The 2023 BMW 230i has 3 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (1 complaint).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints4filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Starter assembly
NHTSA recall 26V056000 · Jan 30, 2026 · 87,394 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
Electrical system › Software
NHTSA recall 23V099000 · Feb 17, 2023 · 3,193 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North Americal, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 8 Series Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, Alpine B8 xDrive), 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i xDrive, M2), and 2022-2023 Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. When the digital key is removed from the vehicle, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software may still allow the power windows and sunroof to be closed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-operated Window Systems."
Risk: Unintentionally closing the windows or sunroof without the key present can increase the risk of injury to occupants inside the vehicle.
Fix: Dealers will update the software for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. In addition, the digital key function via cellular service and Wi-Fi capability will be deactivated until the vehicle is updated with new software. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 11, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Components: Electrical system › Software; Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Air bags › Side/window
NHTSA recall 23V039000 · Feb 1, 2023 · 804 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i XDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive) vehicles. The second-row seat backrest cover panels for the side air bags may break during deployment of the side air bags.
Risk: A backrest cover panel that breaks during side air bag deployment may cause the air bag to deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury to second-row seat occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear seat backrest side air bag cover panels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 35 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,850/year to fuel
230i xDrive Coupe
28mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,950/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
Back over prevention Rearview system braking
1
0
0
0
—
Engine
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 1, 2026Electrical system The contact owns a 2023 BMW 230i. The contact received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V056000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and the manufacturer were contacted. The contact had not experienced a related failure.
Jan 30, 2026Engine On January 30, 2026 BMW was made aware of a problem with their starter motors in their 230 series cars that could result in the mechanism failing or in a worst case scenario, a fire starting. They have been aware of this problem for almost four full months and still have no remedy. This is a blatant safety issue and they have taken no action to correct it.
Jan 18, 2024Back over prevention › Rearview system braking Rear traffic cross is a joke. Had in the shop twice and was told it worked as required, took it and checked with cars coming behind me. Maybe worked 30% of the time if the other car was within 3ft. This is not a safety feature as stated. My Cad would notify me when a car was 12ft away.. was told the shop can't do anything further until BMW notifies them. No accidents yet but it may hit the car and not go off. Called the factory rep and he knew of other complaints but his hands were tied, put it inmy file. BMW needs to be able to rectify this with a reliable solution
Nov 1, 2022Unknown or other None of the 3 navigation apps work in my BRAND NEW 2023 BMW. Youâll see it has me going thru oceans & thru forests or golf courses to get to my destination. But, MORE IMPORTANTLY, the incorrect GPS data is also being sent to EVERY app that utilizes GPS. Therefore, if I need the police or 911 & look at my phone on any app that has GPS my location could be off by miles. If my car is stolen & I look in the MY BMW app the locations could be off by miles. Below, you will see two photos on the same page. They were taken within seconds of each other. The photo has me at a CVS store in a town called Mamaroneck & the screenshot has me at a private home in a town called White Plains. I have never…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.