The Most Common BMW Problems
A few of the most common problems found with BMW vehicles are overheating engines, faulty transmissions, and oil leaks.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Some of the most common BMW problems are found in overheating engines, problems with the transmission, leaking oil, and fuel pump issues.
As much as we tend to expect (or at least hope for) little to no problems when we’re buying our vehicles these days, there are no perfect car manufacturers. Even the top-rated makers produce vehicles that unfortunate consumers find issues with.
If you’re in the market for a BMW or you are a current BMW owner and want to know their frequent issues, search no further than super app
Jerry
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comparison app is here to explain the most common problems found in BMW vehicles, as well as how much you can expect to pay for BMW insurance costs
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What are the most common BMW problems?
As one of the most recognized luxury vehicle manufacturers in the world, BMW offers sleek and stylish designs, ultimate comfort, and high performance. That doesn’t mean that every car they put out meets those standards, though. From the
BMW sports car
to the utility SUV, here are some of the most common problems that BMW owners report experiencing:- Overheating engine
- Oil leaks
- Transmission problems
The BMW model with the most reported problems is the 2011 BMW X5, but these other models are also found to have their fair share of issues:
Model | Starting price | J.D. Power reliability rating | Most common problems | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
X5 | $61,595 | 77/100 | Engine stalling, leaking sunroof, overheating engine, transmission problems | 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 |
X3 | $44,695 | 81/100 | Timing chain issues, engine oil leak, damaged engine mount bolts | 2007, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019 |
328i | $42,445 | 79/100 | Fuel system failure, overheating engine, electrical issues | 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
M3 | $71,095 | N/A | Faulty transmission, faulty cooling system components, loud engine noise | 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2012 |
335i | $42,445 | 79/100 | Engine rattle, overheating engine | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversMost common BMW X5 problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,166
CarComplaints.com complaints: 146
The
BMW X5
model draws the most complaints among BMW models. The sunroof drain tubes can often become disconnected or kinked, creating a water build-up with nowhere to go but inside your vehicle. This presents a greater risk of water damage to its electrical systems, ignition system, and interior fabrics. X5 owners also have reported overheating engines, slipping between gears due to transmission problems, and stalling out while driving at low speeds.
Most common BMW X3 problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,034
CarComplaints.com complaints: 119
Most of the issues with the
BMW X3
are with the engine. Reports of malfunctioning drivetrains have led to excessive vibrations, leaking transmission fluid, and unpleasant grinding sounds. The X3 also has easily damaged engine mount bolts, which are important to hold your engine and transmission in place. Once these get loose, there is a high potential for damage to the engine and cooling systems.
Other reported problems document deteriorating plastic on the sunroof from sun exposure, and engine oil leaks. The cost of a simple
BMW oil change
is about $150, but fixing an oil leak can be much more costly.Most common BMW 328i problems
Average annual repair cost: $773
CarComplaints.com complaints: 84
BMW 328i
issues can be found in faulty electrical systems. Damaged wiring can mess up your heating and cooling systems, cause power seat malfunctions, and even lead to a vehicle fire. There are also reports of fuel system failures with the BMW 328i that have led to a sudden loss in brakes and power steering, which is obviously very dangerous if you happen to be driving at the time of loss.If you suspect that your
electrical components are not working
—or that there's a fuel system issue in your vehicle—don’t hesitate to bring it to an automotive technician for assistance. Most common BMW M3 problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,161
CarComplaints.com complaints: 12
The
BMW M3’s
most common problems are loud internal engine noises, faulty transmissions, faulty heating and cooling systems, and in some cases, a stalled-out engine while driving. In this wholly unfortunate case, the engine just seized up and needed a complete replacement—and since BMW M3 engine replacements can run anywhere between $10,000 and $35,000, this is a major problem. Most common BMW 335i problems
Average annual repair cost: $1,030
CarComplaints.com complaints: 1
From cooling system issues and poor gas mileage to loud vibrations under the hood, some
BMW 335i
engines come with significant problems. There are also reports of faulty high-pressure fuel pumps, leading to stuttering acceleration, a loss of power, and taking longer than usual to fire up. Fuel pump replacement costs
for BMWs are higher than for non-luxury vehicles.MORE: BMW car-buying guide
Are BMW cars reliable?
Generally, BMW cars are known and loved for their high performance and design, but obviously, they have earned their fair share of complaints, too.
Repair Pal’s 2022 reliability ratings have BMW coming in 30th place out of 32 brands. Overall, they earned a RepairPal Reliability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, so there is room for improvement on some of their models.
The least reliable BMW model: 2011 BMW X5
Most common problem: Stall out while driving
NHTSA complaints: 288
The 2011 BMW X5 has claimed a not-so-great title as the least reliable BMW model. Although this model is a popular utility SUV, its problems with engine oil leaks, coolant loss, and engine rattle have generated significant complaints.
The most reliable BMW model: 2020 BMW X6
Most common problem: Engine rattle
NHTSA complaints: 0
The 2020
BMW X6
has earned a 90/100 on the JD Power Reliability scale. As a relatively new model, this sports activity coupe has had minimal complaints to hinder its popularity and reliability.With a relatively high starting price, it seems you’ll get what you pay for with this BMW model.
MORE: Are BMWs expensive to maintain?
How to buy hassle-free car insurance
When dealing with the potential engine problems of your BMW, you don’t also want to be worrying about your
car insurance
coverage.Have you ever filled out car insurance forms? Then you know how miserable it can be. You probably didn’t know all the answers. You may have called your mom for help. And, when you finished the final questions, you certainly weren't inspired to shop around and fill out more forms to make sure you were getting the best price.
Shopping for insurance does not have to be stressful, and in fact,
Jerry
can make it super simple! Jerry is an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with dozens of different insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, can make changes at any time, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away!“Insurance companies originally charged me $189 while driving my BMW 300 miles per year. Thanks toJerry, I only pay $56! I’m so happy.” —Ray T.
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FAQs
How long do BMWs last?
A BMW will typically last at least 10 years or 150,000 miles.
Why is BMW unreliable?
Most reported BMW issues have to do with engine, transmission, and electrical issues, but overall BMW has consistently decent scores among automotive reliability experts.
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