2016 Bmw 228I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
29,984 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 18 complaints (55.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 55.6% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Electrical System: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 9; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 8 |
2017: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 8
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10953688 · 2017-02-09 (February 9, 2017)
ON FEB 2, 2017 MY CAR (2016 BMW 228I) SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4-1/2 HOURS. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAT 13,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND WAS LAST SERVICED (WHICH WAS THE 1ST SCHEDULED SERVICE) THREE MONTHS PRIOR AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP. I PURCHASED (JAN 2016) THE VEHICLE NEW WHICH WAS SPECIAL ORDERED AND DELIVERED FROM GERMANY (MAR 2016). I HAD NO MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED IN APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES FR…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10953688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11034081 · 2017-10-17 (October 17, 2017)
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS BECOME EASILY TANGLED/TWISTED AND WILL NOT RETRACT. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE BELT IS TO PULL IT ALL THE WAY OUT AND THEN IT GETS STUCK ALL THE WAY OUT AND WILL NOT RETRACT. THIS HAPPENS ON AVERAGE EVERY 50 TIMES OF USING THE BELT. I HAVE RETURNED IT TO DEALER 5 TIMES AND UNTWIST IT, BUT TOLD ME THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT. THIS HAPPENS TO BOTH SEAT BELTS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BELTS). THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT A YEAR AGO. I HAVE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS SAME …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11034081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11034360 · 2017-10-18 (October 18, 2017)
REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED AT 6,000 AND 20,000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11034360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11246307 · 2019-08-26 (August 26, 2019)
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AROUND 65MPH. THERE WERE NO CARS OR TRUCKS AROUND ME. AS I WAS DRIVING I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION TYPE SOUND. I HEARD GLASS SHATTER AND WIND START TO ENTER MY CAR. I WAS ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE NEXT EXIT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PARKED MY CAR. UPON EXITING, I SAW A HUGE GAPING HOLE IN MY GLASS SUNROOF, ALONG WITH THE REMAINING GLASS COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND CRACKED. THERE IS CURRENTLY A LAWSUIT ON-GOING ABOUT MANUFACTURER DEFECTS ON BMW CAUSING SUNROOFS TO EXPLODE. I BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11321837 · 2020-04-21 (April 21, 2020)
AFTER MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT GETTING TANGLED AND NOT WORKING PROPERLY, I WENT TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED. WHILE IT WAS FIXED FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT THREE DAYS IT GOT TANGLED AGAIN, AND NOW IS COMPLETELY NONFUNCTIONAL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MECHANISM HOLDING THE SEATBELT IN PLACE APPEARS FAULTY. I CANNOT, MY LETTER OF THE LAW, DRIVE MY AUTOMOBILE WITH A SEAT BELT BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK.
Owner-reported narrative. 29,984 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374097 · 2020-11-11 (November 11, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THAT ALERT CAME UP SAYING YOUR CAR IS NOT WORKING AT ITS FULL CAPACITY YOUR POWER TRAIN IS DEFECTIVE. THAT MAY NOT BE THE EXACT WORDING HOWEVER, VERY CLOSE TO IT. AFTER THE WARNING CAME ON, MY CAR SLOWED DOWN AS THOUGH IT DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE AND I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME TO GET OVER ON THE FREEWAY.. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. IT WAS VERY TERRIFYING. IT HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS RELATED TO THE FUEL SYSTEM . I GOT IT FIXED APP…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399992 · 2021-03-09 (March 9, 2021)
VEHICLE GAVE WARNING OF "LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION" AND "LEFT BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION". CHECKED LIGHTS AND THEY ARE VERY DIM AND NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. REMOVED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE GROUND WIRE TERMINAL IS PARTIALLY MELTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11480526 · 2022-08-22 (August 22, 2022)
I recently needed to have my Steering Rack replaced since the internal control unit had a fault. There was no warning prior to the failure and the sudden fault resulted in complete loss of power steering. Luckily, I was driving at a slow speed and was close to my house. I'm concerned because I have read of several other BMW models having similar problems and someone driving at a higher rate of speed could cause a significant accident if they are unable to control the vehicle. My BMW has 50,000 miles on it and I do not drive it aggressively, so …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11480526 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
24V608000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Pump
Reported: 2024-08-13 (August 13, 2024)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗