VIN REPORT

WBA4A7C50FD4133102015 BMW 428ixDrive GC

63of 100
High Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls · Model-Wide
5
5 campaigns (all model years)
Safety Grade
F
48/100 composite
Complaints · 2015
78
NHTSA filed · 2015 428i
Vehicle Age
11 yrs
Made in GERMANY
AVOIDPurchase Verdict

2015 BMW 428i was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 5 open recalls on record — these are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately. 78 owner complaints include 7 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.

TAKATA
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2015 BMW 428i

2015 BMW 428i was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 5 open recalls on record — these are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately. 78 owner complaints include 7 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.

  • 5 open recalls including safety-critical systems (Airbag system recall; Fuel system recall)
  • 7 injuries reported across 78 owner complaints
  • 10 complaints involved a crash — unusually high incident rate
  • Common owner-reported issues: electrical problems, stalling, overheating
  • Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
  • Engine/Powertrain is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
  • TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL — inflator can rupture and send metal shrapnel into the cabin. Do NOT drive until repaired.
Owner Complaint Intelligence

78 owner complaints filed — top areas: Electrical (45%), Engine/Powertrain (17%), Other (15%). Common issues: electrical problems, stalling, overheating, fire, loss of power. 10 crashes reported.

63
of 100
High Risk
5 risk factors detected. Review each carefully before committing to purchase.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
5 Contributing Risk Factors
Critical deferred maintenance — safety-critical components overdue
+20
Takata airbag recall — risk of shrapnel injury
+18
5 model-wide recalls on record
+12
Elevated fire risk signals detected
+7
Accelerating complaint trend — problems increasing over time
+6
Critical Alerts1
⚠
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL — Do Not Drive
Campaign: 24V288000

Takata airbag inflators can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin — this defect has caused at least 27 deaths and 400+ injuries worldwide. Do NOT drive this vehicle until this recall is repaired. Contact your dealer immediately.

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
BMW
Model
428i
Year
2015
Trim / Series
xDrive GC
Body Style
Sedan/Saloon
Vehicle Type
PASSENGER CAR
Drive Type
AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
4-cyl 2.0L 241 hp
Doors
4
Manufacturer
BMW AG
Assembly
DINGOLFING, GERMANY
GVWR
Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Assembly Plant Quality

Plant: DINGOLFING, GERMANY

CQuality55/100
Standard📍 DINGOLFING, GERMANY

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

F
Score: 48/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety11/30
Complaint History17/30
63/100High
  • ▸Airbag system recall
  • ▸Fuel system recall
  • ▸Engine recall
2/100
Basic
1 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Elevated
  • ▸4 complaint(s) involved a fire
Elevated
  • ⚠3 recalls on same component: Safety Systems
  • ⚠7 injuries reported in complaints
  • ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints

Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.

The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.

Engine/Powertrain
↻ 1 recall✦ 13 complaints
Safety Systems
↻ 3 recalls✦ 6 complaints

Driver Assistance Features

ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database

Forward Collision Warning?Unknown
Automatic Emergency Braking?Unknown
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure Warning?Unknown
Lane Keep Assist?Unknown
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High Beam?Unknown
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup Camera?Unknown
Electronic Stability Control?Unknown
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake Support?Unknown
Keyless Ignition?Unknown
Recalls5

Deferred Failure Risk

Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones

72/100
Critical Deferred Risk
The electrical system is the most-reported problem for the 2015 BMW 428i — 35 NHTSA complaints (45% of all filings). Prioritize it in a pre-purchase inspection.
⚠No odometer data on record. Items marked VERIFY below are age-based maintenance reminders — general guidance, not confirmed findings for this specific vehicle. Confirm actual mileage and service history with the seller.
CASCADECriticalFailure Cascade
Cascade already triggered — downstream damage likely in progress
Have a specialist inspect all systems connected to the failed component before purchase
One failed component has created stress on connected systems. Repair costs compound quickly — a $500 fix can become $3,000+ if cascade damage is ignored.
COMMONLY REPORTEDCriticalElectrical
35 owner complaints · 45% of all filings · 1 crash-involved · 1 injury
Inspect the electrical system before purchase — the most-reported problem for the 2015 BMW 428i
Owners of the 2015 BMW 428i report electrical issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
COMMONLY REPORTEDHighEngine/Powertrain
13 owner complaints · 17% of all filings
Inspect the engine/powertrain system before purchase — the 2nd most-reported problem for the 2015 BMW 428i
Owners of the 2015 BMW 428i report engine/powertrain issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
COMMONLY REPORTEDCriticalSafety Systems
6 owner complaints · 8% of all filings · 3 crash-involved · 4 injuries
Inspect the safety systems system before purchase — the 3rd most-reported problem for the 2015 BMW 428i
Owners of the 2015 BMW 428i report safety systems issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
VERIFYCriticalTiming Chain Tensioner
Typical interval: 120,000 mi / 10 yr · Verify service records (no odometer on file)
Verify timing chain tensioner service history with the seller
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
VERIFYCriticalWater Pump
Typical interval: 100,000 mi / 8 yr · Verify service records (no odometer on file)
Verify water pump service history with the seller
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
VERIFYHighTransmission Fluid / Service
Typical interval: 60,000 mi / 5 yr · Verify service records (no odometer on file)
Verify transmission fluid / service service history with the seller
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
VERIFYHighDifferential / Transfer Case Fluid
Typical interval: 50,000 mi / 4 yr · Verify service records (no odometer on file)
Verify differential / transfer case fluid service history with the seller
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
VERIFYHighCoolant Flush
Typical interval: 100,000 mi / 5 yr · Verify service records (no odometer on file)
Verify coolant flush service history with the seller
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
VERIFYModerateSpark Plugs (iridium/platinum)
Typical interval: 100,000 mi / 8 yr · Verify service records (no odometer on file)
Verify spark plugs (iridium/platinum) service history with the seller
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
VERIFYModerateFuel Injectors
Typical interval: 120,000 mi / 10 yr · Verify service records (no odometer on file)
Verify fuel injectors service history with the seller
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.

NHTSA Safety Recalls

5 RECALLS
5found
ℹ

NHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 5 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Estimated Repair Completion (Statistical)

Average repair completion across 5 recalls is ~76%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.

76%
avg repaired

Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.

BMW Recall Completion Rate — Industry Context
91%Good

BMW completes recalls at a good rate (91%), averaging about 16 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.

Avg time to remedy open recall: ~16 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports

Avg Fix Time
16mo
#15V148000
Invalid Date

AIR BAGS

SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 428i Convertible, 428i xDrive Convertible, 435i Convertible, and 435i xDrive Convertible vehicles manufactured October 22, 2014, to February 27, 2015. Due to a programming error, the driver's front air bag deployment timing may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Read full details...
ConsequenceIf the driver's front air bag deployment timing is incorrect, there is an increased risk of personal injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
Est. Repair Completion~86%

~14% chance this vehicle is still unrepaired

Low Risk

Source: NHTSA published Takata completion data

#15V189000
Invalid Date

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

SummaryBMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Read full details...
ConsequenceIf the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Est. Repair Completion~69%

~31% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#24V288000
Invalid Date

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Read full details...
ConsequenceAn inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Est. Repair Completion~76%

~24% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#24V527000
Nov 2024

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

SummaryBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Read full details...
ConsequenceAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Est. Repair Completion~76%

~24% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

#24V608000
Invalid Date

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

SummaryBMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Read full details...
ConsequenceAn electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Est. Repair Completion~72%

~28% chance this recall was never fixed

Moderate Risk

Source: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type

Recall Intelligence

Detailed analysis of recall history and severity

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2yr open
11/07/2024
5 total campaigns
Safety SystemsFuel SystemHVACEngine/Powertrain
4
Part Replacements
1
Software/OTA Updates
0
Buyback/Refund
0
High-Effort Repairs

Manufacturer Recall Response Time

Time between first owner complaint and recall issuance

10.2yr
Lag from first complaint to recall
First complaint: 2014-09-01 · Recall issued: 2024-11-07

First complaint was filed 10.2 years before the recall was issued — manufacturer was aware of this issue for years before acting.

1 in 11

7 injuries reported across 78 complaints — elevated injury rate for this class of vehicle.

Complaints78

Complaint Intelligence

78 complaints analyzed across 8 system categories

Electrical System leads owner complaints (45%), most reported when the vehicle was 9–11 yrs old. Also common: Engine And Engine Cooling (33%), Unknown Or Other (17%).

When issues get reported (vehicle age)
<1 yr
7%
1–2
0%
3–5
20%
6–9
49%
10+
24%

Based on 75 complaints with a reported incident date. Too few owners cited mileage (6) to report a reliable failure-mileage range.

Most-reported issues & typical onset
Electrical System
typically 9–11 yrs old
45%
Engine And Engine Cooling
typically 9–11 yrs old
33%
Unknown Or Other
typically 6–8 yrs old
17%
Engine
typically 3–5 yrs old
14%
Air Bags
typically 4–6 yrs old
9%
7 injuries10 crashes4 fires
Electrical
1 crash1 inj35
Engine/Powertrain
13
Other
2 crash1 inj12
Safety Systems
3 crash4 inj6
Brakes
2 crash4
Suspension/Wheels
3
Body/Structure
1 crash3
Steering
1 crash1 inj2
2016
1
2018
4
2019
8
2020
3
2021
6
2022
9
2023
4
2024
6
2025
25
2026
5
↑ 157% trend in recent years (increasing complaints)
Accelerating +467%
34
Last 24 months
6
Prior 24 months

⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse

PEAKS SPRING (MAR–MAY)

31% of complaints filed in May & Feb — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Electrical failure31
Fire/smoke13
Engine stalling9
Tire blowout1
Brake failure1
Conditions Reported
Highway/high-speed (11)Rain/wet (8)Parking/low-speed (5)Startup (4)

Owner Complaints

HIGH VOLUME

78 safety complaints filed with NHTSA

78found
4
Fires
10
Crashes
7
Injuries
ODI #11768761UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The moon roof glass while driving exploded unexpectedly.

ODI #11764729ENGINE

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in colder weather conditions, there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that the failure posed a potential safety risk while commuting long distances. Upon further investigation, the contact associated the failure with BMW Lawsuit Case: 17-CV-07386. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

ODI #11721958ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 29 MPH, the vehicle started to overheat and experienced reduced power, and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact stated that there were unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. Additionally, while driving at 40 MPH, the failure recurred, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

ODI #11715294ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant pump failure. The contact was informed that the coolant had been continuously running, causing the battery to completely drain. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced, the radiator needed to be flushed, and the repair of a small oil leak was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). While driving to the dealer, the loss of communication with the coolant pump warning light illuminated. The contact was informed that the coolant pump had passed the inspection and did not need to be replaced. The contact was informed that the shield was installed as per the recall. The contact stated that upon retrieving the vehicle from the dealer, the battery was completely drained. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The dealer was informed that the battery was replaced three weeks prior. The contact requested that the dealer replace the coolant pump according to the recall notification, however the request was denied. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

ODI #11715401ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact discovered that the water pump was continuously running after the vehicle was turned off. The contact referenced and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,357.

ODI #11692123ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant warning light intermittently illuminated on several occasions. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an electrical connector on the water pump that was exposed to water and that the water pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer had removed the VIN from the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

ODI #11681502ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that recall parts were not yet available and advised the contact to wait for another notification to arrive when parts become available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

ODI #11679826ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the messages "Engine Overheated" and "Please Pull Over" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact replaced the water pump and the thermostat; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The water pump and thermostat were replaced; however, the failure persisted, and the engine kept overheating. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The water pump and thermostat were replaced. The independent mechanic checked the electrical system. However, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the failure persisted. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

ODI #11677044ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000(Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. An unknown 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 not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11674275ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recall #24V-609. Recall was issued in October 2024. My wife drives this car....BMW has no update. Need it repaired ASAP! Please inquire. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11671717ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11666268ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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.

ODI #11663414ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11663531ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated and the vehicle started shaking with the drivetrain malfunction message displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and 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 failure but was unable to confirm when parts would become available. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11662223AIR BAGS

A warning message comes on saying the front passenger air bag sensor is defective. I checked with the BMW dealership and with the used car company I bought the car and "bumper to bumper" warranty. The used car company confirmed the car has a bad sensor but I have to pay $1,100. BMW has had several recalls involving sensors in other models and even problems with the 2015 428i convertible. My car had less than 50,000 miles when the fault 1st popped up July 2024. I believe this should be recallled.

ODI #11659438ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner. Issue: 1 open recall since Aug 13, 2024 for: ENGINE COOLANT PUMP: The electrical connector of the engine coolant pump could become damaged. Small drops of liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could drip down onto the electrical connector of the pump.

ODI #11659492ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 151,940. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11659051ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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.

ODI #11657267ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not 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 while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment into the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11652635ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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.

ODI #11650427ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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.

ODI #11646729ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15-20 MPH, the message “Do not Drive” was displayed. The vehicle sat overnight; however, upon starting the vehicle the next day, the messages “Do not Drive” and “Add Coolant” were displayed. There were no visible leaks found. The contact added additional BMW coolant. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer. 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 approximate failure mileage was 138,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11646232ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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.

ODI #11644984ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

Turbo lines leaking. My model vehicle is the same N20 engine components that were installed with the f30s in prior years. BMW had an in house recall for specific models and vins but did not include mine even though they were installed with the same issues that the previous models had. Now, the turbo lines are leaking, my car only has 85000. I shouldn’t have to pay over 3k for them to correct this.

ODI #11645175ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, smoke was coming from under the hood, entering the vehicle through the A/C vents. The local dealer was not 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 failure mileage was approximately 84,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11644122ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine an Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11643663ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was white smoke coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11643733ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that an abnormal oil burning odor was coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was oil leaking from the gasket and onto the bank 1 sensor, which caused the sensor to become corroded. The mechanic linked the failure to the recall. 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 vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired, and the engine was overheating. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11638020ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact's daughter owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); 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.

ODI #11633749ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11633230ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 428I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a smoky odor coming from the vehicle and the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled the vehicle over and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The 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 failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11632015ENGINE

N/A

ODI #11624758ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The water pump electrical connector on my 2015 BMW 428i failed, as identified in Recall Campaign No. 24V-608. This defect caused repeated engine overheating, leading to damage to the oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets. An independent service center confirmed the damage was due to overheating from the faulty water pump. The issue has worsened, with a visible oil leak contributing to frequent engine overheating, making it unsafe to drive long distances. Contact Timeline: 1.October 10, 2024: I received the recall notice from BMW for the defective water pump electrical connector. 2.October 24, 2024: I emailed BMW [XXX] and [XXX] ) to report the overheating and related damage, requesting a full inspection and repairs. 3.October 2024: I visited an independent body shop, which confirmed the damage, and later the BMW dealership in Pompano Beach, which also confirmed the issues but did not agree to cover the repairs under the recall. 4.November 8, 2024: BMW Recall Support Services confirmed the recall is open but did not address the additional damage. 5.November 11, 2024: Robert Pfeiffer from BMW left a voicemail, only noting a delay in parts but not addressing my concerns about the damage. 6.November 12, 2024: I called Robert Pfeiffer but was unable to reach him and left a voicemail. I followed up with an email, reiterating my request for BMW to cover the related repairs due to the worsening vehicle condition. Current Concern: The oil leak continues to worsen, increasing engine overheating risk. No warning lamps initially appeared, but symptoms began shortly after the recall notice. Both the independent body shop and the BMW dealership confirmed the overheating and gasket damage. I request NHTSA’s assistance, as BMW has not resolved the issue despite the clear link to the defective part. The vehicle is available for inspection, and this problem presents a serious safety risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11624085ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

Water accumulation in the rear passenger side when it rains. Can hear slushing water when driving. It accumulated all the way to the luggage compartment and caused the Control unit rear electrical and the ASD module to fail causing $2564.61 in repairs. Was wondering if this is the case of the issue [XXX] . When I read online there Is a lot of complaints about this. Has BMW ever acknowledged the issue? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11621696ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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.

ODI #11570543TIRES

I had a flat the other day and had it replaced as they were inspecting my cars they noticed my other tire was bald. Both of these are Pirelli P7 all season and I had just bought this tire in June of 2023 and driven around 10,000 miles. Its almost totally bald after 10k miles which is crazy. Its raining and my car is not gripping on the road. My other tire blew because of this. I called and they told me there no rating for my tire and they can't replace it. They just put my life at risk because they gave me a crappy tire and they wont even replace the bald one? I could have crashed and been hurt or someone else hurt. Has not been inspected except for the tire company who installs them.

ODI #11552395POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

There is a ebrake bracket made of plastic underneath the car but that sits above the drive train running from the front to the back parallel to the drivetrain. It's not protected by a heat shield and is only made of thin plastic. My has been replaced three times already and is already needing to be fixed again on a car with only 76k miles. The high temperatures from the exhaust melt the plastic and cause the cable to fall on to the drivetrain. It's only the matter of time before it gets caught in the drivetrain or wraps around causes an accident and serious bodily injury. I am shocked to see this is not recalled already to be replaced with a metal bracket. Mfg Part # 34406854898 34-40-6-854-898 34 40 6 854 898 34.40.6.854.898

ODI #11544273SERVICE BRAKES

The plastic clip supporting the emergency brake line clip failed resulting in the emergency brake line guide resting on the drive shaft. This could cause a complete failure of the emergency brake. Replacing the clip requires removal of the gas tank, exhaust and heat shield to access the clip. A BMW dealer shop did the expensive repair ($3345) and told me it was common. I’ve read that the clip may have been redesigned. I believe this part should be properly designed and replaced in impacted cars and that the cost of the repair should be on BMW and not the consumer. The emergency brake/parking brake needs to be a reliable functioning part of the car to protect the safety of people in and around the vehicle. I do not have the broken clip for inspection, however, I attached photos. I realized I had a problem from the intermittent noise made from the emergency brake guide resting on the drive shaft. The vehicle inspection at the dealership identified the problem. A video of the inspection was made at the dealership. I attempted without success to gain some reimbursement and find out about the clip redesign from BMW USA.

ODI #11537387UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Parking brake cable retainer clip that extends above the driveshaft all the way to the rear wheels has broken and now cable scrapes against drive shaft causing a loud unpleasant concerning grinding noise when accelerating. The dealer were I service my vehicle is aware of issue, the part is a very inexpensive part, ranging from $12 to $50 depending ware you purchase but the dealer wants to charge $900 dollars to replace. This repair should be placed on the recall list due to the difficulty in replacing the clip, due to possibly having to remove the gas tank and drive shaft to get to the clip.

ODI #11511436STRUCTURE

I saw a similar NHTSA report for this car, so I will just repeat it here: <start of similar NHTSA REPORT>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NHTSA ID Number: 11440588 The door locks have become ‘sticky’. This means that when pulling on the interior door release handle, the lock is moving to a stuck position that is not permitting egress. While the solution of pushing the central unlock button is currently viable, it would not work in a total electrical failure, or a situation of a vehicle submersion in water. This is a dangerous situation, potentially leading to passenger entrapment if the motors or lock mechanism fail. <end of similar NHTSA REPORT>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back to me: I have owned the car for roughly 2 years. The car has 72,000 miles on it. At first the problem was intermittent - less than 5% of the time. Recently, it is up to over 50% of time. A quick look at the BMW message boards shows that this is a widespread problem. There should be a recall on this extremely dangerous defect.

ODI #11488925ENGINE

I was driving on the interstate and my 2015 BMW 428i suddenly went into neutral and almost got us killed. Mileage at 88k, no check engine light, rattling, or leaking of fluids and car had just been to my local shop for an oil change the week before. Towed to BWW dealership, as car was inoperable, and told the engine had seized.

ODI #11486333UNKNOWN OR OTHERCRASHFIRE

I finance my car in 2016, the car was purchased at a third-party dealership, it only one previous owner. My car has two major recalls, BMW never notified me that there were any recalls and I never got any compensation such as fixing the car. Long story I lost my car in a car fire last year. My car was completely totaled and the car caught wire out of nowhere. I put an investigation through BMW of North America but they weren’t helpful and they compensate me for all the damages and losses that I lost due to the fire in my car. I just saw a new recall for more than 900,000 cars and I wanted to make sure that A- every recalls was served or down my car and B- if there’s a new recall related to my car fire I’m entitled to repairs monetary damages since I lost my car.

ODI #11472578WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKESCRASH

I was driving at 20mph and the brakes failed at a red light and it felt that a misfire in the engine as well I didn't have other option to force my way to the side because I could push the front car and pedestrians where crossing.

ODI #11467716SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Drivers side rear control arm snapped in half (sheered cut). The aluminum solid piece broke in half, this is to knowledge an oem original part that was not replaced. Resulted in suspension and alignment issue, uneven tread wear on all four tires (excessive wear on short amount of time causing me to replace all tires).

ODI #11465459STEERING

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428i. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The message; Electrical Malfunction. Contact Service Center was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road using physical strength to steer the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering assist functionality. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Electric Power Steering (EPS) had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 141,425.

ODI #11462187UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear backup camera stopped working when backing car up. Also rear tailgate electric hatchopening stopped working along with lights. Dealer troubleshot problems and couldn’t determine failure cause but stated real tail gate control module needed replacement. Picked up car from dealer and the problems resolved themselves! Been working for several weeks so far but seems this might be an intermittent problem. Contacted BMWUSA to ask for Good Will repair but was denied due to mileage being outside base warranty. This is a potential crash hazard.

ODI #11460809ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 428i. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal cracking sound. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

ODI #11451974FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car stops every once in a blue moon randomly while I am driving. The engine suddenly shuts off and a warning light that says "Drivetrain Malfunction: Drive moderately. Maximum drive output not available." shows up. It is extremely dangerous for me and others, it has stopped 3 times in the middle of the freeway & 6 times on normal street. When I got my car towed the first few times to random auto body stores, they scan my car & no engine code comes up so they don't know what to do and gave me a lot of advice. They also fill my gas up and then my car runs as if it has no problems. I found that this happens always at the half gallon mark, it will again say "drivetrain malfunction" when I call Triple A towing assistance I asked for gas instead and when they give it to me, the problem is fixed again. It clearly isn't being able to use up all my gas because it cant even go past the half tank mark when it shuts down. Right now I am literally driving only when my car gas is full before it reaches the half mark because I am so afraid. I found that my car model & year has the same recall listed for fuel pump problems. I took it to auto stores and they all tell me this is a fuel pump issue and not a drivetrain issue. I also measured the amount of gas I put in which is correct so the gas gauge meter is not the issue. My car shakes a bit when its starting off and often I feel as if it is not getting the gas correctly and my car feels weak at acceleration and then random jolts of it going well, which makes the car leap forward even though my foot is at the same pressure. My car is available for inspection anytime and I have called BMW service center and they told me to contact you guys first with a report. There has been no prior issues before this started happening maybe 6 months ago. It has happened over and over and over and now I am terrified to drive my car. The independent service centers tell me I have to probably change either both the fuel pumps or something related.

ODI #11449931UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving on the highway with no cars around me and my sunroof exploded outward.

ODI #11440588STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The door locks have become ‘sticky’. This means that when pulling on the interior door release handle, the lock is moving to a stuck position that is not permitting egress. While the solution of pushing the central unlock button is currently viable, it would not work in a total electrical failure, or a situation of a vehicle submersion in water. This is a dangerous situation, potentially leading to passenger entrapment if the motors or lock mechanism fail. A manual unlock MUST be possible, but as this vehicle has aged, has become problematic. I experience this most on days with significant temperature swings, and will note that I experienced the exact same problem in my 2005 BMW 3 series, which was reported and repaired at cost to me, Basic passenger safety should not require this repair or cost. The mechanism in question is flawed and deserves investigation.

ODI #11433462STEERING,AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

I car hit me from behind and pushed me into the car in front of me and my steering wheel came off and my air bag on steering wheel did not deploy. As a result the wheel pushed in my chest.

ODI #11431012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRESFIRE

The contact owned a 2015 BMW 428i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle drove over a pot and the air pressure monitoring system warning had displayed. After stopping the vehicle, flames and smoke were present coming from the front driver side wheel well. The fire department was called to the scene but the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames and was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined due to the extent of the fire damage. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.

ODI #11423797FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car has been experiencing the same issues as reported in the BMW safety recall campaign 15V189000, since I purchased the car in October 2018. "If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash." The last issue just happened recently on the interstate, which almost resulted in a crash. My Vin number production year is 2/2015 and is not part of the campaign, which is for production years 9/2013 to 9/2014. I believe my car should be part of this campaign, as my car is experiencing the exact same issues. I don't believe it is because of mileage/age, because this has been occurring since I got the car at around 40k or so miles in 2018.

ODI #11418061AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

I had road side accident on4/30/21 around 3:15 pm at Clovis California air bag not deployed all front smashed my call back no is [XXX]. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

ODI #11416255SERVICE BRAKES

VACUUM PUMP LEAKING OIL INTO BRAKE BOOSTER. ENGINE OIL LEAKING INTO BRAKE BOOSTER DAMAGED MASTER CYLINDER CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO BRAKE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A CRASH. WE NOTICED THE BRAKES NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS.

ODI #11351074POWER TRAIN

CAR WOULD SHIFT WITHOUT WARNING TO NEUTRAL AND STALL WHILE DRIVING AT STREET AND HIGHWAY SPEED. POTENTIALLY MAY CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF SPEED AND POWER. THERE HAS BEEN PREVIOUS RECALLS, BUT THE 4 SERIES WAS NOT INCLUDED AND SHOULD BE, AS I EXPERIENCED THE SAME AS REPORTED WITH ATTACHED

ODI #11343874UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CAR HAS A FUTURE THEY CALLING CONNECT BMW. THAT FUTURE IS NOT WORKING ON MY CAR. I CAN'T OPEN OR CLOSE , OR USE VENTILATION OR ANY FUTURE IS NOT USEABLE ON APP. I PAID FOR ALL FUTURES AND DIDN'T WORKING I TOOK THE 2 DIFFERENT BMW SERVICES AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S MANUFACTURE PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO CONTACT WITH BMW GENIUS DEPARTMENT. I CONTACTED WITH THEM AND THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION AND THEY TOLD ME WE WILL CONTACT WITH YOU. THEY CONTACT WITH ME ONES AND TOLD ME WE ARE STILL WORKING ON IT. AND 1 YEAR PASSED AND THEY NOT FIXING MY PROBLEM.

ODI #11320274ENGINE

BMW N20 ENGINE DETERIORATES ITSELF BY A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM SETUP. BMW HAS EXTENDED THE LIMITED WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS 70K MILES, BUT THAT IS SIMPLY JUST NOT ENOUGH. MY CAR, A 2015 428I, HAS SYMPTOMS OF OF THE TIMING CHAIN FALLING APART. KNOCKING SOUND, AND VERY LOUD HIGH PITCH WINE WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY IT'S NORMAL. WHEN YOU LOOK UNDER THE HOOD YOU CAN SEE THE TIMING CHAIN, IT SHOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. MINE MOVES UP, DOWN, LEFT, AND RIGHT, AS WELL AS THE GUIDE. BMW NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT 68,000 MILES, AND THE WARRANTY ENDS AT 70,000. THESE ENGINES ARE KNOWN FOR BREAKING AFTER THE 70K MILE MARK. THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, AND JUST HAVE ALL N20, ENGINES FROM 2012-2015'S TIMING CHAINS REPLACED, OR EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS AND 150,000 MILES. AS MY CAR HAS ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS OF A BAD TIMING CHAIN, I'M JUST WAITING FOR THE DAY MY CAR BREAKS AFTER 70K, AND I'M STUCK TO DEAL WITH A 20K ENGINE REPLACEMENT BILL. I KNOW PEOPLE WITH THE BMW N20, ENGINE WHO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THEIR BROKEN CARS DUE TO THE TIMING CHAIN. THIS IS JUST RIDICULOUS, AND BMW REALLY JUST NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART. THEY LIKE TO CALL THEMSELVES THE 'ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE', BUT THEIR CARS CAN'T EVEN LAST PAST 70 THOUSAND MILES WITHOUT HAVING A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, AND THEY NEED TO MAKE THIS ISSUE A RECALL.

ODI #11288873AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

I BROUGHT MY CAR IN AFTER A FAULTY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OFF. WAS NOTIFIED BY BMW THAT THE SEAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO SHUT OFF. THIS FAULT IS WELL-KNOWN TO BMW AND I WROTE A COMPLAINT BASED ON MY INITIAL CONTACT THAT BMW WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM BMW ABOUT THE COMPLAINT MADE TO THEM IN WHICH THEY STATED BECAUSE I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY WILL TAKE NO OWNERSHIP OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPORTED PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS COMMON SEAT SENSOR ISSUE CAN BE AFFECTED BY CELL PHONES BEING PLACED ON THE SEAT AND MOISTURE (NEITHER OF WHICH APPLIED TO THIS CIRCUMSTANCE). IT IS TROUBLING TO KNOW THAT FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE CAN FAULT SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT AND I ADVISED BMW CORP DURING MY PHONE CALL THAT PROPER SHIELDING OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS TO PREVENT FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE SHOULD BE CORRECTED. SAFETY COMPONENTS SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER WHEN IT PERTAINS TO THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS.THE REPRESENTATIVE CONTINUED TO PRESS THAT BMW WOULD TAKE NO OWNERSHIP OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT BUT WOULD DOCUMENT THIS IN THE FORMAL COMPLAINT. THERE IS NO RESOLVE AVAILABLE THROUGH BMW ACCORDING TO THE REPRESENTATIVE.

ODI #11288479AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

AIRBAGS IN THE BMW ARE MALFUNCTIONING AND PRODUCING A FAULT OF THE SYSTEM LISTED AS A "MALFUNCTION". BMW DOES NOT WARRANTY THIS THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO FIXING FAULTY SYSTEMS THAT COULD INJURE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. I PURCHASED A 3RD PARTY WARRANTY FOR MY CAR THROUGH MAP WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR BUT THERE MAY BE A DISPUTE OF WHO IS SUPPOSED TO COVER THIS SYSTEM ACCORDING TO MY ADVISER CHRIS FROM BMW. TAKING VEHICLE IN TOMORROW 12/12, FAULT BEGAN 8AM 12/11 WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

ODI #11269847ENGINEFIRE

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY, AND WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF IN JACK IN THE BOX PARKING LOT WHEN MY CARS ENGINE BURSTED INTO FLAMES.

ODI #11269065ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BMW 428I SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY FREEWAY. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GLIDE TO THE SIDE. UNABLE TO RE-START WITH THE VEHICLE PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE SLOW LANE. AFTER FEW MINUTES IT STARTED AGAIN

ODI #11210005AIR BAGSCRASH2 INJURIES

WHILE DRIVING MY 2015 BMW 428I GRAND COUPE, I WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR BY A LARGE UTILITY TRUCK. THE REAR DOOR WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. THERE APPEARS TO BE FRAME DAMAGE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. THE SIDE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I SUSTAINED INJURIES BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY FEATURE NEVER DEPLOYED. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN A TRUCK IN THE INTERIOR LANE WENT STRAIGHT, STRIKING ME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS PINNED SHUT, AND SUSTAINED SECONDARY DAMAGES. *DT *TR

ODI #11209455UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CONDENSOR FREEZES AND NO AIR COMES OUT OF THE VENTS. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SELECT DIFFERENT VENTS OR TEMPERATURES. I BOUGHT MY CAR AT THE END OF FEBRUARY 2019 AND IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. WHEN I LOOK ONLINE IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICAN THREE TIMES. THE SECOND TIME A MANAGER TOLD ME SEVERAL UNTRUTHS TO GET ME OFF OF THE PHONE. TODAY WHEN I TOLD TO SOMEONE, I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS LIED TO. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY PUT MY WINDOWS DOWN DURING A DOWN POUR TO KEEP THE WINDOWS CLEAN. IT IS NOW SPRING DURING THE HOTTER TEMPERATURE IT IS GOING TO BE NO BETTER. IT FROZE ON A DAY THAT IT WAS IN THE 80'S. THE CAR WOULD NOT COOL DOWN. THE FAN WAS BLOWING ON HIGH AND THE PASSENGER'S DASHBOARD WAS EXTREMELY HOT. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE ON TOP OF THE CAR NOT COOLING OFF.

ODI #11208137UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RECENTLY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL REMAIN LOCKED WHEN TRYING TO OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED THE CAR WAS PARKED, OFF, AND I WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A GROCERY STORE

ODI #11176166POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 428I. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THAT CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. BMW OF COLUMBIA (250 KILLIAN COMMONS PARKWAY, COLUMBIA, SC 29203, (803) 404-5400) WAS CONTACTED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

ODI #11156006AIR BAGSCRASH1 INJURY

I WAS T BONED BY ANOTHER DRIVER AND MY AIRBAG DIDNT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS GOING APPROX 20MPH AND THE OTHER VEHICLE OVER 60MPH. STRUCK DIRECTLY IN CENTER OF CAR ON PASSENGER SIDE AND ONLY TH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AIRBAG WAS THE ONLY ONE TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN MY CAR. I WAS KNOCKED OUT BY HITTING THE SIDE PANEL AND STEERING WHEEL. I WAS IN MOTION TURNING INTO MY WORK ACROSS A HIGHWAY

ODI #11149875ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINECRASH1 INJURY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 428I. WHILE DRIVING OVER 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE LANE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING TO THE SIDE OF ROAD, IT DRASTICALLY DECELERATED AND LOST POWER, WHICH MADE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH, CUTS, AND BRUISES TO THE ARMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE TO DETERMINE IF THERE WOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ODI #11102515ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE PLAYING MUSIC THE BLUETOOTH WILL RANDOMLY DISCONNECT OR PLAY THE WRONG SONG ON IPHONE 8, IF CONNECTED THROUGH USB IT WILL CUT IN AND OUT AS IF IT CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING. THE WINDOWS WHEN ROLLED UP AND OR DOWN WILL MAKE A SQUEAKING NOISE. I HAVE VIDEO PROOF BUT FILE TYPE AND SIZE ARENT COMPATABLE

ODI #11078233UNKNOWN OR OTHER1 INJURY

EXPLOSION OF SUNROOF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY APPARENT REASON. WAS NOT DRIVING UNDEE ANY OVERPASS AND I DIDN'T SEE ANY OBJECTS HITTING THE CAR. HEARD A BIG BOOM AND SUDDENLY I WAS COVERED IN GLASS FROM THE SUNROOF. HAD MINOR CUTS ON FACE AND HANDS

ODI #10865500ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 428I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REPAIR SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE OCCURRING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ODI #10808865ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 428I. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200.

ODI #10765109ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMFIRE

I SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL, AND THEN THE ENTIRE DASH WENT BLACK. A "ENGINE MALFUNCTION" WARNING CAME ON. I STOPPED RIGHT AWAY, GOT OUT OF THE CAR JUST AS IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE ENTIRE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS.

ODI #10763359POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I AM WRITING TO VOICE A CONCERN ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FLAW WITH NEWER MODEL BMW CARS, INCLUDING MY 2015 428I GRAN COUPE. UPON TURNING ON TO A MAJOR ROAD, THE CAR SUDDENLY FAILED TO ACCELERATE TO A SPEED OF MORE THAN 10-15MPH. WITH TRAFFIC QUICKLY APPROACHING FROM BEHIND AT ~50MPH, THE ONCOMING CAR HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME DUE TO MY LOSS OF ACCELERATION, AND WE BOTH BARELY AVOIDED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, AND A SOFTWARE MALFUNCTION HAD CAUSED A "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER. THEY CONSULTED WITH BMW AND WERE TOLD TO UPGRADE THE CAR'S SOFTWARE AND MONITOR TO SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AFTER QUESTIONING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FURTHER, I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN, THAT THEY HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN IN OTHER BMW MODELS IN ADDITION TO MINE, AND THAT THEY HAVE SEEN CASES WHERE BMW CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM HAD REPEAT EVENTS EVEN AFTER UPGRADING THE SOFTWARE. I ASKED IF THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS OCCURRING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON A HIGHWAY, WHERE A BMW CAR SUDDENLY HAD A SOFTWARE-DRIVEN "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" AND LOSS OF POWER, AND THEY SAID YES. I TALKED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA TO VOICE MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY, AND THEY LOOKED INTO MY CASE AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO. MY CASE WAS CLOSED WITHOUT FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FLAW. I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND MY CONCERN FOR SAFETY AND I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKE BMW TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY. I AM HOPING THAT THERE WILL NOT HAVE TO BE MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND FATALITIES (AS IN THE RECENT HIGH PROFILE GENERAL MOTORS CASE) BEFORE BMW WILL ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM SERIOUSLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT IN READING THIS. *TR

ODI #10761304TIRES

MY 2015 BMW 428I HAS 9000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIRES ARE BALD THESE TIRES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE

ODI #10694897VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCRASH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 428I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A REFRIGERATOR AND COMPUTER DESK. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE REVERSED INDEPENDENTLY CRASHING INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

ODI #10661593SERVICE BRAKESCRASH

I STARTED THE CAR AND GOT IT OUT OF MY GARAGE. STOPPED THE CAR, ENGAGED "PARK" ON THE ELECTRONIC GEAR-SHIFT LEVER, AND ACTIVATED THE PARKING BRAKE BY PULLING ON THE MANUAL LEVER. GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT TURNING IT OFF AND MANUALLY CLOSED MY GARAGE DOOR. THE CAR, STOOD STILL FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS ON MY DRIVEWAY (WHICH HAS A 10 INCLINE) WHILE I CLOSED MY GARAGE DOOR. AS SOON AS I TOUCHED THE VEHICLE'S DOOR HANDLE TO GET BACK IN THE CAR, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING FORWARD. THE CAR HIT MY GARAGE DOOR. I WAS STILL OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS WAS TRIGGERED BY TOUCHING THE CAR'S DOOR HANDLE, LIKELY DUE TO THE SAME MECHANISM THAT UNLOCKS THE CAR DOORS WHEN I TOUCH THE DOOR HANDLE. (THE VEHICLE HAS A KEYLESS ENTRY FEATURE THAT UNLOCKS THE CAR WHEN TOUCHING THE HANDLE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE) WHEN I GOT BACK IN THE CAR I CONFIRMED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN THE "PARK" MODE AND THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED. THIS INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ROLL AWAY BMW'S. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS SIMILAR TO INCIDENTS REPORTED WITH BMW SERIES 7 AND X5 MODELS. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT. *JS

ODI #10629894SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKESCRASH

1.TRAVELING ABOUT 20-30MPH ON THE FREEWAY UNDER SLOW TRAFFIC CONDITION 2.THE CAR WAS CRUISING ABUT 20-25MPH AT THE POINT OF ACCIDENT. I NEEDED TO REDUCE SPEED AS TRAFFIC GET SLOWER, BUT BRAKE DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. PRESSED BRAKE HARD BUT THE CAR WAS STILL ROLLING AND REAR ENDED THE CAR FRONT OF ME TWICE, BECAUSE MY CAR COULD NOT STOP UNTIL HIT REAR END TWICE I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS INCIDENT RELATED TO PREVIOUS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V454000. *TR

Component Failure Cascade Risk

Known patterns where one defect leads to more severe downstream failures

CriticalEGR issue detected

▸ Head gasket failure and engine overheating — EGR cooler failure is the leading cause of catastrophic engine failure on diesel engines

CriticalTIMING CHAIN issue detected

▸ Valve and piston damage — timing chain/belt failure causes immediate catastrophic engine damage at any speed

HighFUEL PUMP issue detected

▸ Engine stalling at speed — fuel delivery failure can cause sudden loss of power in traffic or on highways

HighDEF issue detected

▸ Engine derate or no-start condition — DEF system failure puts vehicle into limp mode limiting speed to 5mph

Complaint & Reliability Timeline

Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red

Annual complaints and reliability score for BMW 428i — recall years marked in red
0132505010020242014201620182020202220242026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Recall issued
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 78 total NHTSA complaints filed over 12 years, with the worst year being 2025 (25 complaints).

The amber reliability line averaged 93/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 85/100 in 2025.

The red dashed line marks recall issuance — the first recall came 10 years after owners began filing complaints, a lag that indicates the manufacturer was slow to formally acknowledge these problems.

Red dots on the amber line flag 6 years (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) where complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Manufacturer Extended Warranties & Special Coverage

1 known program match this vehicle — verify current eligibility with dealer using your VIN

VERIFY WITH DEALEREXTENDED WARRANTYService Action 12 17 500
BMW N20/N26 Timing Chain Extended Coverage
Engine – N20 / N26 2.0L Timing Chain / Tensioner
COVERAGE:Extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles under BMW Special Coverage (varies by market)

N20 and N26 2.0L four-cylinder engines suffer from timing chain wear and tensioner failure — particularly in lower-speed, short-trip driving. The failure mode can lead to sudden engine stalling or catastrophic engine damage if the chain jumps or breaks. BMW extended coverage on timing components in many markets.

HOW TO CLAIM: Contact BMW NA or your BMW dealer with your VIN. Reference N20/N26 timing chain extended warranty and Service Action 12 17 500. If out of coverage, replacement of chain, tensioner, and guides typically runs $2,000–$4,000.

Coverage eligibility depends on your VIN, original sale date, and current mileage. Always verify with an authorized dealer or manufacturer customer service — programs may have been updated since this database was compiled.

Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$42,614
~$710/mo over 5 yrs
$0.3/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$10,000
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$9,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$11,000
Depreciation
$5,114

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $42,614 (~$710/mo). Repair risk buffer is elevated due to vehicle risk profile.

Negotiation Ammunition

Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down

5 open recalls (unverified repair status)−$2,500
Total recommended deduction−$2,500

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2015 BMW 428i — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

⚠ 1 critical inspection item must be resolved before purchase. Do not skip these checks.
CRITICAL
Verify Takata airbag recall has been completed
Takata inflators can rupture and send shrapnel into the cabin — fatalities have occurred. Confirm repair with NHTSA VIN lookup before purchase.
HIGH
Inspect for egr issue detected — ask for repair records
Head gasket failure and engine overheating — EGR cooler failure is the leading cause of catastrophic engine failure on diesel engines
HIGH
Inspect for timing chain issue detected — ask for repair records
Valve and piston damage — timing chain/belt failure causes immediate catastrophic engine damage at any speed
HIGH
Inspect for fuel pump issue detected — ask for repair records
Engine stalling at speed — fuel delivery failure can cause sudden loss of power in traffic or on highways
HIGH
Verify recall AIR BAGS has been repaired
Recall on record for: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 428i Convertible, 428i xDrive Convertible, 435i Con
HIGH
Verify recall FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP has been repaired
Recall on record for: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 3
HIGH
Verify recall AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW has been repaired
Recall on record for: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan
HIGH
Verify recall AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE has been repaired
Recall on record for: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series
HIGH
Verify recall ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP has been repaired
Recall on record for: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ENGINE
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

30%
18-month
51%
2-year
Moderate Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 51%

30% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.

  • ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
  • ▸Multiple prior recalls — pattern of safety issues on this model

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$1,450–$1,850/yr
~$121–$154/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
▼ 11-year-old vehicle: −18% (depreciated ACV lowers full-coverage cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History

Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations

BMW has been fined $3M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Failure to submit required Early Warning Reports to NHTSA.

2014$3MFailure to submit required Early Warning Reports to NHTSA

Safer Alternatives to Consider

Based on the risk level of this 2015 BMW 428i, these Similar Vehicle Class alternatives have significantly better safety records

2017–2022 Toyota equivalent classNO CLASS ACTIONS

Toyota models consistently rank in the bottom quartile for NHTSA complaint density across all segments

2018–2022 Honda equivalent classNO CLASS ACTIONS

Honda models have below-average recall rates and no known systemic powertrain defects in recent years

2016–2022 Mazda equivalent classNO CLASS ACTIONS

Mazda has the industry's lowest complaint-per-vehicle rate in multiple consecutive NHTSA reporting years

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINWBA4A7C50FD413310
Model Year2015
MakeBMW
Model428i
TrimxDrive GC
Series4-Series
Vehicle TypePASSENGER CAR

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
Drive TypeAWD/All-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Engine Cylinders4
Displacement (L)2.0
Horsepower241

Manufacturer

ManufacturerBMW AG
Assembly CityDINGOLFING
Assembly CountryGERMANY

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)WBA
Check Digit (Char 9)0
Model Year Code (Char 10)F
Plant Code (Char 11)D
Sequence (Chars 12–17)413310

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count5
NHTSA Complaint Count78

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

W
1
B
2
A
3
4
4
A
5
7
6
C
7
5
8
0
9
F
10
D
11
4
12
1
13
3
14
3
15
1
16
0
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
W
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
B
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
A
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
4A7C5
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
0
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
F
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
D
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
413310
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Germany
From VIN position 1 (W)
Model Year Character
"F" → 2015
Could also be 1985
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 11/1/2026, 1:13:18 PM.