NHTSA Complaint #11710165 — 2012 BMW 328I

INCIDENT SUMMARY: On January 9, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM, while traveling at 50 MPH in North Carolina, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine seizure without any prior "Limp Mode" warning or Check Engine Light. This resulted in an immediate, total loss of motive power in active traffic. I was forced to navigate a dead multi-ton vehicle across lanes without power steering or vacuum-assisted braking, narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision. TIMELINE & NEGLIGENCE: This vehicle was purchased from an independent retail dealer on December 20, 2025—less than 21 days prior to this life-threatening failure. The vehicle was sold with an "Open" status for Safety Recall 23V-707. The failure occurred exactly as described in the recall’s warning: a catastrophic stall at speed. TECHNICAL EVIDENCE: A non-invasive borescope inspection of the cylinders has confirmed the presence of metallic "silver chunks" (sheared bolt heads) and "half-moon" impact marks on the piston crowns, indicating a total timing failure and internal mechanical collision (piston-to-valve contact). REQUIRED REMEDY: This incident is a direct manifestation of the safety risk documented in Recall 23V-707. Per BMW Service Bulletin SIB 11 09 23, the presence of sheared bolt heads and seized internals constitutes "Catastrophic Consequential Damage." I am filing this report to ensure federal oversight of BMW North America’s obligation to provide a complete engine replacement, as the safety defect was present at the time of sale and resulted in a near-fatal incident within 300 miles of ownership.