BestCarRank
Bmw

2011 Bmw 128I

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw 128I has 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (41% of all complaints), specifically: 2011 bmw 128i. consumer writes in regards to a recall notice concerning assembly bolts. *tgw the dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available. recall # 14v176000. *jb. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

63

Total Complaints

0

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

26 complaints
41%
  • 2011 BMW 128I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING ASSEMBLY BOLTS. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL # 14V176000. *JB
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND STALLED WHILE MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALUMINUM BOLTS IN THE VARIABL
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED MORE THAN ONCE AND, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED BACK INTO THE GARAGE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER (FIELDS BMW WINTER PARK, 963 WYM
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports

2011 BMW 128I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING ASSEMBLY BOLTS. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL # 14V176000. *JB

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

15 complaints
24%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHIC
  • TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHIC

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

7 complaints
11%
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ENTERING A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO TURN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC
  • LED RUNNING LIGHTS IN PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWS THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT HOUSES THE LED TUBE LIGHTS HAS A MALFUNCTION DUE TO POORLY SOLDERED CIRCUIT BOARD. LEFT TAIL LIGHTS RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION FAILS COMPLETELY (BLINKER, AND BRAKES ARE STILL RETAINED).
  • MY CAR HEADLIGHTS AND ALL INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE CAR. I NEED HELP BECAUSE NO ONE SEEMS TO CAN TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG AND HOW TO GET IT FIXED. I DO KNOW THAT A RECALL ON ELECTRIC SYSTEMS HAPPENED IN OCTOBER BUT MY CAR WAS NEVER FIXED. I LIVE IN LAUREL MS. MY TWO FRONT WINDOWS STOPPED WORK
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ENTERING A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO TURN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

4 complaints
6%
  • REFERENCE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL. MY CAR STARTED SMOKING BETWEEN A MONTH AND A HALF TO TWO MONTHS AGO. I HAVE TALKED TO BOTH REGIONAL AND LOCAL BMW. THEY SAID THERE WERE GOING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM SINCE 1/16/18. MY CAR IS NOTICEABLY SMOKI
  • WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE TRUNK/BOOT OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING NUMEROUS ELECTRONIC FAULTS, ERROR CODES AND STATES PER BMW THIS ISSUE SIGNIFICANT. MANY ISSUES LIKE THE ONES I'VE DESCRIBED WERE RECALLED TO A DEGREE. NOW, THEIR 'FIXES' ARE FAILING AND MORE AND MORE ISSUE EMERGE WITH THE BMW E8X FRAME. I WA
  • The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

REFERENCE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL. MY CAR STARTED SMOKING BETWEEN A MONTH AND A HALF TO TWO MONTHS AGO. I HAVE TALKED TO BOTH REGIONAL AND LOCAL BMW. THEY SAID THERE WERE GOING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM SINCE 1/16/18. MY CAR IS NOTICEABLY SMOKI

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

3 complaints
5%
  • LED RUNNING LIGHTS IN PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWS THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT HOUSES THE LED TUBE LIGHTS HAS A MALFUNCTION DUE TO POORLY SOLDERED CIRCUIT BOARD. LEFT TAIL LIGHTS RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION FAILS COMPLETELY (BLINKER, AND BRAKES ARE STILL RETAINED).
  • ON THE CONVERTIBLE MODEL THERE IS A REAR BRAKE LIGHT BAR LOCATED ON THE TRUNK DECK. THIS LIGHT BAR HAS FALLEN OFF MY VEHICLE 4 TIMES IN 43000 MILES. IT IS NOT A VERY EFFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT IF IT KEEPS FALLING OFF. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE.
  • The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) 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
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

LED RUNNING LIGHTS IN PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS HAVE FAILED. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWS THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT HOUSES THE LED TUBE LIGHTS HAS A MALFUNCTION DUE TO POORLY SOLDERED CIRCUIT BOARD. LEFT TAIL LIGHTS RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION FAILS COMPLETELY (BLINKER, AND BRAKES ARE STILL RETAINED).

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 63 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: 2011 BMW 128I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING ASSEMBLY BOLTS. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL # 14V176000. *JB

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

  • AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHIC

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

  • ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND ENTERING A HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO TURN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC

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

  • OTHER: REFERENCE PCV VALVE HEATER RECALL. MY CAR STARTED SMOKING BETWEEN A MONTH AND A HALF TO TWO MONTHS AGO. I HAVE TALKED TO BOTH REGIONAL AND LOCAL BMW. THEY SAID THERE WERE GOING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM SINCE 1/16/18. MY CAR IS NOTICEABLY SMOKI

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

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

Bmw 128I — 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
63
Recalls
0
Fire reports
3
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
80

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 128I