2020 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 2020 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 .