RoadVitals

2020 BMW 228I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
3
Latest Nov 3, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 16, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 BMW 228I, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 100 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Other / unspecified240.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
23V584000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; SEAT BELTS

Aug 16, 2023
144 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
21V091000

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS; VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Feb 18, 2021
14,011 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Nov 3, 2025

A towing company came to pick up the car. They may have damaged the carriage/axel based on the tire mark they left on our drive way. The lines were not straight and it looks like they dragged the car.

NHTSA ID
11697139
Incident
Oct 31, 2025
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 19, 2025

1/8/2025 Drive Train Malfunction. Towed to BMW Dealer. Dealership determined a faulty GWS system, Program new system, New center console and battery drained needs replaced. I was told by the dealership this not normal for a vehicle with 22k miles . BMW North Amaerica told me the repair Manager said the faults were caused by moisture in the cup holder. Shocked as the BMW Repair Manager did not tell me this was the cause, Did not inform me moisture in the cup holder caused major havoc on a safety System. Nothing had been spilled or leaked into my cup holders.

NHTSA ID
11662009
Incident
Jan 8, 2025
Other / unspecified
Filed Jan 15, 2021

I GOT MY CAR IN MAY 2020. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH THE TIRE FOR 8 YEARS OF MY ENTIRE DRIVING HISTORY. BUT FOR THIS CAR, MY TIRE RAN FLAT IN JULY 2020, AFTER RUNNING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE ON A LOCAL ROAD, AND IT RAN FLAT AGAIN IN JAN 2021 AFTER RUNNING A SUPER TINY POTHOLE ON A HIGHWAY. HOW COULD A TIRE BE THIS FRAGILE?

NHTSA ID
11388360
Incident
Jul 20, 2020
Mileage
700 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B010224

ENGINE

The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

B640416

STRUCTURE

Customer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B360121

STEERING

At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.

B610524

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT

The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3). FaultB7F8F9 – “HU-H: Reset” will be stored in the HU-H3.

B612123

STEERING

The steering wheel heating takes a long time to achieve the desired temperature.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 228I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023210—
2022320—
2021730—
2020Viewing320—
2016181142.4
2015173165.4
2014741—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.