2011 BMW 328I: won't start

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Engine · IA

"My vehicle is experiencing a complete mechanical breakdown with a fast-crank, no-start condition and an active fault code for exhaust valve timing. This matches the exact failure mode of active Safety Recall 23V‑707 (VANOS Bolts). BMW's official safety recall report states that if a vehicle shows these symptoms, owners must not drive it and must contact them to arrange pickup and transportation. However, BMW Corporate Case Manager Jasmine has officially refused to cover the tow, stating over the phone that the transport language in the recall letter 'doesn't mean they cover a tow.' BMW is failing to execute its federally mandated safety recall remedy for an inoperable, broken-down vehicle."

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 Apr 30, 2025 · Airbags, Engine · LA

RE: Recall on 2011 328i Vin# [XXX] I drove the car to run an errand, car was running ok but had a miss. During my drive home, the car stalled. I had to quickly coast to a parking lot in order not to get hit by the car behind me. I tried to restart the car, but it acted as if it needed a jump. Tried to jump the car but it turned over slowly without starting. Ended up getting it towed to Metairie very early the next morning, due to parades. Had a friend of mine, a BMW shop owner, take a look at the car. He told me that he found out that it had a few recalls and he thought that may be the problem. I spoke with a service advisor at BMW dealer that checked the vin and said the recalls would be taken care of along with anything it caused. I made the appointment and had it towed to BMW dea;er. I was assigned to Erin C, Service Advisor, when I made my appointment. My appointment was for 7:30 AM on the 28th of March. I heard from Erin at 4:30 that afternoon with an update. She told me that I had a seized engine and it was going to cost ten thousand or more to replace the engine. I asked if the recall was done on it, because the recall stated that one of the indicators of the Vanos issue was that it would not start any more. I also found information saying that stalling, engine seizing, and oil starvation can be dangerously caused by the recall. Erin stated that they would take the valve cover off to confirm. Didn’t hear from her on Friday, or over the weekend. I got her on the phone Monday evening at 5:30 PM. Erin told me the same information that after they took off the valve cover and videoed it (have not seen that video yet). That my engine was seized. She assured me that they hooked up the car to communicate with the engineers who confirmed, from all the evidence, that the engine seizing was not caused by the recall but lack of oil circulation. If she had a diagnostic done on the car, she had not shared any codes found with me at this INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

Filed Jun 19, 2024 · Engine · TN

The engine started stalling and rough riding. Now it will not start. The issue is with one of the recalls that there is no remedy for. I have a car that I cannot drive and that I am still paying for.

Filed Feb 10, 2023 · Engine · 160,000 miles · NJ

The contact's son owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact's son attempted to restart the vehicle numerous times, but the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that her son was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the VANOS bolts and VANOS unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 68,000 miles · FL

My car is below 70k miles never over heated or had any issues but out of nowhere my trunk started unlocking on its on, killing my battery. My radio stopped working and I've been hearing noises from my door speakers. & now today my car will not start at all & if it does it turns off immediately.

Filed Aug 30, 2020 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NY

Car would not start, did not respond to charging via jumper cables earlier that day. It started when connected to the charger by the tow truck operater. I was told to drive for 30-45 min by the bmw service center and the tow driver. While driving on a city street about 35 min later everything stopped, lights, electrical and engine. I was stranded in the middle of the road. I called police to help with traffic control as well as insurance for roadside assistance. Could not move the vehicle due to it was locked in place. And no hazard lights either. Had to call another tow truck. Bmw service states it is the battery cable and will cost $3000.00 to fix.

Filed Nov 29, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 119,000 miles · NC

Purchased a 2011 bmw 328i used it came with extended warranty the first issue I had was in my foot well module I came in from work parked car in drive way woke up the next morning to no headlights turn signals and car would not start I contacted bmw because there was a recall on the foot well module took car in to get everything checked out bmw replaced foot well module said everything was ok drove car home thinking everything was ok parked car woke up the next morning car was completely dead no power so I took battery to get tested and had to replace the battery also the battery terminal cause saftey terminal went off from there I replaced everything that was needed car has power but will not crank had it diagnostics said it was relay replaced all the relays in the car no start same issue had the crank position sensor replaced still no start battery good looked online to see that the frm could cause electrical issues which is clearly the issue but all problems to this point got worse since module was replaced by bmw dealership and diagnostics by them stating everything was ok. Ive literally exhausted my options of buying and replacing parts and the problem persist when I contacted bmw about the recall on the electrical problems with the foot well module instead of them just replacing a module and saying my electrical was ok when it clearly was not

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Fuel system · 86,000 miles · NJ

12/24/2018 fuel pump malfunction warning comes on while driving indication vehicle while shut off each time this happens I am driving on the nj turnpike forced to pull over before vehicle shuts down and does not start!!! 01/2019 I have had new fuel pump installed and it happened again, 03/2019 fuel pump replaced again and this vehicle has shut down 2 additional times 05/2019 and again while driving on the parkway. Last fuel pump malfunction june 2019 I have not driven vehicle in 3 weeks not sure what to do. Each incidents has been on a major highway where speed limit is 65mph.

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Fuel system · 86,000 miles · NJ

12/24/2018 fuel pump malfunction warning comes on while driving indication vehicle while shut off each time this happens I am driving on the nj turnpike forced to pull over before vehicle shuts down and does not start!!! 01/2019 I have had new fuel pump installed and it happened again, 03/2019 fuel pump replaced again and this vehicle has shut down 2 additional times 05/2019 and again while driving on the parkway. Last fuel pump malfunction june 2019 I have not driven vehicle in 3 weeks not sure what to do. Each incidents has been on a major highway where speed limit is 65mph.

Filed Jun 3, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 70,000 miles · CA

3-times the car's engine was turned off by the computer while we were driving on the freeway and the streets. Car info says "fuel pump, service soon" and then the car won't start for an hour. First time we took it to beverly hills bmw center and they replace the fuel pump. Next day, fuel all over our garage. Took it back for them to secure it better.next morning we got gas all over the garage again. I had to secure the fuel pump. I'm not confident in the service at bmw centers but I really have a problem with the car turning off while your in the fast line on the freeway. We were almost hit by a truck the third time it stopped.