2015 BMW 228I Complaints and Recall Information
The 2015 BMW 228I has 9 complaints and 3 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to the electrical system under the hood, particularly smoke or electrical shorting near the water pump connector. Delays in parts availability for recall repairs have been repeatedly mentioned.
Common Issues
- Recall parts unavailable. Multiple owners report that parts required for recall repairs remain unavailable long after notification, preventing completed fixes.
- Smoke from engine compartment. Several complaints describe smoke coming from the engine area, sometimes without warning lights illuminated.
- Electrical connector failure. Smoke and burning odors are reported near electrical connectors under the hood, often with the master warning light activating.
- Recall notification delays. Owners state the manufacturer exceeded reasonable time frames to provide parts and repair service despite recall notices.
There are 3 recalls affecting the 2015 BMW 228I, primarily involving the electrical system and air bag inflators. These recalls address potential fire hazards and air bag deployment failures.
Recalls
- Water pump electrical connector. NHTSA campaign 24V608000 affects 720,796 vehicles including 2014-2016 228i models. The connector may be improperly sealed and exposed to water, causing a short circuit that increases fire risk. Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and connector, adding a protective shield at no cost. Notification letters were sent March 28, 2025.
- Cooling system pump. Same NHTSA recall 24V608000 also covers the cooling system pump, part of the electrical connector defect. The untreated defect poses the same fire hazard and repair protocol as above.
- Side/window air bags. NHTSA campaign 24V288000 covers 5,761 vehicles from 2014-2015 2 Series and 3/4 Series models including the 228i. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint causing gas leaks or ruptures. This may result in sharp metal fragments inside the vehicle or incomplete inflation during a crash, increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace the air bags free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024.
Owners struggling with repeated repairs, unresolved recall issues, or safety-related defects may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting a consumer protection attorney familiar with lemon law could help clarify available options.
2015 BMW 228I Summary
2015
Model Year
9
Total Complaints
2
Total Recalls
726557
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2015 BMW 228I
720796 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
2015 BMW 228I
5761 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Complaints
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2127485ENGINE
Recall notice from manufacturer since at least September 2024, and no fix has been made yet. Based on manufacturer note: Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit -- Risk Rank = Fire Concerned since problem not addressed for more than a year
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2098446ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2098445ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2074378ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2074377ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2068870ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2068869ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2055074ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
2015 BMW 228I
ID: 2055073ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.