The 2021 BMW 228i has 3 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is exterior lighting (2 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints8filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Software
NHTSA recall 23V584000 · Aug 16, 2023 · 144 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2022 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, 2022 430i Coupe, 2021-2022 430i, M440i Convertible, and 2020-2022 228i xDrive Gran Coupe vehicles. The receiver audio module control unit software may fail to properly generate audible seat belt warnings to the driver to fasten their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the receiver audio module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Components: Electrical system › Software; Seat belts
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
NHTSA recall 21V091000 · Feb 18, 2021 · 14,011 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 228i, 228i xDrive, and M235i xDrive vehicles. If the driver initiates an automatic closure of the sunroof, and the vehicle key status is changed to "off" or "lock," the sunroof may continue to close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-operated Window Systems."
Risk: If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof electronic coding software, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Components: Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly; Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
228i Gran Coupe
28mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel
228i xDrive Gran Coupe
27mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 5, 2026Power train 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. Although BMW may contend that my vehicle is not included within the recall population, the technician's diagnosis…
May 28, 2026Engine 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.
Dec 1, 2025Exterior 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.
Mar 10, 2025 · 25,000 milesService brakes The contact owns a 2021 BMW 228I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear brakes. The service brakes warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear brake rotors. The contact was also informed that the rear brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Jan 13, 2025Fuel/propulsion system THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR BMW OEM PART # 13547619008 FITS ALL BMW MODELS 2016-2024. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FAIL ACROSS MULTIPLE BMW MODEL LINES, particularly in the E60, E90, and E92 series. when it fails, the engine power goes into a safe mode which drops the rpms down to idle speed around 500 rpm and the car can only go a few mph. this happened on the freeway in lane number one at the speed limit, and it was only by a miracle I got to the shoulder without a major potentially fatal accident. BMW lied to me and told me that NHSTA is responsible for policy recalls, but you told me they initiate them on their own. Left to police themselves, they are not recognizing the widely reported failure…
May 16, 2024Service 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.
Oct 6, 2023Exterior lighting Unknown
Mar 16, 2023 · 55,000 milesVisibility › Sun/moon roof assembly The contact owns a 2021 BMW 228I. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that the shade guard was closed at the time the failure occurred. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.