RoadVitals

2008 BMW 128I Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Mar 7, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 128I, 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

  • Airbags731.8%
  • Engine313.6%
  • Seat belts313.6%
  • Visibility29.1%
  • Body & structure29.1%
  • Electrical29.1%
  • Other / unspecified14.5%
  • Exterior lighting14.5%
  • Interior & seats14.5%

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.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 side air bags will be permanently deactivated. This will increase the risk of personal injury for any passenger in the event of a crash. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags), 17V428000 (Air Bags), and 17V605000 (Air Bags). However, these NHTSA campaigns, for the exact same issue, only cover various other BMW models, but not any BMW 1 series cars. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the very high dealer estimate of over $3,300 for the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 77,250.

NHTSA ID 11457813 · filed Mar 22, 2022

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 CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 10/24/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG WAS REPLACED. *JS

NHTSA ID 11012849 · filed Aug 4, 2017

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered credit toward the purchase of another vehicle. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID 11510649 · filed Mar 7, 2023

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 tool confirms parts not available. The consumer stated no contact from dealer in regards to the part being available.

NHTSA ID 11476470 · filed Jul 29, 2022

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,500.

NHTSA ID 11311856 · filed Feb 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 128I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNIT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ID 10669674 · filed Jan 2, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,000.

NHTSA ID 10993298 · filed Jun 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR SEPARATED FROM THE WINDOW. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE REARVIEW MIRROR. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT AN ORIGINAL EQIPMENT MANUFACTURER'S WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. P

NHTSA ID 10643617 · filed Oct 9, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,325.

NHTSA ID 11031956 · filed Oct 5, 2017

I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO GO INTO LOWES. WHEN I LOCKED THE DOORS THE WINDOW WENT DOWN MAKE A POP NOISE. I TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO THE CAR BECAUSE I NOTICED THE WINDOWS DOWN. ATTEMPTED TO LET THE WINDOW UP WITHOUT SUCCESS. THIS COULD HAVE CREATED A THEFT ISSUE IF I WOULD HAVE NOT NOTICED THE DEFICIENT WINDOW. WITH ONLY 26,000 MILES PURCHASED NEW THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10667096 · filed Dec 18, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 design such a locking feature that the door would not unlock from the inside for sure. I realize that things will break, but, all cars should be able to be unlocked from the inside no matter what. But, now I have to pay to get fixed when I don't have the money and if I could just unlock the door, I could live with that, but that can't be done.

NHTSA ID 11497698 · filed Dec 16, 2022

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 HEADLIGHT HOUSING? THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO CEASE FUNCTIONING LEADING TO A CRASH, OR A SHORT WHICH WOULD CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ID 11265501 · filed Oct 1, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered credit toward the purchase of another vehicle. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID 11510649 · filed Mar 7, 2023

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 HEADLIGHT HOUSING? THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS TO CEASE FUNCTIONING LEADING TO A CRASH, OR A SHORT WHICH WOULD CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ID 11265501 · filed Oct 1, 2019

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,325.

NHTSA ID 11031956 · filed Oct 5, 2017

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

Data on this page last refreshed .