What years of the BMW 328d should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2014 and 2015 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80, the two highest of the six model years covered.

Which BMW 328d year is the best?

The 2016 328d is the best year, with only 10 complaints and a complaint index of 20, the lowest in the lineup.

What is the most common problem with the BMW 328d?

Fuel system issues are the top problem area across all years, making up 49% of the 211 total complaints, followed by engine problems at 38%.

Is the 2017 BMW 328d a safe choice?

The 2017 328d is a caution year, with 12 complaints and a complaint index of 60, higher than the best year (2016) but well below the 2014 and 2015 avoid years.

Does the BMW 328d have recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns across the 2013-2018 328d, including fuel system recalls for the EGR cooler, intake manifold, and high-pressure fuel pump, plus multiple airbag recalls.

BMW 328d Best and Worst Years (2013–2018)

Avoid the 2014 and 2015 BMW 328d: 2014 has 152 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest in the lineup, while 2015 posts an 80 index with 27 complaints, both dominated by fuel system and engine problems. The 2016 328d is the best year, with only 10 complaints and an index of 20.

Avoid 2014 Avoid 2015 Best 2016

Model years: 6; 2013–2018
NHTSA complaints: 211
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 5
Fires reported: 12
Top problem area: Fuel System

328d Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

BMW 328d problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2013	No verdict	0	0	0	0	3	—	—	—
2014	Avoid	100	152	5	11	7	Fuel System	34	5★
2015	Avoid	80	27	0	1	6	Fuel System	34	5★
2016	Best	20	10	0	0	4	Engine	34	—
2017	Caution	60	12	0	0	3	Fuel System	34	—
2018	Good	40	10	0	0	4	Fuel System	34	—

328d years to avoid: what went wrong

2014 BMW 328d Index 100 · 152 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2014 328d leads the lineup with 152 complaints and the highest complaint index (100) among all model years. Fuel system issues account for 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage around 86,000, and engine problems follow at 42%, median mileage near 66,749. Owners also reported transmission and electrical issues. NHTSA recorded 5 crashes, 11 fires, and 1 injury tied to this year, along with 7 recall campaigns covering airbags and fuel system components, including an EGR cooler and intake manifold replacement recall.

2014 fuel system problems →2014 engine problems →

2015 BMW 328d Index 80 · 27 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2015 328d carries 27 complaints and a complaint index of 80, second-worst in the lineup. Fuel system problems make up 52% of complaints with a median failure mileage of about 87,818, and engine issues account for 26%, median mileage 72,000. Transmission and electrical complaints were also reported. NHTSA logged 1 fire and 6 recall campaigns for this year, including a high-pressure fuel pump recall and the EGR cooler/intake manifold recall shared with 2014.

Most common BMW 328d problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Fuel System104 (49%)
Engine81 (38%)
Other24 (11%)
Transmission & Powertrain21 (10%)
Electrical System13 (6%)
Brakes10 (5%)
Structure & Body7 (3%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
Steering3 (1%)
Visibility & Wipers2 (1%)

Frequently asked questions

What years of the BMW 328d should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2014 and 2015 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80, the two highest of the six model years covered.
Which BMW 328d year is the best?: The 2016 328d is the best year, with only 10 complaints and a complaint index of 20, the lowest in the lineup.
What is the most common problem with the BMW 328d?: Fuel system issues are the top problem area across all years, making up 49% of the 211 total complaints, followed by engine problems at 38%.
Is the 2017 BMW 328d a safe choice?: The 2017 328d is a caution year, with 12 complaints and a complaint index of 60, higher than the best year (2016) but well below the 2014 and 2015 avoid years.
Does the BMW 328d have recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns across the 2013-2018 328d, including fuel system recalls for the EGR cooler, intake manifold, and high-pressure fuel pump, plus multiple airbag recalls.