BMW 228i Best and Worst Years (2014–2024)
The 2015 BMW 228i is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 86 and engine problems (53% of its complaints) plus electrical issues (47%). The 2014 model, rated Good with an index of 43, is the strongest choice among 228i years with data.
- Model years
- 8
- 2014–2024
- NHTSA complaints
- 57
- Recall campaigns
- 9
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 2
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
228i 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.
BMW 228i problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Good | 43 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 26.5 | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 86 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 26 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 71 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 27 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 27 | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 57 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 27.5 | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 100 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 27.5 | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 27.5 | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 27.5 | — |
228i years to avoid: what went wrong
2015 BMW 228i Index 86 · 17 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2015 228i carries the highest complaint index (86) among rated years and is flagged as Avoid relative to other 228i years. Engine problems make up 53% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 64,400 miles. Electrical System issues account for 47%, with a median mileage of 50,000 miles. Owners also reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and seat belts jamming in the door pillar and fracturing. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year covering airbag head-air-bag replacement and a water pump/plug connector inspection and shield installation. The year recorded 2 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries.
Most common BMW 228i problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System25 (44%)
- Engine22 (39%)
- Brakes6 (11%)
- Fuel System6 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (11%)
- Airbags4 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (7%)
- Other3 (5%)
- Seat Belts3 (5%)
- Steering3 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year BMW 228i should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2015 BMW 228i is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 86, the highest among rated 228i years, driven mainly by engine and electrical system reports.
- Is the 2015 BMW 228i reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2015 228i had 17 complaints, with engine issues making up 53% and electrical system issues 47%, plus three recalls including airbag and water pump concerns, making it the weakest year in the lineup based on owner complaints.
- What is the best BMW 228i year to buy?
- No 228i year is officially listed as Best, but the 2014 model has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 43, lower than the 2015 and 2016 model years.
- Does the BMW 228i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns across all 228i model years, with the 2015 model alone tied to three recalls covering airbags and a water pump/plug connector issue.
- Are 2016 and 2021 BMW 228i models safe to buy?
- Both are rated Caution based on NHTSA complaints: the 2016 model has a complaint index of 71 with electrical system issues as the top problem, and the 2021 model has an index of 57 with brakes as the top problem area.