The contact owns a 2008 BMW 135I. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the passenger occupancy sensor mat to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V428000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,850.
2008 BMW 135I airbags problems
13 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 48,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 48,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Sensor: occupant classification1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
BMW 135I airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 BMW 135I airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
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
Related 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
What 2008 BMW 135I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My vehicle is a low mileage (36k) well maintained car. My local dealer replaced the driver air bag under a recall june 29, 2020. Shortly after within 250 miles/2 months a SRS/air bag system fault/warning started happening. It was diagnosed as a faulty pass occupancy sensor that they want $3600 to replace. Unfair, there have been several pass occupancy sensor recalls for other models of the same vintage (2006-2008). This should be covered under the 15 yr extended limited warranty offered to other bmw model owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw i35i. The contact stated that while at a stop light, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained knee and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was drivable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was repaired of the accident damage, then later was taken to momentum bmw dealer, located on 10002 southwest fwy, houston, tx 77074, phone: (855) 645-6452, where the vehicle was diagnosed of a faulty air bag and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted and made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 bmw 135i. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer (bmw of alexandria, 499 s. Pickett street, alexandria, va 22304) was contacted 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Takata recall. Disable & enable air bag system 2 scan SRS, drivers side during accident part type 72 12 6 981 121
Seat belts/airbag lights keep coming on. They have replaced the harness in the seat, belt buckle, reset the light and now they say the seat belt module now has to be fixed. I believe this is from the recall that has not been done on the car which is the airbag module. The light came on when you sat in the seat or just driving along
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 135i. 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Bmw issued a recall notification in march 2016 for driver's front air bag module. As of may 15, 2017, 14 months later, bmw dealer reports no parts have been made available to any dealers in north america to be able to make the repair, and no information on when parts are expected to be available.
Takata recall. I received notification from bmw in march 2016 concerning the need to replace the driver's side airbag on our car. To date, I have not heard from bmw. I recently sent an email to their customer relations. I have not heard back from them. I think that nearly a year to replace this airbag is unreasonable.
Takata recall notified by bmw in march 2016 but still not repaired.
Questions about the 2008 BMW 135I airbags
Does the 2008 BMW 135I have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 BMW 135I, 25% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 BMW 135I airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 48,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 BMW 135I airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V017000, 16V071000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Other 2008 BMW 135I problems
Fuel system 18Engine 5Lights 5Wheels 5Electrical 4Seat belts 2Acceleration 1Body 1Brakes 1Suspension 1Tires 1Transmission 1
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