2010 BMW 328I Problems

What owners report

Complaints about this model year cluster around stalling and sudden loss of power from the engine, often with the check engine light on, and many owners tie the symptom to the PCV heater and engine bolt recalls that were issued for this car. A second cluster is the passenger seat occupancy sensor setting off the air bag warning, and owners also describe cooling and battery/electrical problems on higher-mileage cars.

1. 1
   Engine

   Stalling or sudden loss of power with check engine light

   • 55 complaints (35%)
   • median 104,788 mi at 12.8 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe the engine cutting out or losing motive power while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with the check engine light on and, in some cases, a rattling or grinding noise from the engine bay. Several report the car would not restart and had to be towed, and a few say the engine seized or needed replacement. Many mention being told the repair was covered by a recall but that parts were not available. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 160,000 miles, with a few cases as low as 31,000 miles.

   Recall 14V1760003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the outstanding engine recalls for this car were completed and get the repair paperwork; have a mechanic check for stored fault codes and listen for rattling or grinding from the engine.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Over the course of three days, while driving my 2010 Bmw 328I on a highway at a rate of speed of 65-70 MPH, the motor stalled, shut off, died, lost power causing me to have to get to the breakdown lane by forward momentum alone. Very dangerous because the other cars on the road have no idea that my car has no power. After sitting for approximately 15 minutes, I tried starting the car and it started right up and I was able to drive it as though nothing was wrong with it. I called my Bmw dealer and am bringing it there tomorrow. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11083172, filed 2018-04, 104,577 miles

   “Today while driving with my family to the airport on the highway my 2010 Bmw 328I suddenly shut off. I didn't realize the engine had died so I kept going until the car got dangerously slow. Then I had to pull over 4 lane to the right and miraculously without any incident. I tried restarting but it wouldn't and I had to get it towed to the dealer. This was a dangerous situaltion and I am worried about giving this car back to my wife who is the primary driver. I purchased this car for safety reasons and that confidence is badly damaged.”

   NHTSA complaint #10909570, filed 2016-09, 60,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Passenger seat sensor sets air bag warning

   • 17 complaints (11%)
   • median 89,750 mi at 8.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners report the passenger air bag warning light or a restraint system message staying on because the occupancy sensor in the seat is not reading correctly. Some say the light alternates on and off between starts, and that dealers replaced the seat mat or told them the VIN was not covered by an air bag recall. Several note the part was expensive to replace. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 150,000 miles, including cars still under low mileage.

   Recall 24V513000Recall 20V0170003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the ignition on and watch whether the passenger air bag light stays lit or cycles; ask if the seat occupancy mat has been replaced and whether any air bag recall is still open for the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Occupancy mat in passenger seat failed, which results in lack of airbag function. Same part number (52 10 7 244 128) is part of voluntary recall (17v-428) for 2006-2007 model year vehicles. I content the same issue extends into later years and should receive the same level of support from Bmw. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11132653, filed 2018-10, 77,000 miles

   “The passenger occupancy sensor mat gives an on and off faulty signal to the computer. Every other car start (stationary), the airbag fault related to the passenger occupancy sensor is illuminated and remains on until next car start.”

   NHTSA complaint #11375762, filed 2020-11, 97,500 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Burning smell and smoke near the engine

   • 14 complaints (9%)
   • median 88,400 mi at 12.4 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2024

   Owners describe a burning odor and smoke from under the hood, sometimes while driving and sometimes at startup, and in one case an engine bay fire. Several link it to the crankcase ventilation heater recall and say parts were unavailable for a long period, while others were told the valve cover gasket was leaking oil onto hot engine parts. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles.

   Recall 17V6830001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the PCV heater recall was completed, and have the engine inspected for oil leaks around the valve cover and for any burning smell after a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a burning odor and smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact pulled over safely and investigated the smoke, which evaporated quickly. The contact also stated that her husband checked under the hood and experienced the burning odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed; however, an independent mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall for the PCV. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11477158, filed 2022-08, 96,800 miles

   “The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a burning odor was present as stated in the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11486861, filed 2022-09, 100,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Battery drain, electrical faults and stall from battery

   • 13 complaints (8%)
   • median 103,400 mi at 8.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2026

   Complaints describe a flooded battery compartment in the trunk, a battery cable connection that intermittently loses power and stalls the car, headlights cutting out, and a footwell module that leaves windows, turn signals and interior lights inoperative after a jump start. Owners say the dealer often had no parts or pointed to an extended warranty rather than a repair. Mostly between about 77,000 and 130,000 miles.

   Recall 13V044000Recall 17V6760004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look for water or corrosion in the trunk battery well, check that all windows, mirrors and lights work, and ask whether the battery cable and blower wiring recalls were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My bmws battery compartment in the trunk was flooded with water. This caused shorting of the battery. The car stalled and became suddenly inoperable. Even the trunk could not be accessed for a long time as all the battery connections were lost. The Bmw service technician who worked on the car said that this could have LED to a serious battery explosion. Fortunately, the stalling happened in my drive way, but it could have happened while driving on the road also. The car was serviced as per Bmw's recommendation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11062729, filed 2018-01, 77,000 miles

   “Bmw of north america, llc (Bmw) is recalling certain 2009 328I and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 m3 coupe and m3 convertible, and 2008-2011 m3 sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power. Consequence: a loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.”

   NHTSA complaint #11330233, filed 2020-06, 100,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Overheating and coolant system trouble

   • 24 complaints (15%)
   • median 105,250 mi at 9.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2026

   A smaller group of owners report the engine running hot, coolant loss, and the heater or air conditioning failing with an abnormal noise. Some connect these symptoms to the blower wiring and PCV recalls, and note that dealers did not have parts when they asked. Reported across a wide mileage range, typically above 100,000 miles.

   Recall 17V6760002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for leaks, run the heater and air conditioning through all settings, and confirm the blower wiring recall was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There's been a recall on the parts that control the flow or speed of the AC unit in the car, also the airflow. There's several other recalls on this car. A notice was originally sent out to me in november of 2017. It's now august of 2018 and another notice has not been sent out. I've reached out to Bmw on this issue was simply told that if smoke or a fire starts in my car, to pull over and dial 911. The fact I can't use my AC in arizona is out of control, it's extremely hot here. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11115557, filed 2018-08, 115,000 miles

   “Occasional rattle noise at the front end of the running motion engine followed by surge power and error code 2a87 and 2a7a vanos related DTC. Vehicle then become rough idled.”

   NHTSA complaint #11270393, filed 2019-10, 50,000 miles

Buying note. Have any pre-purchase inspection include a scan for stored fault codes, a check for open recalls by VIN, and a look at the trunk battery well and cooling system. Service records showing the engine and PCV recalls were completed are worth asking for on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.