This page covers 7 recalls, 50 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 BMW 128i.
22 mpg combined
10.7 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Complaints about the 2011 BMW 128i cluster most heavily around airbags and engine behavior. On the airbag side, owners report warning lights illuminating and concerns about whether the supplemental restraint system is functioning correctly, though the complaints tend to focus on the warning indicators rather than deployment events. Engine complaints are the other dominant theme, with owners frequently describing stalling at various speeds and at stops, hesitation during acceleration, and difficulty restarting after a stall. Several owners note the check engine light coming on in connection with these episodes. Parts availability comes up across multiple engine-related complaints, with dealers confirming that certain components were not yet in stock at the time owners sought repairs.
50
Total Complaints
3
Fire-Related
By System
The 2011 BMW 128i has 7 recalls, the most serious being a driver's airbag inflator that can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Two separate recalls cover the same airbag inflator defect, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles. On the fire risk side, the heater inside the positive crankcase ventilation valve can short circuit and melt surrounding components, potentially starting a fire even when the car is parked and off. Separately, the wiring harness for the cabin blower can overheat and melt its connectors, also creating a fire risk when the vehicle is unattended. The electrical system has another concern: a fuse and circuit breaker issue can cause a total loss of electrical power, leading to an unexpected stall while driving. Rounding out the list, engine mounting bolts can loosen or break, causing reduced power or a stall that raises the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation valve may short circuit, potentially causing an electrical fault.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV valve heater at no cost.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the blower-regulator wiring harness with a new part at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heater inside the positive crankcase ventilation valve may short circuit, potentially causing it to malfunction.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module or inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) housing can loosen over time and may break.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four VANOS housing bolts for both intake and exhaust units at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connector linking the positive battery cable to the fuse box can degrade over time. High current and heat from electrical resistance may break this connection, cutting electrical power to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it using an improved method at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
