1997 BMW 328I Problems
- Complaints
- 25filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles, 5 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 1997 BMW 328I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 328I. The part named most often is electrical system, with 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by body and structure (4) and air bags (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, 1 a death, 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.
- Electrical system7 28%
- Body and structure4 16%
- Air bags3 12%
- Engine cooling3 12%
- Tires3 12%
- Seat belts2 8.0%
- Vehicle speed control2 8.0%
- Seats1 4.0%
- Steering1 4.0%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Sudden failure of ignition coil resulting in a shaking/vibrating vehicle. While accellerting in city traffic the car can lunge and jerk while accellerating, resulting in unpredictable accelleration. In city traffic this is very dangerous. I have investigated the ignition coils for Bmw 3 series cars and it appears they fail a lot, yet there is no recall campaign! After investigating further it appears Bmw has some recall campaigns for some of the newer cars. They suggest replacing all ignition coils with a new bosch model. My car has bremi model coils (part no. …”
NHTSA complaint #10121723, filed 2005-05, 50 milesBody and structure: “While driver was sitting in vehicle, something unexpectedly activated the alarm system, doors would not unlock from the inside or the outside, horn also became inoperable.”
NHTSA complaint #899377, filed 2001-11Air bags: “Turned engine off, and went into store, and heard an explosion. Consumer stated driver's side airbag deployed for no reason. The dealer said that the wiring harness melted and caused a short circuit in turn deploying the air bag.”
NHTSA complaint #8018964, filed 2002-09Engine cooling: “Plastic radiator broke at upper hose connection, causing sudden total loss of coolant and engine stopping in heavy freeway traffic. This LED to a very dangerous rescue by caltrans truck after an hour of exposure to high-speed traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10129327, filed 2005-07, 69,042 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 69,042 and 159,800 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 1997 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 1997 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/328is RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 328i/328is RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
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 1997 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, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. 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 1997 BMW 328I have?
NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 1997 BMW 328I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 BMW 328I is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by body and structure with 4.
Has the 1997 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 1997 BMW 328I get?
The EPA rates the 1997 BMW 328I (328i/328is, 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 1997 BMW 328I reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,000 miles and the middle half falls between 69,042 and 159,800 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.