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Bmw

2011 Bmw 128I US

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw 128I US has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 8. The most common issue is air bags problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall. no communication from bmw about recall or availability of parts. the driver is five feet tall and must sit close to steering wheel..

8

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

AIR BAGS

4 complaints
50%
  • TAKATA RECALL. NO COMMUNICATION FROM BMW ABOUT RECALL OR AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. THE DRIVER IS FIVE FEET TALL AND MUST SIT CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL.
  • 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. THE MANUF
  • 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. THE MANUF
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TAKATA RECALL. NO COMMUNICATION FROM BMW ABOUT RECALL OR AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. THE DRIVER IS FIVE FEET TALL AND MUST SIT CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL.

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Bmw 128I US

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,821
Full coverage / month
$152
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw 128I US Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2011 128I US, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL. NO COMMUNICATION FROM BMW ABOUT RECALL OR AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. THE DRIVER IS FIVE FEET TALL AND MUST SIT CLOSE TO STEERING WHEEL.

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. 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 TH

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 02/27/11. 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 RETUR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • VISIBILITY: THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 02/27/11. 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 RETUR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Bmw 128I US — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
8

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 128I US