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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 22V119000 (Engine And Engine Cooling) and related the failure to the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The worst 2008 BMW 128I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags7
- Engine3
- Seat belts3
- Body2
- Electrical2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags7
- Engine3
- Seat belts3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Visibility2
- Lights1
- Locks1
Recalls 6
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Remedy
- This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 22V119000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V017000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 19V579000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V683000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 16V071000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 [email protected].
Recall number 13V044000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 2008 BMW 128I
Defect investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 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 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 BMW 128I 98
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal...
- Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been...
- Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The ?Service Engine Soon?...
- Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon"...
- Cic
- Outside Door Mirror Moves when Locking or Unlocking the Vehicle
- Wear Marks on the C-pillar Area of the Soft Top Canvas
- Convertible Top Does Not Open Properly
- Erroneous CC Message "Remote control! Do not switch off the engine" is Displayed
2008 BMW 128I fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18-19 | 27-28 | 21-22 |
What 2008 BMW 128I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V564000 (Air Bags), 17V428000 (Air Bags), and 17V605000 (Air Bags). However, these the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. While driving approximately 5 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle stalled and the "service engine soon" message appeared. The contact turned the vehicle off and attempted to restart the engine. A plastic burning odor permeated through the vents and smoke emerged from the engine compartment. After some time, the contact was finally able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer (athens bmw, 3040 atlanta highway athens, georgia 30606). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pcv heater had a short circuit. The contact stated that she received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available. *tt - (recall related incident) ts the consumer stated the bmw falsely stated that the consumer's pcv valve was ok but the consumer stated it wasn't.
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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 bmw 128i. The contact received 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 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.
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.
Compare the 2008 BMW 128I
Other model years
Questions about the 2008 BMW 128I
Is the 2008 BMW 128I reliable?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2008 BMW 128I, fewer than a typical 128I model year.
What is the 2008 BMW 128I year score?
The 2008 BMW 128I scores 76 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 128I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 BMW 128I?
Airbags, with 7 complaints. Next is engine (3).
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 128I have?
6 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, air bags and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW 128I airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V017000, 16V071000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 128I have bad airbags?
The BMW 128I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2013 (24 complaints), 2012 (23 complaints) and 2011 (15 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW 128I get?
Official estimates for the 2008 BMW 128I range from 21 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 18-19 city and 27-28 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2008 BMW 128I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history