Bmw 328IC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 39 complaints (28.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 12.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Suspension:Rear: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 2; Tires: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Air Bags: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 8 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 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 5; 2006: 9; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 5; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2015: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10246650 · 2008-10-24 (October 24, 2008)
1997 BMW 328 CI WITH 114K MILES. DRIVING AND AT STOP LIGHT READY TO GO INTO 1ST GEAR TO DRIVE OFF AND CAR MOVING VERY SLOWLY. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I'VE BEEN TOLD AND WILL COST $5K-$7.5 TO FIX DEPENDING ON IF I GO TO DEALER OR MAACO SHOP. NO PRIOR NOTICE OF PROBLEM; IT JUST HAPPENED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152916 · 2006-03-16 (March 16, 2006)
2000 BMW 328CI. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENTER 3RD GEAR AND GOES STRAIGHT INTO FIFTH. COMMON PROBLEM ON BMW'S WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. UNSAFE TO SKIP GEARS IN A NORMAL ACCELERATING SITUATION. CAR GOES STRAIGHT INTO FIFTH AND NEARLY STALLS EVERY TIME. BMW INSISTS THERE IS NO FLAW, BUT BMW FORUMS HIGHLIGHT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. A FAILED $4 PART COSTS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR AND IS A TRAFFIC HAZARD AS MANY PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION AS THE SHIFTER CAN STICK OR BIND IN NEUTRAL OR 5TH GEAR AND MUST BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10379430 · 2011-01-28 (January 28, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 328IC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FEELING SIMILAR TO BEING STRUCK FROM THE REAR. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE REAR BUSHINGS WERE FAILING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL TWO YEARS PRIOR FOR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT LISTED UNDER ANY RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11220234 · 2019-06-15 (June 15, 2019)
ON JUNE 14TH, MY CAR WAS PARKED, STATIONARY, KEY POSITION OFF, UNATTENDED, INTERIOR CAUGHT FIRE AND DESTROYED THE CAR. APPEARS TO BE AN INTERIOR FIRE BELIEVED TO BE ELECTRICAL. CAR WAS FACTORY ORIGINAL. THANK GOD THE CAR WAS IN THE YARD AND NOT IN THE CARPORT OR MY HOME WOULD HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.
Owner-reported narrative. 166,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10154705 · 2006-04-06 (April 6, 2006)
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SPECULATES THAT IT IS DUE TO FUEL TANK AND VENTILATION SYSTEM BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 33,054 miles reported. Look up ODI 10154705 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1997: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0