2015 BMW 328xi recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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,…
What could happen: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2015 328XI.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V520000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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."
Consequence: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
What could happen: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2015 328XI.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 24V608000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2015 BMW 328xi owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (5), Electrical system (4), Engine (3), Unknown Or Other (2), Transmission / drivetrain (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/23/2024 · Engine
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
07/13/2019 · Electrical system
ON WAY HOME TODAY 7/12/2019 CAR STALLED OUT. I HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKES, STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN AND CAR SLOWED DOWN QUICK. IT STARTED BACK UP BUT THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW STARTED GOING DOWN ON ITS OWN, AND THE A/C STOPPED WORKING, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP, AND IT KEEPS GETTING A WARNING GOING ON THEN OFF THEN ON SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT…
05/08/2019 · Wheels / tires
SIDEWALLS ARE WEAK AND BLOW OUT. HAD 5 TIRES REPLACED; STILL HAVE ONE WITH BUBBLE IN SIDEWALK. BRIDGESTONE REP SAYS FROM HITTING POTHOLES. I HAVE ANOTHER SET OF TIRES(MICHELIN) THAT I DRIVE ON THE SAME ROADS WITH NO ISSUES. BRIDGESTONE DRIVEGUARD
12/30/2017 · Brakes · crash
I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 AT PACE WITH TRAFFIC, NO SPEEDING AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME ABRUPTLY HIT THE BREAKS. I WAS 3 TO 4 CAR LENGTHS AWAY. I HIT THE BRAKES BUT WAS NOT CONCERNED BECAUSE I HAD PLENTY OF DISTANCE AND THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKES. AS I HIT THE BRAKES, IT SEEMED LIKE THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN EVEN AS I PRESSED HARDER AND THE ABS BRAK…
05/12/2017 · Engine · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 BMW 328XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF HOW THE FIRE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
11/18/2016 · Unknown Or Other
TRUNK CLOSURE MECHANISM HAS A SENSOR THAT CAN BE ACTIVATED BY PASSING A FOOT UNDER THE BUMPER AREA WHILE TRUNK IS OPENED WHILE STATIONARY. SENSOR CANNOT BE DEACTIVATED AND CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATED BY FOOT-ANIMAL CAUSING THE TRUNK TO CLOSE CAUSING INJURY TO PERSON IN AREA. WIFE BEING TREATED BY A NEUROLOGIST FOR CONCUSSION, AND POTENTIAL NECK INJURI…
07/26/2016 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
I'VE GONE THROUGH 3 WINDSHIELDS IN 2 MONTHS ,2 THROUGH MY INSURANCE AND THE 3RD THROUGH BMW ,EARLY MORNING AND LATE AFTERNOON THE WINDSHIELD IS COVERED WITH TINY SPARKLES, THIS WAS NOTICED BY ME THE NEXT DAY ON ALL 3 ,SO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ROAD DEBRI, ON LINE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO ,IT IS A SAFETY ISS…
06/07/2016 · Body / structure
SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH. NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT (PER BMW DEALER) AND NO IMPACT BY OBJECT DETECTED BY DRIVER. NO OVER PASSES OR ROAD SIGNS WERE NEAR THE CAR AT THE TIME. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IN MID 80S AND SUNNY. AIR CONDITIONING ON IN CAR. LARGE HOLE IN MIDDLE OF SUNROOF AND MOST OF THE GLASS ENDED UP ON THE HIG…