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.
Airbags recall
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. 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.
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
7
Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
MY BMW 328I E93 HAS THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT COME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COMPUTER SHOWS ERROR CODE 2B3A (P1449 DMTL SYSTEM FAULT). I CLEARED THE CODE AND IT CAME BACK A WEEK LATER. I TRIED REPLACING THE GAS CAP AND THE ERROR STILL COMES BACK THE SAME. I WAS DOING FURTHER RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE (ATTACHED) FROM NHTSA.GOV DESCRIBING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, WITH THE SAME EXACT CODE AND EVEN MY ENGINE IS THE SAME N52K FOR MY E93 328I. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2012/SB-10051299-3508.PDF THE DMTL PUMP IS THERE TO HELP REDUCE EMISSIONS AND IF THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY, THE BMW DEALERSHIP SHOULD HONOR THE REQUEST FOR SERVICE WORK TO REPLACE THE DMTL PUMP UNDER THE EMISSIONS/EXTENDED EMISSIONS WARRANTY. I CALLED AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS VIN SO THEY CAN'T HELP ME...AND THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE...BUT I DO IN FACT HAVE MY EMISSIONS WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT FOR THE VIN WHICH IS 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. IT SEEMS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THESE FAULTY DMTL PUMPS/SYSTEMS AS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS FOR ENGINES LIKE MINE -THE N52K ENGINE. I ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO TAKE A LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND WORK CLOSELY WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA TO INSTITUTE A REMEDY FOR THIS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE AND HAVE A NICE DAY.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11191573 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
6
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
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I HAVE A BMW 328I SERIES 2011 4 DOOR SEDAN VEHICLE ) I PURCHASED MY CAR 2018 APRIL AND SINCE THE 1 ST DAY IT HAS GIVEN ME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DIAGNOSTICS NOR ANY MECHANIC HAVE FOUND SOULTION THE VEHICLES BATTERY SUDDENLY DRAINS I HAVE GOTTEN 5 NEW BATTERYS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY END UP BEING BAD AND I ALWAYS HAVE A DRAINED BATTERY AFTER 3 OR LESS HOURS OF RECENTLY USAGE ALSO THE VEHICLE IN VARIOUS OCCASION TURNS OF IN THE FREEWAY ,WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET ETC. WHEN IT SHUTSDOWN LIGHTS FLICKER ,AND IN DASHBOARD THEIRS SHORTAGE NOISE AND IN THE DASHBOARD THE GROUND PICTURE WITH THE VEHICLE IS RED (NO CHECK ENGINE ) MY BRAKE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON THEN AFTER 1-2 MIN CAR TURNS ON COMPLETLY WELL AND THE GROUND LOGO WITH THE VECHILE IS YELLOW BUT IT CAN TURN OF AND DO THE SAME IN 1-3 MIN OR SOMETIMES IT WONT DO IT UNTIL 4 HR OR THE NEXT DAY BUT IT IS A CONSTANT THING EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE STARTED TO WORRY BECAUSE I NOTICED MY BATTERY FULL OF ACID AND I REPLACED IT THREE TIME BECAUSE TR SCID IS MELTING THE METAL WERE THE BATTERY GOES AND IT IS NEXT TO THE GAS TANK
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11162804 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
12
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
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TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEMS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VECHICLE. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE THIRD PARTY DEALERSHIP, 'CHASE AUTOPLEX' HE RESETTED THE SETTINGS EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY, BUT AFTER GETTING HOME, THE NEXT DAY MY CAR SHOWED AIRBAG PROBLEMS. WHEN I CALLED HIM, HE SAID HE CAN'T HELP ME OUT WITH IT. SO MY QUESTION IS THAT, IF YOU GUYS CAN HELP ME GET A RECALL ON THIS AIRBAG, SO I DON'T HAVE TO SPENT MONEY ON IT MYSELF, I WILL APPRECIATE IT. THANKS
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11156473 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
4
Most reports here involve fire.
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SOMETIMES WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR USING THE MECHANICAL HANDLE, DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK. I HAVE TO USE MY KEY FOB TO REMOTELY UNLOCK THE CAR BEFORE THE DOOR HANDLE WILL WORK TO OPEN THE DOOR.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11185564 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
8
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
HAVE A RECALL ON BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND VALVE HEATER. TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALER COUPLE OF TIME, THEY CHECKED AND NOTIFIED THAT SOME WIRES ARE BURNING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT UNABLE TO DO SO DUE TO PART NOT AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE DEALER.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11102582 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 37 complaints on file, more than the 2013 (10). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.