Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 | 7% | 15,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2014 | 8 | 5% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2012 | 6 | 5% | 69,000 miles |
| 2011 | 9 | 2% | 48,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% | 95,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 103,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% | 45,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 12% | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 8% | 78,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Engine revved uncontrollably without my foot on the gas pedal, I was forced to shut the engine off. The car behaved normally once the engine was restarted: I was turning left into a parking space in a parking lot at a very slow speed. My foot was off the gas pedal as I was braking and coming to a stop. Suddenly (with foot still on the brake and not the gas pedal) the engine revved to a high RPM which lurched the car forward a bit. Since I was already braking, I was able to react quickly and press down even harder on the brake pedal, which stopped the vehicle and kept it in place. The engine continued to rev and I shifted into park. The engine stayed revved at very high rpms as if I was flooring the gas pedal, even though I could look down and confirm that my foot was only on the brake. At this point I shut off the engine and waited several minutes. …
I was driving with an adult passenger on June 1, 2018 at approximately 3 pm on a public street, traveling straight at approx 40 MPH. Conditions were dry and sunny. I pressed the brake at a stop light and the car stopped for a brief second and then lunged forward while the brake was still depressed. I put both feet on the brake and pushed hard to the floor. The car continued forward several feet and slowed to a stop. The engine was revving while I tried to stop and my passenger stated that the rpms increased rapidly. No warning lights came on or engine warning. I was approx 2 miles from the BMW dealership so I slowly drove my car there, putting it in neutral each time I had to stop. I explained the situation, they reviewed the car and found nothing wrong. The car has a history of idling high/fast, which I also relayed to the dealership. …
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the temperature gauge warning light illuminated, and the engine started to overheat. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Starting Dec 1st, the check engine light displayed on my dash and the electrical system has malfunctioned for many features of my vehicle. I am unable to switch to Sport & Eco Mode. The car also takes multiple tries to start the engine. It has been almost 4 months since the recall announcement and remediations are still not available. the engine coolant pump is a direct cause of short circuits and engine problems
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 BMW 328i. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own to 40-50 MPH. All the warning indicator sensors blinked on and off. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed and locked up. In addition, the steering failed. The vehicle drove over the sidewalk and the seat belt released automatically. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The struck her head on the steering wheel and injured her neck and lower back. Medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000....updated 12/14/16 updated 12/20/16
The vehicle was going down a hill (straight forward) on a ca city street when the driver shifted from auto to manual gear. Instead of working as expected, the car underwent a sudden acceleration and braking proved ineffective. Through a couple seconds of attempted braking with no response, the car kept on accelerating instead. Finally, after making two turns on the hill, the car spun completely out of control and swerved to the other side of the street where it crashed through five trees and eventually stopped. The driver loss of consciousness and delivered to er. The weather condition was good. The failure mileage was 79,541. Policy report filed.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328I.The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated at high speed before the vehicle shut off with the message "Transmission Not in Park" displayed. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road, and after the vehicle cooled down the contact was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the fuel pump was replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
INCIDENT SUMMARY: On January 9, 2026, at approximately 1:30 PM, while traveling at 50 MPH in North Carolina, the vehicle experienced a sudden, catastrophic engine seizure without any prior "Limp Mode" warning or Check Engine Light. This resulted in an immediate, total loss of motive power in active traffic. I was forced to navigate a dead multi-ton vehicle across lanes without power steering or vacuum-assisted braking, narrowly avoiding a high-speed collision. TIMELINE & NEGLIGENCE: This vehicle was purchased from an independent retail dealer on December 20, 2025-less than 21 days prior to this life-threatening failure. The vehicle was sold with an "Open" status for Safety Recall 23V-707. The failure occurred exactly as described in the recall's warning: a catastrophic stall at speed. …
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 328i years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (9), 2014 (8), 2012 (6) and 2013 (6) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for BMW 328i acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any BMW 328i model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do BMW 328i acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 61% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
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.