BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi...
Engine & cooling
BMW 128I Engine problems by year
44 complaints filed with NHTSA about the BMW 128I's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive...
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5...
Latest 128I engine complaints
Prior to August 2024, this vehicle operated with zero check engine lights or drivetrain faults. In August 2024, BMW of Pittsburgh executed federally mandated Safety Recall 23V-707, which required opening the cylinder head. Immediately following this service, the Check Engine Light began illuminating persistently.On or about October 3, 2024, an independent diagnostic scan at Bobby Rahal BMW pulled BMW Factory Code 002A89: Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Mechanism Fault (Mechanical Sticking/Flow Restriction). Technicians at...
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Bobby Rahal BMW explicitly instructed me to return the car to BMW of Pittsburgh because they suspected the original VANOS safety recall repair was botched.On October 28, 2024, I returned the vehicle to BMW of Pittsburgh to address this issue. Their technicians opened the engine block assembly a second time, yet failed to correct the defect. Following this second visit, the check engine light continued to come on intermittently. The vehicle began suffering rough idling, difficulty starting, and dangerous stalling events during operation. Cycling the ignition on and off provided only temporary relief.The check engine light has now become permanently illuminated. The safety hazards have severely escalated into a protective engine "limp mode," causing violent drivetrain shuddering and a catastrophic loss of driveability. BMW of Pittsburgh refuses to honor the recall workmanship, demanding a predatory $6,000 out-of-pocket teardown fee to bypass their liability. The manufacturer (BMW North America) has been notified under Case Reference VH78028, but the safety defect remains unaddressed, and the vehicle is completely unsafe to drive.
Due to BMW using plastic parts when you live in Hot and cold environments the plastic begins to mold to other plastic parts and pvc diaphragms tear rather easy causing rough idle , stalls and can cause over revving and send a car into another car while in gear. The cheap plastic cause oil leaks and when oil gets low cause engine failure as well.
On February 25, 2026, BMW of South Miami performed the VANOS safety recall repair on my vehicle. The repair order documented that VANOS bolts were missing and retrieved from the engine oil pan and that VANOS components were serviced. Within approximately 24-48 hours of picking up the vehicle, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began operating abnormally, including rough idle and irregular shifting. The vehicle stored diagnostic fault code P054B (camshaft position timing over-retarded), which...
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directly relates to camshaft timing and the VANOS system involved in the recall repair. I returned the vehicle to the dealership for further diagnosis. The dealership stated an aftermarket camshaft position sensor with two O-rings was installed and removed one O-ring to correct the gap between the sensor and the camshaft reluctor wheel. The faults were cleared and the vehicle was returned to me. However, the check engine light returned again the following morning upon cold start, indicating the issue was not corrected. My service advisor has since stated that replacing the camshaft position sensor is not part of the recall repair and the dealership has declined to repair the vehicle under the recall. Because the malfunction appeared immediately after the VANOS safety recall repair and involves the camshaft timing system connected to VANOS operation, I believe the recall repair may not have been properly completed or corrected. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter as a potential recall effectiveness issue, as the safety recall repair appears unresolved and the vehicle continues to experience faults related to the system that was repaired.
On or about 2022 I was given notice of recall which told me to go to any BMW dealer for repair. I went to Niello BMW in Sacramento. I was getting car processed and then told to summarily leave. They refused to repair my car per recall notice
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and then stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
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The contact owns a 2018 BMW 128I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. While at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed no parts were available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and there was a hard vibration. The contact also stated that the vehicle experienced an intermittent unintended acceleration. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic signal, the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the...
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check engine warning was illuminated. The contact stated that he depressed the accelerator when the traffic signal changed, and the rattle was louder. The contact drove the vehicle back to the residence and parked. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine noise.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data