2008 BMW 128I
Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 18 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 18
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2008
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2008: 18 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 50 |
| 2012 | 31 |
| 2013 | 36 |
Known problem areas
Only 18 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Air bags
7 of 18 total reports mention: air bags.
Show complaint excerpts
Warning lights for seatbelt tensioner and airbag light illuminated on dash. Manual suggest that airbag and seatbelt tensioner may not operate correctly in a crash.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-02
Also filed under Seat belts
Seat belts
3 of 18 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing retractor.
Engine and engine cooling
2 of 18 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-03-07
Also filed under Firerelated
Electrical system
2 of 18 total reports mention: electrical system.
Structure
2 of 18 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing door and body.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2013-03-13Electrical system13V044000 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…
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…
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2016-11-01Air bags16V071000 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...
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.
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2018-06-18Engine and engine cooling17V683000 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.
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.
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2019-10-04Electrical system19V579000 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.
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.
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2020-03-11Air bags20V017000 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,...
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.
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2022-07-22Engine and engine cooling22V119000 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...
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2008 BMW 128I — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Seat belts: 3 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V044000 · Electrical system
- Recall 16V071000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V683000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 19V579000 · Electrical system
- Recall 20V017000 · Air bags
- Recall 22V119000 · Engine and engine cooling
FAQ
- Is the 2008 BMW 128I reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 128I?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 128I have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.