How common are engine problems on the 2010 BMW 328i?

Engine complaints make up 86 of the 155 total complaints filed for the 2010 328i, or 55% of all complaints for this model year, the highest concentration among model years listed.

Is there a recall for the 2010 BMW 328i engine?

Yes. NHTSA lists recall 14V176000 covering replacement of the four VANOS housing bolts, and recall 17V683000 covering replacement of the PCV valve heater, both affecting the 2010 328i engine.

At what mileage do 2010 BMW 328i engine problems typically appear?

The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2010 328i is 103,788.5 miles.

Did the 2010 BMW 328i engine problems cause any fires or crashes?

NHTSA data shows 3 fire reports and 0 crashes or injuries tied to complaints in the engine and related electrical categories for this model year.

How does the 2010 328i compare to other model years for engine complaints?

The 2010 328i's engine share is 55%, lower than the 2011 328i's 64% but higher than the 2014 328i's 42%, based on NHTSA complaint data across model years.

2010 BMW 328i Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 86 of 155 complaints (55%) on the 2010 BMW 328i, the largest complaint category for this model year. Owners report stalling, sudden power loss, timing chain failure, and a related VANOS bolt recall (14V176000) and PCV valve heater recall (17V683000), with median failure mileage at 103,788.

Engine complaints: 86; 55% of 155
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 3
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 103,789 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Vehicle stalls or loses power suddenly at low speeds, sometimes accompanied by a check engine light and loss of power steering.
Engine dies while driving on the highway, causing loss of acceleration and requiring the car to be towed.
Owners describe a loud thump followed by a message reading "catastrophic failure," with oil pouring from the engine compartment, pointing to timing chain failure.
Ignition coil failure causes hesitation, check engine light, and the car struggling to exceed 50 mph.
Owners report burning odors and smoke from under the hood tied to the VANOS bolt and PCV valve heater recalls, with parts unavailable for months after recall notices.
Rattling noise followed by the engine cutting off while stopped, later diagnosed as a timing chain issue.

When 2010 BMW 328i engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 17, 2014, latest Aug 25, 2026.

86 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2014 to Aug 2026; peak Apr 2024 (7).

Engine recalls for the 2010 BMW 328i

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.
NHTSA 14V176000Apr 10, 2014Engine156,137 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine complaints by 328i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201086 (55%)
2011370 (64%)
201275 (58%)
2013137 (53%)
201463 (42%)
201565 (52%)
201630 (53%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2010 BMW 328i?: Engine complaints make up 86 of the 155 total complaints filed for the 2010 328i, or 55% of all complaints for this model year, the highest concentration among model years listed.
Is there a recall for the 2010 BMW 328i engine?: Yes. NHTSA lists recall 14V176000 covering replacement of the four VANOS housing bolts, and recall 17V683000 covering replacement of the PCV valve heater, both affecting the 2010 328i engine.
At what mileage do 2010 BMW 328i engine problems typically appear?: The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2010 328i is 103,788.5 miles.
Did the 2010 BMW 328i engine problems cause any fires or crashes?: NHTSA data shows 3 fire reports and 0 crashes or injuries tied to complaints in the engine and related electrical categories for this model year.
How does the 2010 328i compare to other model years for engine complaints?: The 2010 328i's engine share is 55%, lower than the 2011 328i's 64% but higher than the 2014 328i's 42%, based on NHTSA complaint data across model years.