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BMW 128IModel year report

2010 BMW 128I Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
95,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 BMW 128I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 128I. The part named most often is air bags, with 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by engine (5) and engine cooling (5). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 106 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “My 2010 Bmw 128I has two airbag lights and one seat belt warning light that are continuously illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility, where it was diagnosed with a faulty passenger side occupancy sensor under diagnostic code 93d2. Upon further research online, I discovered that this is a very common problem with Bmw 1 series and 3 series cars the faulty sensor results in the passenger side airbag being deactivated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11290306, filed 2019-12, 140,115 miles

Engine: “I have contacted BMW multiple times to come out and perform all 3 recalls. They said they would call back for details specific date to send out a certified mechanic to remedy the recalls. My wife never got a call back. I live over a hundred miles from any dealer on the VA and WV state lines. I can't afford to take time off to bring the car to them.”

NHTSA complaint #11427958, filed 2021-08

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2010 BMW 128I. The contact stated that while driving at a slow speed and pulling into the driveway, the vehicle stalled. While driving on two occasions, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, door and trunk failed to open. The contact's husband checked the vehicle and noticed there was power being distributed to the battery. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #11570076, filed 2024-02, 100,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2010 BMW 128I. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the headlights and taillights became inoperable. The engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V579000 (Electrical System). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulbs. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was electrical. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to assist. The manufacturer was not contacted. …”

NHTSA complaint #11628349, filed 2024-12, 125,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,000 and 115,700 miles.

10%0–100%10–2510%25–5010%50–7520%75–10050%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

201420182020202220246
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 BMW 128I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
128i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182822$3,750
128i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual182822$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2010 BMW 128I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 106 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 106 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 128I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20133631,1503—2256 · TypicalRising
20123130,5005—2244 · TypicalFalling
20115087,0007—2259 · TypicalStable
20102295,0007—22—Rising
20092672,8796—2122 · FewerFalling
20081867,4126—21—Falling

All BMW 128I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 BMW 128I have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 128I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 BMW 128I is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2010 BMW 128I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 BMW 128I get?

The EPA rates the 2010 BMW 128I (128i, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 BMW 128I reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 52,000 and 115,700 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.