Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 11 | 7% | 68,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% | 75,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% | 119,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% | 105,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% | 100,000 miles |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% | 132,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% | 56,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 1998 | 1 | 4% | 165,000 miles |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side taillight became inoperable. The taillight intermittently illuminated, creating an inconsistent lighting condition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness and bulb socket in the driver's side taillight had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact expressed concerns that the failure posed a significant safety hazard, as a non-functioning taillight increased the risk of a crash. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
I Was In My Vehicle Parked Up On January 1st 2026 And The Vehicle Caught On Fire While I Was Inside Of It,The Fire Started From The Right Side Of The Car And Flamed Up Everything,The Car Had A Check Engine Light On And A Lightning System Issue Was Popping Up On The Dash Right Before This Situation Accord I Did Research And Found That The Cause Of The Fire Is Related To NHTSA Recall 24V-608 (Water Pump/Connector Fire Risk).
Left rear brake and turn lights malfunctioning -issue not fixed after changing light bulbs. Noticed that metal pins in the connector was melted and stuck into the wiring harness. Problem affects brake light and turn signal. Melting of the the metal pin in the connector housing clearly is not a wear and tear situation but a defect in manufacturing that needs to be repaired and corrected by BMW.
The left rear turn signal stopped working. Along with the left brake light. Currently getting the part fixed that is causing the issue. Part is being melted by something. Yes there has been warning lamps and messages.
The right drivers side turn signal was blinking at twice the normal rate while driving.the was also a warning light that came on occasionally when starting the car. I took it in to our mechanic who specializes in german made cars and he found that the wiring to the light bulb socket was melted. He suggested we look for a recall because he thought it was such a safety hazard but there is none listed.
Drivetrain malfunction light came on stating to drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center. The codes was cda904 no message (status trailer 0x2e4) receiver engine ECU transmitter trailer. 130f20 exhaust camshaft offset angel to crankshaft outside tolerance; 120408 boost pressure control, cut off pressure rise block after paying $180.00 for diagnostic I was told today that I need to replace the timing chain/ guild. Replace oil pump chain module and replace the valve cover. The timing chain guide is broken. This is crazy my car has 88000 miles and is not paid for. The cost to get this repaired is approxmiately $6,000. There is a current class action lawsuit. BMW knows that this is a problem but refuses to do a recall. The plaintiffs take issue with two specific defects in the engine's chains. …
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and making a right turn into a parking lot, the turn signals, interior lights, and instrument panel lights became inoperable. Additionally, the side-view mirrors no longer operated as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and found that the footwell module needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and also not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Recently my girlfriend and I had purchased and financed a 2012 BMW 328i. The mileage when we bought the car was at 48,000. Withen the first 2 weeks of having the car I had to bring it back due to the parking lamp being out. I didn't get no warning from the car that the light was out either. I brought it in they corrected the problem for the time being and I went on my way. The same exact parking lamp went out another few weeks later. We have only had the car 3 months and it is having problems with the engine and saying that I have driven a lot more miles than I actually have. The odometer is now reading 60,000 miles. Basically saying I had driven over 13,000 miles in close to 3 months time. There is no way I could of driven 13,000 miles in that short of time when I only use the car to go to work which is 20 miles away. The car broke down on me and the odometer is definently faulty. …
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 328i years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (19), 2007 (13), 2014 (11), 2008 (8) and 2009 (8) model years. Headlight complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for BMW 328i headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-520 (exterior lighting, Aug 17, 2015); 00V-048 (switch, Feb 17, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW 328i headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the tail lights (2 mentions), followed by the turn signal (2).
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.