NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 196 owner complaints for the 2015 BMW 3 Series. Most complaints involve electrical system (67) and engine and engine cooling (44). The EPA rates it 24–36 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each 3 Series model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 45 |
| 1997 | 6 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 241 |
| 2000 | 647 |
| 2001 | 457 |
| 2011 | 861 |
| 2012 | 172 |
| 2013 | 344 |
| 2014 | 378 |
| 2015 | 196 |
| 2020 | 110 |
| 2021 | 44 |
| 2022 | 15 |
“The engine intake tract, PCV infrastructure, and the main lower engine wiring harness loom failed due to improper reassembly during Federal Safety Recall 24V-608. The technician left the main intake coupler completely loose and spinning freely by hand, and left the MAF sensor crooked. This introduced a massive unmetered air leak and severe vacuum leaks. Simultaneously, the technician over-tensioned, pinched, or damaged the Cylinder 2 wiring loom components. The vehicle is currently parked dead and untouched at my residence, and it is 100% available for immediate federal or corporate inspection.The unsealed intake tract and damaged wiring harness caused the engine to run dangerously lean at highway speeds. This resulted in sudden, violent engine shuttering, rapid deceleration, severe mechanical engine knocking, and a terminal Cylinder 2 misfire. This component failure caused an immediate loss of vehicle propulsion on a high-speed public highway, creating an extreme risk of a high-speed collision and leaving the vehicle completely disabled. The issue has not yet been physically inspected by a third party because the vehicle is unsafe to drive. I went to the…”
“The contact owns a 2015 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire originated in the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was then towed to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an electrical short circuit in the front water pump connector. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a claim was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”
“On [XXX], my 2015 BMW 328i xDrive (VIN: [XXX] , N20 engine, 124,250 miles) suffered a catastrophic engine failure while in operation. Component/System Failed: The timing chain guides and oil pump drive chain module failed. The plastic timing chain guide broke apart inside the engine. The vehicle was salvaged and is no longer available for inspection. Safety Risk: The oil pressure warning illuminated suddenly while driving at highway speed with no prior warning. Sudden loss of oil pressure and engine power while operating a vehicle at speed creates a significant risk of accident, loss of vehicle control, and injury to the driver and others on the road. Confirmed by Service Center: BMW of Springfield, New Jersey performed a formal diagnostic confirming timing chain guide failure and oil pump drive chain failure. A BMW mechanic performed a scope inspection on April 3, 2026 visually confirming the broken plastic timing chain guide. Repair estimate: 7,191.42. Inspected by Others: The vehicle was inspected solely by BMW of Springfield. No police, insurance, or manufacturer representatives conducted a separate inspection. The failure mode is consistent with the defect…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328d Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 31 | 43 | 36 | $2,600 | 285 |
| 320i Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 35 | 28 | $2,850 | 324 |
| 320i Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 35 | 27 | $2,950 | 326 |
| 328i Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,950 | 327 |
| 328i Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 33 | 26 | $3,050 | 344 |
| 335i Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | $3,200 | 361 |
| 335i Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 24 | $3,300 | 378 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
8 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 196 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (67), engine and engine cooling (44), engine (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2015 BMW 3 Series at 24–36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 BMW 3 Series 5 out of 5 stars overall.