Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 7 recalls before you buy.

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

7 total · 7 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V513000 · Jul 2024

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

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V017000 · Jan 2020

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

Confirm it was repairedRecall 17V683000 · Oct 2017

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

Confirm it was repairedRecall 17V676000 · Oct 2017

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

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V176000 · Apr 2014

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

Confirm it was repairedRecall 13V044000 · Feb 2013

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.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V476000 · Sep 2011

IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN, IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES 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.

Owner complaints by system

577 total

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

Worth reading
333

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 6 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 105fluid leaks 23
A recent report: "My vehicle is experiencing a complete mechanical breakdown with a fast-crank, no-start condition and an active fault code for exhaust valve timing. This matches the exact failure mode of active…
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"My vehicle is experiencing a complete mechanical breakdown with a fast-crank, no-start condition and an active fault code for exhaust valve timing. This matches the exact failure mode of active Safety Recall 23V-707 (VANOS Bolts). BMW's official safety recall report states that if a vehicle shows these symptoms, owners must not drive it and must contact them to arrange pickup and transportation. However, BMW Corporate Case Manager Jasmine has officially refused to cover the tow, stating over the phone that the transport language in the recall letter 'doesn't mean they cover a tow.' BMW is failing to execute its federally mandated safety recall remedy for an inoperable, broken-down vehicle."

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763040 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
84

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

electrical shorts 16software faults 15
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start…
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The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the headlights and taillights remained illuminated after the vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start up. The contact stated that AAA jump-started the vehicle, and it was determined that the battery was in good working condition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact associated the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761089 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

loss of braking 3premature wear 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: I HAVE HAD SEVEN (7) ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSORS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT (EVERY WHEEL AT LEAST ONCE, THE RIGHT FRONT TWICE, AND THE LEFT FRONT THREE TIMES) SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2011. IT…
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I HAVE HAD SEVEN (7) ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSORS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT (EVERY WHEEL AT LEAST ONCE, THE RIGHT FRONT TWICE, AND THE LEFT FRONT THREE TIMES) SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2011. IT CURRENTLY HAS RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE (<41,000 MILES); THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN JANUARY 2014 AT ABOUT 12, 700 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN ABS WHEEL SENSOR ON ANY OF THE NUMEROUS OTHER CARS WITH ABS THAT I HAVE OWNED SINCE 1989. THE LOSS OF ABS FUNCTION CREATES AN OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ALL COME ON - INTERMITTENTLY INITIALLY, BUT SOON LIT AT ALL TIMES. THE FAILURES OCCURRED IN 2014, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2017, AND 2020.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11394331 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
11

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 2software faults 1
A recent report: Tire pressure yellow warning light on. RDC module ordered but repair not completed. After starting the car at a gas station, multiple warning lights appeared in red including "car on a raised lift in…
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Tire pressure yellow warning light on. RDC module ordered but repair not completed. After starting the car at a gas station, multiple warning lights appeared in red including "car on a raised lift in red" which signifies car is to be taken directly for service. Drove to local mechanic one mile away. While observing the car with engine running at idle, ALL dashboard lights and functions stopped: No speedometer, No tachometer, No warning lights, No turn signals, No headlights, RDC module subsequently replaced with resolution of the problem. Opening the old RDC module demonstrated significant green corrosion - likely occurred over a long period of time. IF the loss of all dashboard function had occurred while driving, it would have presented very dangerous safety issues. Situation reviewed with local BMW dealership and BMW corporate customer relations. No recalls or warnings have been issued. Expressed my concerns in detail. This is a potentially dangerous problem for the BMW E90 models. The RDC module is located in the passenger rear wheel well and repeatedly exposed to wet/ snow/ slush conditions. This is a dangerous location outside the vehicle for the RDC module. The Tire pressure monitor system is a non-critical function. Repair of the RDC module is considered optional - yellow warning light. This event demonstrates that there is a serious risk when the RDC module is not functioning properly. BMW should make owners aware and offer replacement before dangerous events occur.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11573011 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
74

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 8 mention a crash, 8 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 12software faults 10
A recent report: Nothing has malfunctioned yet on the vehicle, however, these recalls are putting my daughter at risk while driving as there is an air bag and engine recall on the vehicle. Every time we contact the…
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Nothing has malfunctioned yet on the vehicle, however, these recalls are putting my daughter at risk while driving as there is an air bag and engine recall on the vehicle. Every time we contact the dealership, the recall is still unavailable.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11628356 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
17

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 1fire 1
A recent report: Door handle plastics are disintegrating in to a soft sticky matter. Please advice as this seem to a poor decision on the type of material need in the door handles.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11694622 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
52

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

electrical shorts 6fire 3
A recent report: Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally file a complaint against Burdick BMW, located in Syracuse, NY, regarding their failure to address my request for a recall-related repair on my vehicle…
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Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally file a complaint against Burdick BMW, located in Syracuse, NY, regarding their failure to address my request for a recall-related repair on my vehicle. Despite multiple attempts to schedule an appointment, I have received no response or follow-up from the dealership. Over the past month, I have contacted Burdick BMW a total of four (4) times via phone regarding a recall service for my vehicle. The contact was made on [XXX]. Each time, I spoke with a customer representative who assured me that a supervisor would return my call to schedule an appointment. However, I have never received a call back nor been provided with any opportunity to have my vehicle serviced. This ongoing lack of communication and failure to act on a manufacturer-issued recall raises serious concerns about the dealership's commitment to customer service and safety compliance. As a consumer, I am entitled to have my vehicle serviced in accordance with recall requirements, and Burdick BMW’s inaction has not only caused inconvenience but may also pose a safety risk due to the unresolved recall issue. Given that my attempts to resolve this matter directly with the dealership have been unsuccessful, I request that appropriate action be taken to ensure Burdick BMW fulfills its obligations. I kindly ask that you investigate this matter and take the necessary steps to hold Burdick BMW accountable for their failure to schedule or complete recall-related repairs in a timely manner. Additionally, I request assistance in obtaining a prompt appointment to address my vehicle’s recall issue. Please advise me on the next steps I should take to resolve this matter. I appreciate your attention to this issue and look forward to your prompt response. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11645255 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 577 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2026, roughly 39 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 577 complaints on file, more than the 2010 (155) and more than the 2012 (130). That is the most of the 7 model years of the BMW 328i we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.