YearToAvoid

2021 BMW 228i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

57/100

#4 most-complained of 8 228i years

The 2021 BMW 228i has a complaint index of 57, 7 complaints, and 3 recalls, ranking 4th worst among 8 model years. NHTSA data label it a Caution year relative to other 228i years, with brakes as the top reported problem area.

Complaints
7
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
27.5
23.5 city / 33 hwy

Top 2021 BMW 228i problems

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

  1. Brakes2 (29%)
  2. Electrical System2 (29%)
  3. Engine1 (14%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (14%)
  5. Fuel System1 (14%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers1 (14%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the sunroof shattering or exploding while driving at highway speed of 70-75 MPH.
  • Rear brakes make abnormal noise, with dealers or independent mechanics diagnosing worn rear brake pads and rotors at a median mileage of 25,000 miles.
  • One owner reported the throttle body actuator failing, causing engine power to drop into a safe mode and limiting speed to a crawl on the freeway.
  • The daytime running light module reportedly overheats, damaging the internal fiber optic tube and requiring module replacement.
  • An owner reported the engine mount needing replacement around 37,000 miles, with the dealership stating this part is prone to repeated failure over the engine's life.
2021 BMW 228i complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2023Oct 2023May 2024Jan 2025Mar 2025Jan 2026Jun 2026
8 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2023 to Jun 2026; peak Oct 2023 (2).

2021 BMW 228i recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V584000Aug 16, 2023Electrical System144 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V554000Jul 21, 2021Seat Belts21,537 vehicles

    Seat belts

    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."

    Risk: 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).

  3. NHTSA 21V091000Feb 18, 2021Visibility & Wipers14,011 vehicles

    Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

    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."

    Risk: 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.

2021 BMW 228i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23.5 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
27.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,900
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.

2021 compared with other 228i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020142015201620202021202220232024
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution7118127
2020No verdict143227
2021Caution577327.5
2022No verdict1003227.5
2023No verdict292127.5

All BMW 228i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 BMW 228i reliable?
NHTSA data give the 2021 228i a complaint index of 57 and 7 complaints, ranking it 4th worst of 8 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict relative to other 228i years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW 228i?
Brakes and the electrical system each account for 29% of complaints, followed by engine, collision avoidance/cameras, fuel system, and visibility/wipers issues at 14% each, per NHTSA.
Does the 2021 BMW 228i have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 228i, covering the receiver audio module (electrical system), seat belt retractors, and sunroof electronic coding software (visibility/wipers). None are do-not-drive recalls.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 BMW 228i?
EPA rates the 2021 228i at 27.5 mpg combined (23.5 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900.
At what mileage do 2021 BMW 228i brake problems occur?
NHTSA complaint data show a median mileage of 25,000 miles for reported brake failures in the 2021 228i.

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.