Three problems related to car will not start have been reported for the 2008 BMW 328. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 328xi. On several occasions, while driving, the rpm needle dropped and then returned to normal. The vehicle shook and stalled. On several other occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that the passenger side air bag and seat belt indicator illuminated. The contact was concerned that due to NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags), the passenger side air bags could also be defective. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the key needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer was not notified. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13v044000 (electrical system). The contact was concerned that the stalling would occur and could cause a crash. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall for the electrical system and no parts were available for the air bag recall. The manufacturer informed the contact that she would receive a notification letter when the part was available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Through out the past month I have had my car towed three times with five occurances of the care not cranking and the electrical system shutting down leaving me stranded. Over the past year the airbag light has come on at least once a month for less than 5-10 minutes at the time. The first instance it was towed BMW of mobile replaced the battery after several days of trouble shooting even though I had had our local police department check the battery to be sure that that was not the issue. They charged me over five hundred dollars for this battery. Two days after the battery was replaced I had it towed again to BMW of mobile because the car would not crank again and the lights etc. Would come on. They kept the car for over 5 days running test then stated that "nothing was wrong. " I told them that I would not have had it towed if nothing was wrong. Two days later it would not crank again when my 3 year old daughter and I were at a late local highschool football game. This time they said that it was an electrical wire on the passenger side causing the problem causing something to melt near the fuse panel($1,200) to replace).
BMW 328xi sportwagon car power lost sporadically while car is in use. 1st time, car stopped at stop sign, when attempting to pull off, car turned off. All power lost only available function - brakes. 2nd time, same day as 1st incident, car moving approx 50mph, hit a bump, all car power lost. Only available feature, brakes. Car would not restart for approx 2. 5 hours. Occurred in construction zone, so car and driver sitting in traffic lane. Unsure what was fixed. Supposedly some part near gas pump hole that leaked - corrosion on computer - replaced. 3rd time - car cut off while traveling 10 mph making right hand turn. Brakes worked only. D/t loss of power steering, car stopped in oncoming traffic lane. Replaced "fuel/air intake" modulator? not sure of the name. Old part was at dealership. 4th time - car cut off while making left hand turn in busy intersection at approx 15 mph. Entire onboard computer replaced. 5th time - traveling approximately 25mph. While crossing railroad tracks, car cut off - restarted immediately. Has not yet been repaired. All repairs done under manufacturers warranty. Parts may still be available at dealership. Each incident between 2-4 weeks apart. Dealership kept car during last repair for 6 weeks. Still unable to repair. Regional rep called and serviced car as well. Numerous parts replaced at this point, without resolution. Very big safety issue for obvious reasons. Date of 1st incident 3/9/2010. Date of most recent incident 5/26/2010.