Does the 2021 BMW 228I have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 BMW 228I, the most recent reported on August 16, 2023 (Electrical system: software, Seat belts). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW 228I?

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (2 complaints), followed by exterior lighting (2).

How many 2021 BMW 228I complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 8 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2021 BMW 228I recalls and problems

3 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2021 BMW 228I.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2021 BMW 228I recalls

Electrical system: software · Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 23V584000 · reported August 16, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC · 144 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The risk: An audible chime that does not properly alert the driver to fasten their seat belt increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.

Seat belts

NHTSA campaign 21V554000 · reported July 21, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC · 21,537 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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).

Visibility: power window devices and controls · Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA campaign 21V091000 · reported February 18, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC · 14,011 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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."
The risk: If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system2
Exterior lighting2
Service brakes2
Engine1
Forward collision avoidance1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Lane departure1
Power train1
Visibility1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 26, 2026 · Power train
Prior to the repair, the vehicle displayed fault codes 100227 and 100229. The dealership technician informed me that faulty wiring was identified as the cause of the problem. After the vehicle entered limp mode, I was stranded on the roadside for approximately five hours awaiting assistance. The vehicle then required…

Jun 5, 2026 · Engine
Engine mount replace required at 37000 per dealership service inspection. Informed that it is standard for this part to fail repeatedly during life of engine. Retail price of repair at dealership estimated at $3000, offered repair for $1200. Informed that a driving hazard and cause for more engine damage if not…

Jan 9, 2026 · Exterior lighting
BMW DRL (Daytime Running Light) module is is overheating causing damage to the internal fiber optic tube. Dealer said this is a common issue and requires module replacement to prevent requiring a whole headlight assembly as BMW does not sell the fiber optic cable separately. Lights should not be overheating and…

Mar 10, 2025 · Service brakes · 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 228I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear brakes. The service brakes warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear brake rotors. The contact…

Jan 29, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system
THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR BMW OEM PART # [phone removed] FITS ALL BMW MODELS 2016-2024. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FAIL ACROSS MULTIPLE BMW MODEL LINES, particularly in the E60, E90, and E92 series. when it fails, the engine power goes into a safe mode which drops the rpms down to idle speed around 500 rpm and the car can…

228I model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes
2020	2	3	0
2021	3	8	0
2022	2	3	1
2023	1	2	0
2024	1	0	0

All BMW 228I years →

Questions

Does the 2021 BMW 228I have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2021 BMW 228I, the most recent reported on August 16, 2023 (Electrical system: software, Seat belts). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 BMW 228I?: Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (2 complaints), followed by exterior lighting (2).
How many 2021 BMW 228I complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 8 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 26, 2026.