Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
35,137 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 to 2011 model years. Data updated: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues
2
16.7%
Engine operation
1
8.3%
Braking behavior
1
8.3%
Steering behavior
1
8.3%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHTS FAILED AND TOXIC BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES BUT OPTED TO PLACE DEODORANT TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AS A REMEDY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONE POUND OF FREON HAD LEAKED THAT THE VALVE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED TH…
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 02/27/11. WE FIRST NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING THE FIRST WEEKEND OF OCT. 2011. WE TOOK THE CAR TO VALENCIA BMW ON 10/08/11. THE CAR FAILED AN ELECTRICAL TEST AND A NEW TOP WAS ORDERED BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW AND CONVERTIBLE TOP ARE ONE PIECE. CAR WAS RETURNED ON 10/10/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 10273.ON 11/22/11, THE TOP WAS REPLACED AND CAR RETURNED ON 11/23/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 12168. ON 12/01/11, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FABRIC ON THE NEW TOP DETACHED ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/30/11 (TERRIFYI…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
50.0%Usable mileage6 / 12 records
100.0%Valid incident date12 / 12 records
100.0%Valid filing date12 / 12 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates12 / 12 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHTS FAILED AND TOXIC BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES BUT OPTED TO PLACE DEODORANT TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AS A REMEDY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONE POUND OF FREON HAD LEAKED THAT THE VALVE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED TH…
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 02/27/11. WE FIRST NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING THE FIRST WEEKEND OF OCT. 2011. WE TOOK THE CAR TO VALENCIA BMW ON 10/08/11. THE CAR FAILED AN ELECTRICAL TEST AND A NEW TOP WAS ORDERED BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW AND CONVERTIBLE TOP ARE ONE PIECE. CAR WAS RETURNED ON 10/10/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 10273.ON 11/22/11, THE TOP WAS REPLACED AND CAR RETURNED ON 11/23/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 12168. ON 12/01/11, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FABRIC ON THE NEW TOP DETACHED ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/30/11 (TERRIFYI…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND DUE TO THE DESIGN HE WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE BULB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 6,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MICE WERE EATING THROUGH A CABLE THAT MADE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS THE SECOND OF THE SAME MODEL; THE FIRST WAS TRADED IN BECAUSE OF THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 02/16/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
EXTERIOR HEATED MIRRORS WITH DIMMING HAVE TURNED A DARK BROWN COLOR. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS MODELS/YEARS BMW'S. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM OFTEN BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT DEAL WITH IT. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH A CUSTOMER SERVICE AND A SUPERVISOR THAT THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS A SAFETY ISSUE. (KATRINA EMPLOYEE # 8936 AND RENZO EMPLOYEE # 7647.) IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITH THESE DEFEC…
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Electrical System
Too few reports for a range
9,637 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 10381186 · 9,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHTS FAILED AND TOXIC BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES BUT OPTED TO PLACE DEODORANT TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AS A REMEDY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONE POUND OF FREON HAD LEAKED THAT THE VALVE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED TH…
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 02/27/11. WE FIRST NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS NOT WORKING THE FIRST WEEKEND OF OCT. 2011. WE TOOK THE CAR TO VALENCIA BMW ON 10/08/11. THE CAR FAILED AN ELECTRICAL TEST AND A NEW TOP WAS ORDERED BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW AND CONVERTIBLE TOP ARE ONE PIECE. CAR WAS RETURNED ON 10/10/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 10273.ON 11/22/11, THE TOP WAS REPLACED AND CAR RETURNED ON 11/23/11. THE MILEAGE WAS 12168. ON 12/01/11, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FABRIC ON THE NEW TOP DETACHED ON THE FREEWAY ON 11/30/11 (TERRIFYI…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE AND DUE TO THE DESIGN HE WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE BULB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO PARTS AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 6,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
EXTERIOR HEATED MIRRORS WITH DIMMING HAVE TURNED A DARK BROWN COLOR. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS MODELS/YEARS BMW'S. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM OFTEN BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT DEAL WITH IT. I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND WAS TOLD BY BOTH A CUSTOMER SERVICE AND A SUPERVISOR THAT THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THE EXTERIOR MIRRORS A SAFETY ISSUE. (KATRINA EMPLOYEE # 8936 AND RENZO EMPLOYEE # 7647.) IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITH THESE DEFEC…
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2009: 4 complaints · 2011: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2009
2
4
4
2011
0
1
1
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2009
5
0
0
2011
6
0
1
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Air Bags
Electrical System
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
Fuel/Propulsion System
Structure
Structure:Body
Unknown Or Other
Air Bags
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Electrical System
0
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting
0
0
—
0
0
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
0
0
0
—
0
0
1ODI 10850853 · 93,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I US. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER REAR BRAKE LIGHT LENS WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LENS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
2 patterns with matching reports.
Stalling or loss of power
1 mentions · 8.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 9,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10381186 · 9,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHTS FAILED AND TOXIC BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES BUT OPTED TO PLACE DEODORANT TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AS A REMEDY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONE POUND OF FREON HAD LEAKED THAT THE VALVE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED TH…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 8.3% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 10378475
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MICE WERE EATING THROUGH A CABLE THAT MADE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS THE SECOND OF THE SAME MODEL; THE FIRST WAS TRADED IN BECAUSE OF THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 02/16/11