BMW 328i Recalls

The BMW 328i has 20 recalls spanning 1999 to 2016, with the most serious being a driver-side frontal airbag inflator defect on 2014-2015 models where the inflator can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, raising the risk of serious injury or death.

The 2014-2015 model years carry several additional airbag concerns. The head airbag inflator on 2014 models can fail at a weld joint, leaking gas or rupturing and sending metal fragments into or out of the cabin. A separate side airbag inflator issue on 2014-2015 vehicles shares the same fragmentation risk. There is also a fuel pump defect on 2014 models that can cause the engine to stall without warning.

The 2012-2016 range has a wiring connector defect that can cause an electrical short and start a fire. On 2012-2015 models, side marker lights can fail to illuminate, reducing the vehicle's visibility at night. A 2009 model year issue involves the positive battery cable connection at the fuse box degrading and causing intermittent loss of electrical power, which can stall the vehicle.

Going back to the 2007-2011 era, two separate fire risks stand out. The crankcase ventilation valve heater on 2007-2011 models can short circuit, melting internal components and starting a fire even when the vehicle is parked. The heating and air conditioning wiring on 2006-2011 models can overheat and melt its connectors, also creating a fire risk when the vehicle is unattended. The 2006-2013 model years are subject to a driver-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode during deployment and throw metal fragments at occupants, a defect tied to Takata inflators that were fitted as replacement parts or installed during original production across multiple campaigns covering these years.

The 2011 xDrive models have a front driveshaft attachment bolt that may not have been tightened to specification, which can loosen over time and cause loss of drive to the front wheels.

Earlier production from 1999-2005 has a dense cluster of Takata frontal airbag recalls. Driver-side inflators on 1999-2001 models and passenger-side inflators on 2000-2005 models can explode during deployment and send metal fragments toward occupants. The 1999 model year alone has three separate brake and airbag issues: a retaining clip that can detach from the brake pedal arm and leave the driver with no braking ability, a side airbag system that can deploy without a crash when the vehicle hits a large pothole or curb, and a related side airbag sensitivity issue where the system can fire unexpectedly and also disconnect the battery cable.