2008 BMW 1 Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 1 Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags625.0%
- Exterior lighting520.8%
- Interior & seats312.5%
- Fuel system312.5%
- Engine28.3%
- Electrical28.3%
- Powertrain (other)14.2%
- Seat belts14.2%
- Steering14.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE AND IS A QUITE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON ALL BMW VEHICLES. THE MAT WILL SEND A TROUBLE SIGNAL TO THE DASH THAT BRINGS UP THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT WILL NOT GO OFF.
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR BEGAN TO SOUND OFF TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT THOUGH NO ONE SAT THERE. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO BMW WHEN I GOT THE TAKATA AIRBAG REPLACED AND GOT A QUESTIONS ABOUT MY OPINION ON WHETHER I CONSIDERED IT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DECLINED TO SAY AND THEY JUST SENT ME AWAY. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, I NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER SAT THERE THE AIRBAG ACTIVATION DID NOT TURN OFF AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A REPAIR ON THE SEAT AND TOLD THEM THAT THEY SHOULD REPAIR IT AT THEIR EXPENSE 11/17/2017. I TOLD THEM OF A RECALL FOR THE SEAT SENSOR ON A MINI COOPER(SI-D651013TSB) ANOTHER BMW PRODUCT AND THEY SAID WITHOUT SPECIFIC RECALL ON MY 128I, THEY WOULD DECLINE TO REPAIR IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT DESPITE THE LIGHT NOT GOING OUT WITH SEAT OCCUPATION, YET DECLINED TO GIVE ME THAT STATEMENT IN WRITING. I THEN REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BMW OF AMERICA IN LATE 2017 AND GOT A SIMILAR RESPONSE. COMPLAINT #36102215.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
"3RD BRAKELIGHT" LENS CONTINUES TO BREAK. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN JULY OF 2008 AND WILL SOON BE ON ITS 3RD LENS. THIS IS A BMW DEFECT AND IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PART. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT RE-REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE PART OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND IF I CHOOSE NOT TO, OTHERS BEING ABLE TO SEE ME WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES! THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OWNERS WHO I'M SURE LIKE ME, HAVE HAD NO FAULT(LIKE AN ACCIDENT) IN THE BREAKAGE. NO SPECIFIC DATE ON WHEN IT BREAKS AS IT IS PROBABLY CAUSE BY NORMAL ROAD VIBRATIONS. LIGHT HAS BROKEN DUE TO NORMAL DRIVING A FEW OCCASIONS ALREADY.
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT LENS CRACKS AND ALLOWS RAIN WATER INTO UNIT. AFTER HAVING THE DEALER REPLACE THE LENS TWICE I DECIDED TO DO IT MYSELF. THE SUPPLIER "ECS TUNING" FEATURES THE LENS ASSEMBLY WITH THE WORDS -- "REPLACE YOUR CRACKED LENS." THIS MADE ME THINK THE PROBLEM IS MORE THAN A COUPLE OF ASSEMBLIES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE AND IS A QUITE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON ALL BMW VEHICLES. THE MAT WILL SEND A TROUBLE SIGNAL TO THE DASH THAT BRINGS UP THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT WILL NOT GO OFF.
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR BEGAN TO SOUND OFF TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT THOUGH NO ONE SAT THERE. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO BMW WHEN I GOT THE TAKATA AIRBAG REPLACED AND GOT A QUESTIONS ABOUT MY OPINION ON WHETHER I CONSIDERED IT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DECLINED TO SAY AND THEY JUST SENT ME AWAY. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, I NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER SAT THERE THE AIRBAG ACTIVATION DID NOT TURN OFF AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A REPAIR ON THE SEAT AND TOLD THEM THAT THEY SHOULD REPAIR IT AT THEIR EXPENSE 11/17/2017. I TOLD THEM OF A RECALL FOR THE SEAT SENSOR ON A MINI COOPER(SI-D651013TSB) ANOTHER BMW PRODUCT AND THEY SAID WITHOUT SPECIFIC RECALL ON MY 128I, THEY WOULD DECLINE TO REPAIR IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT DESPITE THE LIGHT NOT GOING OUT WITH SEAT OCCUPATION, YET DECLINED TO GIVE ME THAT STATEMENT IN WRITING. I THEN REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BMW OF AMERICA IN LATE 2017 AND GOT A SIMILAR RESPONSE. COMPLAINT #36102215.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAJOR FUELING ISSUES WITH MY CAR. SO FAR I'VE HAD TO REPLACE INJECTORS, LOW PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, FUEL CONTROL MODULE, AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. FROM READING THE FORUMS ONLINE IT SEEMS TO BE THAT ALL THESE PARTS ARE VERY FAULTY ON THE CAR ESPECIALLY THE INJECTORS AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.
CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE WHEN PASSING CAR AND GOES INTO LIMP GETTING ON INTERSTATE. THE CAR HAS SHOWN BAD HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP BUT BMW WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THERE BAD PUMPS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING, SENDING THE CAR INTO "LIMP MODE" WITH DRAMATICALLY REDUCED POWER. NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH AS THIS WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDERS. *TR
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING INSULATION (IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT) TO HEADLIGHTS IS DETERIORATING. NOW, MANY EXPOSED AND UNINSULATED WIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HEADLIGHTS ARE NOW RENDERED UNRELIABLE AND UNWORKING. I HAVE TRIED TO WRAP ELECTRICAL TAPE AROUND THE EXPOSED WIRES (SEE PHOTO). I WILL NEXT TRY LIQUID TAPE. SAFETY AND FIRE HAZARD.
ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING, SENDING THE CAR INTO "LIMP MODE" WITH DRAMATICALLY REDUCED POWER. NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH AS THIS WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING, SENDING THE CAR INTO "LIMP MODE" WITH DRAMATICALLY REDUCED POWER. NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH AS THIS WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE AND IS A QUITE COMMON OCCURRENCE ON ALL BMW VEHICLES. THE MAT WILL SEND A TROUBLE SIGNAL TO THE DASH THAT BRINGS UP THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT WILL NOT GO OFF.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED UP *WHILE DRIVING*, GOT STUCK IN A TURN AND CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .