YearToAvoid

2015 BMW 328XI Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#4 most-complained of 7 328XI years

NHTSA lists 14 complaints for the 2015 BMW 328XI, with a complaint index of 50, ranking 4th worst among 7 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, with Brakes and Engine tied as the top problem areas at 36% each, and two recalls on file.

Complaints
14
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2015 BMW 328XI problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly fail to slow the car adequately during normal stops, even with ABS engaged, sometimes leading to a crash.
  • Owners report a loaner or company car with an automatic transmission revving to high RPM while the driver's foot stayed on the brake pedal.
  • Some describe the car suddenly losing power to steering, brakes, and throttle while exiting a highway, coasting to a stop before regaining control.
  • A parked vehicle reportedly caught fire with unknown cause, resulting in total destruction of the car.
  • Sunroof glass reportedly shattered on its own while driving on a smooth highway with no impact detected.
  • Windshields reportedly developed tiny reflective marks that create glare in low sun, with owners replacing multiple windshields.
2015 BMW 328XI complaints: complaints filed per month5Nov 2014May 2015Oct 2015Jul 2016May 2017May 2019Oct 2024
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2014 to Oct 2024; peak May 2015 (5).

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)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Avoid83272—
2014Caution67173—
2015Caution50142—
2016No verdict1741—

All BMW 328XI years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 BMW 328XI reliable?
NHTSA data shows 14 complaints for the 2015 328XI with a complaint index of 50, giving it a Caution rating, worse than several other years of the model but not the worst.
What is the biggest problem with the 2015 BMW 328XI?
Brakes and Engine are tied as the top problem areas, each accounting for 36% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 29%.
Does the 2015 BMW 328XI have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls, both involving the Electrical System, including a water pump inspection/replacement campaign and a software update campaign.
How does the 2015 328XI compare to other model years?
The 2015 328XI ranks 4th worst out of 7 model years with data, with a complaint index of 50, better than 2011 (100, Avoid) and 2013 (83, Avoid) but worse than 2010 (33, Good) and 2016 (17).
At what mileage do 2015 328XI problems tend to appear?
The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 6,923 miles, with brake-related failures showing a median of 1,790 miles.

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.