YearToAvoid

2010 BMW 128i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#5 most-complained of 7 128i years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2010 BMW 128i has 22 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 33 out of 100 — #5 highest of 7 128i model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is engine (10 complaints, 45% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 2 fires.

Complaints
22
Recalls
7
Crashes / fires
1 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
18 city / 28 hwy

Top 2010 BMW 128i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine10 (45%)
  2. Airbags9 (41%)
  3. Electrical System3 (14%)
  4. Structure & Body2 (9%)
  5. Brakes1 (5%)
  6. Fuel System1 (5%)
  7. Other1 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
2010 BMW 128i complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2012Jul 2017Dec 2017Dec 2019Jul 2022Feb 2023May 2024
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2012 to Dec 2024; peak Aug 2021 (3).

2010 BMW 128i recalls

7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

    Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  3. NHTSA 19V579000Aug 6, 2019Electrical System41,981 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.

See all 7 recalls for the 2010 BMW 128i →

2010 BMW 128i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other 128i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002007200820092010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Best1718621
2009Caution5026621
2010Good3322722
2011Avoid10050722
2012Avoid8331521.5

All BMW 128i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 BMW 128i a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 BMW 128i ranks #5 of 7 among 128i model years (Complaint Index 33/100, verdict: Good). It has 22 complaints and 7 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW 128i?
The most reported problem areas are engine (10 complaints), airbags (9 complaints), and electrical system (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 95,000 miles.
Does the 2010 BMW 128i have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2010 BMW 128i, most recently reported 2022, covering engine, airbags, and electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 BMW 128i?
EPA rates the 2010 BMW 128i at 22 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.