2016 Bmw 228i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (8) · Service Brakes (2) · Seat Belts (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 228i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Electrical System:wiring:connectors/Plugs/Receptacles 2024-08-13 · campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (309)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Fuel/Propulsion System 2024-10-25 · B010722 · Warranty Program/Extension
fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date
Fuel/Propulsion System 2024-10-25 · B010322 · Warranty Program/Extension
fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Steering 2024-01-08 · B360121 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
at low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees f) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. this can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the vide
Steering 2023-11-16 · B612123 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the steering wheel heating takes a long time to achieve the desired temperature.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-11-13 · B011423 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pressure control valve (pcv) extended ltd wty 15 years/150,000 miles
Showing the 6 most recent of 309 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-07 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2016 bmw 228i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aw…”
2025-08-01 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 120,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 bmw 228i. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle jerked back and forth and choked. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet avail…”
2025-07-29 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2016 bmw 228i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repa…”
2025-06-27 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2016 bmw 228i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. no further information was available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recal…”
2025-03-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owned a 2016 bmw 228i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the dealer confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. the vehicle was not di…”
2025-02-11 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2016 bmw 228i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v608000 (engine and engine cooling, electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was made aware of…”
2024-12-27 · Service Brakes · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 bmw 228i. the contact stated that intermittently, while driving at undisclosed speeds and depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal odor of smoke. the braking lamp malfunction light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was related to the engine, engine cooling, …”
2023-08-01 · Wheels“in 2019, i purchased a pre-owned bmw 228i from bmw northwest. recently, it was discovered that an incorrect front-sized rim has been installed on the rear wheel of my car. this has resulted in having three front rims and only one rear rim on my vehicle. the car has exclusively inspected or received servicing only at bmw northwest and bmw seattle un…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.