2020 Bmw 228i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (2) · Power Train (1)
🧭 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 (2)
Electrical System:software 2023-08-16 · campaign 23V584000 · 144 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2021-02-18 · campaign 21V091000 · 14,011 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (100)
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.
Engine 2026-05-05 · B010224 · Warranty Program/Extension
the evap systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
Structure 2024-01-19 · B640416 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
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
Equipment:electrical:infotainment 2024-01-05 · B610524 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the central information display goes black intermittently due to resets of the head unit (hu-h3). faultb7f8f9 ãâãâ¢ãâãâãâãâ ãâãâ¢ãâãâãâãâhu-h: resetãâãâ¢ãâãâãâãâ will be stored in the hu-h3.
Steering 2023-11-16 · B612123 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the steering wheel heating takes a long time to achieve the desired temperature.
Showing the 6 most recent of 100 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-03 · Wheels“a towing company came to pick up the car. they may have damaged the carriage/axel based on the tire mark they left on our drive way. the lines were not straight and it looks like they dragged the car. …”
2025-05-19 · Power Train“1/8/2025 drive train malfunction. towed to bmw dealer. dealership determined a faulty gws system, program new system, new center console and battery drained needs replaced. i was told by the dealership this not normal for a vehicle with 22k miles . bmw north amaerica told me the repair manager said the faults were caused by moisture in the cup…”
2021-01-15 · Wheels · 700 mi“i got my car in may 2020. i have never had any issue with the tire for 8 years of my entire driving history. but for this car, my tire ran flat in july 2020, after running over a small pothole on a local road, and it ran flat again in jan 2021 after running a super tiny pothole on a highway. how could a tire be this fragile?…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.