NHTSA Complaint #11616088 — 2013 BMW 328I

REDUCED ENGINE AND AIR CONDITIONING On hot days or long drives, the AC stops blowing air. I took to dealership and they said it had error FC 801228 and recommended 850W electric fan and program "as first step" at a cost of $2,505.85. I noticed on many online BMW sites, that many other people had this same issue on hot days, long drives and sometimes stop and go traffic. This happened twice prior to 2024, once in June 2024 (air temperature was 100 degrees, driving 65 MPH) and September 24 (air temperature was 72 degrees, driving 65 MPH). All drives were longer than 2 hours. Saw in the news today that BMW is issuing a new recall for the Engine Coolant Pump and connector. Seems as though these issues may be related? Per BMW SI B12 25 13 Engine Electrical Systems publication dated February 2014, this was a known issue in 3 series sedans and 4 series coupes produced from 07/2012 to 12/2013 and the recommended correction was installing the fan housing with 850W electric fan. It notes "The improved parts were introduced into production at the end of November 2013..." BMW SI B12 29 14 dated October 2014 seems to relate to the same issue for production dates 11/2013-06/2014 and recommends replacing fan housing with "improved parts". As an owner of a 2013 3 series sedan, this seems unconscionable that BMW, after becoming aware of this issue so soon after manufacture/sale, wouldn't correct the known issue in their vehicles. I contact BMW Customer Relations about this issue after it happened the first time, they couldn't find the document above in their system and offered no resolution.