Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
79
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
Total circus I’m dealing with over this Recall 23V-707 nightmare. The timeline is wild. Buckle up: Here is how the madness has gone down: On XXX I drop the car off at [XXX] under its own power under RO #XXX. On XXX I pick it up, drive 46 miles, and it instantly turns into a blender full of marbles, backfiring and throwing a check engine light. On XXX it gets towed to [XXX] under RO #436050, and I immediately ask for DME logs and get ghosted. On XXX [XXX] claims the recall is totally done, swearing three VANOS bolts snapped and the timing was somehow fine. The second he said it was fine, I immediately asked for the logs. Cue total silence. On XXX at 12:36 PM [XXX] from BMW North America in [XXX] calls me for a 40-minute chat and drops the bombshell: he spoke with the regional manager, who flat-out stated the car didn't even get the recall over a vacuum hose. That Annapolis has never worked on it, so I forward the images that Annapolis had on Xtime. Shortly, not even two hours later, Store Manager [XXX] completely contradicts corporate and emailing me to say, the recall was done. To prove it, he sends a picture of a compression gauge laying in a case reading a sci-fi 220 PSI claiming that one cylinder information as proof my engine is sound. on my 161k-mile N51 engine mind you. Oh, and somewhere during an engine recall, they magically managed to poke around inside of my fuel tank without permission and decided I need a new one. Three bolts came out the engine and the tank fell apart in sync…. Convenient, right? When I asked for actual proof like live DME data, customer-facing compression ISTA logs, and a clean, compliant breakdown invoice, they refused. Insane right? And get this, 95$ a day storage have been threatened on me. I said, I can’t tank the liability of taking that vehicle off of their lot “Silence” UNKNOWN Look at that brand new hose they found It’s been plenty of time for them the report it “done” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11759303 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
21
Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
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)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11746698 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
5
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
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TRIED TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM MY LOCAL COSTCO. FRONT AND REAR ARE DIFFERENT SIZES. SELECTED BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES FOR REAR. FIRST SET SENT HAD EXPIRED DOT DATES. SECOND SET SENT HAD EXPIRED DOT DATES. BRIDGESTONE IS CLEARLY TRYING TO PASS-OFF EXPIRED TIRES TO CONSUMERS. FORTUNATELY, MY DEALER CAUGHT THE PROBLEM. BRIDGESTONE WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION OR PROVIDE SAFE TIRES.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11060831 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
37
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.
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The contact owned a 2010 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, she crashed into the driver's side of another vehicle that was making a turn. The air bags deployed, and the contact's face struck the steering wheel. The fire department and police arrived on the scene, but the contact was unaware if any reports had been filed. The firefighter escorted the contact out of the vehicle, while smoke came from the engine. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance and treated for a fractured nose and teeth, shrapnel in the left eye, bruising on the right shoulder and knee, and a concussion. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where the insurance company deemed it totaled and determined that the contact was at fault for the collision. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the original steering wheel had been replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11637678 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
3
Most reports here involve other issues.
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Around 3:30 pm driving south on I 25, 10 miles north of Trinidad, CO, the panorama sunroof blew out with a loud bang. I pulled over had a quick look, drove to Trinidad and vacuumed up the broken glass from inside the car and broke out small remaining pieces. I was driving around 77 mph the inside sun roof cover was open and the air vents were off.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11494902 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
10
Most reports here involve smoke.
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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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11733199 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 155 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (577). Of the 7 model years of the BMW 328i we cover, the 2011 has the most (577). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.