VehicleVerdict

BMW 128i years to avoid

The BMW 128i years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2009, 2012, 2010, 2008 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2007 is the cleanest year on record.

237

Total complaints

7

Recall campaigns

2007–2013

Years covered

6

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

BMW 128i NHTSA complaints by model year63 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 23 complaints2009: 37 complaints2010: 31 complaints2011: 63 complaints2012: 35 complaints2013: 46 complaints
BMW 128i NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

128i years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2011High complaints + open investigation63
2013Open safety investigation46
2009Open safety investigation37
2012Open safety investigation35
2010Open safety investigation31
2008Open safety investigation23

Every 128i year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2013avoid463
2012avoid355
2011avoid637
2010avoid317
2009avoid376
2008avoid236
200720

Common questions

What are the worst BMW 128i years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the 128i years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2009, 2012, 2010, 2008. The cleanest year on record is 2007.

What is the best year for the BMW 128i?

By complaint volume, 2007 has the cleanest NHTSA record among 128i years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the BMW 128i have?

Across all model years, the 128i has 7 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 237 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.