BMW 328XI Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the BMW 328XI across 9 model years. The 2007 model year has the most (61). The words owners use most often: “numbers electrical engine” (14% of reports).
- 146electrical system complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 23%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Numbers electrical engine: mentioned in 20 of 146 complaints (14%)
- Blower motor wiring: mentioned in 11 of 146 complaints (8%)
- Key fob: mentioned in 10 of 146 complaints (7%)
- Valve heater: mentioned in 9 of 146 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 91 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 146 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 26 a fire, 2 an injury.
BMW 328XI electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 328XI | 4 | 29% | 8,508 |
| 2014 328XI | 3 | 18% | 148,000 |
| 2013 328XI | 2 | 7% | 19,071 |
| 2011 328XI | 17 | 25% | 83,479 |
| 2010 328XI | 7 | 41% | 76,500 |
| 2009 328XI | 5 | 45% | 94,000 |
| 2008 328XI | 46 | 46% | 80,000 |
| 2007 328XI | 61 | 31% | 84,000 |
| 2006 328XI | 1 | 20% | 18,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Problem: 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.
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.
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers; electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Model years: 2009
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
Electrical system:wiring
Model years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: 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.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Keeps dying out. Can't drive it at all.
The contact owns a 2007 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 contact owns a 2014 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…
The contact owns a 2014 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all BMW 328XIs have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 146 owner complaints about electrical system for the BMW 328XI. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the BMW 328XI electrical system?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the BMW 328XI?
The most frequent phrase is “numbers electrical engine”, in 20 of 146 complaints, followed by “blower motor wiring” (11).
Other BMW 328XI problems
- Engine problems (110)
See all BMW 328XI problems.