YearToAvoid

2010 BMW 328i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2010 BMW 328i has a complaint index of 45, ranking 7th of 12 model years, and earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 155 complaints, 6 recalls, and no do-not-drive orders, with Engine issues as the top problem area at 55% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
45/100
#7 of 12 328i years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
155
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
6
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
3
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2016
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2010 BMW 328i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine86 (55%)
  2. Airbags43 (28%)
  3. Electrical System41 (26%)
  4. Other12 (8%)
  5. Fuel System8 (5%)
  6. Brakes5 (3%)
  7. Structure & Body5 (3%)
  8. Seat Belts4 (3%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain4 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report electrical fires or burning smells originating near the battery terminal or trunk area, sometimes while driving.
  • Some describe headlights flickering or intermittently illuminating along with a check engine light at highway speed.
  • Engine bay smoke and burning odors have been linked to the VANOS assembly bolt recall and later engine recall campaigns.
  • Airbag deployment has occurred in crashes, including one where the driver's face struck the steering wheel.
  • One owner reported the driver seat moving on its own at turnpike speed due to a malfunctioning memory seat system.
  • A turn signal and passenger restraint alarm malfunctioned together, clearing only after the car was turned off and restarted.
2010 BMW 328i complaints: complaints filed per quarter162012 Q32015 Q12016 Q42018 Q22020 Q22022 Q12023 Q32025 Q1
155 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q2 (16).

2010 BMW 328i recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 6 recalls for the 2010 BMW 328i →

2010 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
25.5 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
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.

2010 compared with other 328i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Caution64239521
2009Caution73193620
2010Good45155620
2011Avoid100577720
2012Good27130620.5

All BMW 328i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 BMW 328i reliable?
Compared with other 328i model years, the 2010 has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 7th of 12 years, earning a Good verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
What problems does the 2010 BMW 328i have?
NHTSA lists 155 complaints, with Engine issues making up 55%, Airbags 28%, and Electrical System problems 26% of reports. Median mileage at engine failure was 103,788.
Does the 2010 BMW 328i have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns covering airbags, engine PCV valve heaters, VANOS assembly bolts, and electrical wiring connectors.
Which BMW 328i model years should I avoid instead?
The 2007, 2011, and 2013 model years carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 91, 100, and 82, all higher than the 2010's index of 45.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.