2015 BMW 320i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 BMW 320i has a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst out of 8 model years with a complaint index of 57. Owners most often reported Engine (33%) and Fuel System (27%) problems, and NHTSA logged 3 recalls including two airbag campaigns and an electrical software fix.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #4 of 8 320i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 33
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23 city / 35 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2015 BMW 320i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine11 (33%)
- Fuel System9 (27%)
- Electrical System8 (24%)
- Other7 (21%)
- Structure & Body3 (9%)
- Brakes2 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
- Airbags1 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine can suddenly enter limp mode on the highway, dropping speed to around 20 mph with a drivetrain malfunction message.
- Tire pressure monitoring systems report tires losing pressure from 32 psi down to 23 psi even after being refilled.
- High pressure fuel pump failures cause sudden loss of power and a shudder while driving at highway speed, sometimes with cruise control engaged.
- Oil pump failures have been linked to subsequent engine damage.
- Fuel gauge readings can show remaining fuel even after the tank runs empty, tied to fuel cell and fuel pump issues.
- Rear brake light and turn signal wiring can overheat at the ground wire, melting the connector and bulb carrier and requiring repeated repairs.
2015 BMW 320i recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V527000Jul 11, 2024Airbags1,145 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 24V288000Apr 24, 2024Airbags5,761 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 15V520000Aug 17, 2015Electrical System7,727 vehicles
Exterior lighting
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].
2015 BMW 320i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 35 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other 320i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 BMW 320i reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, ranking 4th worst among 8 model years of the 320i with a complaint index of 57.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW 320i?
- Owners most frequently reported Engine issues (33% of complaints) and Fuel System issues (27%), followed by Electrical System complaints (24%).
- Does the 2015 BMW 320i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2015 320i, two covering airbag components and one covering an electrical system software issue; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 320i compare to other model years?
- The 2015 320i is better than the 2014 and 2016 model years, which are both rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 100 and 86, but worse than 2013 and 2017, which are rated Good.
- What mileage do 2015 320i problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 56,199.5 for the 2015 320i overall, with engine complaints centered around 80,000 miles and fuel system complaints around 100,000 miles.