Are 2011 BMW 128i airbag problems common?

Airbags make up 30% of all complaints filed for the 2011 128i, 15 out of 50 total, making it the largest single complaint category for this model year.

Is there an airbag recall for the 2011 BMW 128i?

Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, campaign 16V071000 (reported 2016-02-05) and campaign 20V017000 (reported 2020-01-15), both involving driver airbag inflator or module replacement.

Did the airbag issue cause any crashes or injuries on the 2011 128i?

No. NHTSA data for this complaint area shows zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries reported.

What did owners actually complain about?

Most complaints describe delays getting the Takata recall part installed, not an actual airbag deployment or failure; the median mileage at time of complaint filing was 42,000 miles.

How does the 2011 128i compare to other years for airbag complaints?

The 2011 128i had 15 airbag complaints (30% share), lower than 2012 (23 complaints, 74% share) and 2013 (24 complaints, 67% share), but higher in count than 2010 (9 complaints, 41% share).

2011 BMW 128i Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 15 of 50 complaints (30%) on the 2011 BMW 128i, all tied to the Takata driver airbag recall. NHTSA lists two related recall campaigns, and owners mainly reported long waits for replacement parts rather than actual airbag failures.

Airbags complaints: 15; 30% of 50
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 42,000 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

Owners report receiving Takata airbag recall notice 16V071000 but being told replacement parts were unavailable for months.
Several contacts say the delay exceeded a reasonable amount of time to schedule the recall repair, with no estimated timeline given by the dealer.
Some owners were not informed proactively and only learned of the open recall after buying the car used or checking the VIN themselves.
One owner reported the airbag warning indicator illuminated intermittently while waiting for the recall repair.
Most complainants state they had not experienced an actual airbag failure, only frustration over the unresolved recall status.

When 2011 BMW 128i airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 2, 2016, latest Jun 25, 2021.

15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2016 to Jun 2021; peak Jun 2016 (3).

Airbags recalls for the 2011 BMW 128i

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.
NHTSA 16V071000Feb 5, 2016Airbags840,000 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Airbags complaints by 128i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20109 (41%)
201115 (30%)
201223 (74%)
201324 (67%)

Frequently asked questions

Are 2011 BMW 128i airbag problems common?: Airbags make up 30% of all complaints filed for the 2011 128i, 15 out of 50 total, making it the largest single complaint category for this model year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2011 BMW 128i?: Yes. NHTSA lists two related recalls, campaign 16V071000 (reported 2016-02-05) and campaign 20V017000 (reported 2020-01-15), both involving driver airbag inflator or module replacement.
Did the airbag issue cause any crashes or injuries on the 2011 128i?: No. NHTSA data for this complaint area shows zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries reported.
What did owners actually complain about?: Most complaints describe delays getting the Takata recall part installed, not an actual airbag deployment or failure; the median mileage at time of complaint filing was 42,000 miles.
How does the 2011 128i compare to other years for airbag complaints?: The 2011 128i had 15 airbag complaints (30% share), lower than 2012 (23 complaints, 74% share) and 2013 (24 complaints, 67% share), but higher in count than 2010 (9 complaints, 41% share).