Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
31 reports
96,720 miles · Aug 17, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE 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. …
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TL*THE 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.
NHTSA ODI #10199955
Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages
POWER LOCK ACTUATORS ON VEHICLE FAIL REPEATEDLY. BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003, THREE POWER LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON VEHICLE (BOTH REAR DOORS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR). SOMETIMES THE ACTUATORS GET STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION, SOMETIMES UNLOCKED. WALKED AWAY FROM VEHICLE WITH AN UNLOCKED DOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE DISCOVERING P…
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POWER LOCK ACTUATORS ON VEHICLE FAIL REPEATEDLY. BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003, THREE POWER LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON VEHICLE (BOTH REAR DOORS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR). SOMETIMES THE ACTUATORS GET STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION, SOMETIMES UNLOCKED. WALKED AWAY FROM VEHICLE WITH AN UNLOCKED DOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE DISCOVERING PROBLEM. IN ONE CASE (FRONT PASS. DOOR), DOOR LOCK WAS EVEN DIFFICULT (BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE) TO OPERATE MANUALLY: THIS WAS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION, MAKING ENTRY INTO THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT.
NHTSA ODI #10066535
80,489 miles · Jun 12, 2003
Power Train
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 …
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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. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021514
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2003
Exterior Lighting
FOR THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE PLATE LIGHTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10020182
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10020180
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2002
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. AFTER CONTACTING DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK *SCC
NHTSA ODI #8013854
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2002
Structure
INTERIOR LOCK LOCATED ON ALL FOUR DOORS. WILL LOCK PPASSENGER IN INSIDE OF DOORS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8013100
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
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 TH…
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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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #760137
Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AND SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE FAILS TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. DEALER HAS DETERMINED THAT CLUTCH HAD GONE BAD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8000776
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2001
Power Train
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #899479
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 BMW 328I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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