FaultScore

BMW engine problems

Owners have filed 7,014 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on BMW vehicles — 17% of everything reported about the brand, across 241 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the BMW 328I, worst in 2011.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

7,014

Complaints

17%

Share of all BMW complaints

98

Crashes

503

Fires

Which BMW models have the most engine problems

328I 1,093 15.6%

Worst in 2011

X5 902 12.9%

Worst in 2011

X3 635 9.1%

Worst in 2013

528I 384 5.5%

Worst in 2011

325I 176 2.5%

Worst in 2006

335I 175 2.5%

Worst in 2007

535I 167 2.4%

Worst in 2011

328XI 144 2.1%

Worst in 2007

X1 142 2.0%

Worst in 2015

330I 130 1.9%

Worst in 2006

3 Series 98 1.4%

Worst in 2007

M3 94 1.3%

Worst in 2008

750LI 94 1.3%

Worst in 2006

530I 89 1.3%

Worst in 2006

528XI 87 1.2%

Worst in 2013

525I 79 1.1%

Worst in 1990

550I 79 1.1%

Worst in 2011

Z4 78 1.1%

Worst in 2011

428I 78 1.1%

Worst in 2015

328D 76 1.1%

Worst in 2014

540I 70 1.0%

Worst in 1998

X6 68 1.0%

Worst in 2011

5 Series 67 1.0%

Worst in 2008

318 63 0.9%

Worst in 1991

128I 62 0.9%

Worst in 2011

430I 53 0.8%

Worst in 2018

X7 52 0.7%

Worst in 2019

X5 SAV 48 0.7%

Worst in 2007

M340I 48 0.7%

Worst in 2020

320I 47 0.7%

Worst in 2014

325 44 0.6%

Worst in 2001

X3 SAV 42 0.6%

Worst in 2007

740I 39 0.6%

Worst in 1993

740IL 37 0.5%

Worst in 1998

750I 37 0.5%

Worst in 2006

K1300 S 37 0.5%

Worst in 2009

325XI 36 0.5%

Worst in 2002

535D 36 0.5%

Worst in 2014

318I 35 0.5%

Worst in 1993

650I 34 0.5%

Worst in 2012

Worst BMW model years for engine problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2011 BMW 328I 367 46% 101,000 F
2013 BMW X3 161 47% 86,423 F
2013 BMW 328I 137 35% 82,000 F
2011 BMW X5 120 30% 71,000 F
2012 BMW X5 104 28% 73,000 D
2007 BMW 328I 101 18% 92,000 D
2008 BMW 328I 88 23% 100,000 F
2010 BMW 328I 87 38% 103,788 F
2008 BMW X5 83 26% 69,000 F
2006 BMW 325I 79 11% 90,000 D
2012 BMW 328I 71 36% 99,631 D
2009 BMW 328I 68 23% 99,500 F
2011 BMW 528I 65 40% 93,000 F
2015 BMW 328I 65 32% 100,000 F
2014 BMW 328D 62 30% 69,290 F
2019 BMW X5 60 22% 65,397 C
2014 BMW 328I 58 24% 86,000 C
2011 BMW X3 55 33% 95,611 D
2010 BMW X5 53 28% 91,500 D
2007 BMW 335I 51 13% 62,714 C