Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2018 BMW 328D with NHTSA between 2019 and 2026.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 5 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 — 10
Against the median year of the BMW 328D. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 BMW 328D
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
981.8%
Median failure at 34,914 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
218.2%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
133.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
133.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
133.3%
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.
Sep 2019peak 2Aug 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2018 BMW 328D
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.
2
investigations are
still open.
EA23001Opened 17 Mar 2023Still openFUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
High pressure fuel pump failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a compreh...
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...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Batesville, AR
POWER TRAIN
While driving down the road my car gave me a notification “DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION” said full engine output not available then it just stopped and shut off (limp mode) it has done this multiple times and the shop says that it may be the High Pressure Fuel Pump. This has happened on a busy city road with high traffic and curvy roads where my car would not move and people could not see me when coming over the hill until last minute narrowly missing my car. Luckily there wasn’t oncoming traffic. I had to switch ignition off and on (it then said “transmission not in park”) when it was in park. Finally started back after having to shut ignition off and on twice. Then anytime I got above 40 it went back into limp mode.
NHTSA complaint #11758698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Batesville, AR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving down the road my car gave me a notification “DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION” said full engine output not available then it just stopped and shut off (limp mode) it has done this multiple times and the shop says that it may be the High Pressure Fuel Pump. This has happened on a busy city road with high traffic and curvy roads where my car would not move and people could not see me when coming over the hill until last minute narrowly missing my car. Luckily there wasn’t oncoming traffic. I had to switch ignition off and on (it then said “transmission not in park”) when it was in park. Finally started back after having to shut ignition off and on twice. Then anytime I got above 40 it went back into limp mode.
NHTSA complaint #11758698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
In 2021, my vehicle had the high-pressure fuel pump replaced by an authorized BMW dealership under Safety Recall 21V-586 (BMW SIB 13 01 21). At the time of the recall, my vehicle had approximately 43,000 miles, and I was not experiencing any fuel system or drivability issues. The high-pressure fuel pump was replaced solely because BMW determined the original component posed a safety risk. My vehicle now has approximately 128,000 miles. The replacement high-pressure fuel pump installed as part of the recall has failed. Two independent repair facilities have diagnosed the high-pressure fuel pump as the cause of the no-start/fuel delivery issue. When I took the vehicle to a BMW dealership, I was informed that additional diagnostic work was needed to inspect for possible metal contamination from the fuel pump, but I have not yet been provided with a final written diagnosis. I am concerned that the replacement part installed as the recall remedy has failed in the same manner as the original recalled component. If confirmed, this raises concerns about the durability and effectiveness of the recall repair. I respectfully request that NHTSA review whether similar failures have been reported involving replacement high-pressure fuel pumps installed under Recall 21V-586. I am submitting this complaint so the issue can be documented and evaluated as a potential safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11748959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN
Car just shut off when driving at 65mph and never started back up, took it in and repair was a bad fuel pump and fuel rail line causing metal shards to go through fuel tank and injectors.
NHTSA complaint #11670096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simi Valley, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car just shut off when driving at 65mph and never started back up, took it in and repair was a bad fuel pump and fuel rail line causing metal shards to go through fuel tank and injectors.
NHTSA complaint #11670096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesSanta Clarita, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 328D. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering significantly. The contact was able to pull over and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no record of a recall on the VIN. However, the contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). The vehicle remained at the workplace and had not been driven since. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #11637952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norton, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 328d. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11443208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wilkes Barre, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 328D. The contact was informed by a third party that his vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V568000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the part was not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11438911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Beach, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 328D. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where they replaced the fuel pump; however, the fuel pump failed during the test drive. The contact was also informed by the dealer that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was unknown. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
NHTSA complaint #11438264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,914 milesLos Angeles, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
The contact owns a 2018 BMW 328D. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. An unknown warning light illuminated the instrument panel. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the high-pressure pump had exploded, and the explosion had damaged other parts of the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated recall has been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 34,914.
NHTSA complaint #11435138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,400 milesPortland, OR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET. ENGINE STALLED. CAR WOULDN'T START. TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP. CATASTROPHIC HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 7400 MILES. METAL SHAVINGS THROUGHOUT ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. INJECTORS, FUEL LINES, FUEL PUMP, AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #11256481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.