Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 1 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags6
- Exterior lighting5
- Seats3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Electrical system2
- Engine2
- Steering1
- Seat belts1
- Power train1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2008 BMW 1 Series cars on Dutch roads are the 1.6 petrol (90 kW, 121 hp), 2.0 petrol (105 kW, 141 hp) and 2.0 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp), out of 12 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 petrol | 90 kW 121 hp | 1,840 |
| 2.0 petrol | 105 kW 141 hp | 1,479 |
| 2.0 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 434 |
| 3.0 petrol | 160 kW 215 hp | 175 |
| 2.0 diesel | 100 kW 134 hp | 99 |
| 3.0 petrol | 225 kW 302 hp | 80 |
| 2.0 diesel | 105 kW 141 hp | 79 |
| 2.0 diesel | 130 kW 174 hp | 74 |
| 1.6 petrol | 85 kW 114 hp | 54 |
| 2.0 diesel | 150 kW 201 hp | 47 |
| 3.0 petrol | 195 kW 261 hp | 46 |
| 1.6 petrol | 89 kW 119 hp | 22 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
4,474 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 54% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €32,066.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde2,280
- Band onvoldoende profiel1,450
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar1,357
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen1,279
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld1,148
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm997
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont669
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage621
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
11,312 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 2,990 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 17,674 of these cars first registered in 2008 took their annual MOT test. 66% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2008 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.2% | 19.8% |
| Suspension | 0.9% | 17.2% |
| Brakes | 0.8% | 11.3% |
| Tyres | 0.8% | 7.6% |
| Visibility | 0.7% | 6.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.5% | 6.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
696 of these cars first registered in 2008 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 229,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,486 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 85% arrived as used imports, 13% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 BMW 1 Series.
| 2022095 2 Mar 2022 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short … |
| 2019384 7 Aug 2019 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the connector for the blower motor regulator may corrode. If this happens, the wiring could overheat and melt. Potential warnings … |
| 2017470 28 Sept 2017 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If thi… |
| 2016142 31 Mar 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2013048 7 Feb 2013 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This could interrupt the vehicle’s ele… |
| 2010196 10 Jun 2010 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the sound insulation in the "B" pillar (around the seatbelt pre-tensioner) may ignite during a crash severe enough to deploy the pre-tensio… |
| 2009205 8 Jul 2009 | Airbag On certain vehicles, incorrect crimp connectors may have been used during vehicle assembly on the side airbag and belt tensioner wiring. As a result, sufficien… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2008 BMW 1 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10240305 | Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471 |
| 10240273 | This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports. |
| 10240266 | SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching SPL's aftermarket lower control arms, recurring inspection and confirmation of torque setting and removal and replacement of damaged or under torqued fasteners to reduce risk of premature failure and accident. SB-23-01 was mailed, emailed and posted on SPL website to known resellers, race teams and users of the affected parts and is b |
| 10182619 | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root caus |
| 10056099 | BMW: WHEN USING IPHONE, VARIOUS CONNECTIVITY FAILURES OCCUR, SUCH AS DISCONNECTION OF CALL, LIST OF CONTACTS INCOMPLETE, DUE TO THE VARIANTS AND SOFTWARE USED. MODEL 2008-2014. |
| 10053585 | BMW: OIL LEAKS FROM THE AIR HOSE ON TURBOCHARGER. THIS IS DESIGNATED FOR E70, AND E90 MODELS WITH M57Y DIESEL ENGINES. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP MAY BE ILLUMINATED. *KB |
| 10052013 | BMW: REPLACEMENT OF THE OC3 SENSOR SEAT MAT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. MODELS E82, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93. MODEL YEARS UNKNOWN. *KB UPDATED 12/6/13. *PE |
| 10052012 | BMW: BATTERY HAS AN INCREASED DEMAND DUE TO DEVELOPEMENTAL PROCESS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTER TO NEED TO UNDERGO AN ENERGY DIAGNOSIS. *KB |
| 10051899 | INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY IS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE. BMW F25, AND F30 MODELS. *KB |
| 10051898 | INSTRUMENT PANEL AND GUAGES ARE INOPERATIVE. BMW MODEL F30. *KB |
| 10051897 | DURING THE SCHEDULED 3 MONTH/ 5,000 MILE SERVICE IT COULD POSSIBLY BE DETERMINED THAT SOME OF THE CONTACT PROTECTIVE SLEEVE S IN THE CHARGING SOCKET MAY BE MISSING. BMW MODEL E28E. *KB |
| 10051892 | ASC (AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL) OPERATION TO SENSITIVE. CRUISE CONTROL ACTION FUNCTION CAN OCCASIONALLY ACTIVATE AND DEACTIVATE DUE TO THE ASC IMPLAUSABILITY WHEN THE DSC WARNING LAMP IS FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. BMW. *KB |
| 10046899 | BMW: INFORMATION ON MAINTENANCE TO E MOTOR GREASING WHERE THE EME/E MOTOR ASSEMBLY IS REMOVED. THE CABLES, EME HIGH VOLTAGE, SHOULD BE REINSTALLED IN ORIGINAL FACTORY POSITION TO AVOID CONTACT WITH EXPOSED FASTENERS IN REAR RIGHT WHEEL HOUSING AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO INSULATION. MODEL E82E (1SERIES). NO MODEL YEAR LISTED. *PE |
| 10046721 | BMW: REINSTALL THE EPS HARNESS IN CORRECTLY, FACTORY POSITION, AFTER REPLACING EPS STEERING RACK. IF ROUTED INCORRECTLY, MAY CONTACT SUBFRAME MEMBER AND DAMAGE HARNESS INSULATION. MODEL E82E (1 SERIES). NO MODEL YEAR LISTED. *PE |
| 10045285 | BMW: WATER PENETRATES THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO OPENINGS IN SERVICE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL WITH INSUFFICIENT SEALING, CAUSING CARPET TO BE WET IN CENTER TUNNEL AREA. *PE |
| 10045283 | BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. *KB UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE |
| 10045281 | BMW: PARKING LOCK ADAPTION NEEDS TO BE RELEARNED, VIA SERVICE FUNCTIONS OF ISTA ACTIVEE, AFTER EME, TRANSMISSION/PARKING LOCK REPLACEMENT OF ACTUATOR. *PE |
| 10045279 | BMW: A FAILURE OF THE TURBOCHARGER WASTEGATES, CAUSED BY A DEFECT, HAS AN EMISSIONS EXTENDED WARRANTY, 8 YEARS OR 82,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST, NOT OTHERWISE FALLING WITHIN COVERAGE EXCLUSION. *PE |
| 10042686 | BMW: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE JBE (JUNCTION BOX ELECTRONICS) MODULE FAILS PROGRAMMING DURING A SOFTWARE UPDATE OF THE VEHICLE. *PE |
| 10042684 | BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS AN INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT MAY FAIL AND CAUSING DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS ERRATIC ENGINE OPERATION AND LONGER STARTING TIMES. *PE |
| 10041407 | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON AND THE ENGINE HAS REDUCED POWER WITH TROUBLE CODES STORED. *RM UPDATED ON 4/24/2013. *KB |
| 10041277 | BMW: THE DOOR CANNOT BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WHEN USING THE KEY OR KEY REMOTE. LUBRICATION OF THE DOOR CAN CAUSE DEFECTS. *RM |
| 10041276 | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON WITH A FAULT CODE STORED. INTERNAL DMTL PUMP FAILURE.*RM |
| 10040854 | BMW: THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS AND THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM FAILS TO OPERATE WITH THE REMOTE KEY. THE KEY CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO THE KEY SLOT. COMMUNICATION TO THE VEHICLE IS NOT POSSIBLE. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION AT THE FRONT POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX LOSES CONNECTION. *RM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)