2018 BMW 328D Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 BMW 328D, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system975.0%
- Powertrain (other)216.7%
- Engine18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving down the road my car gave me a notification “DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION” said full engine output not available then it just stopped and shut off (limp mode) it has done this multiple times and the shop says that it may be the High Pressure Fuel Pump. This has happened on a busy city road with high traffic and curvy roads where my car would not move and people could not see me when coming over the hill until last minute narrowly missing my car. Luckily there wasn’t oncoming traffic. I had to switch ignition off and on (it then said “transmission not in park”) when it was in park. Finally started back after having to shut ignition off and on twice. Then anytime I got above 40 it went back into limp mode.
In 2021, my vehicle had the high-pressure fuel pump replaced by an authorized BMW dealership under Safety Recall 21V-586 (BMW SIB 13 01 21). At the time of the recall, my vehicle had approximately 43,000 miles, and I was not experiencing any fuel system or drivability issues. The high-pressure fuel pump was replaced solely because BMW determined the original component posed a safety risk. My vehicle now has approximately 128,000 miles. The replacement high-pressure fuel pump installed as part of the recall has failed. Two independent repair facilities have diagnosed the high-pressure fuel pump as the cause of the no-start/fuel delivery issue. When I took the vehicle to a BMW dealership, I was informed that additional diagnostic work was needed to inspect for possible metal contamination from the fuel pump, but I have not yet been provided with a final written diagnosis. I am concerned that the replacement part installed as the recall remedy has failed in the same manner as the original recalled component. If confirmed, this raises concerns about the durability and effectiveness of the recall repair. I respectfully request that NHTSA review whether similar failures have been reported involving replacement high-pressure fuel pumps installed under Recall 21V-586. I am submitting this complaint so the issue can be documented and evaluated as a potential safety concern.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving down the road my car gave me a notification “DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION” said full engine output not available then it just stopped and shut off (limp mode) it has done this multiple times and the shop says that it may be the High Pressure Fuel Pump. This has happened on a busy city road with high traffic and curvy roads where my car would not move and people could not see me when coming over the hill until last minute narrowly missing my car. Luckily there wasn’t oncoming traffic. I had to switch ignition off and on (it then said “transmission not in park”) when it was in park. Finally started back after having to shut ignition off and on twice. Then anytime I got above 40 it went back into limp mode.
Car just shut off when driving at 65mph and never started back up, took it in and repair was a bad fuel pump and fuel rail line causing metal shards to go through fuel tank and injectors.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Engine seized on freeway. Car has 99,000 miles. Dealership says engine seized and has to be replaced at a higher cost than the car is worth. Unknown warning lights.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .