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2008 BMW 1 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2008 BMW 1 Series is airbags. It has 3.6 times the complaints of a typical 1 Series model year.

Typical year3.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
18
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
54
Worst area
Airbags

The worst 2008 BMW 1 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    6
  • Lights
    5
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Electrical
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    6
  • Lights
    5
  • Fuel system
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

Seat belts: front: retractorReported June 10, 2010 · 31,935 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 10V254000 · Recall details

Seat belts: frontReported July 8, 2009 · 2,350 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 09V257000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2008 BMW 1 Series

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 BMW 1 Series 54

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 54 bulletins for the 2008 BMW 1 Series

What 2008 BMW 1 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 1, 2019 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 30, 2019 · Airbags, Seat belts · 145,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Nov 9, 2018 · Fuel system · 93,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Mar 22, 2018 · Airbags, Seats · 113,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 16, 2017 · Lights · NY

"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.

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Lights · 60,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Airbags · TN

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.

Filed Oct 5, 2016 · Airbags · NV

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 federal safety agency 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).

Filed Aug 30, 2016 · Airbags · GA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 bmw 1. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Compare the 2008 BMW 1 Series

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Questions about the 2008 BMW 1 Series

Is the 2008 BMW 1 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2008 BMW 1 Series, 3.6 times a typical 1 Series model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW 1 Series?

Airbags, with 6 complaints. Next is lights (5).

How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 1 Series have?

2 recalls, covering seat belts.

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