NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 BMW 228I Recalls & Complaints

The 2021 BMW 228I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 8 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 2021 BMW 228I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2021 BMW 228I owner complaints

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW 228I, describing incidents dated March 16, 2023 to September 5, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 2 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
  • Service Brakes 2 complaints
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11767112 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11742389 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11710000 · Filed

    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…

Read all 8 complaints

Seat Belt Audio Chime Malfunction/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #23V584000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported August 16, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 144 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.97% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified October 12, 2023

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Passenger Seat Belt Malfunction/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #21V554000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported July 21, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 21,537 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.76% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 3, 2021

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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).

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.

Sunroof Malfunction/FMVSS 118

NHTSA #21V091000 · Visibility — Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported February 18, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 14,011 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified April 16, 2021

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.safercar.gov.

Other BMW 228I model years

Check your 2021 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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