Bmw 128I US problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
35,137 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 to 2011 model years. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Air Bags: 5; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10381186 · 2011-02-08 (February 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHTS FAILED AND TOXIC BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES BUT OPTED TO PLACE DEODORANT TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AS A REMEDY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONE POUND OF FREON HAD LEAKED THAT THE VALVE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466966 · 2012-07-22 (July 22, 2012)
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 02/27/11. WE FIRST NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING THE FIRST WEEKEND OF OCT. 2011. WE TOOK THE CAR TO VALENCIA BMW ON 10/08/11. THE CAR FAILED AN ELECTRICAL TEST AND A NEW TOP WAS ORDERED BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW AND CONVERTIBLE TOP ARE ONE PIECE. CAR WAS RETURNED ON 10/10/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 10273.ON 11/22/11, THE TOP WAS REPLACED AND CAR RETURNED ON 11/23/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 12168. ON 12/01/11, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FABRIC ON THE NEW TOP DETACHED ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/30/11 (TERRIFYI…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,273 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10850853 · 2016-03-21 (March 21, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10850853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10938945 · 2016-12-31 (December 31, 2016)
TAKATA RECALL. NO COMMUNICATION FROM BMW ABOUT RECALL OR AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. THE DRIVER IS FIVE FEET TALL AND MUST SIT CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10938945 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
2009: 0; 2011: 0