2015 BMW 228i Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2015 BMW 228i has 28 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and engine and engine cooling.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 28 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 21.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5 17.9%
ENGINE
3 10.7%
AIR BAGS
2 7.1%
POWER TRAIN
2 7.1%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 21.4% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 15 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2015 BMW 228i
The 2015 BMW 228i has 28 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 21% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2015 BMW 228i are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (5), ENGINE (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 19 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2015 BMW 228i?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 15 of 15 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 Reports21% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
7/28/2020
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.
10/30/2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5 Reports18% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
10/30/2024
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.
1/13/2025
ENGINE
3 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WHILE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD SCREEN "MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE." THE ENGINE RE-STARTED AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PLACED IN "PARK". THIS EVENT OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS APPROXIMATELY 4000 MILES APART.
11/2/2017
ON DECEMBER 4, 2019, I WAS DRIVING MY BMW X1 TO WORK AT 52 MILE PER HOUR WHEN THE ENGINE ALL OF SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING. THIS ALMOST GOT ME INTO A VERY DEADLY CAR ACCIDENT DURING BUSY TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE APPROACHING A LEFT TURN LANE INTO OUR OFFICE PLAZA NEAR US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, USCIS OFFICE. I TRIED EVERY MEANS TO RESTART THE ENGINE, IT WOULD NOT START, I CHECKED THE BATTERY AND FOUND IT GOOD. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2015 BRAND NEW FROM BRAMAN BMW WEST PALM BEACH, OUR BMW X1 2015 WAS PRODUCED IN JANUARY, 2018 AND THE N20 ENGINE INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE MUST HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED IN 2014, WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE BMW RECALL FILED WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.MY CAR BMW X1 2015 IS STILL WITHIN 7 YEARS OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PUT INTO EFFECT AFTER A PRIOR CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT.CURRENTLY, THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHICH HAS BEEN CERTIFIED BY THE FEDERAL COURT AND WHICH WILL PREVAIL SOON. THIS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT COVERS 2012-2015 VEHICLES WITH N20 AND N26 ENGINES. PUTTING CUSTOMERS SAFETY AND THEIR LIVES BEFORE THEIR PROFITS AND BMW AND BRAMAN BMW WEST PALM BEACH WILL HAVE TO UPHOLD ITS PROMISE TO THE MINIMUM QUALITY STANDARDS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, GUARANTEEING THE LIVES OF DRIVERS AND AMERICANS. BMW HAS TO STAND BY ITS QUALITY GUARANTEE AND THE BASIC INDUSTRY QUALITY STANDARD AND ANY AND ALL MANUFACTURING DEFECTS BY BMW MUST BE CORRECTED AND REPAIRED AT ITS OWN EXPENSE.
12/18/2019
AIR BAGS
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
BMW HIT VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT WHILE EMERGENCY BRAKING FROM APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY HIT DIRECTLY FROM BEHIND IN I-70 4 CAR PILE-UP. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN VEHICLE IN FRONT (KIA) AND VEHICLE BEHIND (AUDI) BUT DID NOT DEPLOY FROM BMW. DRIVER'S CHIN WAS GASHED OPEN, PROBABLY FROM IMPACT WITH STEERING WHEEL AS A RESULT OF AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. WHIPLASH, BRUISING, SORENESS ALSO SHOWN IN DRIVER FOLLOWING ACCIDENT.
10/26/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 2281. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEAT BELT BRUISES AND INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, CHEST AND RIGHT BREAST. THE CONTACTS FRONT PASSENGER ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. AS A RESULT, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN BMW COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
9/17/2020
POWER TRAIN
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
10/5/2017
THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WHILE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD SCREEN "MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE." THE ENGINE RE-STARTED AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PLACED IN "PARK". THIS EVENT OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS APPROXIMATELY 4000 MILES APART.
11/2/2017
SEAT BELTS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 228I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS BECAME JAMMED IN THE DOOR PILLAR, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT BELTS TO FRACTURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT BELTS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
11/14/2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
10/5/2017
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
10/5/2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING WHILE ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD SCREEN "MAXIMUM DRIVETRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE." THE ENGINE RE-STARTED AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PLACED IN "PARK". THIS EVENT OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS APPROXIMATELY 4000 MILES APART.
11/2/2017
WHEELS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
AS OEM ON MY BMW 2 SERIES ARE PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 A/S RFT (BMW) BWAUTO - RUN FLAT, SIZE:225/40R18, IN THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD 6 FLATS DUE TO POTHOLES. THESE TIRES ARE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE VEHICLE. ANY SIMPLE BUMP AND THEY BLOW. EVEN BMW WARNS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CARS AND ROUGH ROADS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BMW REPLACE THESE TIRES AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE THEY ARE INAPPROPRIATE AND A SAFETY PROBLEM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
4/27/2018
TIRES
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
AS OEM ON MY BMW 2 SERIES ARE PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 A/S RFT (BMW) BWAUTO - RUN FLAT, SIZE:225/40R18, IN THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD 6 FLATS DUE TO POTHOLES. THESE TIRES ARE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE VEHICLE. ANY SIMPLE BUMP AND THEY BLOW. EVEN BMW WARNS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CARS AND ROUGH ROADS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE BMW REPLACE THESE TIRES AT THEIR EXPENSE BECAUSE THEY ARE INAPPROPRIATE AND A SAFETY PROBLEM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
4/27/2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH MY SUN ROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS NEARBY AND NO OVERPASSES OR SIGNS ABOVE. THE TEMPERATE WAS ABOUT 40F. MY SUN SHADE VISOR WAS CLOSED BUT GLASS STILL CAME DOWN ON THE HEADS OF MYSELF AND THE PASSENGER. I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AT THE FIRST EXIT ABOUT 1/4 A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE SUNROOF BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.
4/9/2019
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
7/28/2020
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 2281. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT ALSO ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SEAT BELT BRUISES AND INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, CHEST AND RIGHT BREAST. THE CONTACTS FRONT PASSENGER ALSO SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK. AS A RESULT, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN BMW COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
9/17/2020
STEERING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The Power Steering and Stability Control warning lights on my 2015 BMW 228i came on while driving. I took it to the dealership who told me the steering rack needed to be replaced. BMW has a service bulletin B32 12 16 which describes same issue as I am experiencing. 2015 228i is listed as an affected model on the bulletin, but my VIN was not included by BMW.
12/6/2023
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2015 BMW 228i?
Are complaints about the 2015 BMW 228i a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2015 BMW 228i?
Are complaints about the 2015 BMW 228i severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
BMW 228i: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 28
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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