NHTSA Complaint #11574506 — 2011 BMW 328I

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving the vehicle, there was a clicking noise coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the residence. The contact later took the vehicle to a BMW Specialist, who disassembled the engine to determine if the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The mechanic found the VANOS bolts had loosened and sheared off into the oil pan and damaged the cylinders, pistons, and the head. The contact was advised to do an engine swap but declined due to the cost. In December 2023, the contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and towed the vehicle to the dealer to have the recall repair performed. The dealer looked under the hood and saw parts of the engine opened from the previous mechanic and stated the contact had pay to have the engine put back together and diagnosed, but the previous mechanic stated he would do it for free. The independent mechanic did not put the engine back together, and the dealer stated they would call the contact before starting any repairs on the vehicle. The dealer put the engine together and stated the contact needed to purchase coil packs and a battery. The contact provided the coil packs and a battery to the dealer and the parts were installed. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not test-driven but ran smoothly and returned the vehicle to the contact. The contact drove the vehicle 10 miles from the dealer and the engine seized. Upon arriving home, the contact received an email from the dealer itemizing repairs performed on the vehicle. The dealer stated that the oil pan was removed and there was a liter of water from the engine, primed the engine with oil, and cleared the fault memory. The contact called the dealer, regarding the seized engine and the dealer refused to provide further assistance. The manufacturer was not no