FaultScore

BMW 328D engine problems

76 of the 275 complaints filed about the BMW 328D are about the engine — 28% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2014.

76

Complaints

28%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

9

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2014 328D 62 81.6%

Median failure at 69,290 miles

2015 328D 7 9.2%

Median failure at 72,000 miles

2016 328D 4 5.3%
2017 328D 3 3.9%

What owners said

2014 BMW 328D Ridgefield, CT

ENGINE

Vehicle experienced sudden engine failure while driving due to timing chain failure on N47 diesel engine, a known defect. Loss of propulsion occurred without warning, creating a safety risk.

NHTSA complaint #11717764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Houston, TX

ENGINE

I am reporting an emissions-related malfunction that occurred a very short time after BMW performed the EGR cooler recall and updated the DDE software on my vehicle. Shortly after the recall work, the vehicle began showing DDE fault code 2BB300 – Particulate Sensor Measuring Electrode, Self-Diagnosis, which triggered the MIL. This issue did not exist at any point before the recall. Although my vehicle is now older than 10 years, the critical concern is that this emissions-related failure appeared soon after the recall intervention, indicating a potential recall-associated defect rather than normal age-related wear. The fault was diagnosed at BMW West Houston, where it was confirmed; however, I was told no warranty or goodwill support could be provided due to vehicle age, despite the timing suggesting a recall-related cause. BMW’s emissions warranty extension bulletin (NHTSA TSB ID: MC-10160282-9999) lists particulate sensor failures (2BB700–2BA200) as known issues. Many BMW diesel owners have reported similar particulate sensor faults shortly after the EGR cooler recall and related software changes, suggesting a broader pattern. If the EGR recall or subsequent software calibration is leading to particulate sensor failures and MIL activation, this may represent a post-recall emissions defect affecting compliance. I request that NHTSA evaluate whether the EGR recall may be contributing to widespread particulate sensor failures. Vehicle Information: – 2014 BMW Diesel – Fault Code: 2BB300 – Failure occurred a short time after the EGR cooler recall & software update – Diagnosed at: BMW West Houston Thank you for your attention.

NHTSA complaint #11717151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Gainesville, FL

ENGINE

The primary failure involves the EGR cooler system covered under Recall 21V-907, with consequential damage to the intake system, including intake air leaks, charge pipe failure, displaced turbo-to-DPF V-band clamp, brittle/cracked fuel lines, and intake system integrity loss. Yes — the vehicle and all affected components are available for inspection upon request The EGR cooler internal leak defect and intake system failures create risk of engine overheating, thermal degradation, loss of engine power under boost, exhaust gas leakage, and potential fire hazard, which can cause unsafe driving conditions and sudden loss of vehicle performance The vehicle was presented to a BMW dealership, and the recall defect was acknowledged. The dealer confirmed that any decisions regarding inspection and repair must come from BMW corporate. The dealership refused to inspect or evaluate the recall-related failures pending corporate authorization. No. BMW of North America has not authorized inspection or evaluation. The dealership also refused to inspect the vehicle pending corporate direction. Yes. Symptoms included audible air leaks, intake pressure loss under boost, performance degradation, and component failures occurring both before and after recall repair attempts. These symptoms developed during the period when the vehicle was operating under a known recall-defect condition and continued after recall repair.

NHTSA complaint #11715249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Ontario, CA

ENGINE

a check engine light came on codes say it's the EGR valve and cooler dealer states since recalls are vin related there was not much they can do recall states its based by manufactured day not vin

NHTSA complaint #11659669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Ontario, CA

ENGINE

Check engine light came on and codes suggest it's the egr valve and cooler may be leaking

NHTSA complaint #11659500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Mckinney, TX

ENGINE

[XXX] - Purchase vehicle, odometer 109,803. 11/2019 - Car went into limp mode while driving on highway. Towed to BMW dealership and was advised needed new engine, at the time it only had 123,661 miles on it. Towed to EurAuto Shop for installation of replacement engine. 02/2020- The shop replaced the ceased OEM engine with a 2015 engine, with only 60,000 miles on it. EurAuto Shop tore down OEM engine and confirmed the timing chain guide broke, resulting in jumped timing and caused valve to hit piston. Total cost for engine replacement $6,641.49. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11616207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Mckinney, TX Fire

ENGINE

12/2023 - Sewell BMW replaced EGR, all H/P fuel lines at injectors due to corrosion, injector harness due to heat damage to the wire jackets, cracked coolant pipe. At 145,976 that's an additional 22,315 miles on the 60,000 mile 2015 replacement engine. Total repair costs $3,939.45. 08/23/2024 - Passed inspection, odometer 149,701. 09/09/2024- Only 2 weeks later an estimate of 4,000 miles after replacing injector harness and H/P fuel lines, engine went up in flames, reason unknown. Pictures attached, vehicle was a total loss.

NHTSA complaint #11616210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Pleasanton, CA

ENGINE

There was a recall to replace EGR cooler on this car. Dealer replaced with same defective design EGR cooler. BMW is not putting any effort in redesigning EGR cooler and install that one in customer's cars. We are again risking our lives with new but defective design EGR cooler.

NHTSA complaint #11585411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Santee, CA

ENGINE

stall/loss of power while entering highway on ramp. Engine died and would not restart. After inspecting car found the gas tank to be filled with metal shavings which is indicative of a failed high pressure fuel pump. My year make and model vehicle has a recall on the HPFP for the same reason but my VIN was supposedly not affected.

NHTSA complaint #11554116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 BMW 328D Black Earth, WI

ENGINE

Vehicle is 100% BMW Serviced for it's history, showroom to present. Vehicle had been smoking after sitting 2-3 days and driving. We'd park and see wisps of smoke coming from the wheelwells and engine bay. Alarming! Never witnessed open flame, but as the saying goes, if there's smoke... Questionable component: 328xd Fuel Sensor Probe (BMW part #13-53-8-594-893 Fuel Feed Line 135040 ) Complaint/Report pertains to Fuel Sensor Probe failure and resultant fuel propagation(backfeeding/leaking fuel from sensor connection) into adjacent wiring/engine bay foils. Diagnostic System did not report sensor failure until extensive damage and hazard was realized. BMW USA responded to report as NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY(high mile vehicle) and therefore not of responsibility of BMW. According to local BMW Service team the event is NOT UNUSUAL and that several vehicles with same fail/error codes have exhibited similar fuel leakage/propagation/damages. VERY PROBABLE FIRE HAZARD Costly repairs; if system had detected failure when sensor failed we would have had it fixed. We reported the smoking several times but the service department didn't isolate the problem. We continued to drive the vehicle cross-country for 6+ months; each time the problem got worse. WE GOT LUCKY Repair bills came to almost $10k by the time we added all visits and the entire wiring bundle that had to be replaced due to fuel damage. Failed Sensor repair is around $750? BMW needs to implement a way to mitigate this problem to keep from having some potentially catastrophic/lethal endings. Similar problems that have contributed to vehicle fires in these BMW vehicles: 1) HEATER BOX malfunctions 2) PCV VALVE 3) COOLANT LEAK

NHTSA complaint #11532089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D at 121,000 miles Houston, TX

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328D. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine was flushed; however, the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA complaint #11524388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Gulf Breeze, FL

ENGINE

While driving on the freeway at a high rate of speed in Pensacola, FL, my 2014 BMW 328d broke down. After several attempts to restart, the car was started in "limp mode" and we took it to a certified independent BMW mechanic, but could only drive at about 20mph in traffic with hazard lights flashing. Multiple error codes / mechanic inspection diagnosed a malfunction of the exhaust system overheating, which was melting the intake manifold. We towed the car the BMW dealership in Fort Walton Beach, FL. The service technician confirmed the problem in writing, "The tech did find the intake melted." Also, the vehicle had been losing coolant for several weeks, but the coolant was not dripping onto the ground, indicating a leak within the system. Here is where my problems begin. There are several recalls and an extended warranty that would would fix the issue, as the independent mechanic told me. They are: 1) Recall Campaign 18V-755: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler Inspection; 2) Recall 21V-907: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler N57T High Temperature; 3) SIB 01 05 20: N47T/N57T EGR Cooler Ltd Wty Extension to 10 years without mileage limit. My car was built to US spec, and sold via U.S. Military sales in Germany (I'm Active Duty USAF). I was relocated to Florida, and brought the car with me. When this happened, I was told to register my car with BMW North America to get into their warranty validation system, and I did so. However, my car does not show up as needing any recalls or warranty work, likely because it was sold in Europe. As such, the dealer wants me to pay in excess of $3,000 to fix the problem. Both an independent mechanic and dealer technician have identified the previously-known safety problems as the cause of my car's breakdown on the freeway. I am in desperate need of help to get this fixed, as I've had to rent a car for weeks, and multiple calls to BMW North America and dealership visits have produced zero progress.

NHTSA complaint #11524114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D South SAN Francisco, CA

ENGINE

DEF SCR Active Tank Fluid Level sensor fails. BMW requires entire replacement of the Active Tank for $1200 parts + $1500 for labor. This is a ridiculous repair since Volkswagen sells a repair kit for the Active Tank fluid sensor for just ~$300 in their diesel. Given the high failure rates of the Active Tank fluid sensor present throughout BMW diesel line-up in the USA, BMW should instead provide a repair kit to avoid such an expensive repair. The 335d and X5d had such high failure rates of the active tanks, that the extended warranties were provided to owners 120K/10years.

NHTSA complaint #11522157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Newbury Park, CA

ENGINE

I recently got the EGR cooler replaced as part of the recall campaign safety issue, after my repair, a very strong smell of fuel and exhaust was coming into my car cabin, when I reported to BMW they said it should burn off - that it wasn’t an issue. I took it a master technician to diagnose and inspect my car and he found that the turbo waster gate was leaking caused by all of the buildup of carbon and soot from a faulty EGR cooler. I brought this up to the dealership, and they said unfortunately this problem is not covered. I’m escalating this issue because this is a majority safety and health risk, and BMW is not taking responsibility to fix the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11520748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Port Orange, FL

ENGINE

From purchasing this vehicle form Autohaus of Orlando, there was no such mention of this open safety recall at all. In fact, I believe the Check Engine Light had been tampered with, as it was not on, but immediately came on a couple days later. On the CARFAX, it is listed as a Manufacturer Safety Recall on 11/19/2021: "- Recall #21V-907:404 - EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER - Status: Remedy Not Available - Need more information about this recall? Find an authorized BMW dealer, email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com, or call 1-800- 525-7417" 200 miles from the car dealership, the car broke down as it was rapidly leaking engine coolant, it was inoperable and ran very hot, creating the potential cause of a fire. I had to take it to the nearest BMW dealership, which was BMW of Albany in Albany, GA. They fixed the coolant leak hose, which appears to be related to the open recall, and made note of the open recall. But did nothing to fix it. It was one day after the service from their shop where the check engine light came on, and I asked them about it, and Caroline from BMW Albany said: "Spoke to the technician, it says it is probably related to the recall for your vehicle that there isn't a fix for (the open recall you and I had discussed on the vehicle)- he says you could clear the code but it would probably just come back on with time. He says its also difficult to tell from that fault code --Caroline Eva BMW of Albany" I asked "what should I do about it" and got no response back. Message even says "read" On 8/31/2022, I took it into Fields BMW in Daytona Beach, FL for a separate service, and they did not fix this issue either. On NHTSA.gov, it states the following: "If the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, please contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at: 1-888-327-4236 or TTY: 1-800-424-9153 or file an online complaint with NHTSA." There has been no remedy in over a year and a half.

NHTSA complaint #11517207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D South SAN Francisco, CA

ENGINE

SCR Active Tank no longer reads Urea, BMW ISTA diagnostic code 805256 8051B5--Return pump: taught in volume is outside the permitted range

NHTSA complaint #11515392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Notre Dame, IN

ENGINE

There is a known Engine Timing Chain problem with this make and model of vehicle. These timing chains tend to fail and fail sometimes quite early. Repair of these engine timing chains is prohibitively expensive. NHTSA should investigate and determine that a recall should be required to ensure that these timing chains don't fail prematurely or are replaced by the manufacturer when they do so.

NHTSA complaint #11508708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D Fontana, CA

ENGINE

I was in a busy Freeway driving & Now my 2014 Bmw 328 D high pressure fuel failed which caused me to stall and be stuck in the middle of the freeway which also almost made me cause like 10 car crashes it was sorry scary but lucky police helped out and other driver where also caution

NHTSA complaint #11498729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 328D at 74,000 miles Desert Hot Springs, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328D. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 the vehicle failed to accelerate with the same horsepower as prior to receiving NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V755000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the current recall was issued as a follow-up to previous recall. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11481777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 BMW 328D Springfield, VA

ENGINE

Collision warning is often inaccurate. Signaling collision when no obstacles are present. Also, EGR Cooler recall still pending.

NHTSA complaint #11474829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other BMW 328D problems