2011 BMW 328I: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 25, 2026 · Engine · PA

> While driving the car, low oil pressure indicator came on and within less than a mile later there was a sudden loss of power, engine stalled and then would not start again, requiring vehicle to be towed off the road and to a repair garage. Yes, vehicle is available for inspection upon request. >Vehicle was immobile on the road putting driver of vehicle and other vehicles on the road at risk of accident and injury. > Attached documentation reviews the issue. > Vehicle originally inspected by non-dealership garage that strongly recommended the vehicle be evaluated by BMW. Vehicle was towed to and inspected by BMW Sewickley [XXX] . BMW states not covered under Vanos recall. >Only immediately prior to stall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Engine · PA

> While driving the car, the low oil pressure indicator came on, and within less than a mile later there was a sudden loss of power, engine stalled and then would not start again, requiring the vehicle to be towed off the road and to a repair garage. > Vehicle was immobile on the road putting driver of this vehicle and other vehicles on the road at risk of an accident and injury. > Vehicle originally inspected by non-dealership garage that strongly recommended the vehicle be evaluated by BMW. Vehicle was towed to and has been inspected by BMW Sewickley [XXX] . > Only immediately prior to stall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 16, 2024 · Engine · 145,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, there were abnormal sounds coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the contact stated that the engine ran rough and lost power. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Apr 11, 2024 · Engine · 113,589 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed or stopped, the vehicle started jerking. The service engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that there was a leak from the oil filter housing. There was a winding noise detected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact about the repair for the engine. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 113,589.

Filed Apr 8, 2024 · Engine · MI

Hi. I am filing a report regarding the recall shown below. After several calls to BMW they still have no fix or parts, or an estimate of when they will have anything to adress this recall notice. It's coming up on 6 months since the recall was issued. My Vanos bolts on the exhaust camshaft have failed and my car no longer can drive. Oct 20,2023 Manufacturer Recall Number NA the federal safety agency Recall Number 23V707 Recall Status Recall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary VANOUS BOLTS: The VANOS assembly (engine) bolts may, over time, loosen, and eventually break. If this occurred, a reduced engine power (safe mode) may be activated. In some cases, the engine may not be able to be restarted after switching off and, in rare cases, the engine could stall which could increase the risk of a crash. Safety Risk

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Engine · AZ

BMW issued a recall for VANOS bolts on Oct 20, 2023. Vehicle had service engine soon light illuminate. Vehicle was diagnosed by Tucson BMW as having issue with VANOS bolts shortly before (within a month) recall being issued. At that time car was not repaired-but BMW suggested bolts be replaced at a cost of approximately $6,000. BMW advised car was not safe to drive. BMW had a solution- but wanted to charge for it (as the recall had not yet been issued). Now that recall has been issued BMW seems to be waiting out the clock and hoping owners get rid of the car before they have to repair the vehicle. Also they are now saying we can drive the vehicle until the remedy is available, which directly conflicts with dealers advice when they wanted to charge for the repair. They have not given any indication of time frames. We do not feel comfortable driving the car on highways due to risk of stalling. BMW states "The VANOS Assembly (Engine) Bolts May, Over Time, Loosen, And Eventually Break. If This Occurred, A Reduced Engine Power (Safe Mode) May Be Activated. In Some Cases, The Engine May Not Be Able To Be Restarted After Switching Off And, In Rare Cases, The Engine Could Stall Which Could Increase The Risk Of A Crash." In the meantime it has been over 6 months with no updates as to when the recall remedy will be made available. I want BMW repair the car as soon as possible. I have been in contact with BMW customer care who have not given any viable solutions/time frame for the repair.

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Engine · CT

There is a known issue with my vehicles Vanos assembly (bolts). BMW issued recall 23V‑707 in October 2023. To date both local dealerships and bmw North America will not make the necessary repairs to the vehicle as they claim parts are not available. My vehicle is sporadically experiencing the issues related to this recall which includes sudden power loss while driving which is a major safety issue. Continued driving could result in complete engine failure. As the vehicle is needed and self cost of repair is cost prohibitive it also leaves owners with no choice but to drive the vehicle.

Filed Nov 22, 2022 · Engine · 190,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Additionally, the contact had experienced a failure of the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust) under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that his vehicle was not included in the recall; however, the vehicle exhibited the failure listed in the recall similar concerning the reduced engine power. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Apr 12, 2022 · Engine · 155,000 miles · NC · fire

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH that all the lights became illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle began to emit smoke from under the hood, the vehicle lost power, and additionally, the contact had a failure of power steering and brakes. The contact was able to safely coast off the roadway and stopped. The vehicle continued to emit smoke but eventually, no more smoke was observed. The fire department was not summoned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine had locked. The mechanic attempted to unlock the engine and failed and advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2021 · Transmission · AZ

Vanos System Camshaft gear Bolts sheared causing loss of power in the freeway.

Filed Dec 17, 2020 · Electrical · 112,000 miles · CA

My car shows it is over heating and it is getting hot when I recently been using heating system coolant is at level so it is the electrical wiring as the recall stats how do I get my car fixed and why wasn't this VIN # on the list my car showed it was hot and it wanted to lose power. I was driving on a hwy 111

Filed Apr 7, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 129,000 miles · CA

While driving my vehicle engine stalled and lost power. I tried to restart while in the middle of the city street with several cars behind and coming from oppisit direction. I placed the car in park and jumped out leaving the vehicle while watching and looking at other cars avoiding from hitting it. Two jentalman can to help me push it out of th the middle of the street. My sister was with me and was telling to to pull to the side but with no power the car was stiff/suff and brakes was also stiff. Very scrary!the vehicle was just released from the dealer 2/26/2019. On a recall blower moter wiring and recall pcv valve heater./check engine light on,engine making knocking sound. According to documents.