BMW · NHTSA safety record

2010 BMW 328XI

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 BMW 328XI have filed 17 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2014 and July 2022. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 7 of them (41%). The typical failure was reported at 88,500 miles, the median across the 12 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

24V513000 · July 3, 2024

The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 394,029 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V017000 · January 15, 2020

The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 59,965 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

17V676000 · October 25, 2017

The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
The risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 702,965 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 17.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 41%

AIR BAGS 5 29%

ENGINE 4 24%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2 12%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 12%

SEAT BELTS 2 12%

STRUCTURE 2 12%

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 6%

POWER TRAIN 1 6%

SERVICE BRAKES 1 6%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 6%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 4.

2014 to 2022

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES Filed July 14, 2016

1 injured · crash · towed · 54,500 miles

I BELIEVE THAT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSED MY ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. I WAS REVERSING SLOWLY OUT OF A STEEP DRIVEWAY. ONCE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE SO THAT I COULD SWITCH GEAR IN TO DRIVE. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, AND I COULDN'T CONTROL IT. THE BRAKE WOULDN'T WORK. THE ACCELERATION WAS SO FAST, THAT WHAT STOPPED ME WAS HITTING A HORSE FENCE ACROSS THE STREET. I WAS GOING SO FAST, THAT I ENDED UP GOING AIRBORNE, AND ONLY DAMAGED THE TOP OF THE HORSE FENCE. MY FRONT PART OF MY CAR THEN FELL FORWARD AND BROKE THE TIE ROD IN HALF. I ENDED UP WITH WHIPLASH AND A CONCUSSION, REQUIRING POST-CONCUSSION SYNDROME PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR 4

NHTSA complaint 10884895, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY Filed May 23, 2017

fire

BMW ON FIRE. I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A CITY STREET FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE SO IT MAY HAVE STARTED WHILE IN TRANSIT. MY CAR HAD NO ISSUES, NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CAR, ENGINE OR DRIVING EXPERIENCE. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE THERE WERE NO WARNINGS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO SMELL OF FIRE OR BURNING OIL, NO SIGNS OF ENGINE ISSUES WHILE DRIVING BUT WHILE STOPPED AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM AROUND THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE AREA AND IT ESCALATED QUICKLY. I WAS STOPPED WAITING AT A SECOND-TO-THE-LEFT TURN LANE SURROUNDED BY CARS AND NOBODY COULD MOVE AWAY. PEOPLE IN THE CAR TO MY LEFT PANICKED THE MOST AS

NHTSA complaint 10991206, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Filed July 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint 11476325. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Filed June 16, 2022

114,900 miles

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328XI. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was overheating and the gauge was notifying the contact of the engine temperature moving from high to extremely high. The contact also stated there was black smoke coming from the engine and tailpipe. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The

NHTSA complaint 11469586, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Filed April 7, 2021

96,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMX 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT AND A POLICE OFFICER PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. AFTER WAITING 30 MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA complaint 11406958. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION Filed October 4, 2018

109,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE SEAT BELT CHIME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOUNDED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. AFTER THE LAST INCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2018, THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CHIME WAS BY ENGAGING THE LATCH ON THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WINSLOW BMW OF COLORADO SPRINGS (5845 N NEVADA AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80918) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR MAT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE

NHTSA complaint 11133255, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS Filed June 19, 2018

90,000 miles

DUE TO HOT WEATHER CONDITION (>85F), IF THE CAR PARKS OUTSIDE MORE THAN 4 HOURS, THEN GO TO VEHICLE TO START VEHICLE, BOTH SEAT BELT LIGHT AND PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT ARE ON EVEN DURING DRIVING. BUT, AFTER PARKING VEHICLE OVERNIGHT OR WEATHER BELOW 70F, THERE IS NO ISSUE AT ALL. IT SEEMS LIKE THE SENSORS TO SENSITIVE THE HOT TEMPERATURE. IT IS SAFETY CRITICAL ISSUE AND HAD TO FIND OUT IN DEALER. BMW SAID TO ME IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS SENSOR SPECIFICATION ISSUE WHICH IS NOT HANDLE HIGH TEMPERATURE. BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE!

NHTSA complaint 11102551. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed March 26, 2018

I WAS NOTIFIIED BY SNAIL MAIL OF TWO RECALLS (17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND 17V: PCV VALVE HEATER) LAST NOVEMBER 2017 AND, AS OF TODAY, THEY HAVE NO REMEDIES... BOTH DEFECTS CAN CAUSE FIRES SO IT SEEMS SERIOUS. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY RUNNING FINE BUT IT IS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND AND KEEPING ME FROM TAKING THE CAR ON AN EXTENDED TRIP. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HURRY BMW ALONG OR PROVIDE A STATUS?

NHTSA complaint 11081208. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 328XI

Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Deaths
2015	14	2	—
2014	17	3	—
2013	27	2	—
2011	67	3	—

Other 2010 BMW models

328I 153 X5 123 528I 65 535I 58 335I 41 X3 32 3 Series 30 750LI 30

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

Complaints: NHTSA's ODI complaint file , published August 20, 2026. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall campaign API , most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI investigation file , published 2026-08-19.

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by guarledes
Independent developer and analyst