Model year
2008 BMW 1 Series
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 18 complaints for the 2008 BMW 1 Series (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 13 recalls and 69 complaints under 128I, 135I, 135IS, and 1 SERIES M. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (6), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (5), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,750–$4,100, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2008 18 complaints
- 2009 18 complaints
- 2010 8 complaints
- 2011 33 complaints
- 2012 0 complaints
- 2013 51 complaints
Recalls
10V254000 · Jun 10, 2010
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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.
09V257000 · Jul 8, 2009
SEAT BELTS:FRONT; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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…
Complaints
18 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 128I | 6 | 18 |
| 135I | 4 | 51 |
| 135IS | 1 | 0 |
| 1 SERIES M | 2 | 0 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128i · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 28 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 128i · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 128i Convertible · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 28 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 128i Convertible · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 135i · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 135i · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 135i Convertible · 3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 135i Convertible · 3L · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2008 BMW 1 Series at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.