2015 BMW 328i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2015 BMW 328i has a complaint index of 36, ranking 8th of 12 model years, and earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 124 complaints, 4 recalls, and 8 reported fires, with Engine (52%) and Electrical System (49%) as the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 36/100
- #8 of 12 328i years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 124
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22 city / 32 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2015 BMW 328i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fills with smoke and then catches fire while driving at highway speed, sometimes preceded by shuddering or an abnormal sound.
- Vehicle overheats with smoke coming from under the hood and through the A/C vents, with warning lights illuminated and the A/C blowing only hot air.
- Coolant sprays from the front of the vehicle followed shortly by an engine-compartment fire, matching the coolant pump electrical connector recall.
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported while parking or pulling into a garage, with braking failing to stop the car before impact.
- Panoramic sunroof glass shatters unexpectedly while driving at highway speed on a smooth, clear road.
- Original-equipment tire tread separates, discovered during routine service rather than after a road incident.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2015 328i a complaint index of 36, ranking 8th out of 12 model years, and it carries a Good verdict relative to other 328i years.
- What problems does the 2015 BMW 328i have?
- NHTSA complaints point to the Engine (52% of complaints) and Electrical System (49%) as the top problem areas, including 8 reported fires and a median failure mileage of 64,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 BMW 328i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 328i, covering the electrical system water pump connector, two separate airbag recalls, and a software update recall; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2015 328i compare to other 328i years?
- With a complaint index of 36, the 2015 328i ranks better than years like 2011 (index 100, Avoid) and 2007 (index 91, Avoid), and is close in ranking to the 2016 model (index 18, Best).
- Did the 2015 328i have engine fires?
- NHTSA complaints report 8 fires for the 2015 328i, several involving smoke and flames from the engine compartment, some linked to the coolant pump connector recall.