Whenever you buy a vehicle, you must remember that there are no perfect car makers, as some reliable auto brands produce vehicles with unpleasant problems.
The BMW brand is renowned for its high performance, stylish designs, and unrivaled comfort. These features have earned the auto brand a place in the league of the most reputable luxury vehicle producers across the globe.
However, some problems are familiar with the BMW brand. Let us discuss some of these issues.
Table of Contents
1. Transmission Problems
Customers have complained about the transmission issues with the 2011 BMW X5 models.
Other problems linked to the BMW X5 are engine stalling while driving at low speed, leaking sunroof causing water to gain access to the vehicle, and an overheating engine.
Experts advised that the 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013 models (many of which are the worst years for the BMW X5) should be checked appropriately for these problems.
The sunroof drain tubes tend to disconnect over time, causing a buildup of water in your vehicle.
When you leave the water buildup, it could damage the ignition system, interior fabrics, and the vehicle’s electrical system.
2. Damaged Engine Mount Bolts
The X3 model has nagging issues with its engine, and there have been reports of malfunctioning drive trains causing excessive vibration, noisy grinding sounds and leaking transmission fluid.
The X3 model also has engine mount bolts that get damaged easily. The function of these engine mount bolts is to ensure the transmission and engine are correctly fitted.
Whenever these engine mount bolts are loose, it causes damage to the cooling systems and the engine. The X3 model is also renowned for timing chain issues and engine oil leaks.
3. Electrical Issues
Electrical problems have plagued the BMW 328I series, especially model years 2002, 2003, 2007, and 2009. The problem is because of damaged wiring.
When the wiring is affected, it causes the power seat to break down and leads to a fire outbreak.
Another issue with the BMW 328i is the fuel system failure, and there have been confirmed reports of this problem causing a sudden loss in power steering and brakes.
In the past few years, BMW has made some recalls for a faulty electrical system. BMW recalled more than 500,000 vehicles in 2013; in 2017, more than 700,000 vehicles were recalled because of overheated wiring risks.
This BMW model has other electrical issues, such as ignition system problems, faulty automatic headlights, fuse failure, faulty battery safety terminal sensors, damaged cables, alternator belts, and jammed windshield wipers.
4. Faulty Engine
Using the BMW model M3, be on the lookout for problems such as loud internal noise from the engine, defective cooling and heating systems, and damaged transmissions.
You might experience a stalled-out engine while driving, and the whole engine might need to be replaced. This extra expense could cost you around $10,000 and $35,000 to get an M3 engine replacement.
5. Overheating Engine and Engine Rattle
If you drive the 2007BMW 335i series, it’s important to know that these models have severe issues, from poor gas mileage to cooling system problems.
Sometimes, you may have to cope with power loss and defective high-pressure fuel pumps that cause slow acceleration.
6. Fuel Pump Issues
The 2002 and 2003 BMW X6 model years have serious fuel pump issues, which affect their performance. Some parts of the fuel pump tend to wear out as time goes by, and this could cause problems for your vehicle in the long run.
The X6 model engine also has issues such as stalling at high temperatures, decreased gas mileage, surging, lower engine power, sputtering of the engine, and noisy pump.
It is also essential to avoid driving with low fuel or fuel contaminated with water, as these can create fuel pump problems for your vehicle.
Related: BMW X6 Problems: 7 Common Issues (Explained)
7. Oil Leak
BMW S65B40 has oil leak issues.
It is hard to notice an oil leak in the BMW S65B40 series, and the leak could come from the drain plug, rear main seal, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket, or valve gasket cover.
You need to pay attention to know the right source.
It is critical to note that once some BMW vehicles reach 60,000 miles; they are susceptible to oil leaks, and that is why you need to service your vehicle regularly. That said, BMWs easily last 200,000 miles.
Once you see a pool of oil under your vehicle or a foul smell of burning oil while driving, that is a sign of an oil leak.
Other common issues associated with the BMW S65B40 are overheating, illuminated indicator lights, smoke under the hood, and vehicle sputtering.
Related: Are BMWs Good For Road Trips? (Checked & Explained)
8. Model Steering Wheel Vibrations
There are many complaints about the M2 model having steering wheel vibration problems. It is better to treat the problem as soon as possible as it is a potential safety issue.
This issue could result from problems with the thrush arm bushings, wheel misalignment, warped brakes, defective wheel rims, or worn-out front suspension.
Related: 5 BMW Models With Most Recalls (Check Before Buying!)
9. Alloy Wheels Corrosion
If you have visited the dealerships selling automobiles, you will discover most vehicle brands, including the BMW with alloy wheels.
These alloy wheels are painted to appeal to the eyes of the buyers, and they are prone to corrosion due to the material used in painting them.
These appealing and shiny alloy wheels will begin to show signs of corrosion, which causes them to crack. Once these alloy wheels crack, they will leak slowly and could lead to a puncture of the affected tire, causing an accident.
You need to pay adequate attention to the alloy wheels and take good care of the wheels and tires.
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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.