684 of the
3,777 complaints filed about the BMW 328I
are about the electrical system —
18% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact had received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), 17V676000 (Electrical System), and 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer in June 2026. The contact later received a phone call on June 23, 2026, and was informed that the vehicle was ready to be retrieved. The contact went to the dealer; however, while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine seized. The contact informed the dealer of the issue with the vehicle and that the engine had seized. The vehicle was left at the dealer. The contact received a call from the dealer on August 17, 2026. The contact was informed that the engine had failed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the dealer that the vehicle had no issues when the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,023.
NHTSA complaint #11757670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owned a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled after overheating the previous day. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valvetronic system needed to be replaced; while the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs, the contact was notified that the vehicle had sustained thermal damage over the weekend, caught fire, and burned completely, leaving only the frame. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. A police and fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was later notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11753873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hello I contacted bmw about a recall on my vehicle and made an appointment the gentleman I spoke with at first did the whole recall appointment. He wasn’t there on the day of and the other technician refused to conduct the recall repair and very rudely said to me you either pay $500 for diagnosing or you come pick up your car now otherwise I will charge you $200 daily storage he said the car didn’t start I told him yes of course is due to that recall which caused a meltdown leading to smoke coming in from the vents cutting all power to car . This guy refused to understand the situation and was really rude he said I have til the end of today to pick up the car and he disregard my appointment and refuse to fix it. So I call my AAA tow truck to pick up my vehicle and the refused to release it so now my car isn’t getting fixed and it’s being hold hostage
NHTSA complaint #11751455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The engine intake tract, PCV infrastructure, and the main lower engine wiring harness loom failed due to improper reassembly during Federal Safety Recall 24V-608. The technician left the main intake coupler completely loose and spinning freely by hand, and left the MAF sensor crooked. This introduced a massive unmetered air leak and severe vacuum leaks. Simultaneously, the technician over-tensioned, pinched, or damaged the Cylinder 2 wiring loom components. The vehicle is currently parked dead and untouched at my residence, and it is 100% available for immediate federal or corporate inspection.The unsealed intake tract and damaged wiring harness caused the engine to run dangerously lean at highway speeds. This resulted in sudden, violent engine shuttering, rapid deceleration, severe mechanical engine knocking, and a terminal Cylinder 2 misfire. This component failure caused an immediate loss of vehicle propulsion on a high-speed public highway, creating an extreme risk of a high-speed collision and leaving the vehicle completely disabled. The issue has not yet been physically inspected by a third party because the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I went to the originating dealer (BMW of Henderson) in person on July 16, 2026, to coordinate a safety re-inspection under an active BMW North America Corporate Case. Dealership management actively obstructed the safety process, gave technically impossible justifications regarding the recall execution, and flatly refused to dispatch a complimentary flatbed tow. They attempted to hold the safety re-inspection hostage behind out-of-pocket customer towing costs and upfront retail diagnostic fees. There were 0 mechanical warnings or symptoms prior to the recall. The vehicle was meticulously maintained with 5,000-mile oil changes and a perfectly tight timing chain. The severe drivetrain malfunction warnings, violent front-end shaking, and terminal engine knocking appeared after picking up my car.
NHTSA complaint #11751142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire originated in the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was then towed to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an electrical short circuit in the front water pump connector. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a claim was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle constantly and increasingly exhibits the symptoms described in RECALL CAMPAIGN 13V-044: REPAIR BATTERY POSITIVE CABLE, dated XXX , i.e., various electrical malfunctions, including flickering of the instrument cluster, and brief loss of engine power. However, VIN [XXX] is NOT included in this campaign. It appears that the next possibility, even though deemed "extremely isolated" by the recall, is that "the engine may shut off while driving, which leads to a loss of power steering assistance." BMW and NHTSA each state that the other is responsible for including VINs in a recall, yet I am the one at risk of crash. Do I need to seek legal action against both BMW and NHTSA to determine who is responsible for adding the VIN to the recall so BMW can eventually reimburse me for the needed repairs? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11746698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
i went online because i was having troubles with my vehicle battery alternator and other electronics , i found out other bmws with the same symptoms as my car led to having a bad footwell module , currently interior lights work when they want to if any constant battery dying from lights not turning off none of the parking sesnors work no back up camera the rear windows do not work some times the power mirrors work , i have had the vehicle tested with a new alternator and battery each window motor works its the footwell module but i noticed that the extended warranty is for 2014 and older models sadly it also effects the 2015 models as well
NHTSA complaint #11740338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 ( ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "turn off engine and do not open hood" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road and checked the water reservoir and noticed it was low. The contact filled up the reservoir with water and waited a few minutes. Afterward, the vehicle drove normal. The failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. However, it was not diagnosed. The dealer informed the contact that per the recall the remedy was to install a protective shield. The contact asked the dealer to replace the engine coolant pump and connector. However, the dealer refused. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11736030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2010 BMW 328I. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 107,414. The contact stated that, while driving 25 MPH over a pothole, several systems in the vehicle unexpectedly reset; however, the speedometer had not reset. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been driven a whole lot. The mileage was reset to approximately 120,000 miles. The contact attempted to retrieve a Carfax Report for the vehicle and became aware that the most recent information on the VIN was posted by the seller. The contact called the seller. No other agencies were contacted.
NHTSA complaint #11733199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2010 bmw 328i xdrive: Had in for recall PCV 1/08/2025. This vehicle has had a prior recall for same issue before i owned in 2014. Motorwerks BMW failed to complete recall, as parts and repair bulletin from BMW OF AMERICA has parts list. Motorwerks just CHOSE to put items, subtitled under other services/self pay. When I asked about this they responded that CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ....as build date put it a year out? A RECALL IS A RECALL ITS FOREVER, OR THE LIFE OF CAR. not when they the dealer/shop and BMW right? i have filed and called and complained to numerous places including NCDS, BMW of AMERICA and have gotten no traction or reasonable response. Now I'm having VANOS related issues, serious issues, but no recall listed?, even though the year and style and build date put it in parameters of SAFETY RECALL not just manufacture voluntary recall.
NHTSA complaint #11722638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The power cable to my battery needed to be replaced from the front to the rear. This seems like the recall NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 13V044000 but my car was not listed for it.
NHTSA complaint #11713877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On November 17, 2025, my 2015 BMW 328i (VIN: [XXX] ) caught fire while parked, locked, and turned off inside my enclosed residential garage in Irvine, California. The vehicle had been parked for approximately 90 minutes prior to the incident. No flammable materials were stored in or around the vehicle. Responding police and fire personnel identified the vehicle itself as the source of the fire, with ignition originating in the engine bay. The building’s fire sprinkler system activated, and residents were evacuated due to smoke and fire conditions. No injuries occurred, but the incident posed a serious risk to life and property due to the residential setting. The vehicle was a total loss. While the exact technical cause of ignition could not be determined at the scene, first responders confirmed that the fire originated within the vehicle’s engine compartment. BMW of North America was notified of the incident and represented that an inspection would be coordinated. I remained in contact with all involved parties and relied on BMW’s stated intent to contact the tow facility directly to arrange inspection. Despite this, BMW did not make contact with the tow company prior to the vehicle’s disposal. After the vehicle had already been sold by the tow yard, BMW indicated that coordination had not occurred and that inspection was no longer possible, resulting in loss of physical evidence. This complaint is submitted due to concern regarding a vehicle fire occurring while the vehicle was not in operation, inside a residential structure, and due to the manufacturer’s handling of the matter in a way that prevented timely inspection and meaningful safety review despite early notification and cooperation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11711412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination, which was nearby. The contact stated that the temperature gauge was displayed at 240. The contact stated he went inside the friend's residence, and when the contact walked back outside five minutes later, the entire front hood was engulfed in flames. The vehicle was unoccupied. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The contact was informed of the loose wires; however, the cause of the fire had not been confirmed. The contact stated that the vehicle was consumed in the fire. The contact stated that the trunk of the vehicle was the only part left. The vehicle was not towed away. The remains of the vehicle were still in the contact friend's driveway. A fire report was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss; however, the insurance company had not confirmed. The contact stated that his insurance did not cover fire insurance. No injuries were sustained. No Police report was filed. In addition, the contact stated that the fire caused the contact's friend's residential window to shatter. The contact received a recall notification: NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the local dealer was contacted several times to schedule an appointment; however, the contact stated that the dealer informed the contact that he would receive a call back to schedule the appointment. The contact stated that he never received the call back to schedule the appointment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 132,150.
NHTSA complaint #11710335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle in the State of California, the contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000(Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be registered until the recall had been serviced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11707532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated, and multiple warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that the vehicle lost power and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the water pump and electrical plug connector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact requested reimbursement for the cost of the repair that was performed prior to the safety recall, but the dealer informed the contact that the reimbursement claim was denied. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the manufacturer also denied the reimbursement claim. The approximate failure mileage was 89,565.
NHTSA complaint #11704595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Footwell module (FRM) module went out after negative battery disconnect to change fuse. Module being inoperable is causing windows to not operate,interior lighting not working, headlights stay dim (not good for nightime driving), blinkers inoperable (not good for driving with windows not working- no arm signals), dash light also inoperable.
NHTSA complaint #11699451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.