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1996 BMW 328I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 BMW 328I are lower than the model-year median of 98.

About this comparison →
31Owner complaints

Model-year median: 98

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
31
199625
199726
199898
1999
Compare all 328I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
6Electrical System
4Power Train
4Air Bags
3Exterior Lighting
3
All reported categories
Structure
3Unknown Or Other
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Visibility
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel System, Other
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1

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

Power Train complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
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 · 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

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 1999
Power Train

PLASTIC PIVOT FOR CLUTCH RELEASE LEVER FAILED, CAUSING DISTORTION OF DIAPHRAGM SPRING, CAUSING FAILURE OF CLUTCH TO ENGAGE. I BELIEVE THIS PLASTIC PART THAT FAILED IS NEW IN THE 328I SERIES.

NHTSA ODI #711527

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.