Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2015 BMW 228i. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Air Bag Inflators May Rupture
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bag Inflators May Rupture
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (17)
17 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 47.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 29.4% |
| Engine | 3 | 17.6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 11.8% |
| Power train | 2 | 11.8% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 5.9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 5.9% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 5.9% |
| Steering | 1 | 5.9% |
| Tires | 1 | 5.9% |
How 2015 compares with other 228i years
Best and worst 228i years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 4 |
| 2015 | 17 | 3 |
| 2016 | 18 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 |
| 2021 | 8 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 323 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 35 / 27 | $3,050 | 323 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 / 33 / 26 | $3,150 | 344 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 26 | $3,150 | 337 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2015 228i for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2015 BMW 228i FAQ
How many recalls does the 2015 BMW 228i have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 25V871000 (air bag), 24V608000 (engine), 24V288000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2015 BMW 228i problems?
Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (8), Engine and engine cooling (5), Engine (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2015 BMW 228i get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 23 city, 35 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2015 228i compare with other years?
Among the 2014–2021 BMW 228i model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2016 the most (18). The 2015 drew 17. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.