BMW engine problems
Across all BMW models in NHTSA's complaint database, 6,655 complaints involve engine. The 328I accounts for the largest share (16%). The single worst model year is the 2011 328I with 369 engine complaints.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 6,655 about engine, all BMW models
- Most affected
- 328I 16% of these complaints
- Typical mileage
- 75,000 miles 3,897 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 97 and 455
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Which BMW models
Worst model years for engine
- 2011 BMW 328I369 complaints
- 2013 BMW X3160 complaints
- 2013 BMW 328I136 complaints
- 2011 BMW X5119 complaints
- 2012 BMW X5104 complaints
Engine complaints by model year
View the numbers
| Model year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 7 |
| 1991 | 32 |
| 1992 | 23 |
| 1993 | 43 |
| 1994 | 35 |
| 1995 | 28 |
| 1996 | 16 |
| 1997 | 28 |
| 1998 | 33 |
| 1999 | 16 |
| 2000 | 43 |
| 2001 | 102 |
| 2002 | 112 |
| 2003 | 123 |
| 2004 | 112 |
| 2005 | 64 |
| 2006 | 286 |
| 2007 | 407 |
| 2008 | 535 |
| 2009 | 352 |
| 2010 | 335 |
| 2011 | 977 |
| 2012 | 422 |
| 2013 | 617 |
| 2014 | 401 |
| 2015 | 370 |
| 2016 | 233 |
| 2017 | 142 |
| 2018 | 148 |
| 2019 | 186 |
| 2020 | 179 |
| 2021 | 103 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 32 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Among the 3,897 of these complaints that report mileage, the median is about 75,000 miles.
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles each brand sells, so large brands naturally have more complaints.