BMW 328i Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Not unusually. 111 of the 1,426 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011–2015 BMW 328i (7.8%) name the transmission, below the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2013 and 2011.
Transmission complaints
111
Filed with NHTSA, 2011–2015 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
7.8%
of 1,426 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
BMW 328i transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011WORST | 31 | 4.5% | 2 | 11V476000 | 0 |
| 2012 | 20 | 13.8% | 1 | — | 38 |
| 2013WORST | 38 | 12% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2014 | 9 | 5.9% | 1 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | 13 | 10.2% | 1 | — | 0 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common BMW 328i transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 111 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
BMW 328i years to avoid for the transmission
2013 BMW 328i
38 transmission complaints (12% of the year's 316). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
2011 BMW 328i
31 transmission complaints (4.5% of the year's 686). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recall 11V476000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the BMW 328i years to avoid.
BMW 328i transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any BMW 328i model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 11V476000 · 2011-09-15 · 2011 models
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO…
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 BMW 328i have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 38 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW 328i, 12% of all 316 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (7 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2011 BMW 328i have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 31 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 BMW 328i, 4.5% of all 686 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (4 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 11V476000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which BMW 328i years have the most transmission complaints?
2013 (38), 2011 (31) and 2012 (20), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common BMW 328i transmission problems?
In the 111 transmission complaints, owners most often describe loss of power or limp mode (20.7%), shudder or vibration (10.8%) and hesitation or delayed engagement (4.5%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each BMW 328i model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration