1996 BMW 328i recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (6), Electrical system (5), Airbags (4), Transmission / drivetrain (4), Body / structure (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
12/19/2011 · Airbags
FAULTY AIR BAG SENSOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR
08/17/2007 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW 328I. HE STATED THAT THE HORN DID NOT WORK AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE CUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND UNDER THE HOOD. HE STATED THAT HE PURCHASED THE CLOCKSPRING, BUT IT WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,120 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96720.
04/20/2004 · Latches / locks
POWER LOCK ACTUATORS ON VEHICLE FAIL REPEATEDLY. BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003, THREE POWER LOCK ACTUATORS FAILED ON VEHICLE (BOTH REAR DOORS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR). SOMETIMES THE ACTUATORS GET STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION, SOMETIMES UNLOCKED. WALKED AWAY FROM VEHICLE WITH AN UNLOCKED DOOR ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEFORE DISCOVERING PROBLEM. IN ONE CASE (FRONT P…
01/15/2004 · Equipment · crash
CAR SITTING IN DRIVE AT A FENCE ENCLOSURE AND IT SURGED AHEAD ON ITS OWN, DRIVING INTO THE FENCE. NO ACTION POSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD INTO THE ELECTRONIC FENCE. SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT GRILL AND DRIVER DOOR PANELS. SECOND TIME THE CAR HAD DONE THIS. DEALERSHIP STATED THE BRAKES HAD SEIZED ALSO, AND WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED THE CAR…
06/12/2003 · Transmission / drivetrain
I HAVE A 328I BMW, AND THE INFORMATION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT YOU NEVER NEED TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID YET ON THE DAY IN QUESTION MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO STALL AND JERK. I THAN CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO I INFORMED OF THIS TROUBLE, HE THEN INFORMED ME TO BRING THE CAR TO HIM TO CHECK. I NEED TO ALSO TELL THAT THIS AUTOMOBILE DOES NOT HAVE A DI…
05/20/2003 · Brakes
THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB
05/20/2003 · Lights
FOR THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE PLATE LIGHTS. *JB
07/15/2002 · Airbags
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. AFTER CONTACTING DEALER, DEALER NOTED THAT AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK *SCC