2021 BMW 228I Sunroof Recall (21V091)
BMW of North America, LLC · 14,011 vehicles · Reported February 18, 2021
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 14,011 2021 BMW 228I; 2021 BMW M235I vehicles. If the driver initiates an automatic closure of the sunroof, and the vehicle key status is changed to "off" or "lock," the sunroof may continue to close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-operated Window Systems." If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V091 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V091000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 18, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 BMW 228I; 2021 BMW M235I |
| Units affected | 14,011 |
| Component | Visibility > Sun / Moon Roof Assembly |
| Safety risk | If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 BMW 228I in recall 21V091?
If the driver initiates an automatic closure of the sunroof, and the vehicle key status is changed to "off" or "lock," the sunroof may continue to close.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 228i, 228i xDrive, and M235i xDrive vehicles. If the driver initiates an automatic closure of the sunroof, and the vehicle key status is changed to "off" or "lock," the sunroof may continue to close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-operated Window Systems."
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 228I with recall 21V091?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the sun and moon roof assembly.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V091?
Recall 21V091 covers 14,011 vehicles: 2021 BMW 228I; 2021 BMW M235I.
NHTSA lists 14,011 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BMW | 228I |
| 2021 | BMW | M235I |
What is the fix for the 228I sunroof recall?
Yes. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof electronic coding software, free of charge.
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof electronic coding software, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 21V091 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 21V091 to NHTSA on February 18, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2021 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V091000. |
This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your 228I was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my 228I is part of recall 21V091?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V091 is open on your 228I, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V091000 is open on your 228I, it will be listed there. You can also ask any BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should 228I owners do about recall 21V091?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V091000 applies to your 228I.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized BMW dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any sun and moon roof assembly symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are 228I owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the lighting and visibility.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the lighting and visibility have been filed since recall 21V091 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 8 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the lighting and visibility. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 BMW 228I: 8 complaints in total, 2 about the lighting and visibility
- 2021 BMW M235I: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the lighting and visibility
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
BMW DRL (Daytime Running Light) module is is overheating causing damage to the internal fiber optic tube. Dealer said this is a common issue and requires module replacement to prevent requiring a whole headlight assembly as BMW does not sell the fiber optic cable separately.
2021 BMW 228I owner, AZ, NHTSA complaint 11710000, filed January 9, 2026
Can recall 21V091 make my 228I a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A headlight, wiper or visibility defect on the 2021 BMW 228I can make night or rain driving unsafe, and repeat repairs for the same problem count toward a lemon law claim.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 BMW 228I has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the 228I went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your 228I been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW 228I recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V091
Is the 21V091000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my 228I is part of recall 21V091000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V091000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or BMW. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.