Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

51 reports

57,000 miles · Dec 7, 2012

Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL PUMP CONSISTENTLY TAKES LONGER AND LONGER TO START THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487706

52,090 miles · Aug 26, 2012

Engine

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MY ISSUE: ONE MORNING I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK. WHEN IDLING IT FELT A LITTLE ROUGH BUT STOPPED AFTER JUST A MINUTE OR TWO. THE NEXT DAY IT ALSO WAS ROUGH BUT ESCALATED TO A SHAKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE & THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT BOTH CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A EUROPEAN AUTO MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEIR CODE READER SAID THERE WERE TWO CYLINDERS MISFIRING. WHAT THEY TOLD ME IS THERE IS NO WAY AT 52K MILES THERE ARE BAD INJECTORS, IT MUST BE THE GAS STATION I HAD USED. THEY RECOMMENDED I RUN A TAKE OF GAS FROM A CHEVRON OR SHELL AND ALL SHOULD BE GOOD. THAT IS WHAT I DID. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER AT CHAPMAN BMW ON CAMELBACK IN PHOENIX. I LEFT MY CAR THERE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON (LUCKILY THERE ARE COURTESY VEHICLES), I GOT A CALL MONDAY FROM MY SERVICE ADVISOR. HE LET ME KNOW THAT I HAVE 4 BAD INJECTORS BUT RECOMMENDS TO REPLACE ALL 6 BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN AN UPDATED INJECTOR FOR THIS ENGINE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS PREVIOUSLY A RECALL FOR THE INJECTORS IN THIS ENGINE THAT INCLUDED ONLY SELECT CARS. MINE WAS APPARENTLY NOT ONE OF THEM. I WAS WITHOUT MY CAR FOR 5 DAYS AND I HAD TO PAY $2,106.10 TO REPLACE INJECTORS ON A CAR WITH ONLY 52 THOUSAND MILES. FROM WHAT I KNOW AND HAVE HEARD ABOUT BMW, THE INJECTORS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE UNTIL AT LEAST THE 100K MILE MARK. MY QUESTION IS, HOW IS IT ETHICAL FOR A COMPANY CAN MAKE A CUSTOMER PAY $2100 ON A REPAIR THAT THEY KNOW IS AN ISSUE? IF IT WASN'T AN ISSUE THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON SOME CARS. THE FACT THAT MY CAR IS ONLY 2 THOUSAND MILES OUT OF WARRANTY ADDS TO THE FRUSTRATION, CLEARLY, MINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472519

12,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 135I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE…

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NHTSA ODI #10467535

37,568 miles · Jul 13, 2012

Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL PUMP WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465605

45,000 miles · Jul 12, 2012

Engine

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TL* 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 THAT THERE WAS A WASTE GATE LEAK AND SOME VACUUM PUMPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10465404

42,000 miles · Jan 17, 2012

Wheels

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). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444279

9,800 miles · Aug 17, 2011

Exterior Lighting

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. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419907

2,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010

Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

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TL*THE 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 VEHICLE EXHIBITED POOR ACCELERATION PERFORMANCE AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TURBO LAG WHICH WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEWLY INSTALLED FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 01/13/11 *BF UPDATED 01/24/11

NHTSA ODI #10363583

25,000 miles · Oct 28, 2010

Wheels

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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW I35. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE CRACKING ON THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED; THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY DRIVER ERRORS AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE CONSUMER STATED BMW REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR RIMS ARE DEFECTIVE AND CRACK AS A RESULT OF NORMAL DRIVING, ESPECIALLY THEIR 18 INCH RIMS WHEN COUPLED WITH RUN-FLAT TIRES. BMW CLAIMED THE CRACKS MUST HAVE COME FROM THE DRIVER IMPACTING SOME OBJECT LIKE A POTHOLE, RATHER THAN A RESULT OF A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE RIM. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE RIMS WERE DESIGNED TOO WEAK TO TAKE THE IMPACT OF NORMAL ON-ROAD DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WAS EXACERBATED BY THE RUN-FLAT TIRES, WHICH WERE VERY HARD WITH STRONG SIDEWALLS RESULTING IN TOO MUCH OF THE NORMAL FORCE FROM SMALL SPEED BUMPS BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE RIM RATHER THAN ABSORBING SOME OF THE SHOCK IN THE TIRE. UPDATED 02/01/11. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10362746

24,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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 PRESSURE SENSO…

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NHTSA ODI #10353641

Official recalls

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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 degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

19V579000 · Electrical System:wiring

Aug 6, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: 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.

16V071000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Feb 7, 2013

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 breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical System

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

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 substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module