1996 Bmw 328I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
88,605 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Clutch Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 26.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 4; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Clutch Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10021514 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
I HAVE A 328I BMW, AND THE INFORMATION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT YOU NEVER NEED TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID YET ON THE DAY IN QUESTION MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO STALL AND JERK. I THAN CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO I INFORMED OF THIS TROUBLE, HE THEN INFORMED ME TO BRING THE CAR TO HIM TO CHECK. I NEED TO ALSO TELL THAT THIS AUTOMOBILE DOES NOT HAVE A DIP STICK SO THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL IF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS GOING BAD PRIOR TO WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME. WHEN I CALL BMW THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY ONLY WARRANTY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,489 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 745277 · 2001-05-13 (May 13, 2001)
SOMETIMES WHEN I PUT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE KEY TURNS FREELY (ALL THE WAY AROUND WITHOUT STARTING TE CAR). WHEN I REPORTED THE PROBLEM IN 1998 TO TE BMW DEALER IN COLUMBUS, GA, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL REACTION. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS "CHECKING" THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPEN TWO-THREE TIMES A MONTH. YESTERDAY (MAY 12, 2001), I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND STOPPED TO TURN IT OFF. THE IGNITION STUCK IN THE "ON" POSITION BUT I COULD PULL MY KEY OUT AND THE ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020180 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020182 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
FOR THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE PLATE LIGHTS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10199955 · 2007-08-17 (August 17, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW 328I. HE STATED THAT THE HORN DID NOT WORK AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE CUT IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND UNDER THE HOOD. HE STATED THAT HE PURCHASED THE CLOCKSPRING, BUT IT WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,120 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96720.
Owner-reported narrative. 96,720 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199955 at NHTSA ↗