KnownCarProblems2008 BMW 135i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 135i, most often about the fuel system (35% of complaints, typically around 21,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 135i model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 BMW 135i problems
Fuel system
18 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles.
Vehicle is a BMW 135i, model year 2008, convertible. Car suffers sudden and complete loss of power at high speed and often during high-traffic, rush- hour speeds on moderate incline sometimes with minimal safe shoulder and median. This the 6th incident over the last year and a half. BMW of san diego replaced fuel…
My 2008 BMW 135i started taking 10-20 seconds for the vehicle to start. The problem has been ongoing for a couple of months now. I took the vehicle to a BMW dealer and complained about it. The dealer informed me that BMW informed them that it was normal for the vehicle to do this. And told me that they couldn't change…
Air bags
13 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW i35i. The contact stated that while at a stop light, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained knee and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was drivable. The…
Seat belts/airbag lights keep coming on. They have replaced the harness in the seat, belt buckle, reset the light and now they say the seat belt module now has to be fixed. I believe this is from the recall that has not been done on the car which is the airbag module. The light came on when you sat in the seat or just…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim.
Cracked 18" alloy wheel with OEM run flat tires. Wheel size is 245/35r18, tire is bridgestone potenza re050a run flat (OEM tire). Cracked wheel is on left rear, wheel is cracked on along interior of wheel. No known road collisions have occurred (I.e. Haven't hit any potholes, curbs, etc of note).
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 135i. The contact stated that the alloy wheels had cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician verified the failure and stated that the wheels needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current…
Engine
5 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 135i. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle functioned properly, but the failure recurred several times later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated…
'08 BMW 135i started to suffer long engine cranks followed by engine dying with associated engine warning light. Engine failed to restart after 6 attempts. The engine finally started after the 7th attempt and was able to drive the car to the dealership. The high pressure fuel pump is suspected as failing.
Lights
5 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: tail lights.
Driver's side tail light malfunctioned. Does not work at all. This has been a known defect for this model and year of vehicle for over a year. Dealer will replace malfunctioning tail light but will not replace the other tail light until it malfunctions which could happen at any time and is an unsafe condition.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 135i. The contact stated that the LED tail lights failed to illuminate. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the manufacturers recall related to the…
Electrical
4 complaints · 8%Tl contact owns a 2008 BMW 135i. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine loss power with the illumination of the warning indicator. The vehicle restarted in the low power mode. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The computer software was updated and replacement of the fuel pump. The…
2008 BMW 135i and my blower motor stopped working as I was driving a few moment later and I started to hear spark and smelt burning wires so I immediately thought of the safety recall that is being done on the 3 series BMW's I instantly turned off the climate control and fan speed and shut the car off I looked over…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 BMW 135i recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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, x5 30si, x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 48i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m, 2009-2013 x5 xdrive35d and 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6m vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradat
Electrical: wiring
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m savs, 2009-2013 bmw x5 xdrive35d savs, 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i, and x6 m sacs, 2010-2011 bmw x6 xdrive50i sacs and 2008-2011 m3 sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers
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 [email protected].
Full defect summary
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 2013, bmw informed the agency that it was adding 1-series, 3-series, and z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a break
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2008 BMW 135i
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 135i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (18 complaints, typically around 21,000 miles); air bags (13 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); wheels and tires (6 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 135i have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the BMW 135i?
- It is the most complained-about 135i model year since 2000, with 51 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.