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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-BMW-128I
2011 · bmw

bmw 128i problems

1 safety recall. 92 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
35 reports · avg $1,100
moderate
engine
24 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
14 reports · avg $850
severe
powertrain
3 reports · avg $2,500
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 128i · airbags
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.
12/31/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10938945.0
2011 128i · airbags
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR NEARLY TEN MONTHS TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR MY CAR'S RECALLED DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG MODULE (RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071). OVER THE PAST TEN MONTHS, I'VE CALLED BMW SEVERAL TIMES TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT WHEN IT EXPECTS…
12/27/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10937668.0
2011 128i · powertrain
SOMETIMES, THE CAR FROM A STAND STILL OR LOW SPEED (BELOW 10-15 MPH) HAS A DELAY BETWEEN THROTTLE INPUT AND ACTUAL ACCELERATION. THIS DELAY OF ACCELERATION HAS CAUSED MANY CLOSE CALLS FOR ACCIDENTS AND/OR SUDDEN BRAKING NEEDED BECAUSE OF OVER ACCELERATION. BETWEEN MY…
12/20/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10811348.0
2011 128i · engine
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. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…
12/16/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11497746.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 17V683000 30/10/2017

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

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Common questions

Is the 2011 BMW 128i reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 92 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 BMW 128i is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 BMW 128i?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 35 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my BMW 128i has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 BMW 128i?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 92 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with bmw. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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