NHTSA vehicle safety data

2023 BMW 230I Recalls & Complaints

The 2023 BMW 230I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of October 21, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2023 BMW 230I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2023 BMW 230I owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 BMW 230I, describing incidents dated November 1, 2022 to January 30, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Back Over Prevention 1 complaint
  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11743512 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11733468 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11581580 · Filed

    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…

Read all 4 complaints

Starter Motor May Overheat and Cause a Fire

NHTSA #26V056000 · Electrical System — Starter Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported January 30, 2026 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 87,394 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.15% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)

Owners notified March 27, 2026

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Fire increases the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Windows May Close Without Key Present/FMVSS 118

NHTSA #23V099000 · Visibility — Power Window Devices and Controls · NHTSA notice

Reported February 17, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,193 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.33% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)

Owners notified April 18, 2023

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Unintentionally closing the windows or sunroof without the key present can increase the risk of injury to occupants inside the vehicle.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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 Cover Panels May Break During Deployment

NHTSA #23V039000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported February 1, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 804 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)

Owners notified March 31, 2023

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Other BMW 230I model years

Check your 2023 BMW 230I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 230I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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