2015 BMW 228I: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system; the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Dec 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Left rear taillight assembly failed. Needed a whole new taillight assembly, as well as an additional ground cable retrofit repair. This was a known problem and would have been covered under warranty if the problem had surfaced much earlier. In fact, it did occur in the right taillight, and BMW replaced that one.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228i. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the electrical connector underneath the hood. The master warning light was 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 available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2024
“The contact owns a 2015 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Recall notice from manufacturer since at least September 2024, and no fix has been made yet. Based on manufacturer note: Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit -- Risk Rank = Fire Concerned since problem not addressed for more than a year”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2024
“The contact owns a 2015 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 contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2024
“The Power Steering and Stability Control warning lights on my 2015 BMW 228i came on while driving. I took it to the dealership who told me the steering rack needed to be replaced. BMW has a service bulletin B32 12 16 which describes same issue as I am experiencing. 2015 228i is listed as an affected model on the bulletin, but my VIN was not included by BMW.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2023
“Rear left turn signal/brake light stopped working and warning light came on intermittently. Normal driving in city. Went off and on for several months, now the warning is active all the time, and left tail light/turn signal no longer work.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2020
“Driving down the highway at 60mph my sun roof suddenly exploded. There were no other cars nearby and no overpasses or signs above. The temperate was about 40f. My sun shade visor was closed but glass still came down on the heads of myself and the passenger. I exited the highway at the first exit about 1/4 a mile down the road. There was no physical damage to the sunroof before this happened.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2019
“As oem on my bmw 2 series are pirelli cinturato p7 a/s rft (bmw) bwauto - run flat, size:225/40r18, in the past 3 years I have had 6 flats due to potholes. These tires are inappropriate for the vehicle. Any simple bump and they blow. Even bmw warns about how they are not appropriate for cars and rough roads. I would like to see bmw replace these tires at their expense because they are inappropriate and a safety problem at highway speeds.”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2018
“The engine quit running while on interstate highway. A message appeared on the dashboard screen "maximum drivetrain output not available." the engine re-started after pulling off the highway and placed in "park". This event occurred on two different occasions approximately 4000 miles apart.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Remedy: 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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2015 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 228I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2015 BMW 228I reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2015 BMW 228I. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2015 BMW 228I have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:side/window:head. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.