2008 Bmw 128i problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (5) · Seat Belts (2) · Visibility:windshield (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 128i model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (6)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SA
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing ow
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System:wiring 2019-08-06 · campaign 19V579000 · 41,981 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2017-10-30 · campaign 17V683000 · 740,561 vehicles
Defect: 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 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers 2013-02-07 · campaign 13V044000 · 516,791 vehicles
Defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2
Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Service bulletins (98)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Engine And Engine Cooling 2020-09-01 · B110208 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
power reduction, fc2a82 intake vanos and/or fc2a87 exhaust vanos camshaft fault: the ?service engine soon? (mil) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. this situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. if theignition is cycled,
Power Train 2020-04-01 · B110208 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
power reduction fc2a82 intake vanos and/or fc2 a87 exhaust vanos camshaft fault: the "service engine soon" (mil) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. this situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. if the ignition is cycled
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2019-07-12 · 651512 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service action: cic - install navigation road map database 2013. before delivering affected vehicles to the customer, the car information computer (cic) road map database 2013 must be installed onto the cic internal hard disc drive (hdd).
Showing the 6 most recent of 98 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-03-07 · Firerelated · 120,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owned a 2008 bmw 128i. the contact stated that after driving at an undisclosed speed in inclement weather, she parked and turned off the vehicle. the vehicle later caught fire when she returned. a bystander witnessed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. the contact noticed there were flames coming from the engine compartment. the…”
2022-12-16 · Electrical System“i was out of town and my drivers side door locked and would not open, not even with the key. it is making a sound when i try to unlock and once i start the car and drive, it makes the same clicking sound. if i were in a wreck and both doors locked and would not unlock, is that not a safety problem if i could not get out of the car? who would desig…”
2022-07-29 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2008 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact had not experienced a failure. vin t…”
2022-03-22 · Air Bags · 77,250 mi“the contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. the contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local bmw dealer. the dealer diagnosed the root cause of the warning light to be a failure of the passenger seat occupancy detection mat. when this part fails the passenger sid…”
2020-02-27 · Seat Belts · 67,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. the contact stated that the passenger restraint warning light illuminated without a passenger seated in the front passenger's seat. brian harris bmw located at (12336 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70817, (225) 612-0285) was contacted and informed of the failure. the contact was informed that the vin was not sub…”
2019-10-01 · Exterior Lighting · 108,000 mi“daytime running light kept burning out. so i decided to investigate further. on closer inspection, the insulation for the wires inside of the headlight had completely deteriorated in some areas leaving the bare metal wires exposed. in other areas the insulation was cracking or falling off. how is that possible in a sealed environment such as the he…”
2018-04-13 · Engine · 147,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. while driving approximately 5 mph and making a turn, the vehicle stalled and the "service engine soon" message appeared. the contact turned the vehicle off and attempted to restart the engine. a plastic burning odor permeated through the vents and smoke emerged from the engine compartment. after some time, the …”
2017-10-05 · Structure:body:door · 67,325 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. the contact stated that the front driver's door failed to open and the lock failed to operate. as a result, the contact had to enter and exit through the front passenger door. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer …”
2017-08-04 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the dealer was contacted (baron bmw in merriam, ks) and confir…”
2017-06-05 · Visibility/Wiper · 43,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. while the contact's spouse was driving approximately 50 mph in the rain, both side view mirrors turned brown. the contact was unable to see out of the mirrors. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.