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2021 BMW 228I problems

The most common problem on the 2021 BMW 228I is brakes. Its complaint count is close to a typical 228I model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
991 warranty
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2021 BMW 228I problems

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

  • Brakes
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Brakes
    2
  • Driver assistance
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Engine
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 3

Electrical system: softwareReported August 16, 2023 · 144 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
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.

Recall number 23V584000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported July 21, 2021 · 21,537 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
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).

Recall number 21V554000 · Recall details

Visibility: sun/moon roof assemblyReported February 18, 2021 · 14,011 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.
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.

Recall number 21V091000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2021 BMW 228I

Technical service bulletins for the 2021 BMW 228I 99

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

See all 99 bulletins for the 2021 BMW 228I

What 2021 BMW 228I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 26, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · SC

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 vehicle then required towing to the dealership because it could not be safely operated. The circumstances surrounding my vehicle's failure are particularly concerning because they involve electrical wiring and connector issues similar to those addressed by BMW in the federal safety agency Recall 24V‑608. Although BMW may contend that my vehicle is not included within the recall population, the technician's diagnosis identified faulty wiring, and the symptoms I experienced—including vehicle malfunction, limp mode activation, fault codes 100227 and 100229, loss of normal vehicle operation, and the need for emergency towing—are consistent with the type of electrical system failures that BMW has already acknowledged as a safety concern in other BMW vehicles. BMW has admitted in Recall 24V‑608 that improperly sealed electrical connectors can lead to electrical faults and short-circuit conditions. The fact that BMW initially informed me that there was no physical problem with the throttle system yet subsequently replaced throttle-related components while the vehicle continued to exhibit electronic warning messages, including seat calibration errors, raises serious concerns regarding the root cause of the failure and whether a broader electrical defect remains unresolved. The technician's finding of faulty wiring further supports the conclusion that this was not an isolated component failure but part of a known pattern of electrical system issues that BMW has previously addressed through recalls and service campaigns. During the repair process, I was initially informed that nothing was physically wrong with the throttle system. However, the throttle-related component was later replaced as the proposed

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Engine · CA

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 damage if not replaced.

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Lights · AZ

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 overheating and causing burning to cable in car.

Filed Mar 10, 2025 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 228I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear brakes. The service brakes warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear brake rotors. The contact was also informed that the rear brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Jan 29, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR BMW OEM PART # 13547619008 FITS ALL BMW MODELS 2016-2024. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FAIL ACROSS MULTIPLE BMW MODEL LINES, particularly in the E60, E90, and E92 series. when it fails, the engine power goes into a safe mode which drops the rpms down to idle speed around 500 rpm and the car can only go a few mph. this happened on the freeway in lane number one at the speed limit, and it was only by a miracle I got to the shoulder without a major potentially fatal accident. BMW lied to me and told me that NHSTA is responsible for policy recalls, but you told me they initiate them on their own. Left to police themselves, they are not recognizing the widely reported failure as a recall, and the repair was thousands after almost causing a fatal accident.

Filed May 29, 2024 · Brakes · NY

I have a 2021 with 25000 miles and a 2023 with 6000 miles which make noise when in reverse. The dealer has stated the rear brake pads likely need replacement and rotors as well. It seems questionable that two exact models two years apart and 20000 miles apart are encountering the same issue.

Filed Oct 7, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · DC

Unknown

Filed Jul 20, 2023 · Visibility · 55,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2021 BMW 228I. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH, the sunroof exploded. The contact stated that the shade guard was closed at the time the failure occurred. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that he inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Compare the 2021 BMW 228I

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Questions about the 2021 BMW 228I

Is the 2021 BMW 228I reliable?

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2021 BMW 228I, close to a typical 228I model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2021 BMW 228I?

Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is driver assistance (2).

How many recalls does the 2021 BMW 228I have?

3 recalls, covering electrical system, seat belts and visibility.

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