repaired · 2024 Q2
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
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.
2008 BMW 128iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2008 BMW 128i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-119 the manufacturer reports only 27% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 7, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 BMW 128i has problems
18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
7Air bags
3Seat belts
2Structure
2Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
2Electrical system
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
1Engine
1Exterior lighting
22 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2008 BMW 128i recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q1
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
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.
Show 2 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
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…
no report yet
Electrical system
Risk. If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other 128i year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 128i median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 BMW 128i, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What 128i owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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…
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY SPECIFIC INCIDENT REGARDING THE RECALL- HOWEVER, AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, BMW HAS MISSED THE DEADLINE SET BY THE NHTSA TO AMASS PARTS FOR AND REPAIR AFFECTED VEHICLES LIKE MINE. I OWN A 2008 BMW 128I. I CURRENTLY LIVE IN FLORIDA (A VERY HUMID STATE) AND THE VEHICLE HAS…
Own a 2008 128i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.