2008 BMW 328I: engine stalls while driving

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Airbags, Engine · VA

RECALL OMISSION & SAFETY DISPUTE (Case #10683843): I am reporting two documented safety defects in my 2008 BMW 328i (N51 engine) that are identical to existing Federal Safety Recalls but have been omitted from the recall VIN list for this model year. 1. AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE (Recall 17V‑428): The vehicle has a confirmed Fault Code 93C3 (Passenger Seat Occupancy Mat). This is the exact failure mode described in Recall 17V‑428. This defect has deactivated the front passenger airbag system, as indicated by the red SRS warning light. The manufacturer has refused to address this as a safety recall, despite the component failing in the identical manner described in the 2006 model year recall. This creates an immediate risk of injury or death to front-seat passengers in the event of a crash. 2. ENGINE STALL RISK (Recall 23V‑707): This vehicle utilizes the same aluminum VANOS housing bolts that are currently under Safety Recall 23V‑707 for 2010–2012 models. These bolts are known to loosen and shear, causing sudden engine stalling while in motion. Despite the high risk of a high-speed stall and loss of power steering/braking, the manufacturer is excluding 2008 models from the recall remedy. DEALER/MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: The vehicle was inspected by a dealer in October 2024 (Invoice #156201), but the safety warning light was not documented on the repair order. A subsequent formal request for assistance (Case #10683843) was denied verbally by the manufacturer's regional management, who stated the vehicle is excluded from the recall based on its VIN, regardless of the active safety system failure. I am requesting a formal investigation into this Recall Omission to ensure these safety-critical repairs are provided to all affected vehicles.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Engine · MI

My vehicle was not included in BMW Recall "23V‑707: Replace Vanos Adjustment Unit Screw Connection" but has suffered the same failure described in this recall. My VANOS adjustment unit screws came loose and caused my engine to completely stall in the middle of traffic on a very busy road [XXX] ). I lost some braking ability and narrowly avoided a major collision. I've been having issues with misfires related to my VANOS system and today I found that despite being told my vehicle wasn't affected by the recall, it is experiencing the same issue as the recall above mentioned. My vanos adjustment unit bolts on both exhaust and intake sides of the engine were all much more loose than factory specification, so much so that I was able to remove 6 of them with my fingers alone. I think there should be a full safety recall on this issue as it seems to affect a much wider variety of cars than initially thought. I was able to re-tighten them to factory specs, but I have no confidence that it will stay that way. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 29, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

On all e90 series 3 (2008 bmw 328i), the pcv valve fails and is welded into the valve cover, thus if it leaks or gets cracks in the orange membrane, it will cause car to stall.. I almost crashed 2x and this part should be recalled..it affects the fuel air ratio in bmw e90, and the car will run lean and not receive enough gas as air is leaking from the broken membrane in the pvc valve. Bmw will throw engine codes with lit check engine light on dash. This should be a recall as the whole valve cover has to be replaced to replace a defective $10 pcv valve which is ludicrous...the dealer charges thousand dollars and up to replace a ten dollar part. The car has rough idle and will stall, creating a dangerous driving situation and fatal accident . Please recall to have bmw dealer fix these plastic pvc valves on e90s...I have enclosed pic of the valve ..it also has a spring but the plastic orange mebrane cracks, breaks and leaks air inside valve, causing check engine codes, rough idle and stalling of vehicle.. The valve is located on top of valve cover, welded into valve cover. Please help..thank you state florida p.s. Heat causes the pcv membrane to crack more~~pic enclosed of pcv valve its welded into top valve cover..no other car has a pcv valve mounted this way so whole valve cover needs to be replaced~ thank u

Filed Mar 11, 2022 · Engine · 102,300 miles · CA · fire

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at 25-30 MPH for 10 minutes, the engine started misfiring, went on overheating mode and stalled. The coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that he turned off the vehicle for some time; however, when he restarted the vehicle, the coolant temperature warning light was still illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed white smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact drove back to his residence. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving and he could smell a burning odor . The contact became aware that his VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), which he associated with the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,300.

Filed Aug 25, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 120,000 miles · FL

The fotwell modules on these cars are defective..there was an extended waraanty covering this to replace the defective frm(or footwell module)but it does not include this car..the car's headlights, brakelights, domelites stay on with car off, thus drainig the battery. The car then lacks power and can shut off even when driving causing a serious accident. In this model car, these are fmr2 modules that can't be rebuilt. Bmw 328i has a supeceeded part and I called them and they wont cover the cost or honor the warranty for this car. Thus I am submitting this as I heard several other bmw onwners with similar models have experienced defective footwell modules..I strongly feel my car should be included as a recall or extended warranty on this part. You cannot replace it as bmw parts no longer carries it, thus how to you get this car to run with the battery draining with lights on?? This poses a danger if vehicle stalls with battery voltage declining as car will no longer run,,even when driving.

Filed Apr 5, 2020 · Engine · 10 miles · AZ

While driving and vehicle in motion even during acceleration, with no warnings vehicle just stalls. Engine shuts off and loss of power steering. Power to rest of vehicle still works fine and not interrupted. This has happened on city streets but luckily was able to muscle off the street into safety as car still glided. Unknown to components causing issue as check engine light goes off after being able to restart vehicle. Had vehicle scanned and nothing comes up. All recalls have been performed according to bmw website.

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 bmw 328i. The contact stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 16v071000 (air bags), 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling), and 17v676000 (electrical system). The previous owner had not had the recall repairs performed prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS and emergency brake indicators were flashing. In addition, the air bag warning indicator flashed and then remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled more than once. The contact was unsure if the vehicle would restart after it was shut off. Kovacs motors (707‑996‑4149, located at 19190 sonoma hwy, sonoma, ca 95476) was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Apr 19, 2019 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CA

4/19/2019 driving at varying speeds in traffic, probably between 35-45mph on hwy 280 northbound in the fastest of 4 lanes 5pm with my passenger during rush hour the vehicle stalled and the power steering and engine power stopped. Trying to restart, the engine made noise but no power returned. Fortunately, traffic had slowed and we were on a down hill slope and I managed to hit the warning flasher button-and moved thru 3 lanes of traffic to stop on the shoulder. The wonderful highway patrolman was behind me in minutes and pushed the vehicle to a hwy rest stop. The vehicle had things flash up and the windows and locks worked but there was no return of power. I had no prior problems. Fortunately nobody was hurt in 4 packed lines of hwy 280 traffic. Car was towed to bmw auto service shop.

Filed Nov 22, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 97,000 miles · CA

My car jerked and stalled and give difficult start. Took it to mechanic shop and it was diagnosed with crank pcv valve problems

Filed Jun 25, 2018 · Engine · 107,000 miles · SC

Engine stopping and stalling with no warning. And it keeps occuring everyday and I get no warning of the engine failure.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328i. While driving at an unknown speed, there was a burning odor detected in the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. After 40 minutes, the vehicle was able to restart and operate normally. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called braman bmw of west palm beach at (561) 609-0130 (located at 1013, 2901 okeechobee blvd, west palm beach, fl 33409) and was informed that the parts were not available for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. No further assistance was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available. - (recall related incident) ts

Filed Aug 30, 2017 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328i. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving, the engine stalled without warning. The contact stated that he had to wait a few minutes to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to long beach bmw located at 1660 e spring st, long beach, ca 90806 ,phone number (877) 514-7977 where it was diagnosed that the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving, the engine stalled again without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled again without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. No warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.