2012 BMW 328I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 15%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 BMW 328I, 15% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was cruising on the highway when my idrive displayed 'low oil pressure warning' and 'drivetrain malfunction,' the engine weird noises before it shutdown and went into neutral while I was still around traffic. I barely made it a safe place to stop as I had to coast up a hill and then turn with whatever momentum I had. The steering wheel and brakes were extremely hard to move. I got my car towed and had a diagnostic test for codes shown in the attached screenshot. …”
NHTSA complaint #11330954, filed 2020-06, 103,000 miles“Was driving on the highway when the computer advised to pull over in a safe place. I did and ended towing the car to the dealer for a diagnostic. Was told that the engine had to be replaced because the housing around the timing chain broke free obstructing the oil flow. The compression was good but they recommended that I replaced the engine at a 23344.20 plus taxes. Needless to say I towed the car home without repair. This is a manufactured defect because regular maintenance could not prevent this engine defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11221976, filed 2019-06, 124,000 miles“I was driving on a busy highway and the vehicle randomly stalled and lost power. Drivetrain malfunction trouble lights lit up the dash. I was barely able to get out of traffic before coasting to a stop. I had the vehicle towed to Bmw south austin and it was diagnosed with a faulty fuel transfer pump, and a faulty fuel tank. Essentially I had run out of fuel with 1/4 tank showing on the gauges. Bmw denied my request to repair the vehicle under warranty, even though there is an extended warranty on the in tank fuel pump . …”
NHTSA complaint #11206081, filed 2019-05, 68,000 miles“While driving in the evening I started to accelerate from a stop light and the car just stuttered out of no where and had trouble accelerating. A warning popped up that said drivetrain malfunction. The car is still not outputting enough power and the warning is still up. It goes away and then pops up after drivi g 40mph. I have done ,plenty of research on this and there are a ton of hits and complaints on this. Bmw needs to figure out what is wrong with their vehicles and send out a recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10822067, filed 2016-01, 57,000 miles“While driving this afternoon I started to accelerate from a stop light and the car just stuttered out of no where and had trouble accelerating. A warning popped up that said drivetrain malfunction. I took it to the closest repair shop and they ran diagnostics on it and cannot figure out what is wrong. The car is still not outputting enough power and the warning is still up. I have done research on this and there are a ton of hits on this. Bmw needs to figure out what is wrong with their vehicles and send out a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10820551, filed 2016-01, 58,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10230722Dec 1, 2022After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or Neutral "N" position without any customer influence.
- 10204656Sep 1, 2021With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Gelis, et al. v…
- 10203331Sep 1, 2021BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain modules to: 7 years/70,000 miles as determined by the…
- 10179810Aug 1, 2020N20 and N26 Differential Pressure Sensor Fault: 195002 Stored in DME: The Service Engine Soon (MIL) light is on with the following differential pressure sensor fault stored…
- 10177616Jun 1, 2020EPS STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION: There are front end noises when turning the steering wheel and/or there is limited power steering assist…
- 10176357May 1, 2020EPS STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR MOUNTING BOLTS - LTD WTY EXT TO 10 YRS/120000 MILES: There are front end noises when turning the steering wheel and/or there is limited power steering…
- 10175267Apr 1, 2020Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This…
- 10174009Apr 1, 2020TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B34 05 17 dated September 2017. Ticking noise coming from…
- 10146711Jun 1, 2017Howling Noise from the Rear Differential. When coasting from 85 - 70 mph, there is a howling noise from the rear differential. CAUSE Resonance behavior during the running-in…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | 14% |
| 2015 | 13 | 10% |
| 2014 | 9 | 6% |
| 2013 | 23 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 15% |
| 2011 | 24 | 4% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 8 | 4% |
| 2008 | 7 | 3% |
| 2007 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 27 | 24% |
| 1999 | 12 | 12% |
| 1998 | 3 | 12% |
| 1997 | 1 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2012 BMW 328I
55 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 BMW 328I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology