BMW 128I Problems by Year
NHTSA has 184 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file for the BMW 128I, across 7 model years (2007–2013). The 2011 model year has the most complaints (50). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
BMW 128I years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 128I year: 2011. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2011 128I: 50 complaints, 7 recalls
- 2013 128I: 36 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2012 128I: 31 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2007 128I: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2008 128I: 18 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2010 128I: 22 complaints, 7 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 128I problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 88 | 6 | 3 |
| Engine | 31 | 6 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 30 | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 19 | 6 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Power Train | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 128I model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 128I | 36 | 3 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 128I | 31 | 5 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2011 128I | 50 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 128I | 22 | 7 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 128I | 26 | 6 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2008 128I | 18 | 6 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 128I | 1 | 0 | — | Tires |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 128I years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (50) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 128I year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 128I?
Air Bags, with 88 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 128I have?
7 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.