What is the best year for the BMW 128i?

The 2008 and 2010 model years rate Good, with complaint indexes of 17 and 33. Note the 2008 verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.

Is the 2011 BMW 128i reliable?

The 2011 128i has the highest complaint index in the lineup, 100, driven mainly by engine problems reported at a median of 112,000 miles, plus 7 recall campaigns.

Does the BMW 128i have airbag recalls?

Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all 128i years, making up 48% of the 184 total complaints, and several years including 2011 and 2012 have airbag recall campaigns.

How many recalls does the BMW 128i have overall?

NHTSA lists 7 total recall campaigns across the 2007-2013 BMW 128i, touching engine, airbag, and electrical system components.

BMW 128i Best and Worst Years (2007–2013)

Avoid the 2011 and 2012 BMW 128i, which have complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the highest in the lineup. The 2008 and 2010 model years rate Good, with lower complaint indexes of 17 and 33 and fewer serious incidents.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2011 Avoid 2012

Model years: 7; 2007–2013
NHTSA complaints: 184
Recall campaigns: 7
Crashes reported: 4
Fires reported: 9
Top problem area: Airbags

128i Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

BMW 128i problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	—	—
2008	Good	17	18	0	2	6	Airbags	21	—
2009	Caution	50	26	0	1	6	Airbags	21	—
2010	Good	33	22	1	2	7	Engine	22	—
2011	Avoid	100	50	0	3	7	Engine	22	—
2012	Avoid	83	31	2	0	5	Airbags	21.5	—
2013	Caution	67	36	1	1	3	Airbags	21.5	—

128i years to avoid: what went wrong

2011 BMW 128i Index 100 · 50 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2011 128i has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 50 total complaints. Engine problems dominate, making up 52% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 112,000. Owners reported smoke from under the hood, loss of motive power while driving, and stalling tied to electrical and battery issues. Airbags account for another 30% of complaints, with a much lower median failure mileage of 42,000. The year carries 7 recall campaigns, including an engine wiring harness fix and a driver airbag replacement. Two crashes and three fires are on record for this model year.

2011 engine problems →2011 airbags problems →

2012 BMW 128i Index 83 · 31 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2012 128i carries a complaint index of 83, the second-highest of any year. Airbags are the dominant issue, accounting for 74% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 30,500, including a brake-related crash reported at just 9,500 miles. Engine complaints make up 23% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 44,634.5. NHTSA recorded 2 crashes and 1 injury for this model year. Five recall campaigns apply, covering airbag replacement, engine wiring, and blower-regulator wiring harness overheating.

2012 airbags problems →

Most common BMW 128i problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags88 (48%)
Engine62 (34%)
Electrical System25 (14%)
Other9 (5%)
Visibility & Wipers9 (5%)
Brakes8 (4%)
Structure & Body8 (4%)
Fuel System5 (3%)
Seat Belts5 (3%)
Transmission & Powertrain4 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year BMW 128i should I avoid?: Avoid the 2011 and 2012 model years, which have complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the highest among all 128i years covered.
What is the best year for the BMW 128i?: The 2008 and 2010 model years rate Good, with complaint indexes of 17 and 33. Note the 2008 verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
Is the 2011 BMW 128i reliable?: The 2011 128i has the highest complaint index in the lineup, 100, driven mainly by engine problems reported at a median of 112,000 miles, plus 7 recall campaigns.
Does the BMW 128i have airbag recalls?: Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all 128i years, making up 48% of the 184 total complaints, and several years including 2011 and 2012 have airbag recall campaigns.
How many recalls does the BMW 128i have overall?: NHTSA lists 7 total recall campaigns across the 2007-2013 BMW 128i, touching engine, airbag, and electrical system components.