BMW 328I won't shift problems

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Engine · UT

Vehicle is under Recall 24V‑608 for a fire risk. The vehicle has suffered the exact failure described (Overheating, Limp Mode, and Smoke/Thermal Event). Dealership (BMW of Pleasant Grove Utah) is refusing to replace the failed water pump, offering only a 'protective shield' which does not fix the current failure. This is a failure to provide a free and effective remedy for a known safety defect. A code was discovered when the senior advisor at this location ran the scanner, and displayed a "coolant pump switch-off due to locking" which the senior advisor tried to deflect as a physical object blocking the pump or some other mysterious issue. The issue was confirmed at a reputable maintenance shop earlier in the day before towing to BMW dealership. The senior advisor at BMW of Pleasant Grove is attempting to put me back in the road in a high safety risk vehicle.

Filed Jan 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

INCIDENT SUMMARY: On January 9, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM, while traveling at 50 MPH in North Carolina, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine seizure without any prior "Limp Mode" warning or Check Engine Light. This resulted in an immediate, total loss of motive power in active traffic. I was forced to navigate a dead multi-ton vehicle across lanes without power steering or vacuum-assisted braking, narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision. TIMELINE & NEGLIGENCE: This vehicle was purchased from an independent retail dealer on December 20, 2025—less than 21 days prior to this life-threatening failure. The vehicle was sold with an "Open" status for Safety Recall 23V‑707. The failure occurred exactly as described in the recall’s warning: a catastrophic stall at speed. TECHNICAL EVIDENCE: A non-invasive borescope inspection of the cylinders has confirmed the presence of metallic "silver chunks" (sheared bolt heads) and "half-moon" impact marks on the piston crowns, indicating a total timing failure and internal mechanical collision (piston-to-valve contact). REQUIRED REMEDY: This incident is a direct manifestation of the safety risk documented in Recall 23V‑707. Per BMW Service Bulletin SIB 11 09 23, the presence of sheared bolt heads and seized internals constitutes "Catastrophic Consequential Damage." I am filing this report to ensure federal oversight of BMW North America’s obligation to provide a complete engine replacement, as the safety defect was present at the time of sale and resulted in a near-fatal incident within 300 miles of ownership.

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Engine · SC

As I was going down the highway may car lost power. I had to pull onto the shoulder and turned the car off. I then tried to start it but is would not start back up. I left it on the side of the highway for a few hours. Went back and it started back up but it was in limp mode, so I drove it to a shop. This car gave me no problems until this point. The shop I took it to couldn't help me. So I took it to Century BMW in Greenville SC. They told me I needed a motor that was going to cost me $14,000 to fix. I asked them to put my motor back together ( the top part of the motor). They informed me it would cost me $600 to do so. I got my car back with the motor not put back like they got it. It has been sitting every since.

Filed Apr 25, 2023 · Engine · IA

Vehicle was idling rough. Would periodically accelerate without pressing the gas pedal. It would then go into limp mode. And display Services engine soon light. I took the valve cover off to inspect the camshafts and found the camshaft adjuster gear bolts were all loose. 5 of the 8 bolts were snapped off. 2 of the 5 missing bolt heads were found in the head of the engine 3 were found in the oil pan. If I did not discover the bolts were broken the timing chain could have slipped off causing an accident.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Engine · 153,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Coolant) 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 dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that prior to the recall notice being received, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights started to flicker and all the windows failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the PCV valve, footwell module, blower heater, and electrical harness need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact stated that while driving, he heard a sputtering noise when the check engine warning light illuminated and the Limp Mode warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the engine started to misfire and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs, throttle body, valve cover, oil filter housing gasket, coolant hose, belt tensioner, ignition coils and 02 sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to speak with the dealer for a loaner vehicle however, the contact was informed that no loaner vehicle was available. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Engine · 96,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the "Contact BMW" and "Stop Driving" messages were displayed. The contact stated that the power brakes and power steering became inoperable whenever the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled at various speeds and became more frequent. The contact pulled off the roadway and was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle started and shifted to Limp Mode. The contact disconnected the battery to reset the function on the vehicle. The contact stated that after one failure, the vehicle failed to start and was towed to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

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 Aug 3, 2022 · Engine · 82,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and independently restarted in LIMP mode. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred and various speeds. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Filed Apr 19, 2022 · Engine · VA

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle went into limp mode and the engine overheated. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The contact then towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing a wiring harness replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the water pump and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact had the vehicle repaired for a second time however, the vehicle continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. 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 not yet available. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 4, 2022 · Acceleration, Brakes · WA

Bought car from third party with rebuilt title 333,000 miles currently and has been recertified by state patrol in 2015. Control cluster says taillight failure, and has issues with not starting. When jump started the car has reduced power with transmission limp mode light. Sometimes light comes on with limp mode, other time no limp mode at all. Have replaced taillights, battery and alternator with no fix. Still having reduced power, have to jump start my car and have a taillight failure. Cars front tires rub when turning even though all parts have clearance. Electrical problems surplus with this car. Everything from the radio, heater, transmission and taillights works intermittently.