car, same warnings. We decided to drive to local bmw service station. At a stop light a few miles further, many warning lights turned on simultaneously, the windshield wipers turned on, but the panel said it was still drivable and needed service soon. When the light changed, the panel went off, and the car was stopped dead in the middle of a major road. Pushed it to the side of the road to find the bolt broken and the pulley and belt loose. Upon having it towed to bmw repair, we were told the A/C compressor w/clutch, belt tensioner and belt, and oil filter housing gasket needed to be replaced to the tune of about $5090. (car had been given a clean bill of health during last oil change, and the A/C was working well earlier that morning.) wondering why the ebip bolt was recalled in so many other bmw models that year but not in ours. Information contained in their recall notification exactly matched the description of our problem.

Filed Jan 9, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 40,000 miles · TX

Coupe of time the vehicle lost power as the result SRS & airbag light now stay on.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Fuel system · 104,000 miles · AL

When crossing an intersection engine lost power and power steering went out. Took car to bmw dealership and they said the fuel pump went out and the pump and tank have to be replaced.

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 122,000 miles · PA

I was parked, placed my car in reverse and immediately all of my dashboard lights were activated (4x4 malfunction, ABS brake failure, transmission malfunction) then my car lost power. There is a known issue with the set positioning motor failing on these vehicles. The bmw dealer part # is 27 10 7 546 671. There is an internal gear, with in the set positioning motor, made out of plastic that wears prematurely. This is a known issue with bmw's and it should be recalled. My vehicle become disabled with out warning, leaving me stranded which may have caused an accident.

Filed May 18, 2014 · Engine · 58,000 miles · IN

Car was running very bad both check engine lights came on with one blinking total loss of power. The car was taken to certified bmw dealer who replaced fuel injectors, valve and tuned it up cost 3500 didn't solve the problem they said it's gas to air ratio is not correct the car misfiring on all cylinders the bmw dealer wants to charge me another 1600-2700 dollars to fix it. After picking the car up after the first repaired I was back in 2 days later. Dreyer and reinbold is the dealership. Updated 11/24/2014

Filed Apr 7, 2014 · Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

The bmw e46 3-series (1999-2006) suffers from a design flaw in the cooling system. Plastic parts in the cooling system fail as soon as 4 years and 80,000 miles from manufacture date, often failing catastrophically and causing the engine to overheat. Continued driving of the car in this situation leads to complete engine failure and loss of power (including power steering and power brakes), potentially causing an accident if it happens at highway speeds. Typical failed parts include the coolant expansion tank, radiator end tanks, and water pump impellers or bearings. (bmw came up with an improved water pump design around 2004 that is more reliable.) cars with automatic transmissions also suffer failures of the mechanical fan clutch and the transmission cooling thermostat. Failure of the fan clutch (found only on automatic transmission cars) can cause the fan blades to break off and damage the radiator, serpentine belt, and water pump, as well as the car's hood. At higher mileages (>150,000 miles) the plastic coolant pipes often fail, causing overheating and requiring major work to replace. On my car the coolant expansion tank and radiator both failed and were replaced. The thermostat also stuck open resulting in lower gas mileage until it was replaced. Now one of my plastic coolant pipes is leaking. Bmw should be required to repair failed plastic cooling system parts on the e46 3-series with higher-quality parts designed to last at least 10 years and 100,000 miles from manufacture date.