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BMW 328I abs comes on

17 of the 2,584 owner complaints about the BMW 328I describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2008 model year.

owner complaints
17
worst model year
2008
typical mileage
48,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2015
    2
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    1
  • 2011
    3
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    1
  • 2008
    4
  • 2007
    3
  • 2000
    1

Often reported together

Check engine light 4Adaptive cruise 3Stalling 2Airbag light 2Steering lock-up 1

Trouble codes mentioned

P0281 1

What owners say

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · MI

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 24V513000 (Air Bags), 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while accelerating from the vehicle idling, and turning left or right, the transmission hesitated before shifting hard. Occasionally, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated, hesitated, and failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle intermittently stalled, and the contact would release the accelerator pedal, depress the brake pedal, and allow the steering wheel failure to self-correct. The failures became more persistent. The ABS, check engine, X-Drive Fluid, ESC, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after adding fluid, the failure persisted. The driver's front seat air bag failed to activate intermittently while the driver's seat was occupied. The heating system occasionally failed to operate. The contact became aware of fluid under the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be diagnosed, and the air bag and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The certified mechanic recommended an oil change because the engine oil was dirty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact radiator was repaired to resolve the failure with the heating system, but the failures persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 28, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · 59,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The message "Do Not Drive" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V017000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Sep 5, 2022 · Engine · FL

BMW 328I check engine sensor light on code p0281 to replace coolant thermostat. Part has been replaced and code continually appears something’s as ABS CHASIS malfunction sensor or check engine. Code also reads thermostat stuck open.

Filed Feb 2, 2021 · Brakes · 12,700 miles · SC

I have had seven (7) ABS wheel speed sensors requiring replacement (every wheel at least once, the right front twice, and the left front three times) since I purchased the car new in 2011. It currently has relatively low mileage (<41,000 miles); the first failure occurred in january 2014 at about 12, 700 miles. I have never had to replace an ABS wheel sensor on any of the numerous other cars with ABS that I have owned since 1989. The loss of ABS function creates an obvious safety hazard. When the sensor fails, the check engine light, ABS light, and brake warning light all come on - intermittently initially, but soon lit at all times. The failures occurred in 2014, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2017, and 2020.

Filed Jan 31, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Shutters all the time even after coils replaced. Engine line comes on and misfires. Wiring all messed up especially headlights and seats. Abs light won't go off.

Filed Feb 16, 2020 · Brakes · 62,000 miles · TX

While driving car had multiple warning lights come on ie. Dynamic stability control and ABS warning lights. Abs and cruise control no longer worked. Took it to mechanic. He said the ABS control module failed. Mechanic said this is a known issue due to engineering.

Filed Oct 6, 2019 · 105,000 miles · KY

Whenever I accelerate from a stop sometimes on my screen a chassis message and a service break message will pop up on my main screen. After that, the traction control, brake, and ABS light all pop up on my dash and will not go off until I shut the vehicle off and start it back again. Once I restart the vehicle the lights are gone. It doesn't affect how the vehicle drives after they pop up. However, it seems to delay shifting when they initially pop up.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 1,000 miles · GA

Abs and break light is on and been on since 2016. A lot of bmw owners are having the same problem also. There is also a warning light that comes on when this ABS light comes on. Also reads dbc malfunction.

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 bmw 328i. The contact stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 16v071000 (air bags), 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling), and 17v676000 (electrical system). The previous owner had not had the recall repairs performed prior to the contact purchasing the vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS and emergency brake indicators were flashing. In addition, the air bag warning indicator flashed and then remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled more than once. The contact was unsure if the vehicle would restart after it was shut off. Kovacs motors (707‑996‑4149, located at 19190 sonoma hwy, sonoma, ca 95476) was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jun 5, 2019 · Brakes, Driver assistance · FL

Chassis stabilization light on. Drive moderately. Abs light on. Brake light on. Picture of a car skidding. These warnings come on when vehicle is stationary or in motion.

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported October 7, 2014 · 8,988 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V‑454.
Risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 14V627000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported September 26, 2013 · 76,191 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Risk
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Recall number 13V454000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported May 3, 1999 · 31,067 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. It is possible that the retaining clip that secures the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal arm was not properly installed during production. It is possible for the clip to detach from the pin on the brake pedal arm allowing the pushrod to disconnect from the arm.
Risk
If this occurs, braking is not possible.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the clip for tight installation and replace the clip if it is loose.

Recall number 99V100000 · Recall details

Questions about the BMW 328I abs

Why does the abs come on in the BMW 328I?

Owners who report it most often also describe check engine light, adaptive cruise control problems and engine stalls while driving, and the codes they mention most are P0281.

Which BMW 328I years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2008 (4 complaints), 2007 (3 complaints) and 2011 (3 complaints).

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