2010 BMW 328I engine problems

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Engine · MD

Total circus I’m dealing with over this Recall 23V‑707 nightmare. The timeline is wild. Buckle up: Here is how the madness has gone down: On XXX I drop the car off at [XXX] under its own power under RO #XXX. On XXX I pick it up, drive 46 miles, and it instantly turns into a blender full of marbles, backfiring and throwing a check engine light. On XXX it gets towed to [XXX] under RO #436050, and I immediately ask for DME logs and get ghosted. On XXX [XXX] claims the recall is totally done, swearing three VANOS bolts snapped and the timing was somehow fine. The second he said it was fine, I immediately asked for the logs. Cue total silence. On XXX at 12:36 PM [XXX] from BMW North America in [XXX] calls me for a 40-minute chat and drops the bombshell: he spoke with the regional manager, who flat-out stated the car didn't even get the recall over a vacuum hose. That Annapolis has never worked on it, so I forward the images that Annapolis had on Xtime. Shortly, not even two hours later, Store Manager [XXX] completely contradicts corporate and emailing me to say, the recall was done. To prove it, he sends a picture of a compression gauge laying in a case reading a sci-fi 220 PSI claiming that one cylinder information as proof my engine is sound. on my 161k-mile N51 engine mind you. Oh, and somewhere during an engine recall, they magically managed to poke around inside of my fuel tank without permission and decided I need a new one. Three bolts came out the engine and the tank fell apart in sync…. Convenient, right? When I asked for actual proof like live DME data, customer-facing compression ISTA logs, and a clean, compliant breakdown invoice, they refused. Insane right? And get this, 95$ a day storage have been threatened on me. I said, I can’t tank the liability of taking that vehicle off of their lot “Silence” UNKNOWN Look at that brand new hose they found It’s been plenty of time for them the report it “done” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 201,023 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact had received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 17V676000 (Electrical System), and 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer in June 2026. The contact later received a phone call on June 23, 2026, and was informed that the vehicle was ready to be retrieved. The contact went to the dealer; however, while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine seized. The contact informed the dealer of the issue with the vehicle and that the engine had seized. The vehicle was left at the dealer. The contact received a call from the dealer on August 17, 2026. The contact was informed that the engine had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the vehicle had no issues when the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,023.

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Engine · WA

I am filing a formal complaint against BMW Seattle for violating federal recall remedy mandates under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301. The vehicle was delivered for mandatory safety recall 23V‑707 after an on-road mechanical shear of the covered VANOS bolts. The dealer has created illegal commercial barriers and failed to fully execute the federal remedy. First, the service department issued a written estimate for $4,405.67, claiming the CAS module and locks failed and required replacement to resolve a no-start condition. I challenged the repair on technical grounds and authorized a new battery and valid key only, the dealer admitted in writing that the electrical sync restored seamlessly and the engine started. They attempted to extract thousands for a functioning module before verifying the recall. Second, the VANOS bolts sheared resulting in certain valve-piston contact. The dealer claimed the engine passed a compression check but refused to provide raw ISTA diagnostic logs to verify this safety threshold. Instead, they demanded an additional out-of-pocket fee of $669.60 to re-perform a test they claimed to have completed, creating a commercial barrier to basic remedy verification. Third, the dealer demanded $2,136.69 to replace a compromised valve cover and PCV valve which functioned without issue pre-failure. Valve cover removal is required for vanos repair and requiring consumer expense for mandatory safety repair is legally prohibited. Indeed, Under BMW SIB 11 09 23, collateral damage must be routed through corporate TSARA, not the consumer. Fourth, the steel VANOS bolt heads sheared completely off. The official remedy mandates dropping the oil pan to locate and remove these fragments to prevent total oil pressure loss. Despite my repeated requests for verification of removal, nothing was provided, the car was inoperable, and I was advised that the recall repair was complete and the vehicle was in outdoor fenced lot awaiting arrangements for removal.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Engine · 110,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for an unknown recall repair, but the vehicle experienced the failure after the repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was initially diagnosed that the oil cap had failed. The dealer later informed the contact that the camshaft solenoid had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · MI

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V513000 (Air Bags), 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while accelerating from the vehicle idling, and turning left or right, the transmission hesitated before shifting hard. Occasionally, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated, hesitated, and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle intermittently stalled, and the contact would release the accelerator pedal, depress the brake pedal, and allow the steering wheel failure to self-correct. The failures became more persistent. The ABS, check engine, X-Drive Fluid, ESC, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after adding fluid, the failure persisted. The driver's front seat air bag failed to activate intermittently while the driver's seat was occupied. The heating system occasionally failed to operate. The contact became aware of fluid under the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the air bag and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The certified mechanic recommended an oil change because the engine oil was dirty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact radiator was repaired to resolve the failure with the heating system, but the failures persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle was idling rough and occasionally, the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but was more frequent. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While the vehicle was idling, the RPM was fluctuating between 800 - 1,000 RPM. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was a failure with the VANOS valve timing system. The contact was informed that the VANOS valve timing system needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact that recalls were VIN-specific and that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MN

2010 bmw 328i xdrive: Had in for recall PCV 1/08/2025. This vehicle has had a prior recall for same issue before i owned in 2014. Motorwerks BMW failed to complete recall, as parts and repair bulletin from BMW OF AMERICA has parts list. Motorwerks just CHOSE to put items, subtitled under other services/self pay. When I asked about this they responded that CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ....as build date put it a year out? A RECALL IS A RECALL ITS FOREVER, OR THE LIFE OF CAR. not when they the dealer/shop and BMW right? i have filed and called and complained to numerous places including NCDS, BMW of AMERICA and have gotten no traction or reasonable response. Now I'm having VANOS related issues, serious issues, but no recall listed?, even though the year and style and build date put it in parameters of SAFETY RECALL not just manufacture voluntary recall.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Engine · TX

A few months ago, I tried to get the above-referenced recall item taken care of at BMW of West Houston (Texas). I was told by the dealership service advisor that it would take at least two days to get the work done. The recall notice, of course, says the work should take about four hours. I was also told that in many cases the valve cover gets bent when performing this work and the cost of the replacement valve cover would be my responsibility. I was very disappointed of course. I don't think that I should pay for anything related to getting a safety recall taken care of. Safety recalls are very serious and for that reason I have sent the enclosed letter to BMW of North America I have also sent a letter to BMW of West Houston, 20822 Katy Freeway, Katy, TX 77449 expressing my disappointment. I am hopeful that I can get this recall, and the several other recalls this particularly car is subject to, taken care· of soon and without much drama. I would appreciate any guidance you can provide.

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · 135,645 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated the vehicle lost motive power, and the contact drifted over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the intended destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,645.

Filed Nov 20, 2024 · Engine · 96,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.