2011 BMW 328i Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  425%
• 25k–50k
  425%
• 50k–75k
  213%
• 75k–100k
  425%
• 100k–150k
  16%
• 150k+
  16%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW 328i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's husband coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. The contact's husband attempted to shift the vehicle into different gears; however, the vehicle remained in neutral(N). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and received the same diagnosis. The contact paid out of pocket for the transmission repair however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); but the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered, after which the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle initially failed to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance due to an error with the VIN. The failure mileage was 160,000.

I recently brought my 2011BMW 328i in for recalls and a shutter noise. My vehicle is equipped with the N51 SULEV motor. I recently was not able to set monitors for smog due to a shutter issue. I was told by a reliable mechanic it was the torque converter, and it is covered under the SULEV warranty. I was shocked when Bob told me that the torque converter was not covered under BMW SULEV warranty. It clearly states that in the SULEV warranty and my car only has 123,000 miles. He proceeded to call my car "a can of worms" and told me the technician simply does not want to work on my car. I know for a fact my Torque Converter and Mechatronik are covered under the SULEV warranty. I was simply kicked to the curb. This is unethical and my car is not passing smog due to this issue which is illegal. Please help resolve my issue.

Check Engine light is illuminated. VANOS exhaust warning codes are stored. Other vehicles with the same N52 engine are subject to recall 23V707. BMW indicates that this vehicle is not included but could be in the future. In the interim, we are faced with a $3500 - $4500 out-of-pocket expense (which will probably never be reimbursed) or the possibility of the events described in the recall, which include a crash. For the safety of drivers of other vehicles in this same series with this same engine, it is imperative that the recall be extended to all potentially affected automobiles. Thank you for your assistance. [redacted]

The engine made noise and then turned off. Would not restart. BMW dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed exhaust camshaft Vanos unit. BMW refuses to repair it even though it the engine, model and year fit the Vanos recall. This is the second BMW vehicle I have owned that failed for this reason, but was outside the covered claimed VIN numbers. I am requesting that you investigate this as wider range of vehicles, fitting the recall description exactly, but not covered, are failing...this vehicle is a 2011 with only 62,000 miles. I would also like a list of the VIN numbers currently affected.

i was driving to work and the car stalled in the middle of traffic when i slowed the vehicle down, the idle is rough and all over the place, car is very hesitant to accelerate and vibrates or shakes when approaching any speed. then the check engine light popped on and is still on, i've parked the car since the incident to do some research on what the cause could be.

Engine is making weird noise and a mechanic told me it's related to this recall that still has "no remedy" when it should've been a recall YEARS ago when the cars first came out and this issue became more apparent. I do not want to keep driving the car I paid hard earned money for just for a manufacturer defect to destroy it

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would not immediately accelerate and sputtered when depressing the accelerator pedal. On several occasions, smoke was present inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to classic BMW (2571 som center rd, willoughby hills, oh), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 80,000.

2011 328i with 53,500 miles. Engine cold start hesitation with vibrations while idling stationary. Took vehicle in to dealership to diagnose issue, oil change. Was told that it was the eccentric shaft sensor/gaskets, battery tested low to include vvt sensors and left pad brake sensor due to wire cut. Total cost $2300 dollars. Next day, continued to have the same problem. Went back to dealer and stated they didn't find any further issues. Did research into the issue with other BMW owners which had the vehicles serviced for replacements of vanos, mass air flow sensors, etc. These codes weren't showing up on my vehicle. …

Shortly after the warranty on this vehicle expired in September, 2014, I noticed a shutter while accelerating in the 35-45 MPH range, however no warning lights were illuminated. I took the vehicle to an authorized BMW mechanic, and, initially, the mechanic could not resolve the problem. On October 27, 2016, I returned to the mechanic for some minor repairs, and the mechanic informed me that the shutter problem was due to a defect in the transmission (torque) converter. He said that he is seeing this problem arise with more and more frequency in bmws that are brought to him for service and maintenance. This May be a serial defect in BMW transmissions. While accelerating in my vehicle, the shutter impairs both driving pleasure and performance. It also raises safety concerns.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other 328i years