Bmw 328i Reliability
3,738 NHTSA complaints (1996–2016). Complaint rate: 1313.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2007–2009 Bmw 328i. The 2016 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Bmw 328i Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 638 | 1.9% |
| ENGINE | 611 | 1.6% |
| AIR BAGS | 519 | 11.6% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 411 | 0.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 179 | 4.5% |
| POWER TRAIN | 125 | 4.8% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 124 | 3.2% |
| STEERING | 102 | 5.9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 90 | 40.0% |
| SEAT BELTS | 82 | 8.5% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996GOOD | — | 36 | 2 | — | View 1996View→ |
| 1997GOOD | — | 29 | 3 | — | View 1997View→ |
| 1998GOOD | — | 34 | 3 | — | View 1998View→ |
| 1999 | — | 125 | 16 | 3 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000 | — | 146 | 10 | 4 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001GOOD | — | 5 | 0 | — | View 2001View→ |
| 2007AVOID | — | 571 | 18 | 43 | View 2007View→ |
| 2008AVOID | — | 375 | 12 | 35 | View 2008View→ |
| 2009AVOID | — | 297 | 11 | 15 | View 2009View→ |
| 2010 | — | 222 | 5 | 11 | View 2010View→ |
| 2011AVOID | — | 797 | 31 | 35 | View 2011View→ |
| 2012 | — | 196 | 5 | 2 | View 2012View→ |
| 2013AVOID | — | 389 | 42 | 12 | View 2013View→ |
| 2014 | — | 234 | 29 | 2 | View 2014View→ |
| 2015 | — | 188 | 9 | 13 | View 2015View→ |
| 2016GOOD | — | 94 | 14 | 8 | View 2016View→ |
See also: Bmw 328iaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Bmw 328i?
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