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2016 BMW 228I problems

The most common problem on the 2016 BMW 228I is electrical system. It has 2.6 times the complaints of a typical 228I model year.

Typical year2.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
3092 warranty
Worst area
Electrical

The worst 2016 BMW 228I problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    11
  • Engine
    9
  • Brakes
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Electrical system: wiring: connectors/plugs/receptaclesReported August 13, 2024 · 720,796 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
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.

Recall number 24V608000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2016 BMW 228I

Defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

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 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 inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 BMW 228I 309

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 309 bulletins for the 2016 BMW 228I

What 2016 BMW 228I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 7, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle jerked back and forth and choked. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Century West BMW Service Department (4245 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602) who confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · SC

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. No further information was available. 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.

Filed Mar 25, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · PA

The contact owned a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contacted. The dealer confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · FL

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · OK

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · 100,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact stated that intermittently, while driving at undisclosed speeds and depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal odor of smoke. The braking lamp malfunction light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was related to the engine, engine cooling, and electrical system. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 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 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Wheels · WA

In 2019, I purchased a pre-owned BMW 228i from BMW Northwest. Recently, it was discovered that an incorrect front-sized rim has been installed on the rear wheel of my car. This has resulted in having three front rims and only one rear rim on my vehicle. The car has exclusively inspected or received servicing only at BMW Northwest and BMW Seattle until the error was discovered at BMW San Diego. In response to this problem, I reached out to BMW North America to have the incorrect rim replaced. However, I was informed that they would not take responsibility for the replacement, even though they acknowledged that it is highly improbable for me to have an extra rim of the exact same model and mistakenly place it on the wrong wheel of my car. Unfortunately, they did not provide any specific reason for their decision. As I don't have access to BMW records before I purchased my car, I lack comprehensive information to pinpoint where the error occurred within BMW. However, I am genuinely concerned about the safety implications of having an incorrect-sized rim on one side of my car. Given the gravity of the situation, I am reaching out here, hoping for your intervention to resolve this matter promptly and ensure the safety of my vehicle. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Questions about the 2016 BMW 228I

Is the 2016 BMW 228I reliable?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2016 BMW 228I, 2.6 times a typical 228I model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 BMW 228I?

Electrical system, with 11 complaints. Next is engine (9).

How many recalls does the 2016 BMW 228I have?

1 recall, covering electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2016 BMW 228I electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 24V608000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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