2017 BMW 230i recalls & problems
The 2017 BMW 230i has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 11 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is tires (4 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2017 BMW 230i.
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
230i Coupe
| City / highway | 24 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/year to fuel
230i xDrive Coupe
| City / highway | 24 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
230i Convertible
| City / highway | 23 / 34 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
230i xDrive Convertible
| City / highway | 23 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,150/year to fuel
230i Coupe
| City / highway | 21 / 32 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/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.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 4 | — |
| Unknown or other | 2 | — |
| Air bags Sensor › Occupant classification | 2 | — |
| Wheels | 1 | — |
| Power train | 1 | — |
| Parking brake | 1 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | — |
| Engine | 1 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Feb 13, 2026 · fireEngine
On [XXX], I was driving down the road and a indicator light went off, indicating a malfunction. When I pulled over to the side, I shut the car off. I noticed something around the drivers side front end of the car. When I exited the vehicle, I seen fire (flame) coming from the front drivers side. It was located right in front of the tire. I called 911, Police and EMT was the first responders. By the time the fire department arrived the car was a total loss. The car fire resulted in the car being placed in a junk yard. My insurance wouldnât cover the damage, they suspected wear and tear, and denied the coverage. I had the car on loan for 2 and half years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO… - Jan 31, 2026Tires
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On 9/3/2025, we had to replace a front tire (225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF), due to a hole caused by pothole damage going about 40 mph. On 10/21/2025, we had to replace a rear tire (245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF) due to two bulges in the tire. Not sure of the cause. On 1/31/2026, the rear tire pressure went down while on the freeway, going about 60 mph. Upon stopping, the rear driver side tire had a hole in the side near the tire rim. Also on 1/31/2026, while checking the tires after getting the tire… - Jan 31, 2026Tires
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On 9/3/2025, we had to replace a front tire (225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF), due to a hole caused by pothole damage going about 40 mph. On 10/21/2025, we had to replace a rear tire (245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF) due to a bulge in the tire. Not sure of the cause. On 1/31/2025, the rear tire pressure went down while on the freeway, going about 60 mph. Upon stopping, the tire had a hole in the side near the tire rim. - Oct 19, 2025Tires
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On or before 10/21/2025, we noticed two bulges in the rear tire and had to have it replaced. Not sure of the cause. This was the second Bridgestone Potenza tire since April 2025 that had to be replaced. - Sep 1, 2025Tires
On 4/17/2025, we purchased 4 BRIDGESTONE tires at Discount Tire Company. The front two tires are model 225 /40 R18 88Y SL BSW BM RF and the rear two tires are model 245 /35 R18 92Y XL BSW BM RF. On 9/3/2025, we had to replace a front tire, due to a hole in the tire from pothole damage going about 40 mph. I can't say the exact safety risk this posed, but a tire getting a hole in it at 40 miles per hour can't be a good thing? These are run-flat tires so they still work but not at high speeds. - Jan 9, 2024Air bags
BMW Passenger Restraint sensor failure due to a faulty sensor mat, so the passenger seatbelt will not lock or tighten when braking or in the event of an accident. Took it to the dealer and no evidence of a spill or user error that can tamper with the mat, the sensor simply died after minimal use of the passenger seat. This part should be recalled & BMW should have to cover the cost of this safety hazard caused by faulty parts. BMW only covers the sensor mat for 2 years even after replacement, which is unacceptable for a component that is vital to passenger safety. - Dec 26, 2023 · 75,000 milesEngine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 230I. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and the vehicle was restarted and the coolant level dropped dramatically. The vehicle was driven to the residence and coolant was added. The contact stated that when the vehicle was restarted, he observed a gushing sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact also stated that he observed condensation underneath the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil filler housing, coolant system, and some pieces of the drive block needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of… - Jan 11, 2022Parking brake
No emergency lights detecting any problems but the ebreak does not Work
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…