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
37
Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11605345 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
9
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WITH THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11267690 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
2
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC IN TOWN AT 4 PM ON A SUNNY DAY. THE CAR AHEAD OF ME SLOWED DOWN EVEN MORE AND WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SLOW MY CAR TOO, IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. I DID HIT THE CAR AHEAD OF ME AT A SLOW SPEED AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO MY RIGHT WRIST AND TO THE LEFT WRIST. IT CAUSED PROFUSE BLEEDING BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CAUSED CUTS IN MY WRIST AREA, VERY CLOSE TO A VEIN. A FIVE INCH HEMATOMA APPEARED WITHIN MINUTES IN THE RIGHT WRIST AND THE SKIN WAS SCRAPED OFF BOTH WRISTS. SEVERAL BURN MARKS ARE ALSO VISIBLE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE BEND OF MY ARMS. THE POLICE CAME WITHIN MINUTES AND THEY BANDAGED MY WRISTS TO TRY TO STOP THE BLEEDING. AN AMBULANCE WAS CALLED AND THE EMT WANTED TO TRANSPORT ME TO A HOSPITAL.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11121766 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
I HAVE BRIDGESTONE DRIVEGUARD RUN FLAT TIRES ... JUST HAD MY 3RD BLOW OUT OF A FRONT TIRE IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. ONLY 3 BLOW OUTS I'VE EVER HAD IN 48 YEARS OF DRIVING. THE BLOW OUT TODAY WAS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR THE BLOW OUT 18 MONTHS AGO ... SO QUITE NEW WITH LITTLE WEAR. IN ALL 3 CASES THE TIRE BLEW OUT (FRACTURED) WHERE THE BEAD INTERSECTS THE TIRE RIM.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11338497 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
10
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND IS REPORTING THE SAME TROUBLE CODES RELATED TO RECALL NUMBER: 17V683000. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER COULD BE INVESTIGATED AND MY VEHICLES VIN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11413051 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
1
Most reports here involve other issues.
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THERE IS A REPORT BY AUTO CHECK REPORT SHOWING THAT THERE IS A FRAME OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE RECORD. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SELL THE CAR AND DUE THE INFORMATION THAT APPEARED ON THE REPORT THE PRICE OFFERING IS BELOW THE REAL PRICE. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM TO SELL IT BECAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM APPEARED AND EVEN CAR MAX EXPRESS EXPRESS THE SAME SITUATION. IN 08/28/2014 AN AUTO AUCTION IN TEXAS , AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS FRAME DAMAGE. IN A FEW DAYS I WILL BE SENDING A COPY OF THE REPORT. THANKS IN ADVANCE. UPDATED 10/16/2017*JS
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11006482 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
7
Most reports here involve fire.
Read full complaint
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS MY AIR CONDITIONER HAD BEEN BLOWING WARMER AIR THAN NORMAL BUT WAS TOLERABLE. A WEEK AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I SMELLED A BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY MY AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF. FOLLOWING THAT THE RADIO AND DISPLAY SHUT OFF AS WELL. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. AT THAT POINT I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS IN THE DASH. I GRABBED SOME THINGS AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. WITHIN 2 MINS OF NOTCHING THE BURNING SMELL, FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. MY CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED WITHIN SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE THE FD ARRIVED ON SCENE. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE FIRE CONTAINED FROM THE DASHBOARD BACK THROUGH THE CAB OF THE CAR. AFTER READING ABOUT THE BLOWER MOTOR RECALL, I SUSPECT THE AC NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WAS IN DIRECT RELATION TO THE ISSUE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL FIRE ISSUES. IT WAS NOT UNTIL MY CAR BURNED AND I STARTED RESEARCHING THAT I CAME ACROSS MANY REPORTS OF VERY SIMILAR ISSUES.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11129081 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 67 complaints on file, more than the 2010 (17) and more than the 2013 (27). That is the most of the 5 model years of the BMW 328xi we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.