1996 BMW 328I Problems
- Complaints
- 31filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 88,604miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 BMW 328I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 328I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (19% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 88,604 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling6 19%
- Electrical system4 13%
- Air bags3 9.7%
- Exterior lighting3 9.7%
- Body and structure3 9.7%
- Fuel system2 6.5%
- Other or unknown2 6.5%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.5%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “My engine just cut out while driving on the highway with no explanation. My independent mechanic says that since my battery was disconnected while being repaired, all fault memory was lost. My dealer will not replace any parts without any reproducible failure. Bmw of north america admits that htis kind of failure happens to 3 and 5 series cars, but has not issued a recall and has not replied to my complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #540520, filed 1998-08Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1996 Bmw 328I. He stated that the horn did not work and noticed that the wires were cut in the steering column and under the hood. He stated that he purchased the clockspring, but it was not compatible with the steering wheel. The current mileage was 97,120 and the approximate failure mileage was 96720.”
NHTSA complaint #10199955, filed 2007-08, 96,720 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I have a 328I Bmw, and the information in the owners manual states that you never need to change the transmission fluid yet on the day in question my transmission began to stall and jerk. I than called my mechanic who I informed of this trouble, he then informed me to bring the car to him to check. I need to also tell that this automobile does not have a dip stick so there is no way to tell if the transmission fluid is going bad prior to what is happening to me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10021514, filed 2003-06, 80,489 milesAir bags: “Hile driving vehicle at 30 MPH was involved in a head-on collision. There was no deployment of driver's or passeger's side airbags. Vehicle hit on center right front on drivers side.”
NHTSA complaint #812425, filed 1997-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,489 and 96,720 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 BMW 328I. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328I · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 BMW 328I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328i Convertible RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 328i Convertible RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 328i/328is RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 328i/328is RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 BMW 328I in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 328I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 57 | 28,500 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 26 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 125 | 64,000 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 152 | 59,000 | 8 | 5 | 27 | 84 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 257 | 63,373 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 91 · More | Rising |
| 2012 | 130 | 81,000 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 65 · More | Stable |
| 2011 | 578 | 92,000 | 7 | — | 22 | 97 · More | Rising |
| 2010 | 155 | 97,500 | 6 | — | 22 | 17 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2009 | 193 | 77,000 | 6 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 239 | 89,000 | 5 | — | 21 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2007 | 399 | 80,000 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 112 | 109,850 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 98 | 106,400 | 7 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 26 | 154,000 | 0 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 25 | 78,000 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 31 | 88,604 | 0 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All BMW 328I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 BMW 328I have?
NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 328I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 BMW 328I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (19% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 1996 BMW 328I been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 BMW 328I get?
The EPA rates the 1996 BMW 328I (328i Convertible, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 BMW 328I reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 88,604 miles and the middle half falls between 80,489 and 96,720 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.