Most common 1996 BMW 328i problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 328i complaints by model year
Best 328i years: 2006, 2001, 2016. Years to avoid: 2011, 2007, 2013, 2009, 2014. Compare all years →
What 1996 BMW 328i owners say
Engine & cooling
Vehicle self diagnoistics provides engine check light warning. Diagnoistic code indicates "low emissions efficiency". Dealer read code and reported the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Factory warranty expired at 80,000 miles so it was not covered. Replacement costs estimated at $1330. This failure occured less than 100,000 miles on vehicle. I understand that a recall was performed on 1986 318i models for failed catalytic converter parts. The BMW parts source May be the same for the model 328i which would be why I experienced this failure. This mileage is very low for a cat to fail and is unexceptable for a quality manufactured vehicle.
Is there a safety issue or recommendation for recall, or many complaints? I have a 1996 328i conv. With 56,000 miles. I am the second owner as of 8 months ago. Purchased from a local Mercedes dealer where it was taken on trade. We had a few oil leaks repaired with the latest being the oil filter housing itself. I was informed by the dealer that the housing is now being manufactured differently. Originally the plugs in the housing were pressed in. Apparently many leaked and now the housing plugs are the screw in type. I had a leak at the plug area and now the entire housing has been recommended for replacement.
Electrical system
Tl contact owns a 1996 BMW 328i. He stated that the horn did not work and noticed that the wires were cut in the steering column and under the hood. He stated that he purchased the clockspring, but it was not compatible with the steering wheel. The current mileage was 97,120 and the approximate failure mileage was 96720.
Sometimes when I put the key into the ignition and turn the key to start the car, the key turns freely (all the way around without starting te car). When I reported the problem in 1998 to te BMW dealer in columbus, ga, I was told that this was a normal reaction. I was told that the car was "checking" the security system. This continued to hapen two-three times a month. Yesterday (May 12, 2001), I was driving my car and stopped to turn it off. The ignition stuck in the "on" position but I could pull my key out and the engine would continue to run. I have a manual transmission so I had to stall the car in order to get the engine to stop running. After I was able to get the engine to cut off, the electrical system was still on. I had to disconnect the battery to get the electrical system to turn off. I believe that the freely turning ignition and the stuck ignition are related.
Transmission & drivetrain
I have a 328i BMW, and the information in the owners manual states that you never need to change the transmission fluid yet on the day in question my transmission began to stall and jerk. I than called my mechanic who I informed of this trouble, he then informed me to bring the car to him to check. I need to also tell that this automobile does not have a dip stick so there is no way to tell if the transmission fluid is going bad prior to what is happening to me. When I call BMW they informed me that they only warranty the transmission fluid and not the transmission, when you consider that the transmission only operates correctly when the fluid is right. In conclusion I would like to know if there are any other such cases reported and if so what is my course of action if any. Thank you.
When driving and upon shifting gears vehicle fails to shift gears properly. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has determined that clutch was deffective. Please provide further details.
1996 BMW 328i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 BMW 328i a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 328i rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 328i at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 BMW 328i?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (4) and transmission & drivetrain (4).
How many recalls does the 1996 BMW 328i have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 BMW 328i. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 328i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2001 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2007, 2013, 2009 and 2014. See the full BMW 328i years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 BMW 328i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 97,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.