2011 BMW 128I
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 50 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 36 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
28% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2011 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact had experienced a failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 20221019
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 not yet available.
NHTSA ODI report, 20220414
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240104
28% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file.
24% of complaints: engine — 12 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180207
Engine noise.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240202
Three recall notices have been mailed to me. The BMW dealers say âremedy is not availableâ. My BMW has not been fixed. I have to drive 854 miles. Who is responsible if this VANOS assembly gives way on this lengthy drive?
NHTSA ODI report, 20240107
14% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130530
4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 2 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
2011 BMW 128I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140612
SAFETY TIMELINE
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW a
Campaign 13V044000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge.
Campaign 14V176000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 16V071000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.
Campaign 17V683000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 19V579000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is,...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020.
Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan...
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge.
Campaign 22V119000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2011 BMW 128I — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V044000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V176000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V071000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V579000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V119000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2011 BMW 128I reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 128I?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 128I have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.