YearToAvoid

2015 BMW 328xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2015 BMW 328xi has 14 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 40, ranking 7th out of 11 model years with a 'Good' verdict relative to other 328xi years. Brakes and Engine each account for 36% of complaints, and the model carries 2 recall campaigns.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
40/100
#7 of 11 328xi years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
14
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2009
rated Good

Top 2015 BMW 328xi problems

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

  1. Brakes5 (36%)
  2. Engine5 (36%)
  3. Electrical System4 (29%)
  4. Other2 (14%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (14%)
  6. Fuel System1 (7%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (7%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (7%)

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

What owners report

  • Some owners report the car catching fire while parked, with one fire reported around 17,000 miles.
  • Drivers describe pressing the brake pedal hard on the highway and feeling the car fail to slow down, with ABS not engaging.
  • One owner reported the engine revving up to about 6,500 rpm while the brake pedal was held down after exiting a highway, at 1,790 miles.
  • Another owner described total loss of power including steering, brakes, and throttle while exiting a highway, at 8,508 miles.
  • A sunroof reportedly shattered without impact while driving at highway speed, at 5,500 miles.
  • One owner reported the car stalling with reduced brake and steering response, plus electrical issues with windows and A/C, at 35,000 miles.
2015 BMW 328xi complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2014May 2015Oct 2015Jul 2016May 2017May 2019Oct 2024
14 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2014 to Oct 2024; peak May 2015 (2).

2015 BMW 328xi recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 15V520000Aug 17, 2015Electrical System7,727 vehicles

    Exterior lighting

    BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].

2015 compared with other 328xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Caution70272—
2014Caution60173—
2015Good40142—
2016No verdict1041—

All BMW 328xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 BMW 328xi reliable?
NHTSA lists 14 complaints for the 2015 328xi, giving it a complaint index of 40 and a 'Good' verdict compared with other 328xi model years.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW 328xi?
Brakes and Engine are the top problem areas, each making up 36% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 29%.
Does the 2015 BMW 328xi have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2015 328xi, both related to the Electrical System, including a water pump/plug connector inspection and a software update.
How does the 2015 328xi compare to other model years?
The 2015 328xi ranks 7th worst out of 11 model years with data, well below the highest-complaint years like 2007 (complaint index 100) and 2008 (complaint index 90).
Were there any fires or crashes reported for the 2015 328xi?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire reported for the 2015 328xi, along with 2 injuries and no deaths.

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.