AI Damage2016 BMW 228I: common problems
The maker issued 73 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 73
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Parking brake | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Comparison
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has been extended to…
Fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few…
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…
- 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…
- The steering wheel heating takes a long time to achieve the desired temperature
- The paint finish on the door jamb (above the door striker) is scratched due to the inner door cavity…
- PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE (PCV) EXTENDED LTD WTY 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES
- After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes…
- The 3G network in the US has been shut down
This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the…
- After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or…
After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or Neutral "N" position without any customer influence.
- Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may…
Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
- Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may…
Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note: Opening, closing and starting via the BMW…
- The sunroof and/or panoramic sunroof jams sporadically
NHTSA lists 73 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BMW 228I?
There are no owner complaints in the NHTSA data for this year; the data comes from 73 manufacturer service bulletins.
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 BMW 228I?
NHTSA lists 73 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 2016 BMW 228I 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 2016 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 2026-11-04.