2009 BMW 328I: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 23, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

Car running lean oil leak getting hot,loss of power,jolting forward also my car has been in dealership shop for 2 years I'm being charged for services I know weren't done,overcharged,and my car still isn't fixed also the service manager told me he was aware of the recalls,when I told him to this was 4 days ago,however my car is being withheld from me,recalls have been known if it's been two yrs,they filed a lien June of last year I opposed it and they never responded back! My car still sits there causing injury to my livilyhood I've missed almost 1year of work I live in the Sierra's where it snows I can't get to work with no car!

Filed Jan 13, 2025 · Electrical · SC

My car lost all power as if the battery died. BMW had a recall for the positive battery cable running from the battery in the trunk to the fuse box behind the glove box. This recall was apparently remedied prior to my ownership according to the dealership. I began to troubleshoot the issue and when the positive battery cable near the fuse box was moved by hand, the vehicle powered up immediately. The random loss of power issue persists even after the recall. While driving on the interstate prior to this happening, my dash lights went out along with the radio. Losing complete power to the vehicle while traveling at interstate speeds is an obvious hazard. The dealership says that recall repairs are not warrantied by the manufacturer and it would be an out of pocket expense to fix something that BMW already knows is a problem.

Filed Jul 10, 2023 · Steering · 200,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering assist while driving at an undisclosed speed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact used excessive force while driving back to the residence. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where metal shavings were found in the steering pump. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2022 · Electrical · NJ

My car is losing power and the instrument panel tends to flicker on and off at times. I had to replace the battery cables, due to water entering the battery compartment and corroded the cables. Once that was repaired it was determined that the the positive battery cable at the front power distribution box may be damaged by vehicle vibrations or something which cause no power going to the distribution box. I repaired the issues with the battery cables and the water collecting in the battery compartment. Now the problem I outlined above with the power not reaching the the front distribution box is now being worked on. I reached out to BMW and was told that my specific vin # was not impacted. However, it's hard to tell based on the description of the problem as outlined in the recall 13V‑044. At this time I can't find the copy of the repair bill, however, the repairs were completed at Motorsports gmbh, 101 Park Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 approximately $2,000.00

Filed May 3, 2017 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 108,000 miles · CA

While driving the car, it loses power completely and the engine shuts off. This has happened several times while driving on the freeway at high speed. It is a very dangerous situation, as the car quickly decelerates and power steering no longer works. I have been incredibly lucky to be able to get to the side of the highway after losing power each time (it has happened on the freeway 5 times now). The car will not start after it loses power and puts up a random check engine error. Sometimes, after sitting for a period of time, it will start up, but this seems to be completely random, as it happens sometimes, but not always. I have taken the vehicle to bmw several times now and they have replaced several parts and assured me it is fixed, but it keeps happening. I am now very concerned for my family's safety. I realize the car is a 2009 model, and it has a little over 100,000 miles on it, but this type of power loss should not be happening over and over again, especially when it has been taken to the bmw dealer. I have specified the last incident in the "when did this happen" question below, but the problem started about 6 weeks ago.

Filed Jan 6, 2012 · Fuel system · 61,000 miles · CA

Make : 2009 bmw 328i sedan e36 problem : 11/11 : engine stop running, lose power assist for steering and brakes. Tried to re-started my car but could not - long-crank engine starting times along with the illumination of "service engine soon" light. Towed to bmw of san diego. 1 week repair and had been told fuel pump module need to be replaced. Paid $730.68 for replacement. 01/12 : same problem - engine stop running, lose power, long-crank. Towed to bmw of san diego again. Had been told fuel pump broken and cause fuel pump module burning. Paid again $7xx for replacement for same problem.

Filed Oct 7, 2011 · Engine · 38,473 miles · GA

I purchased a 2009 bmw 238i. I took it to get an oil change on 30 sept 11. I dropped it off, got a loaner, and went to work. Before I dropped it off that morning the car ran great, it had no ticking, no engine lights nor loss of power. I hadn't heard from bmw so I called them, they said that they had talked to bmw na and I need to agree to them removing my valve cover, at my expense $700. I said that I only wanted an oil change. He told me they terminated my warranty. My warranty was for 4yr/50,000 miles, it had not expired. I was very upset and made multiple attempts to call bmw na and the supervisor told me that they would have to go with what the service center said and there was no one else to talk to. Disappointed, I picked my car up. The check engine light came on and while I was on the highway the car made some loud ticking noises and the car seemed to be experiencing some power loss, in the mist of high traffic. I was in the middle lane when it started and I immediately got over to got off the highway. And as I pulled off the highway the car suddenly shut off (no power), I barely made it off the road. It just shut off! I had to call for a tow. That weekend the car cranked up and it seemed to be nothing wrong. I took it around the block to see if it was okay. The ticking returned and the car shut off again and I had to coast it off the road onto church grounds and call a tow truck again. And now it will not crank at all. This is my only car and I have to rent a car. I did some research online and found several recalls, for example: bmw high-pressure fuel pump voluntary emissions recall and voluntary emissions and safety recalls and tons of complaints about safety and how bmw terminates a lot of people's warranties prior to their expiration date. Bmw seems to be putting all of our lives at risk and terminating warranties at will.