BMW 328I Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 2,576 consumer complaints across the 15 model years of the BMW 328I (1996–2016) that have at least 5 complaints. 2011 has the most, with 577. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (683 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 328I model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 57 | 28,500 | 1 | 387 | 26 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 125 | 64,000 | 4 | 459 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 152 | 59,000 | 8 | 527 | 84 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 257 | 63,373 | 5 | 633 | 91 · More | Rising |
| 2012 | 130 | 81,000 | 6 | 587 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 577 | 92,000 | 7 | 140 | 97 · More | Rising |
| 2010 | 155 | 97,500 | 6 | 128 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2009 | 193 | 77,000 | 6 | 121 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 239 | 89,000 | 5 | 124 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 399 | 80,000 | 6 | 124 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 112 | 109,850 | 7 | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 98 | 106,400 | 7 | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 26 | 154,000 | 0 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 25 | 78,000 | 0 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 31 | 88,604 | 0 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system683 23%
- Engine625 21%
- Air bags551 19%
- Engine cooling465 16%
- Other or unknown182 6.2%
- Transmission and drivetrain170 5.8%
- Fuel system149 5.1%
- Brakes111 3.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2011: “Was sitting in a restaurant parking lot waiting for a take out order and I heard a big boom like something big hit my car. No one around. Scared me to death, scared to get out of my car, left area and started to drive home on the open highway and heard another big boom! Opened the sunroof and saw that it had a huge whole and shattered!”
NHTSA complaint #11323963, filed 2020-05, 160,000 miles2014: “Was experiencing an abnormal noise from the middle of the car while accelerating and de accelerating, brought to Bmw dealership and was told I needed a new transfer case, was also told this issue was abnormal with my car having less miles than intended for what year it was. They also said eventually my awd function would no longer work if not replaced in my 328I xdrive”
NHTSA complaint #11376879, filed 2020-11, 70,000 miles2012: “I just recently had to take my 2012 Bmw 328I convertible in because of the engine was making a loud noise plus loss of hp. The technician informed me that the vanos solenoid bolts had broken off into the engine after doing more research into this I find that there was a recall on the vanos gear bolts. My question is do I pay for this repair?”
NHTSA complaint #11281940, filed 2019-11, 69,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaintsBMW 335I
808 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology