2014 BMW 228I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 BMW 228I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical222.2%
- Engine222.2%
- Fuel system222.2%
- Airbags111.1%
- Brakes111.1%
- Steering111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 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 the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Horn failure. Took the car to an independent BMW repair shop and found a blown fuse and said both the high pitch and low pitch have gone bad and need replacement at a cost of $850!
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 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 the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Manufacturer has no updates on providing a repair for the recall they've issued for the Engine Coolant Pump.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Highly disappointed in BMW for a severe safety issue. My pregnant wife was driving this car. The plastic fuel tank started leaking which was very very scary. There is no sensor or alert on the car to notify of this. Our mechanic suggested that this was a manufacturing problem. There was no damage to the car (e.g. no accident or bump). This was apparently a spontaneous failure caused by poor manufacturing and design quality. This is a dangerous condition. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Fuel was leaking out of the vehicle and it could have easily started a fire with passengers inside or bystanders nearby. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This issue was confirmed as a known problem by BWM. I cannot explain why they did not send notification to owners - this is clearly a safety issue. I called the dealership in Irvine CA and they gave me the runaround. I brought the car to an independent mechanic who confirmed the fuel tank was leaking through a poor weld (its plastic). Once the issue was confirmed I called the BMW dealer again. They again gave me the runaround. Later I discovered there was a "warranty extension" issued. I submitted a reimbursement request for the $1300 repair but BWM denied it. They say the repair was completed in October 2022, but they won't pay for repairs made after April 2022. This is nonsense. NTSB should intervene. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I saved the tank and have photos. BMW did not take responsibility and the tank was eventually discarded. BMW confirmed that they are aware of this safety issue. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None. BMW did not notify customers.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 228I. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED STATING THAT A FAILURE OCCURRED AND TO PLEASE GO TO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,500. UPDATED 05/06/16*LJ *CN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL A SUV THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANE ROAD TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE OTHER TWO SUV'S IN FRONT OF ME WERE FORCED TO HIT THEIR BRAKES HARD. FROM A SPEED OF 35 MPH AND A FOLLOWING DISTANCE OF FOUR CAR LENGTHS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAPPENED. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARDER THE CAR STILL FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OTHER THAN FOR THE SLIGHT BIT FROM GOING UP HILL. I WAS FORCED TO FULLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. MOMENTS LATER I IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE THIRD CAR THAT HAD STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT MY CAR REQUIRES EXTENSIVE REPAIRS TO THE FRONT END. THE TWO CARS IN FRONT WERE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS THAT WOULD HAVE INDICATED THE BRAKE HAD LOCKED UP AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER. WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL A SUV THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANE ROAD TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. THE OTHER TWO SUV'S IN FRONT OF ME WERE FORCED TO HIT THEIR BRAKES HARD. FROM A SPEED OF 35 MPH AND A FOLLOWING DISTANCE OF FOUR CAR LENGTHS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAPPENED. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARDER THE CAR STILL FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OTHER THAN FOR THE SLIGHT BIT FROM GOING UP HILL. I WAS FORCED TO FULLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. MOMENTS LATER I IMPACTED THE REAR OF THE THIRD CAR THAT HAD STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT MY CAR REQUIRES EXTENSIVE REPAIRS TO THE FRONT END. THE TWO CARS IN FRONT WERE NOT INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS THAT WOULD HAVE INDICATED THE BRAKE HAD LOCKED UP AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2014 228I COUPE, BUILD DATE 03/2014 - THE BOLTS SECURING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR TO THE RACK HAVE SNAPPED LEADING TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE IS CONSISTENT WITH: BMW TIS SERVICE BULLETIN # SI B01 26 18 I CALLED BMW TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE BULLETIN DESCRIBES MY CAR AS BEING EFFECTED, MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE PART SPECIFIC EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. MY PART NUMBER, LOCATION, SYMPTOMS, FAILURE TYPE, CAR MAKE MODEL AND BUILD DATE ALL MATCH THE CRITERIA FOR THE PART SPECIFIC EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE FIRST BOLT FAILED IN MAY 2019, THE SECOND BOLT THAT I CAN SEE SOMETIME IN APRIL OR MAY 2020. THE CAR CAN CURRENTLY STEER, BUT WITH A LOT OF NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING MOTOR, AND WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE STOPPED IN MY DRIVEWAY, ABOUT TO PULL OUT. I HAVE NOT YET BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO BMW BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO ENSURE THAT MY CAR FALLS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BEFORE I DO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .