2015 BMW 328i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#5 most-complained of 7 328i years
The 2015 BMW 328i has a Complaint Index of 33, ranking 5th out of 7 model years, and NHTSA labels it 'Good' relative to other 328i years. It has 124 complaints, 4 recalls, and 8 reported fires, with Engine issues the top problem area at 52% share.
- Complaints
- 124
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 32 hwy
Top 2015 BMW 328i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine65 (52%)
- Electrical System61 (49%)
- Other19 (15%)
- Fuel System15 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (10%)
- Brakes9 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
- Seat Belts2 (2%)
- Structure & Body2 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment, sometimes preceded by shuddering or abnormal sounds at highway speeds.
- Coolant spraying from the front of the vehicle was reported just before an engine-compartment fire started near the coolant pump area.
- Some drivers reported sudden loss of engine power or a 'drive train malfunction' warning while driving on the interstate.
- A rear spoiler reportedly began smoking and then caught fire while the vehicle was in motion at low speed.
- Brake pedal application reportedly failed to stop unintended acceleration in a parking garage, resulting in a collision.
- A panoramic sunroof reportedly shattered while driving at highway speed with no external cause identified.
2015 BMW 328i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- 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.
2015 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,050
- 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 328i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 BMW 328i reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 328i has a Complaint Index of 33 and ranks 5th out of 7 model years for this model, which NHTSA-based data classifies as 'Good' relative to other 328i years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW 328i?
- NHTSA complaint data shows the top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 52% of complaints, followed by the Electrical System at 49% and the Fuel System at 12%.
- Does the 2015 BMW 328i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 328i, covering the Electrical System (including a water pump/plug connector fix) and Airbags, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 328i compare to other BMW 328i model years?
- The 2015 328i's Complaint Index of 33 is lower than the 2011 (100), 2013 (83), and 2014 (67) model years, but higher than the 2012 (17) and 2016 (0) model years.
- Has the 2015 BMW 328i had engine fires reported?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2015 328i include 8 reported fires, with several owner accounts describing smoke and flames from the engine compartment, some linked to a coolant pump recall.