AI Damage2011 BMW 128I US: common problems
Owners of the 2011 BMW 128I US filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 57% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- Air bags: 4 complaints (57% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Car randomly accelerates for an additional second after releasing the gas pedal.
Takata recall. I received a letter in the mail dated sept 2017 from bmw usa stating that the parts are available and to schedule an appointment for a free repair.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i us. The contact received a recall notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw 128i us. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
We first noticed the rear window defroster was not working the first weekend of oct. 2011. We took the car to valencia bmw on 10/08/11. The car failed an electrical test and a new top was ordered because the rear window and convertible top are one piece. Car was returned on 10/10/11.
The contact stated that mice were eating through a cable that made the check engine light illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer twice. The contact stated that this vehicle was the second of the same model; the first was traded in because of the same failure. The manufacturer offered no assistance.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 128I US has 6 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 128I US?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (14%), windows, sunroof (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 BMW 128I US?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 BMW 128I US from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.