BMW 228I Problems by Year
BMW 228I years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 228I year: 2015, 2016. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2016 228I: 18 complaints, 1 recall
- 2015 228I: 17 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2021 228I: 8 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2023 228I: 2 complaints, 1 recall
- 2020 228I: 3 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2022 228I: 3 complaints, 2 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 228I problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 25 | 6 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 228I model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 228I | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2023 228I | 2 | 1 | — | Engine | |
| 2022 228I | 3 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2021 228I | 8 | 3 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2020 228I | 3 | 2 | — | Wheels | |
| 2016 228I | 18 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 228I | 17 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2014 228I | 7 | 4 | — | Electrical System |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 228I years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2015 (17), 2016 (18) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 228I 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 228I?
Electrical System, with 25 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 228I have?
9 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.