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2008 BMW 1 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

What owners actually said

18 reports
140,000 miles · May 1, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

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 P…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11205112

145,000 miles · Mar 30, 2019
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

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.

NHTSA ODI #11192692

93,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

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.

NHTSA ODI #11150285

113,000 miles · Mar 22, 2018
Air BagsSeats

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 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.

NHTSA ODI #11080886

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2017
Exterior Lighting

"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 HAPPEN…

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"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.

NHTSA ODI #10985925

82,000 miles · Feb 1, 2017
Electrical System

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.

NHTSA ODI #10948849

60,000 miles · Jan 20, 2017
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10946617

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2016
Air Bags

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.

NHTSA ODI #10926094

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2016
Air Bags

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

NHTSA ODI #10914061

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2016
Air Bags

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.

NHTSA ODI #10899462

Official recalls

2

10V254000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.