The most-reported 328xi run is WBAPK5C50BA (2011 builds) with 3 complaints, 2× the typical run. Engine problems make up 29% of reports; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for 328xi model years 2007–2008.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The BMW 328xi has 43 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 22% of every 328xi complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBAPK5C50BA•••••• | 2011 | 1 | 1 | |
| WBAPK5G55BN•••••• | 2011 | 1 | — | |
| WBAPK5C57BA•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WBAPK5G50BN•••••• | 2011 | — | 1 | |
| WBAPK5C55BA•••••• | 2011 | 1 | — | |
| WBAPK7C50BA•••••• | 2011 | 1 | 1 | |
| WBAPK5C54BA•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WBAPK5G59BN•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WBAKF5C54BE•••••• | 2011 | — | 1 | |
| WBAPK5C54BF•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WBAPK7C5XBA•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| WBAPK7C56BA•••••• | 2011 | — | — |
Each of the other 31 328xi runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 63 | 43 | 5 |
Heaviest year here is 2011 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2011 at 1.5.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything BMW 328xi owners report: Engine, 22 of 63 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 4 | |
| Air Bags | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the BMW 328xi; the 4 below cover build years 2007 to 2008. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 20V017000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2007–2008 |
| 17V676000 | Electrical System:wiring | 2007–2008 |
| 24V513000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2007–2008 |
| 13V564000 | Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification | 2007 |
20V017000 was opened in 2020 on cars built from 2007: 13 years on the road before the recall.
The 328xi against its rivals
The 328xi draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Cavalier 2.8 and the Jaguar X-Type 2.1. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 328xi | 63 | 43 | 7.9% | |
| Chevrolet Cavalier | 3,474 | 1,220 | 9.2% | |
| Jaguar X-Type | 255 | 119 | 14.5% |
How serious were they
Of the 63 reports on the BMW 328xi, 7.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | BMW 328xi | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 63 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 5 (7.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 5 (7.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 36% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The BMW 328xi share of that is 63 complaints over 43 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a BMW 328xi VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 63 NHTSA complaints from 43 328xi runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 328xi production run has the most complaints?
WBAPK5C50BA, a 2011 build, with 3 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical 328xi run has 1.5.
Does the 328xi get more complaints than the Chevrolet Cavalier?
No: 1.5 complaints per production run for the 328xi against 2.8 for the Chevrolet Cavalier.
How many 328xi complaints involve a crash?
7.9% of 63 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 5 involved a fire.
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