IllustrationI HAVE STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION "ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK
2008 BMW 328I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 328I years
Owner complaints for the 2008 BMW 328I are substantially higher than the model-year median of 98.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 328I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
1925–50K
2550–75K
2075–100K
40100–150K
15150K+
129 reports with mileage · 110 unknown
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.
- Electrical System. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports22 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
239 reportsTAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 10/1/2016. I HAD A FRIEND DRIVE MY CAR WHILE I RODE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY FRIEND ENDED UP DRIVING INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A STOP LIGHT. WE WERE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. UNFORTUNATELY, MY FOREARM AND WRIST BROKE AFTER THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND HIT …
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TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 10/1/2016. I HAD A FRIEND DRIVE MY CAR WHILE I RODE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY FRIEND ENDED UP DRIVING INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A STOP LIGHT. WE WERE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. UNFORTUNATELY, MY FOREARM AND WRIST BROKE AFTER THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND HIT ME. I REMEMBER CHEWING METAL DEBRIS. I REMEMBER THE PAIN THAT RADIATED FROM MY WRIST TO MY ELBOW BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS IMPACT. I UNDERWENT SURGERY 2 WEEKS LATER (I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SWELLING TO SUBSIDE) I HAD 2 PLATES, 18 PINS, AND 11 SCREWS INSERTED. MY WRIST WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. I FEEL AS THOUGH THE AIRBAGS DID MORE DAMAGE THAN GOOD. ATTACHED IS THE POLICE REPORT, PICTURES, AND A COPY OF MY SURGEON'S INSTRUCTIONS AFTER SURGERY.
THE CAR IS NO GOOD ..THE COMPANY SOLD ME A UN SAFE CAR
SEAT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING SHOWING NO PASSENGER WHEN PASSENGER IS SEATED. THIS MAY PREVENT SEAT BELTS FROM FUNCTIONING AND AIR BAG DEPLOYING IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND INCREASING INJURIES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THREE VEHICLES REAR ENDED EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER REAR ENDED THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THREE VEHICLES REAR ENDED EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER REAR ENDED THE SECOND VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A FACE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER (NEW CENTURY BMW, 1139 W MAIN ST, ALHAMBRA, CA 91801) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 201-571-5859 AND STATED THAT THEY HAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TAKATA RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LONG BEACH BMW LOCATED AT 1660 E SPRING ST, LONG BEACH, CA 90806 ,PHONE NUMBER (877) 514-7977 …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LONG BEACH BMW LOCATED AT 1660 E SPRING ST, LONG BEACH, CA 90806 ,PHONE NUMBER (877) 514-7977 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS TO A COMPLETE OR NEAR COMPLETE STOP ON TURNS OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE ISSUE IS DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING AS THE TRANSMISSION STOPS MID TURN WHICH CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO REAR END YOU. IT THEN KICKS INTO GEAR SUDDENLY. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT BMW DEALER SERVICE AND ANOTHER BMW RE-SELLER SHOP AND BOTH HAV…
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VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS TO A COMPLETE OR NEAR COMPLETE STOP ON TURNS OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE ISSUE IS DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING AS THE TRANSMISSION STOPS MID TURN WHICH CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO REAR END YOU. IT THEN KICKS INTO GEAR SUDDENLY. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT BMW DEALER SERVICE AND ANOTHER BMW RE-SELLER SHOP AND BOTH HAVE ADVISED IT IS FINE BUT IT IS NOT.
I'M SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT PER INSTRUCTIONS ON LETTER I RECEIVED RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL ON BMW DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS. ON AUGUST 15TH 2017 I WAS GIVEN A FOUR WEEK LEAD TIME FOR THE AIRBAG REPAIR TO BE COMPLETED ON MY BMW RELATED TO RECALL #16V071 BY MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP (NALLEY BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA) THEREAFTER I CALLED B…
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I'M SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT PER INSTRUCTIONS ON LETTER I RECEIVED RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL ON BMW DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS. ON AUGUST 15TH 2017 I WAS GIVEN A FOUR WEEK LEAD TIME FOR THE AIRBAG REPAIR TO BE COMPLETED ON MY BMW RELATED TO RECALL #16V071 BY MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP (NALLEY BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA) THEREAFTER I CALLED BMW USA AND THEY WERE OF LITTLE TO NO HELP TO SPEED THIS UP. BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF DEATH / SERIOUS INJURY ASSOCIATED WITH THIS RECALL MY CAR REMAINS OUT OF USE SINCE AUGUST 14TH 2017. FOUR WEEKS WAITING FOR A CRITICAL SAFETY REPAIR IS BEYOND A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME!! I DEMAND EITHER MY REPAIR IS CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS.
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT SENSOR BROKEN. PROBLEM STARTED, 5 YEARS AGO. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY DIFFERENT BMW MODELS/YEARS. BMW WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SITUATION. PLEASE HELP.
Official recalls
524V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jul 3, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 15, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
17V683000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Oct 30, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring
Oct 25, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
Feb 7, 2013
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical System
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.