RoadVitals

2015 BMW 228I Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jul 11, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
47%
of 17 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2015 BMW 228I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jul 11, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11749687
Incident
Jul 3, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 9, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11665770
Incident
Aug 13, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 18, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11648945
Incident
Dec 1, 2024
Mileage
50,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light 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 unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11645141
Incident
Feb 26, 2025
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 13, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11635685
Incident
Sep 15, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 228I. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the instrument panel went blank and there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. 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 failure; however, was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11622748
Incident
Oct 22, 2024
Mileage
91,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 28, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11341943
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Mileage
34,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Oct 5, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 228I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED TO FUNCTION INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOM BUSH BMW ORANGE PARK (6914 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244, PHONE NUMBER: (904) 777-2500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSES AND WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID
11031856
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
Mileage
35,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .