2012 BMW 328I: engine overheating

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Electrical · WI

Dealer refused to cover DME that failed immediately after recall 24V‑608 work. In early June 2025, I contacted my local BMW dealership about an overheat notification I received while driving. They confirmed there was an open recall on the vehicle for a water pump connector (Recall 24V‑608). I had the vehicle towed to their location. They sent me a video walkaround that characterized everything looked good, except the water pump connector which had failed. Several days later, I was informed the recall repair had been completed but when they plugged in the new water pump connector, the DME shorted and they had to unhook the battery. Despite my best attempts to get this consequential damage covered as part of the recall work, BMW refused. I was told I had to come pick up the car as-is or pay for repairs. When I looked into the issue further online, I learned that if I had chosen to pick up the car, hook up the battery and attempt to start and drive it, I could have found myself stuck inside the car (electronic locks) with a DME that literally caused the whole car to start on fire. Thank goodness I didn't go that route. After further investigation into the recall issue (24v-608), I have learned the entire basis of the recall was risk of a "thermal event" caused as a result the faulty water pump connector shorting out. BMW never denied this when I brought it up. It is infuriating that BMW is suggesting the DME shorting out is not related to or covered by the water pump recall issue. A risk of thermal event is stated in the recall notice, and the DME literally shorted out DURING the recall repair work. They quoted me something like $5,000-7,000 to have the car drivable again. I'm at a complete loss.

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Electrical · 161,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, and shortly afterwards the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the roadway. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the fuse box. The contact was informed that the fuse box had melted and was stuck to the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000.

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Electrical · CA

My BMW IS OVERHEATING ITS BEEN IMAT BMW OF DOWNTOWN FOR 8 days and they’re trying to charge me to repair my melted fuse box,cooling systems and battery, damage that has occurred as a default of the pcv

Filed May 5, 2025 · Engine · 172,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the engine overheated, with a message that the engine was overheating displayed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the same message displayed. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge started to indicate that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The VIN was included, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 10, 2023 · Engine · 125,000 miles · NY

The contact’s mother owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle was overheating and there was a burning plastic odor coming from the A/C vents. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The check engine warning light and the coolant temperature warning light were illuminated. Additionally, upon parking the vehicle for 10 minutes, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic several times, where the cooling system components were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure occurred after driving for 20-30 minutes. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); which she related to the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2014 · Engine · 5,100 miles · CA

In march, 2013 service engine soon light would go on and off and engine idle would suddenly surge. Made service appointment with dealer where I purchased the car and service department diagnosed the issue as a faulty secondary air valve, fc 2a00, dc d1170-000 07-001, and secondary air valve was replaced. Parts replaced: 11-72-7-506-214 and 11-72-7-557-909. Car was purchased on 10/8/2012 and had 5,333 miles when it required repair. After the repair was done, the service engine soon light was no longer on, but the car continued to experience engine idle surges, but they were not as abrupt and significant as before the repair and a lot less frequent. However, in july, 2014 the car started to experience issues relating to the engine overheating, and the engine began to have frequent and sudden surges both while at idle and while driving. In addition, the car's A/C was no longer providing cold air, and the car's performance was erratic. When max cool was engaged, the car's engine would surge loudly until the A/C was turned off. The car became increasingly difficult to steer and drive. During the time the car was experiencing these issues, no warning light was illuminated and the on board system check indicated that there were no issues with the car. At this point the car had been driven14,000 miles (approx). Service appointment was scheduled and according to service department, the A/C system was leaking and there was very little refrigerant left, and the A/C compressor was replaced. However, the service department stated no other issues were found with the car and when the service tech test drove the car it performed without any issues and they did not observe any sudden surges with the engine.

Filed May 6, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 14,000 miles · CA

April 2013, a warning signal on my vehicle notified me there was a need for coolant. I scheduled maintenance for 4/18/13. I informed them of the coolant warning and also inquired about recall notices. On 4/19/13, I called weber bmw myself to check the status, louie informed me there were 3 recall notices on my car that were apparent and needed to be repaired, and that they would need to hold my car until monday 4/22/13.I picked up my car on 4/23/13 and louie informed me all the recalls were fixed and my car was good to take home. On 4/24/13, the coolant warning signaled again. That evening, my car began to exert even more issues than before! First the coolant warning, then warning telling me to drive moderately, then pull over immediately engine overheating. I pulled the car over, stopped the engine allowing it to cool down, and starting it back up, the car would not go over 17 MPH. I contacted weber bmw for another service scheduled for 4/30/13. A representative from weber bmw contacted me on 4/29/13 and informed me louie advised I casually stop by to top off my coolant,' and that should resolve my problems. I found this resolution skeptical, lazy, and knew it would not be adequate to resolve the issues with my car. I stopped by weber on 4/29/13 and the service adviser attempted to 'top off my coolant, when we both noticed the coolant spilling out of the other side of the engine (I emphasize spilling and not leaking). I was advised not to drive the vehicle. Louie called me on 4/30/13 to reported a hole in the part that was replaced per the recall causing the coolant to spill out. He let me know that the car would be ready next day 5/1/13 for pick up. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle any longer. I purchased this car 4/10/12, and it began showing issues of poor manufacturing just shy of a year, I only have 14,000miles on the vehicle.