Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 27 | 47% | 78,000 miles |
| 2015 | 63 | 50% | 100,000 miles |
| 2014 | 58 | 38% | 87,000 miles |
| 2013 | 133 | 52% | 82,000 miles |
| 2012 | 71 | 55% | 100,000 miles |
| 2011 | 364 | 63% | 101,000 miles |
| 2010 | 86 | 55% | 105,000 miles |
| 2009 | 66 | 34% | 100,000 miles |
| 2008 | 86 | 36% | 100,000 miles |
| 2007 | 100 | 25% | 92,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 50% | — |
| 2000 | 8 | 7% | 96,000 miles |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 2 | 8% | 55,000 miles |
| 1997 | 3 | 12% | 69,000 miles |
| 1996 | 6 | 19% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 328I. The contact stated that after parking and turning the vehicle off, moments later the front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, a bystander who attempted to extinguish the flames was treated by EMS at the scene for headaches and smoke inhalation. A fire report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
I was at a red light while driving my car.When I stepped on the gas once the light turned green the car stalled and started jerking i immediately smelled smoked and seen smoke coming through the cabin..lt made a strange sound from the engine The service engine light came on and said reduced engine power/ drive train malfunction get service immediately.I was able to coast the car to a curb luckily in front of a car shop as soon as i can get out of the car a worker from the shop ran outside yelling your car is on fire! We lift the hood and he had a water hose on the side of the shop he then sprayed the area of the fire and it was put out.I have kept regular routine maintenance on the car no prior signs of car malfunctioning or service engine light on no warning at all this was unexpected.This occurred February 8th 2022 I had the vehicle towed to my local Firestone auto care and they said …
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and made an abnormal sound that worsened over time. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and discovered smoke coming from the engine compartment; moments later the engine compartment engulfed in flames. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System). The vehicle was occupied however, no injuries were sustained and the contact's friend was able to exit the vehicle safely. The fire department came and extinguished the fire however, no report was filed. The police department was also present however, a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not totaled however, the vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an auto repair shop to get a diagnosis. …
The contact owned a 2015 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, and while at a complete stop, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and through the A/C vents. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the A/C only blew hot air. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the timing belt, the oil gasket, the oil pan, and unknown fuses were replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the A/C vents and from the charging port. The contact stated that the infotainment system then caught on fire. The contact exited the vehicle. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with two extinguishers and with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. …
The contact owned a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled after overheating the previous day. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valvetronic system needed to be replaced; while the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs, the contact was notified that the vehicle had sustained thermal damage over the weekend, caught fire, and burned completely, leaving only the frame. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. A police and fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was later notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. An alarm sound was coming from the vehicle. An unknown warning light was illuminated, and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The mechanic called the BMW dealer to order the parts and asked if there was a recall for the water pump, and was informed that there was no recall for the water pump issued by BMW. Upon further investigation, the contact found a recall on the NHTSA.gov website issued by BMW for the water pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was a recall associated with the VIN. …
The contact owned a 2013 BMW 328i. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied in a friend's driveway when a pop was heard and the contact noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. The contact stated that a police officer who was riding through the neighborhood stopped and attempted to extinguish the fire, however, they were unsuccessful. The local fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. No injuries and no medical treatment was provided. The fire caused damage to the friend's garage and the window above the garage. In addition, the friend's vehicle, which was parked in the driveway next to the contact's vehicle, was damaged on the driver's side front bumper and headlight and the driver's side front tire. The vehicle remained at the fire location. …
The contact owned a 2013 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle on the sidewalk in front of his driveway, it caught on fire. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The location of the fire was the front engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police department report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The contact also noted that no warning lights had been illuminated prior, and received notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and believed the recall as probable cause for the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 328i years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (364), 2013 (133), 2007 (100), 2008 (86) and 2010 (86) model years. Engine complaints make up 63% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for BMW 328i engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 17V-683 (crankcase (pcv), Oct 30, 2017); 14V-176 (engine, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW 328i engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles; 14% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system › emission control › crankcase (pcv) (19 mentions), followed by the engine (10).
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.