BMW 328I — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

2 model years to avoid, 3 to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid2 years

Caution3 years

Best bets3 years

Complaint history

1996: 31 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 25 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 26 complaints, Not enough data 1999: 98 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 112 complaints, Recommended 2001: 4 complaints, Not enough data 2002: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2004: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2005: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2006: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2007: 399 complaints, Avoid 2008: 239 complaints, Caution 2008 2009: 193 complaints, Caution 2010: 155 complaints, Recommended 2011: 576 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 130 complaints, Recommended 2013: 257 complaints, Caution 2014: 151 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 125 complaints, Recommended 2016: 57 complaints, Recommended 2011 · 576
1996: 31 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 25 complaints, Not enough data 1998: 26 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 98 complaints, Recommended 2000: 112 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 4 complaints, Not enough data 2002: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2004: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2005: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006 2007: 399 complaints, Avoid 2008: 239 complaints, Caution 2008 2009: 193 complaints, Caution 2010: 155 complaints, Recommended 2011: 576 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 130 complaints, Recommended 2013: 257 complaints, Caution 2014: 151 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 125 complaints, Recommended 2016: 57 complaints, Recommended 2016 2011 · 576
1996: 31 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 25 complaints, Not enough data 1997 1998: 26 complaints, Not enough data 1998 1999: 98 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 112 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 4 complaints, Not enough data 2001 2002: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2003 2004: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2004 2005: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2005 2006: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2006 2007: 399 complaints, Avoid 2007 2008: 239 complaints, Caution 2008 2009: 193 complaints, Caution 2009 2010: 155 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 576 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 130 complaints, Recommended 2012 2013: 257 complaints, Caution 2013 2014: 151 complaints, Recommended 2014 2015: 125 complaints, Recommended 2015 2016: 57 complaints, Recommended 2016 2011 · 576
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2016 ▲ Recommended 57 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2015 ● Recommended 125 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2014 ● Recommended 151 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2013 ◆ Caution 257 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2012 ● Recommended 130 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2011 ■ Avoid 576 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2010 ● Recommended 155 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2009 ◆ Caution 193 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ◆ Caution 239 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2007 ■ Avoid 399 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2006 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2005 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2004 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2003 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2002 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2001 ○ Not enough data 4 Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2000 ● Recommended 112 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1999 ▲ Recommended 98 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1998 ○ Not enough data 26 Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997 ○ Not enough data 25 Only 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1996 ▲ Recommended 31 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

27

recalls on file across every BMW 328I model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other BMW models