NHTSA vehicle safety data

2015 BMW 228I Recalls & Complaints

The 2015 BMW 228I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 17 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2015 BMW 228I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2015 BMW 228I owner complaints

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 BMW 228I, describing incidents dated April 11, 2016 to July 3, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 8 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Of the 17 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 17 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11749687 · Filed July 11, 2026
Left rear taillight assembly failed. Needed a whole new taillight assembly, as well as an additional ground cable retrofit repair. This was a known problem and would have been covered under warranty if the problem had surfaced much earlier. In fact, it did occur in the right taillight, and BMW…
ODI #11685702 · Filed September 8, 2025
Recall notice from manufacturer since at least September 2024, and no fix has been made yet. Based on manufacturer note: Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit -- Risk Rank = Fire Concerned since problem not addressed for more than a year
ODI #11665770 · Filed June 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…

Read all 17 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2015 BMW 228I in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture

NHTSA #25V871000 · Air Bags — Side/Window — Head · NHTSA notice

Reported December 17, 2025 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 851 vehicles

Repair completion: 17.27% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 12, 2026

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.

Safety consequence

An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit

NHTSA #24V608000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported August 13, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 720,796 vehicles

Repair completion: 38.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 28, 2025

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Safety consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture

NHTSA #24V288000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported April 24, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 5,761 vehicles

Repair completion: 34.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 4, 2024 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2015 BMW 228I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

17 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 BMW 228I.

Electrical System

ODI #11749687

Incident: July 3, 2026 · Filed: July 11, 2026

Left rear taillight assembly failed. Needed a whole new taillight assembly, as well as an additional ground cable retrofit repair. This was a known problem and would have been covered under warranty if the problem had surfaced much earlier. In fact, it did occur in the right taillight, and BMW replaced that one.

Engine

ODI #11685702

Incident: September 4, 2024 · Filed: September 8, 2025

Recall notice from manufacturer since at least September 2024, and no fix has been made yet. Based on manufacturer note: Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit -- Risk Rank = Fire Concerned since problem not addressed for more than a year

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11665770

Incident: August 13, 2024 · Filed: June 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11648945

Incident: December 1, 2024 · Filed: March 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the electrical connector underneath the hood. The master warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11645141

Incident: February 26, 2025 · Filed: February 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11635685

Incident: September 15, 2024 · Filed: January 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11622748

Incident: October 22, 2024 · Filed: October 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228I. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the instrument panel went blank and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Steering

ODI #11558844

Incident: November 17, 2023 · Filed: December 6, 2023

The Power Steering and Stability Control warning lights on my 2015 BMW 228i came on while driving. I took it to the dealership who told me the steering rack needed to be replaced. BMW has a service bulletin B32 12 16 which describes same issue as I am experiencing. 2015 228i is listed as an affected model on the bulletin, but my VIN was not included by BMW.

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11355580

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: September 15, 2020 · Filed: September 17, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 2281. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEAT BELT BRUISES AND INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, CHEST AND RIGHT BREAST. THE CONTACTS FRONT PASSENGER ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. AS A RESULT, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN BMW COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11341943

Incident: April 1, 2020 · Filed: July 28, 2020

REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL/BRAKE LIGHT STOPPED WORKING AND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. NORMAL DRIVING IN CITY. WENT OFF AND ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, NOW THE WARNING IS ACTIVE ALL THE TIME, AND LEFT TAIL LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL NO LONGER WORK.

Other BMW 228I model years

Check your 2015 BMW 228I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 228I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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