2016 BMW 3 Series Powertrain & Transmission Problems

The clip holding the emergency brake line is made out of plastic and mine broke (which I found out is common with these cars). When this happens, it rubs on the driveshaft which can wear through and sever the emergency brake line. This is a very dangerous situation and easily be avoided if BMW used a metal part vs. the current, plastic flimsy one.

Need to recall as it is Common Knowledge among the BMW technicians that these vehicles are plagued with hazard of Parking / Emergency Break line clip breaking and for the line contacting the rotating drive shaft. The holding clip Mfg Part # 34406854898 breaks regularly ! the plastic parking brake retaining clip (BMW part # 34 40 6 854 898) deforms due to age/heat. The cable guide does not hold the cable in place anymore and Hazardously starts to rub against the rotating driveshaft, causing the Emergency parking lines which makes a noise that and sounds like coming from the center console. This is endangering the occupants, and also it is very costly replacement with the same plastic part again. This is such a prevalent issue that there are alternative clips being sold to replace for this manufactures omission of quality: [XXX] also there are videos on this [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle Information: •Year, Make, Model: 2016 BMW 328i GT •VIN: Provide VIN •Mileage: Insert Mileage Description of the Problem: I am experiencing recurring drivetrain malfunctions and overheating issues with my 2016 BMW 328i GT, which is currently under a nationwide recall issued in August 2024. Despite having coolant in the system, the vehicle overheats and displays a “drivetrain malfunction” warning, forcing me to pull off the road and restart the car to temporarily clear the issue. Additionally, there appears to be a leak causing fluid to drip onto the belt and other components, further compromising the vehicle’s functionality and safety. My belt slips because of the leak and it has been severely deteriorated because of even after replacing it. The dealership has consistently advised me to repair this issue at my expense, quoting costs exceeding the value of the car. Only recently did I learn about the recall addressing this defect. The dealership has failed to provide timely solutions, leaving me without a drivable vehicle. Safety Concerns: These persistent issues pose serious safety risks. The drivetrain malfunction and overheating increase the likelihood of sudden breakdowns while driving, endangering myself and other road users. Pulling off unexpectedly also creates hazardous situations on highways or busy roads. Request for Action: I request that BMW resolve this recall promptly. If repairs cannot be completed within a reasonable timeframe, I demand compensation for my inability to use the vehicle, including reimbursement for expenses incurred during this period. Alternatively, BMW should provide me with a rental vehicle or replace my car with another comparable model free of defects. Failure to do so will prompt me to seek legal arbitration to recover damages and ensure accountability. Contact Information: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My vehicle functioned normally without any faults for the approximately year and a half/ ~20,000 miles I used it. The one day I attempt to start my vehicle in colder weather (-6 degrees fahrenheit) and my starter fried and my engine seized up. I have heard of other occurrences like this happening where BMW owners attempted to start their vehicles in colder weather, have a fault come up as "starter/ignition malfunction" and then leading to an engine seizing. I believe this to be a faulty product from BMW.

Vehicle disengaged itself from gear while driving on hwy going between 75-85 mph. Failed to re engage into gear when stepping on accelerator causing vehicle to just coast and slow down as fast moving traffic (semis) we’re approaching. Construction zone didn’t have shoulders to pull aside which made situation worst. Car did accelerate after a few attempts. The car did illuminate a “unable to recharge batteries, stop carefully and contact your nearest service shop” just prior to the situation. Seems like the i3 models are currently under a class action lawsuit for a similar defect and I fear that given that these cars are designed similarly within the same years using the same parts that this could be a similar situation. I noticed that the car acted in this way once the battery level indicated under 3% charge on the dash.

When I drive and come to a stop, the car shifts into nuetral. This has happened several times. I have to put the car in Park and restart it. We have checked the codes and have replaced the battery. The car only has 51k miles on it and is not driven more than 2-4 days a week.

car stops while driving, battery also draws while not in use. which is very dangerous. Already filed report with dealer ship for car. We will be having an another baby this winter and it is getting to the point where It can be very dangerous for my family. We got it checked but since it’s a manufacturer issue is what they said. Since this car doesn’t have any recalls dealer doesn’t want to do anything. We noticed that many other cars of same year have the same problem.

THIS HAPPENED TWO SEPARATE TIMES ABOUT 2 WEEKS APART.. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT. FOOT ON BRAKE. SUDDENLY ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND CAR LEAPED FORWARD. BRAKE DID NOT STOP IT. THE SECOND TIME, (AUGUST 31, 2020) THE CAR REARED-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO THAT DRIVER. NEITHER CAR WAS HARMED.

TO NHTSA: NOT TOO LONG AGO THE TIMING CHAIN AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BEARING WENT OUT ON MY 2016 BMW 320I ([XXX]) TIMING CHAIN ISSUE SHOULDN'T OCCUR ON A MOTOR WHICH ONLY PRODUCES 180 HORSEPOWER WITH NO MODS OR TUNES. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHOULD DEFINITELY NEVER GIVE OUT UNLESS YOU'RE PUSHING OVER 700 HORSEPOWER ON A STOCK DIFF. AGAIN MY CAR HAS 180 HORSEPOWER AND HAS NEVER BEEN MODDED. THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT IT WAS THE DRIVESHAFT THAT CAUSED THIS. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DRIVESHAFT AND THE FLANGE LOOSENED COMPLETELY. THERE ARE PREVIOUS RECALLS FOR THIS WITH BMW. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A HIGHWAY, GOING 65MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS VIBRATION AND NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SLOWED DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD NO LONGER DRIVEABLE. I WAS GOING 5MPH (BARELY) TO GET OFF THE EXIT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MAKE A TURN. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO A SAFE PARKING LOT 10 FEET AWAY. ONCE I WAS SAFE, THE CARE SHUTDOWN AND WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO TURN BACK ON. OIL WAS COMING OUT OF THE CAR.

CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND INDICATOR WARNING COMES ON SAYING 'DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION' THE GAGE INDICATES THERE IS AT LEAST 42 MILES OF FUEL BEFORE EMPTY. LUCKILY THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR SHAKES AND MAKES A LOUD SOUND BEFORE PUTTING ITSELF IN NEUTRAL. ALSO THE BRAKES WERE RECENTLY REPLACED BY BMW BUT THEY DO NOT STOP PROPERLY AT SPEEDS OF 50 MPH. ALSO THE SUNROOF OPENS INDEPENDENTLY WHEN IT RAINS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE PARKED OVERNIGHT.

INCIDENT DATE: 9/18 LOCATION: NEW YORK STATE VEHICLE MILEAGE: 15,000 VEHICLE ACTION: ENTERING & ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY DESCRIPTION: AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1.5HRS OF DRIVING, ON THE WAY HOME FROM A WEDDING IN RURAL NEW YORK, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SIGNIFICANT ENGINE VIBRATION AND A WARNING MESSAGE WHICH DISPLAYED "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER AND ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS REQUIRED IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND MAKE A SAFE EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE LIGHT, OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. TEMPORARY FIX: ONCE SAFELY ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I CONTACTED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE DISCUSSING OPTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. AFTER 5-10 MINUTES ON THE PHONE, WITHOUT A GOOD SOLUTION (GIVEN THE RURAL LOCATION AND DAY OF THE WEEK), I DECIDED TO RESTART THE CAR. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER SUCCESSFULLY AND DID NOT INDICATE AN ERROR. I DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE IT THE BALANCE OF THE 4+ HOUR TRIP WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON THE OPEN OF BUSINESS ON MONDAY 9/19, I INTEND TO CONTACT MY LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE CAR DIAGNOSED IMMEDIATELY.