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.
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.
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
5
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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 had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11476325 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
6
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
I WAS NOTIFIIED BY SNAIL MAIL OF TWO RECALLS (17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND 17V: PCV VALVE HEATER) LAST NOVEMBER 2017 AND, AS OF TODAY, THEY HAVE NO REMEDIES... BOTH DEFECTS CAN CAUSE FIRES SO IT SEEMS SERIOUS. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY RUNNING FINE BUT IT IS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND AND KEEPING ME FROM TAKING THE CAR ON AN EXTENDED TRIP. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HURRY BMW ALONG OR PROVIDE A STATUS?
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11081208 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
I BELIEVE THAT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSED MY ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I WAS REVERSING SLOWLY OUT OF A STEEP DRIVEWAY. ONCE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE SO THAT I COULD SWITCH GEAR IN TO DRIVE. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, AND I COULDN'T CONTROL IT. THE BRAKE WOULDN'T WORK. THE ACCELERATION WAS SO FAST, THAT WHAT STOPPED ME WAS HITTING A HORSE FENCE ACROSS THE STREET. I WAS GOING SO FAST, THAT I ENDED UP GOING AIRBORNE, AND ONLY DAMAGED THE TOP OF THE HORSE FENCE. MY FRONT PART OF MY CAR THEN FELL FORWARD AND BROKE THE TIE ROD IN HALF. I ENDED UP WITH WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION, REQUIRING POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR 4 MONTHS. I ASKED BMW FOR A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION INTO MY CAR TO SEE IF IT MALFUNCTIONED. MY CAR WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BE FIXED PRIOR TO THE INVESTIGATION AND HAD TO BE DONE AT A BMW DEALER, WHICH IT WAS. EVERYTHING WAS A SECRET WHEN BMW INVESTIGATED MY CAR. THE BMW DEALER SERVICE MANAGER WASN'T ALLOWED TO BE TOLD ANY FINDINGS OR WATCH THE INVESTIGATION. BMW SENT ME A LETTER AFTERWARDS STATING THAT THE CAR DIDN'T MALFUNCTION. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 33 YEARS WITHOUT ONE ACCIDENT OR TRAFFIC VIOLATION. I HAD DRIVEN THAT CAR FOR 4 YEARS AND I KNOW THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE BUT I WAS ACCELERATING FASTER AND FASTER AND COULDN'T STOP THE CAR. I HAVE READ OTHER REPORTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND WHAT IS DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I AM LUCKY AND THANKFUL THAT NO CAR OR PERSON WAS BEHIND ME, BECAUSE I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I PUSHED ON BRAKE, BUT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAD ME GOING IN REVERSE ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR UNTIL I HIT HORSE FENCE. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. I HAVE PHOTOS OF HORSE FENCE AND BROKEN TIE ROD BUT ONLY ALLOWED TO UPLOAD 5 FILES.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10884895 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
5
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE SEAT BELT CHIME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOUNDED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. AFTER THE LAST INCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2018, THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CHIME WAS BY ENGAGING THE LATCH ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WINSLOW BMW OF COLORADO SPRINGS (5845 N NEVADA AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80918) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR MAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11133255 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 17 complaints on file, fewer than the 2011 (67). Of the 5 model years of the BMW 328xi we cover, the 2011 has the most (67). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.