2001 BMW 328I 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 2001 BMW 328I, 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
- Engine250.0%
- Powertrain (other)125.0%
- Tires & wheels125.0%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
AMBIENT TEMP WAS 75 DEGREES. TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO. STEAM WAS STREAMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND LOW COOLANT LINE ILLUMINATED. *AK
VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE SEATING IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, WITH THE A/C ON. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES. THE CAR WAS EXACTLY ONE MONTH OLD WHEN THIS OCCURED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AT 33K MILES WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEAR ACCIDENT WITH OTHER VEHICLES. BMWNA STATES NO LIABILITY FOR INCIDENT AND IGNORES THE FACTORY WARRANTY ON A 2000 MODULE YEAR 3 SERIES. I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY FOR ALL DAMAGES AND NEW PARTS. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL DIFFERENTIAL SHOWING THE SHATTERED PINION GEAR. I WAS LUCKY SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT KILL SOMEONE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE BMW REFUSES TO ACCEPT A PROBLEM. *PH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, TIRE BLEWUP AND THE WHOLE OUTER WALL OF THE TIRE FELL APART AT ITS ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE. THE CAR BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND LUCKILY WE PREVENTED A MAJOR CRASH DUE TO IT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: LMUJP5B7 TIRESIZE: 245/40ZR17)
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 .