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BMW 228IModel year report

2021 BMW 228I Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
40,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 BMW 228I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW 228I. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and exterior lighting (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 99 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 32 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

Brakes: “I have a 2021 with 25000 miles and a 2023 with 6000 miles which make noise when in reverse. The dealer has stated the rear brake pads likely need replacement and rotors as well. It seems questionable that two exact models two years apart and 20000 miles apart are encountering the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11591317, filed 2024-05

Electrical system: “Prior to the repair, the vehicle displayed fault codes 100227 and 100229. The dealership technician informed me that faulty wiring was identified as the cause of the problem. After the vehicle entered limp mode, I was stranded on the roadside for approximately five hours awaiting assistance. The vehicle then required towing to the dealership because it could not be safely operated. The circumstances surrounding my vehicle's failure are particularly concerning because they involve electrical wiring and connector issues similar to those addressed by BMW in NHTSA Recall 24V-608. …”

NHTSA complaint #11767112, filed 2026-09

Exterior lighting: “BMW DRL (Daytime Running Light) module is is overheating causing damage to the internal fiber optic tube. Dealer said this is a common issue and requires module replacement to prevent requiring a whole headlight assembly as BMW does not sell the fiber optic cable separately. Lights should not be overheating and causing burning to cable in car.”

NHTSA complaint #11710000, filed 2026-01

Engine: “Engine mount replace required at 37000 per dealership service inspection. Informed that it is standard for this part to fail repeatedly during life of engine. Retail price of repair at dealership estimated at $3000, offered repair for $1200. Informed that a driving hazard and cause for more engine damage if not replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #11742389, filed 2026-06

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 55,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2550%25–5050%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 40,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20232024202520263
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 2021 BMW 228I 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
228i Gran Coupe FWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic243328$2,950
228i xDrive Gran Coupe AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic233327$3,050

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

Recall details for the 2021 BMW 228I → · 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. 99 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 99 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 228I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2021840,0003—28—Not enough data
20161829,9841—27—Rising
20151737,5003—26—Rising
2014716,5004—27—Not enough data

All BMW 228I model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 BMW 228I have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW 228I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 BMW 228I is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2021 BMW 228I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2021 BMW 228I get?

The EPA rates the 2021 BMW 228I (228i Gran Coupe, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 24 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 BMW 228I reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 55,000 miles; 50% 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.