BMW 328I hesitation problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

Dealership performed VANOS bolt replacement recall on 2011 BMW 328i. Vehicle has 63K miles and is otherwise in excellent condition. Post recall, vehicle experiences unstable idle with rpm dipping low when stopped in gear during initial engine warm up period. Issue stabilizes somewhat but not completely gone once engine is at operating temperature. This is a safety issue with engine surging, hesitating, and potentially stalling when stopped at stoplight or intersections.

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 Dec 15, 2025 · Engine · 120,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted several times but continually stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The contact examined the engine and discovered metal shavings in the VANOS solenoid engine oil. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2025 · Engine · 126,657 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The recall repair was completed; however, on the drive home after the vehicle was retrieved, while driving 60 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was sluggish and hesitated before stalling in the middle lane of the highway. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and after several attempts, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the incorrect oil filter was installed on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact towed the vehicle back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered the contact a 10% discount on a new engine. The failure mileage was 126,657.

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Engine · 103,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound while driving. The check engine warning light, the traction control warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the VANOS bolts were replaced twice; however, the OBD scanner indicated diagnostic test codes related to the VANOS bolts. The vehicle was temporarily repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 5, 2024 · Engine · 156,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked or hesitated upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 156,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · Engine, Suspension · TX

After consulting many others that own or previously owned 328i bmw from around the same years (2015-2017); a common issue was found and assumed to be the timing belt. when i press on the accelerator moderately/ as per usual, my RPMs and speedometer hesitate for a solid second then it will catch up and start shaking. i suspect its the timing belt.

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · Engine · SC

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, called her husband, and he drove the vehicle to the residence. An independent mechanic was called to the residence and the mechanic discovered that bolts on the camshaft were loosened. Upon investigation, the failure was linked to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Both the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, and both informed her that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Engine · IL

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat as indicated by the temperature gauge. The vehicle also began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. His daughter pulled the vehicle over and waited for the engine to cool off. Once the engine was restarted, the vehicle independently entered into limp mode and the vehicle was unable to accelerate above 25 MPH. The contact then received a recall notice for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts for the recall were unavailable. Recently, the contact stated that while his son was driving at highway speeds, the vehicle independently enter limp mode(warning light unknown). Despite the failure, the contact's son managed to reach his destination. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was unknown. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jul 8, 2022 · Engine · 140,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer had been notified about the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.