Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Engine recall
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
- Remedy
- Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
- Remedy
- VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
8
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
I JUST HAD THE BOLTS ON BOTH THE (INTAKE AND EXHAUST REPLACED) THIS IS LISTED IN THE UNSPECIFIED RECALL AND NO ONE NOTIFIED ME ON THIS RECALL I DRIVE THE 2011 128I SERIES COUPE AND THIS COST ME OUT OF POCKET $1,800 DOLLARS TO REPLACE, WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND ALSO I HAVE 2 OTHER RECALL ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING TO MY CAR THE AIR BAG THE SIGNAL KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF AND ALSO THE PCV VALVE OFF AND ON I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING I DO HOPE SOMEONE CAN CONTACT ME SO I CAN GET THESE RECALLS FIX NOW I AM REALLY SCARED THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. I HAVE MY RECEIPT OF ME GETTING THE BOLTS ISSUE FIXED AND REQUESTING A REFUND
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11204967 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
6
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
THE CAR HAS STALLED OVER 600 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. THE CAR HAS FAILED TO START 4 TIMES. BMW FAILED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY CABLE FOR 2 YEARS -- EVEN AFTER THE BATTERY CAUGHT ON FIRE AT A GAS STATION PUMP. THE CAR CAN ONLY BE MOVED WITH WHEEL TROLLIES, SINCE YOU CANNOT PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR EVEN OPEN THE TRUNK (BATTERY IN TRUNK) DUE TO NO MANUALLY KEY OVERRIDE TUMBLE FOR EITHER. BMW HAS CHARGED ME FOR LABOR AND TWO BATTERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMIT TO FAILING TO HONOR THE RECALL AND PERFORMING SAID REPAIRS. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS, AND MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR CHUGGES BETWEEN 4,000 TO 6,000 RPM, AND BOLT FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY IF THE ENGINE STALL DOES NOT OCCUR UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I HAVE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL PEDESTRIAN, AND HAVE BEEN SWORN AT AND HONKED AT DUE TO CRAZY BEHAVIOR OF THE ACCELERATOR. BMW 2011 135I M SPORT IS A DANGEROUS CAR. I AM A SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND WORK AT SPACEX ON THE RAPTOR ROCKET ENGINE FOR MARS. I AM DESIGNING THE VALVES THAT THROTTLE THE ROCKET ENGINE, AND IN THE PAST I CONSULTED AT THE STEERING GEAR DIVISION AT ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER IN TENNESSEE. I AM NOT INTERESTED IN MONEY; I WANT THEM TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LAW AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET HURT. I AM RESEARCHING THIS MATTER, AND I'VE FOUND INCIDENT WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT. I AM PUTTING TOGETHER A VIDEO OF THE STALLS, AND THE BMW REPAIR INVOICES SHOWING THE FAILED AND ABSENT REPAIRS OVER 4 YEARS. THANK YOU... SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10725065 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
12
Most reports here involve airbags deploying unexpectedly.
Read full complaint
TAKATA RECALL BRAMAN BMW KEEP SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 2 YEARS, AND EVERY TIME I CALLED THEY GIVE ME THE SAME "SCRIPTED ANSWER". I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR 2 YEARS TO GET THIS PART REPLACED AND THEY JUST KEEP GETTING MY NAME ON A WAITING LIST, THAT IS NOT REAL. I GOT A LETTER FROM BMW SAYING THE PART IS AVAILABLE AND THEY KEEP SAYING TO ME THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11035852 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
2
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
I WAS ACCELERATING INTO HEAVY TRAFFIC AND MY DOOR FLEW OPEN AS I HIT 45 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER WHEN SAFE, AND FOUND MY DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. I DROVE HOME SLOWLY HOLDING ONTO THE DOOR. AFTER SOME PLAYING WITH THE BUTTONS, IT FINALLY CAUGHT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED IT ON 3/25/16 FOR >$500. AGAIN 6/14/16, I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. NO INJURIES OCCURRED BUT A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN 6/17/16 AND THEY STILL HAVE IT. TOLD ME THERE WAS "WATER IN THE ACTUATOR". VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS FIX.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10875826 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
5
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11193250 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov