2008 BMW 1 Series recalls and problems

The 2008 BMW 1 Series has 2 recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2008 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 12 1 Series model years — 2nd most.

2recalls

18complaints

1crashes

0fires

0injuries

82,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Seat Belts

Jun 10, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V254000 · 31,935 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Air Bags

Jul 8, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V257000 · 2,350 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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 text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2008 vs. other BMW 1 Series years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 BMW 1 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2008 BMW 1 Series, the latest from Jun 10, 2010 (seat belts). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 1 Series?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (6), exterior lighting (5), fuel system (3). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.