IllustrationTHE 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.
2008 BMW 1 Series
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 1 Series years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
6 reportsTHE 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 NOTIC…
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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.
TAKATA RECALL. BMW IS PROVIDING REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS TO THEIR DEALERS AND THE DEALERS ARE USING THEM TO REPLACE AIR BAGS ON THEIR CARS BEING SOLD, NOT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS. I RECEIVED MY RECALL NOTICE MAY 27TH 2016 AND AM STILL WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT.
BMW NORTH AMERICA ISSUED RECALL RE: DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG MODULE LAST MARCH 2016. TO DATE THE BMW HAS BEEN OUT OF PARTS TO COMPLY WITH THIS RECALL. I BELIEVE BMW NORTH AMERICA IS NOT TAKING THIS RECALL SERIOUSLY. ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY RISK: INFLATOR MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING DRIVER. THAT SEEMS LIKE A…
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BMW NORTH AMERICA ISSUED RECALL RE: DRIVERS FRONT AIRBAG MODULE LAST MARCH 2016. TO DATE THE BMW HAS BEEN OUT OF PARTS TO COMPLY WITH THIS RECALL. I BELIEVE BMW NORTH AMERICA IS NOT TAKING THIS RECALL SERIOUSLY. ACCORDING TO THE SAFETY RISK: INFLATOR MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING DRIVER. THAT SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS RISK TO GO UNRESOLVED FOR 6 MONTHS. GIVEN THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THIS RISK, I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA PUT PRESSURE ON BMW NORTH AMERICA TO GET THE [XXX] PARTS AND MAKE THE REPAIRS. RECALLS ARE USELESS IF CAR MFG DON'T MAKE THE REPAIRS TIMELY. DO YOUR JOB AND REQUIRE BMW NORTH AMERICA TO MAKE THE REPAIRS TIMELY OR FACE FINES AND PENALTIES CONSIDERING THE SAFETY RISK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 1. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE I…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 1. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
MY CAR WARNING MESSAGE STATED FAULT IN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG/BELT TENSIONER, SERVICE ASAP, CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT (OR SOMETHING SIMILAR). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DIAGNOSED WITH PASSENGER SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE. QUOTED $2600.00 FOR REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN IN THE PAST AND CURRENTLY A RECALL PROBLEM THAT HAS AFFECTED…
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MY CAR WARNING MESSAGE STATED FAULT IN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG/BELT TENSIONER, SERVICE ASAP, CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT (OR SOMETHING SIMILAR). TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DIAGNOSED WITH PASSENGER SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE. QUOTED $2600.00 FOR REPAIR. THIS HAS BEEN IN THE PAST AND CURRENTLY A RECALL PROBLEM THAT HAS AFFECTED OVER 200,000 VEHICLES DUE TO A FAULTY/POORLY DESIGNED PART. DEALER AND BMW OF NA STATE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE, IT SHOULD NOT TAKE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, INJURIES, OR DEATHS BEFORE CARS HAVING THIS ISSUE ARE PLACED ON THE RECALL LIST! IN ADDITION A REPAIR TO A SAFETY COMPONENT SHOULD NOT BE PUT SOMEONE NEARLY $3000 IN DEBT! NHTSA PLEASE ENCOURAGE BMW TO ENFORCE THE RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ALL VEHICLES HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, THERE A HUNDREDS OF THREADS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING BMWS OF ALL MAKES AND MODELS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SENSORS FAILING. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PART NOT ALLOWING THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY! *TR
Official recalls
210V254000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
Jun 10, 2010
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 1-SERIES VEHICLES. IN A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PRE-TENSIONER AND LOAD-LIMITER OCCURS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
Remedy: VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
09V257000 · Air Bags:frontal; Seat Belts:front
Jul 8, 2009
BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Seat Belts:front
BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.
Consequence: IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.
Consequence: IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.