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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Bmw 228I: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

7 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

40,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Exterior Lighting is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior228.6%

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.

Exterior Lighting
2
Service Brakes
2
Electrical System
1
Engine
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Exterior Lighting2
Service Brakes2
Electrical System1
Engine1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1

Exterior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 5 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.

2023
2
2024
1
2025
2
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20232
20241
20252
20262

2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Exterior Lighting leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 11533458 · 2023-07-20 (July 20, 2023)

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 th…

Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11533458 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11548812 · 2023-10-07 (October 7, 2023)

Unknown

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11548812 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11591317 · 2024-05-29 (May 29, 2024)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11591317 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11639472 · 2025-01-29 (January 29, 2025)

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 f…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11639472 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11647494 · 2025-03-10 (March 10, 2025)

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 NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The f…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11647494 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11710000 · 2026-01-09 (January 9, 2026)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11710000 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11742389 · 2026-06-05 (June 5, 2026)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11742389 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V091000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls

Reported: 2021-02-18 (February 18, 2021)

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."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V554000 · Seat Belts

Reported: 2021-07-21 (July 21, 2021)

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."

Consequence: 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).

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V584000 · Electrical System:Software | Seat Belts

Reported: 2023-08-16 (August 16, 2023)

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."

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗