BMW 228I Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 50 consumer complaints across the 4 model years of the BMW 228I (2014–2021) that have at least 5 complaints. 2016 has the most, with 18. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (23 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 228I model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 | 40,000 | 3 | 99 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 18 | 29,984 | 1 | 309 | — | Rising |
| 2015 | 17 | 37,500 | 3 | 346 | — | Rising |
| 2014 | 7 | 16,500 | 4 | 320 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system23 36%
- Engine cooling15 23%
- Fuel system5 7.8%
- Engine5 7.8%
- Brakes5 7.8%
- Transmission and drivetrain4 6.3%
- Exterior lighting4 6.3%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)3 4.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2015: “Driving down the highway at 60mph my sun roof suddenly exploded. There were no other cars nearby and no overpasses or signs above. The temperate was about 40f. My sun shade visor was closed but glass still came down on the heads of myself and the passenger. I exited the highway at the first exit about 1/4 a mile down the road. There was no physical damage to the sunroof before this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11194926, filed 2019-04, 47,000 miles2016: “After multiple issues with the driver seat belt getting tangled and not working properly, I went to my local Bmw dealership to have the issue fixed. While it was fixed for a period of about three days it got tangled again, and now is completely nonfunctional due to the fact that the mechanism holding the seatbelt in place appears faulty. I cannot, my letter of the law, drive my automobile with a seat belt but that does not work.”
NHTSA complaint #11321837, filed 2020-04, 29,984 miles2014: “I own a 2014 228I coupe, build date 03/2014 - the bolts securing the power steering motor to the rack have snapped leading to a power steering failure. This failure is consistent with: Bmw tis service bulletin # si b01 26 18 I called Bmw to report the problem and was told that despite the fact that the bulletin describes my car as being effected, my VIN is not listed in the part specific extended warranty and I would be forced to pay for this safety related defect out of my own pocket. …”
NHTSA complaint #11323356, filed 2020-05, 63,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
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. Methodology