RoadVitals

2016 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.
11
Latest Aug 7, 2025
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.
61%
of 18 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 2016 BMW 228I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 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

ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11679128
Incident
Sep 15, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle jerked back and forth and choked. There were no warning lights 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 contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Century West BMW Service Department (4245 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602) who confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11677845
Incident
Mar 15, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 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 local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11676926
Incident
Jul 29, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 27, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 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. No further information was available. 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
11669710
Incident
Sep 15, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 25, 2025

The contact owned a 2016 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 local dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11650473
Incident
Mar 25, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 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 local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11646178
Incident
Mar 4, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 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 local dealer was 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11645581
Incident
Feb 28, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 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. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11641994
Incident
Feb 11, 2025
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 228I. The contact stated that intermittently, while driving at undisclosed speeds and depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal odor of smoke. The braking lamp malfunction light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the failure was related to the engine, engine cooling, and electrical system. 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 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 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11632741
Incident
Nov 1, 2024
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 9, 2021

VEHICLE GAVE WARNING OF "LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION" AND "LEFT BRAKE LAMP MALFUNCTION". CHECKED LIGHTS AND THEY ARE VERY DIM AND NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. REMOVED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY AND THE GROUND WIRE TERMINAL IS PARTIALLY MELTED.

NHTSA ID
11399992
Incident
Mar 9, 2021
Mileage
7,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 9, 2017
Fire reported

ON FEB 2, 2017 MY CAR (2016 BMW 228I) SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 4-1/2 HOURS. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAT 13,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND WAS LAST SERVICED (WHICH WAS THE 1ST SCHEDULED SERVICE) THREE MONTHS PRIOR AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP. I PURCHASED (JAN 2016) THE VEHICLE NEW WHICH WAS SPECIAL ORDERED AND DELIVERED FROM GERMANY (MAR 2016). I HAD NO MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED IN APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES FROM THE FIRE IGNITION TIME (MUFFLED EXPLOSION AND FLAMES OBSERVED FROM MY LIVING ROOM WINDOWS) AS A RESULT OF THE CAR FIRE, MY TOWNHOUSE HOME ALSO CAUGHT FIRE AND SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. IN ADDITION, MY WIFE'S CAR WHICH WAS PARKED ADJACENTLY WAS ALSO DAMAGED. I BELIEVE THAT 2016 WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THE 228I MODEL WAS IMPORTED INTO THE U.S., BUT I WOULD ALSO POINT OUT THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE INTERNET INDICATING SIMILAR FIRE INCIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FOR PERHAPS THE LAST 6-7 YEARS WITH VARIOUS BMW MODEL CARS. I ONLY FOUND THIS INFORMATION (THROUGH A SEARCH) AFTER MY INCIDENT (SEE: HTTPS://BMWPROBLEMS.WORDPRESS.COM/BMWOWNERSBEWARE/). I WAS RECENTLY CONTACTED BY VOICEMAIL BY ABC NEWS INVESTIGATIVE OFFICE INDICATING THAT THEY WERE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF RESEARCHING BMW FIRES. AS SUCH, THIS FAILURE APPEARS SYSTEMIC OF AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW. THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE FIRE MARSHALL WAS AT THE SCENE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED AWAY FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. AT THE TIME, HE INDICATED TO ME THAT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS A PROBABLE CAUSE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY FINAL REPORTING FROM THE STATE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS ALSO INVESTIGATING. IN ADDITION, BMW NA HAS ALSO RESPONDED TO MY REPORTING THE INCIDENT BY INDICATING THAT THEY WOULD ALSO BE SENDING AN INVESTIGATOR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10953688
Incident
Feb 2, 2017
Mileage
13,000 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 .