BMW 328I key fob problems

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Electrical · TX

The security system, alarm system and key fob have all been tampered with.

Filed Sep 6, 2024 · Locks · 170,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that the manual door locks became inoperable. The contact had to climb out of the driver's side window to exit the vehicle. The contact was able to enter the vehicle by using the key fob. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328i. Less than an hour after the contact parked and exited the vehicle, it caught fire under the hood. When the contact returned to the vehicle, the key fob failed to unlock the vehicle and the key had to be manually used to open the driver's side door. The interior of the vehicle was filled with white smoke. Upon further inspection, it was noticed that an extensive fire erupted from the driver's side near the engine. The fire department extinguished the flames and provided a fire inspection report. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. After the failure, the manufacturer did not send the recall notices concerning the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the fire department mentioned that these models have recalls. The contact verified the recall information directly from the internet. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Oct 17, 2017 · Body · 143,300 miles · PA

The central locking function stopped working. The unlocking does not work through the key fob or the central unlock/lock button within the vehicle. Only the driverside door is able to be unlocked by pulling on the inner door handle. The other 3 doors are unable to be opened and pose a severe safety risk. The fix per bmw is to replace 15a fuses with 20a. This was already done to my vehicle in the past and the problem has appeared again. Disconnecting the battery overnight has also been a fix, but that does not work either.

Filed Apr 28, 2017 · Electrical · 22,000 miles · OH

I have taken my car to the dealership and asked for this lock issue to be repaired at least 6 times during the past five years. Over the past two years the issue happens more frequently. At times I am in the car without it running, then I go to open the door and I am locked inside. The handle acts like it is going to open but the door does not open. The handle lifts but does not move the lock. I have to use a button on the console or the key fob to unlock all the doors electronically. I find this not safe because if the automobile does not have electric supply the drivers door needs to be able to open. This concerns me if there was a accident or urgent need. I had some other suspension issues that I reported. You could hear a loud sound and I was told for a over year it was not a issue. Finally my husband was going to come to the dealership and they said they found the problem did over $6,000 in warranty repair on a faulty boot part before the warranty expired. I had the problem for a long time! Bmw diagnostic and service is not what it used to be.

Filed Jul 22, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 120,000 miles · CA

My 2007 bmw 328i is having steering wheel lock issues. I have read around the internet and this seems to be a common problem with bmw. Sometimes when I start the car it will work, other times it will not turn on unless I try pulling the key fob out and putting it back in and clicking the push to start several times. This is all because of a lever that pushes a latch the unhooks the steering column so the car can start. Bmw does not sell the faulty latch and lever alone but requires the entire steering column be replaced. This is a major safety issue if a person needs to start the car and is unable to start it because if a faulty latch and lever. A simple google search of "bmw steering wheel lock" brings up hundreds of pages and videos of people having issues with their vehicles. The light on my car is yellow and not red. I checked my battery and it works perfectly fine. The problem is a faulty steering lock. Ever since I purchased the vehicle it made this locking and unlocking noise and the certified bmw dealer that sold the vehicle said this is normal of bmws. Normal meaning they know it will eventually go bad and has to be replaced. This is unethical and a scam by bmw.

Filed Mar 23, 2016 · Electrical · 143,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 328i. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start and the key fob remained in the ignition. The contact mentioned shifting a red b.plus cable in order to start the vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure was not found. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v044000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Jan 19, 2015 · Electrical · 98,100 miles · MI

The door locks and central locking system are malfunctioning. Key fob will not unlock driver's door and other doors. Key must be used for entry. Bmw admits in bulletins that fuse amperage was designed improperly. Taken into dealership for repair, dealership claims that all four door latches need to be replaced at a cost of $1,490.00. Research indicates this is a systemic issue with bmws. Surprised that a recall has not been ordered given the serious safety issues involved.

Filed Dec 12, 2014 · Seats · 42,500 miles · FL

Vehicle equipped with key activated memory seats. Was using same key fob as always when driver seat began to move by itself into various positions, all while at turnpike speed. When it finally stopped, seat was returned to prior position by depressing memory button, but began to move again on its own shortly afterwards. This issue has continued now for several weeks even just driving around town. There are no open recalls or service bulletins, but is a known issue if you go to the online forums. This problem presents a clear and present danger and needs to be addressed immediately!

Filed Dec 2, 2014 · Engine · 38,000 miles · MD

Came out of the parking lot into a busy main road and engine suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. There was no indication before engine stopped. Tried to restart the engine (the car has keyless push button start) but did not start. When tried to restart, the dashboard message said something like "engine will not start". There was no indication before the problem occurred. I was on the busy highway in chicago area an hour before the incident. The car was serviced in maryland dealership two days before the incident and drove to chicago from maryland and the incident happened in chicago. The car was then towed to the nearest dealership in chicago and after two days they said the fuel pump broke/burned out and have to be replaced and will take 3-4 days to fix it. Note that the car is less than two years old, under full warranty and at around 30800 miles. Also note that the scheduled 30,000 mile service was done the day before the incident happened and the car was inspected and cleared for any issues/problems. An incident like this can be dangerous if the vehicle stops like that on a highway or a busy road with no apparent signs. After this incident I lost confidence in the vehicle and also do not want something like this happen to anybody else. I would like the company/manufacturer to take serious note of this incident so that it does not happen to anybody else. I was also stranded in chicago for 3-4 days with family and three small kids. As the part was back-ordered the dealer in chicago was not sure when it will be ready and I and my wife had to get back to maryland for work and school for kids. So I rented a car and drove back to maryland. The car is now in chicago and have to figure out a way to get it back to maryland. Bmw is saying that they can only haul it for 250 miles.