Driving my car for short distance makes engine hot and smell electrical wire burning. The same model and year with different VIN has recall of problem described. Attached photo describes same problem I have. Please provide a solution
2008 BMW 328XI electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 46, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer (bobby rahal bmw of south hills, 2610 washington rd, canonsburg, pa 15317, 1-(724) 746-2600) was contacted and provided no option of a loaner vehicle in the event of a failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated parts were unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
On 11/12, my 2008 bmw 328xi caught fire in a parking lot. Two private appraisers deemed this a manufacturer error based on a faulty electrical system.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. While driving at an unknown speed, an odor of burning plastic emitted through the air vents. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle overheated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts needed for the repairs were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The vehicle was taken to princeton bmw (3630 quakerbridge rd, hamilton township, nj 08619, (609) 570-1520), but was not repaired because parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). - (recall related incident) ts
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts for the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The dealer (cain bmw, 6461 whipple avenue nw, north canton, ohio 44720, 330‑494‑5588) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedies. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
There have been 2 wiring recalls. One for blower motor and one for pvc wiring that have still shown no remedy available. Since oct2017. My engine service light on my dash has been on for a month now. My code trader is indicating the blower issue. Any way to find out when this will be fixed ? Thank you
Received 2 recall notices from bmw USA 11/17 and 11/17 for issues with the blower motor wiring and the engine pcv valve heater. Contacted my local dealership to have them fixed. Was advised that they did not have authorization from the national office to perform the repairs. When questioned about having the parts the service representative admitted that they could get the parts but would not be reimbursed for the repair because the national office had not authorized their use. Repeatedly check with them over the next several months. Received the same answer again and again. Contacted bmw USA directly through their customer service and spoke with their representative who stated that they did not have the parts to repair the known safety issues and were hoping to have them fixed later this year. When I informed them that the local dealership said they could get the parts they finally admitted that yes they had them but not enough to cover all the recalled vehicles so they were not authorizing repairs yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system), 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling), and 16v071000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Rallye bmw in westbury, new york was made aware of the recalls and stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect for the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). Vin tool confirms parts not available for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact noticed a burning odor outside the vehicle that was seeping into the interior of the vehicle. In addition, there were more than two separate, undisclosed failures that the dealer was unable to diagnose. The dealer (open road bmw of edison, 731 u.s. 1, edison, nj 08817, (732) 985-4575) did not know when the part would become available to service the vehicle for the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was uncertain if a loaner vehicle would be provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available. * (recall related incident) ts
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to paul miller bmw (1515 nj-23, wayne, nj 07470, (973) 696-6060), but the parts were not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available for both recalls.
Schomp bmw, 1190 plum valley ln, highlands ranch, colorado 80129 is selling bmws affected by the federal safety agency bmw us recall to repair the blower motor wiring harness. Vin: [xxx], knowingly still under recall, was sold by their dealership in the past 60 days. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled more than once without warning. In addition, there was a burning odor inside the vehicle from the vents when the air conditioner or heat function were used. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The contact later received a recall notice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was waiting to determine when the recall would be scheduled with a dealer. The VIN, recall information, and failure mileage were not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact called bmw of minnetonka at (952) 236-1263 (15802 wayzata blvd, wayzata, mn 55391) and was informed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. *tt
Received letter in november. I am experiencing issues likely related to the recall as my heater is not working and I'm having electrical malfunctions. Each time I call bmw to have the recall addressed I am told there are no parts to resolve the issue, but that I can come in and pay $175 for an inspection.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (bmw of middleburg heights, 6976 pearl rd, middleburg heights, oh 44130) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Princeton bmw of princeton, new jersey was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that smoke entered the vents of the dashboard. The failure mileage was unknown. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. While driving various speeds, an abnormal odor was present coming from the front vents. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was unknown. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
I locked the car doors while driving using the dashboard switch. Upon arriving at my destination and placing the vehicle in park, I was unable to open the driver's door with the dash switch, key fob or interior/exterior door handle. I had to exit the vehicle by crawling over the console between the driver and front passenger seat. Had an accident occurred preventing egress via the passenger door, I would have been trapped in the vehicle. The repair involved replacing a 15 amp fuse with a 20 amp fuse and has occurred with some bmw cars. Bmw needs to address this issue via recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. On several occasions, while driving, the RPM needle dropped and then returned to normal. The vehicle shook and stalled. On several other occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that the passenger side air bag and seat belt indicator illuminated. The contact was concerned that due to the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags), the passenger side air bags could also be defective. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the key needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer was not notified. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v044000 (electrical system). The contact was concerned that the stalling would occur and could cause a crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall for the electrical system and no parts were available for the air bag recall. The manufacturer informed the contact that she would receive a notification letter when the part was available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
According to fire fighters the car's electrical system caused a fire. The smoke and burn patterns indicated the fire began in the front dash area. The vehicle was stationary, nothing was on, no electrical devices plugged in. It hadn't been driven in several hours, no one was in the car (doors were still locked, the electrical system no longer operated and the windows had to be broken to get into the vehicle). The fire melted the front dash, especially on the passenger side, smoldered for quite a while, and was hot enough to crack the front windshield. There is extensive fire and smoke damage to the car.
On june 24th 2017 as I was backing out of my driveway at my house in my 2008 certified pre-owned bmw 328xi, the car was in motion, with my 3 year old son and he noticed smoked coming from the vents. I turned my head around to see what he was talking about and noticed smoke billowing from the vents and glove box area. I immediately unbuckled him from his car seat and told him to get out. I exited the vehicle, dialed 911, and got him to a safe distance. I could see an electrical fire (based on location and smell) coming from under the passenger side dash board near the glove box, within 4 minutes the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. Luckily no one was physically injured. The fire investigator says the fire originated from the glove box area where a fuse panel and battery cable are located as identified in the fire report attached. It is my belief that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction at the fuse panel located under the glove box. I did some research and in 2013 there was a recall (the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v044000) for the vehicles power cable attached to the fuse box that was fixed; however, I believe that it was either fixed improperly by bmw or the recall didn't fix the issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, a fire started without warning. The contact was able to notify the fire department and a fire inspector extinguished the flames. A fire inspection report was not provided at the time. The fire began near the instrument panel and the front passenger side of the vehicle. The insurance company and manufacturer were notified and the contact was waiting for them to investigate the cause of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was parked at the contact's residence and was unable to be driven. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 bmw 328xi. While the vehicle was parked in front of the contact's house, it caught fire. The origin of the fire was behind the glove compartment, which caused the air bag to deploy. A fire report was filed and the fire was extinguished by the fire department. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was declared destroyed by the fire department and the insurance adjuster. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
My wife was driving home from work on the highway at night and her entire car just shut off without warning nearly causing her to be killed by a tractor trailer we had car towed to bmw dealership and they say valvetronic sensor/seal issue...but this was scary and nearly killed my wife so I felt compelled to report this issue
While driving and exiting a parking lot, vehicle auto-locks engaged. Driver door auto-locked and unlocked repeatedly about 6 times; stopping in the locked position. Once arriving home, driver door would not open with the door handle or the interior unlock button. I turned the engine off and removed the key fob and had to utilize the key fob to lock and unlock the door. The drive door was at this point on the opposite position of all the other doors. When the driver door is lock, the passenger doors are unlocked and vice versa. The next day the driver door would open with the key, but not with the key fob. This is of great concern because the door will not open from the interior of the vehicle. Looking at the database and online forums, this is a known issue that has yet to be addressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 328xi. The contact stated that while the doors were closed, the door actuators failed and the front passenger side door, along with both rear doors, failed to open from inside or outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the door actuators malfunctioned. The actuators were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,700.
Driver's side door would not unlock. I tried to unlock the door with the fob, central button on the dash, and the metal key stored inside the fob and nothing will unlock the door. The only way to get into the car is to open the passenger door and reach over to the driver side and pull the handle. With a child in the car in a safety seat, my concern is that all of the doors will subsequently fail and I will be unable to get myself and my child out of the car. I've seen numerous reports online about this very same issue for this year model vehicle and two years older - either driver's door only, passengers doors only, or all of the doors - and the only way to get out of the vehicle then is through the sunroof. This is a very serious safety issue.
The potential safety hazard reported in this complaint takes place when the passengers cannot exit the car by opening the doors, getting trapped inside the car. It will worsen to a critical level when this failure happens with passengers with limited mobility inside the car or in case there is a baby sitting in a child seat installed in the rear seat. When the described failure mode happens, all passengers will need to exit the vehicle through the sun roof (if available) or through the windows. In case of fire this could be a lethal safety hazard for all passengers. And in case of voluminous persons sitting in seats others than the driver's seat, it will be very difficult for them to exit the vehicle. How the failure happened: after driving for aprox. 10 minutes and having parked, the doors of the car did not unlock. They did not unlock either using the fob, neither the door handle of the driver's door nor the unlock button in the central dashboard. The only way to get out of the vehicle was through the sun roof or climbing out the window. After several attempts the driver's door finally unlock and could be opened. Once outside the car, I could lock and unlock the driver's door (but not any other door) manually with the metal key inside the fob. The other passenger had to exit the car through the driver's door. I have been to a bmw dealership and I made an appointment to repair it. The root cause of the issue seems to be a blown fuse due to over current in one of the actuators of one of the doors. The effect is that the passengers cannot come out of the car as there is not any manual mechanism to unlock. There is other complaints in the federal safety agency about the same issue (for example the federal safety agency id number: 10459121). I recommend that the federal safety agency conducts a safety investigation about this potential safety risk on this or any other affected model.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 BMW 328XI?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history