Owners have filed 46 complaints
about the 2015 BMW 320I with NHTSA between 2015 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 61
Against the median year of the BMW 320I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 11
2.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
320.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
213.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
320.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
426.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
320.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2015peak 7Apr 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2015 BMW 320I
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2015 BMW 320I
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
24V527000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
24V288000
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
15V520000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 54,500 milesTifton, GAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING TODAY I SEEN SMOKE COMING OUT THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I THEN PULLED OVER THERE WAS MELTED PLASTIC AND FIRE DRIPPING. WITH IN SECONDS THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #11343754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Glendale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The fuel system was causing my engine to shut down, and I got it replaced at a mechanic. About some time later, after fixing the fuel system, I received a letter from BMW telling me that they had extended the warranty on the Fuel tank, but when I took it in, they said that there was no such extended warranty. The letter is from April 2022, but I just recently found it.
NHTSA complaint #11730837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel system was causing my engine to shut down, and I got it replaced at a mechanic. About some time later, after fixing the fuel system, I received a letter from BMW telling me that they had extended the warranty on the Fuel tank, but when I took it in, they said that there was no such extended warranty. The letter is from April 2022, but I just recently found it.
NHTSA complaint #11730837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomsburg, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2015 BMW 320 is having a performance issue. After I diagnosed this is due to corrosion on the wastegate actuator and has failed. The bushing and part corroded and the rod is dangling. This should be covered by the extended warranty on the part as it’s a known defect failure by BMW
NHTSA complaint #11698420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beulaville, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Vehicle continues to have lighting and electrical issues. Particularly, the left rear turn signal. I’ve repaired it 5 times and it burns out immediately. Dealer assured me they would find issue. Still burned out next day again. Notified dealership and they just want you to keep bringing it back but won’t issue a recall despite the plethora of complaints online about the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11695627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beulaville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle continues to have lighting and electrical issues. Particularly, the left rear turn signal. I’ve repaired it 5 times and it burns out immediately. Dealer assured me they would find issue. Still burned out next day again. Notified dealership and they just want you to keep bringing it back but won’t issue a recall despite the plethora of complaints online about the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11695627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The gas tank on my BMW 320i 4 door sedan is leaking gas. Yes; it is available for inspection upon request. I had picked up my son from school and ran an errand. We stopped for gas when we noticed the gas was leaking as soon as we filled up the tank. We were around the corner from our home and drove home very slow. We were prepared to stop and pull over if necessary as we were afraid of the vehicle catching fire. I have an appointment with Niello BMW at 8am on 9/22/25 in Sacramento, CA on Fulton Ave. There were no warning lamps/messages or other symptoms prior to the issue. I never received any recall notification.
NHTSA complaint #11688784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clermont, FL
ENGINE
I have barely driven this BMW 320i from 2015. It is a well taken car parked in the garage. It has 33,000 miles on it. The check engine light came on so I brought it in for a diagnostic. The error is N63R Engine - Replace Wastegate Actuators and Program the Vehicle. The mechanic told me most BMW's in 2015 had a recall for this issue and this car should have a recall. So, I called BMW and they said it does not have a recall. I checked on the NHTSA site and the car does not have a recall. However, after some research, I found that many models from this year have a recall for this exact issue. This BMW320i from 2015 should also have this recall! There is no coincidence that the Wastegate failed in several models in the same year. To exclude this model from the recalls is unfair.
NHTSA complaint #11641147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesWeston, ID
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 320I. The contact stated that after his wife had refueled the vehicle, he noticed that the vehicle was leaking fuel on the driver's side rear. There was a puddle of fuel on the ground. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to the pressurized fuel system. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11618829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel tank leaking, matches previous service bulletin for other models build in this year range [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11590007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vestal, NY
ENGINE
Timing chain guide failure, causing engine to stop working
NHTSA complaint #11588305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
WHEELS
The engine would completely shut down while driving you had to completely take foot off gas petal because it would not excellent to make the car run it would almost come to complete slow down and stop you could then push gas and it would pick up and start running again.was worse when raining. Then the brakes got to where they would not stop and would lock up.Iwas on busy road and on interstate when it happened several times I could have been hit in the rear end and it would have caused a major collision. There was no warning lights come on at any point and timethen the brakes started where they would get hot and start smoking and eventually they locked up could not even drive the car . I didn't have the money to try to get it fixed so my 2015 BMW 320i sit for months before I could get it looked at had to replace frount and back rotors,calipers and brakes, ABS system replaced. When they checked it out the man at KADENZA AUTO REPAIR SHOP said that was only the second BMW that they had worked on that had this problems and didn't know why or what caused the problem. They did the repairs but couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen again said it could be a manufacturer defects. It was really dangerous when it started doing it because I could have been hit in the back of the car and it would have caused a major car pile up accident. It started doing it several months back because I wasn't able to drive it for several months had to tow it in when I took it to KADENZA AUTO REPAIR .They specialize in foreign and domestic cars.
NHTSA complaint #11588074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The engine would completely shut down while driving you had to completely take foot off gas petal because it would not excellent to make the car run it would almost come to complete slow down and stop you could then push gas and it would pick up and start running again.was worse when raining. Then the brakes got to where they would not stop and would lock up.Iwas on busy road and on interstate when it happened several times I could have been hit in the rear end and it would have caused a major collision. There was no warning lights come on at any point and timethen the brakes started where they would get hot and start smoking and eventually they locked up could not even drive the car . I didn't have the money to try to get it fixed so my 2015 BMW 320i sit for months before I could get it looked at had to replace frount and back rotors,calipers and brakes, ABS system replaced. When they checked it out the man at KADENZA AUTO REPAIR SHOP said that was only the second BMW that they had worked on that had this problems and didn't know why or what caused the problem. They did the repairs but couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen again said it could be a manufacturer defects. It was really dangerous when it started doing it because I could have been hit in the back of the car and it would have caused a major car pile up accident. It started doing it several months back because I wasn't able to drive it for several months had to tow it in when I took it to KADENZA AUTO REPAIR .They specialize in foreign and domestic cars.
NHTSA complaint #11588074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
The engine would completely shut down while driving you had to completely take foot off gas petal because it would not excellent to make the car run it would almost come to complete slow down and stop you could then push gas and it would pick up and start running again.was worse when raining. Then the brakes got to where they would not stop and would lock up.Iwas on busy road and on interstate when it happened several times I could have been hit in the rear end and it would have caused a major collision. There was no warning lights come on at any point and timethen the brakes started where they would get hot and start smoking and eventually they locked up could not even drive the car . I didn't have the money to try to get it fixed so my 2015 BMW 320i sit for months before I could get it looked at had to replace frount and back rotors,calipers and brakes, ABS system replaced. When they checked it out the man at KADENZA AUTO REPAIR SHOP said that was only the second BMW that they had worked on that had this problems and didn't know why or what caused the problem. They did the repairs but couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen again said it could be a manufacturer defects. It was really dangerous when it started doing it because I could have been hit in the back of the car and it would have caused a major car pile up accident. It started doing it several months back because I wasn't able to drive it for several months had to tow it in when I took it to KADENZA AUTO REPAIR .They specialize in foreign and domestic cars.
NHTSA complaint #11588074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
POWER TRAIN
I have been getting P0420 code over 2 years now. Loss of power while driving caused multiple times sudden stop and slow speed. I328 has recall but mine is not on the recall list. I tried everything to fix it but the light still comes on. And also my car is having the Navigation display delaminating. It seems like common problem for bmw owners. There are no recalls.
NHTSA complaint #11579138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have been getting P0420 code over 2 years now. Loss of power while driving caused multiple times sudden stop and slow speed. I328 has recall but mine is not on the recall list. I tried everything to fix it but the light still comes on. And also my car is having the Navigation display delaminating. It seems like common problem for bmw owners. There are no recalls.
NHTSA complaint #11579138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have been getting P0420 code over 2 years now. Loss of power while driving caused multiple times sudden stop and slow speed. I328 has recall but mine is not on the recall list. I tried everything to fix it but the light still comes on. And also my car is having the Navigation display delaminating. It seems like common problem for bmw owners. There are no recalls.
NHTSA complaint #11579138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesArcata, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 320i. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH the passenger side headlight stopped illuminating the road. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that about one month later the driver's side headlight stopped illuminating and the "headlight" symbol illuminated on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the headlights illuminated when she used the high beam setting but would not function on the low beam setting. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The contact had replaced both headlamp bulbs and the low beams would not illuminate. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #11578710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car shut off on the highway due to my fuel pump delivery system . My gauge is not reading I have enough gas leading me to believe I had gas in my car until it completely shut off . I was able to safely get my car out of the road due to the fact it was early morning and very minimal cars were on the road . I also now currently as well have an issue with the engine,coolant and oil having a leak . According to bmw I need to completely change my intake manifold there is too much leakage and just changing certain components won’t fix it . The whole things needs to be removed and replaced. Once I crank my car up within 10 seconds you can see the smoke start to build up under the hood . I’m pretty sure if I leave it running it will catch fire it’s thick white smoke and it has melted something silver inside as u can see the silver is now black due to it burning .So I write this due to me doing research as to what could have caused these issue and I see there is a recall for the same vin but my not specific car . I anm having the EXACT same issues with my car as the recall. I have 3 of the issues that the recall is for but my model I guess is not included. also have lighting issues .. my back lights tend to work when they want according to pep boys a board of some sort needs to be replaced because the bulbs will not stay in place . Is there a way to add my model to the recall list as it needs to be fixed my car is not operational at this time due to the risk of a fire under the hood
NHTSA complaint #11575192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ENGINE
My car shut off on the highway due to my fuel pump delivery system . My gauge is not reading I have enough gas leading me to believe I had gas in my car until it completely shut off . I was able to safely get my car out of the road due to the fact it was early morning and very minimal cars were on the road . I also now currently as well have an issue with the engine,coolant and oil having a leak . According to bmw I need to completely change my intake manifold there is too much leakage and just changing certain components won’t fix it . The whole things needs to be removed and replaced. Once I crank my car up within 10 seconds you can see the smoke start to build up under the hood . I’m pretty sure if I leave it running it will catch fire it’s thick white smoke and it has melted something silver inside as u can see the silver is now black due to it burning .So I write this due to me doing research as to what could have caused these issue and I see there is a recall for the same vin but my not specific car . I anm having the EXACT same issues with my car as the recall. I have 3 of the issues that the recall is for but my model I guess is not included. also have lighting issues .. my back lights tend to work when they want according to pep boys a board of some sort needs to be replaced because the bulbs will not stay in place . Is there a way to add my model to the recall list as it needs to be fixed my car is not operational at this time due to the risk of a fire under the hood
NHTSA complaint #11575192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car shut off on the highway due to my fuel pump delivery system . My gauge is not reading I have enough gas leading me to believe I had gas in my car until it completely shut off . I was able to safely get my car out of the road due to the fact it was early morning and very minimal cars were on the road . I also now currently as well have an issue with the engine,coolant and oil having a leak . According to bmw I need to completely change my intake manifold there is too much leakage and just changing certain components won’t fix it . The whole things needs to be removed and replaced. Once I crank my car up within 10 seconds you can see the smoke start to build up under the hood . I’m pretty sure if I leave it running it will catch fire it’s thick white smoke and it has melted something silver inside as u can see the silver is now black due to it burning .So I write this due to me doing research as to what could have caused these issue and I see there is a recall for the same vin but my not specific car . I anm having the EXACT same issues with my car as the recall. I have 3 of the issues that the recall is for but my model I guess is not included. also have lighting issues .. my back lights tend to work when they want according to pep boys a board of some sort needs to be replaced because the bulbs will not stay in place . Is there a way to add my model to the recall list as it needs to be fixed my car is not operational at this time due to the risk of a fire under the hood
NHTSA complaint #11575192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesRex, GA
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the front driver's side airbags and passenger side airbags deployed unintendedly, causing the driver to lose control of the steering wheel and drive over the curb. The contact stated that there was no crash to cause the airbags to deploy. During the failure, the rear driver’s side and passenger’s side tires became deflated. The vehicle was later towed away from the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11562032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,588 milesLakeland, FL
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 320I. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started overheating. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected. The contact stated that he observed a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,588.
NHTSA complaint #11545840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynnwood, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY
On 7/25/2023, I left my car keys inside the trunk. The 2015 BMW 320i xDrive does not have access from the cabin passenger to the trunk to open manually. Even the locksmith cannot open it. This is the bad design and may create safety issue. I called BMW road assistance and they cant help me instead told me to tow my car to dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11535066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arabi, GA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The screen in the car faded all of a sudden. I cannot view my backup camera due to this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11530942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arabi, GA
ENGINE
On July 4, 2023, my kids and I were in Tifton, GA shopping. My car just cut off in the middle of the road. The only way I could get it to turn back on was by turning the car completely off and then turning the car back on. I was in the middle of the road and almost got run over. My car had gas in it and wasn't acting up prior to this happening. I believe that this problem has to do with the fuel pump which causes an engine failure. Also, my parking sensors are not working properly anymore as well.
NHTSA complaint #11530936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.