2008 BMW 135I Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe high-pressure fuel pump failures, which often show up as long cranking or rough starts before a sudden stall or loss of power. Where mileage is stated, most fuel pump reports are under about 50,000 miles, and Takata airbag recall repair delays, in which owners say replacement parts were unavailable, are also common and are usually filed without mileage. Airbag warning lights and cracked alloy wheels appear in smaller groups of complaints.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   High-pressure fuel pump failures

   • 20 complaints (39%)
   • median 25,150 mi at 2.9 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2023

   Owners describe the high-pressure fuel pump failing, often after long cranking or rough starts, and in some cases the engine stopped while driving. Many complaints say the fuel pump was replaced, sometimes more than once, and some say the problem came back after replacement. Some complaints say the dealer would not replace the pump until a fault code was stored or the pump fully failed, and an owner was told the start delay was normal. Where mileage is stated, most are under about 50,000 miles, though some are much higher, and many were filed in 2009 and 2010.

   What to check: Ask whether the high-pressure fuel pump has been replaced and whether the service record shows repeat fuel pump repairs. On a test drive, check for long cranking before the engine starts and for rough idle or reduced power under acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was going approx. 65mph in 5th gear in my 2008 Bmw 135I coupe when the car stuttered and I got a service engine soon light. Brought my car to Bmw service and my service advisor told me that I have an issue with my fuel pump and it needs to be replaced. The car only has around 5000 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10247921, filed 2008-11, 5,800 miles

   “Vehicle is a Bmw 135I, model year 2008, convertible. Car suffers sudden and complete loss of power at high speed and often during high-traffic, rush- hour speeds on moderate incline sometimes with minimal safe shoulder and median. This the 6th incident over the last year and a half. Bmw of san diego replaced fuel pressure sensor and multiple high-pressure fuel pumps. We have barely avoided multiple accidents. We are scared to drive our car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10353641, filed 2010-09, 24,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Sudden stalling or loss of power while driving

   • 15 complaints (29%)
   • median 26,300 mi at 2.9 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2019

   Owners describe the engine losing power suddenly, shuddering, or stalling while driving, often at higher road speeds, and in some cases the car had to be towed. Most of these complaints are linked to fuel pump or other fuel-system faults, though some describe a water pump failure that led to overheating and a stall, or a wastegate leak. The dealer findings ranged from pump replacement to software updates, and the failure sometimes returned after repair. Where mileage is stated, these reports range from about 500 miles to about 105,000 miles, and many happened at higher road speeds.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump and fuel-system warnings have been checked and whether any stored fault codes are recorded in the service history. On a test drive, watch the dashboard for reduced-power or engine warning messages and note any hesitation under acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down the highway and the water pump went out. The car overheated and the warning light came on telling me to turn the car off. Before I was able to pull over to the shoulder the car stalled and I was unable to propel it forward any longer. I pulled over and had to get it towed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10730810, filed 2015-06, 52,867 miles

   “While driving on a busy, 45-MPH road, my car lost power suddenly and began to shudder when I applied the gas pedal. I was losing speed and unable to accelerate. I had no choice but to put on my hazard lights, and pull into the nearest parking lot I could find. After researching the problem, along with scanning the car for any error codes, I discovered that the high pressure fuel pump (hpfp) had failed and needed replacement. Oddly enough, this was the 3rd hpfp that has failed on this car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10345188, filed 2010-07, 45,150 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Takata airbag recall repair parts unavailable

   • 11 complaints (22%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2022

   Owners describe receiving a Takata airbag recall notice but being unable to get the repair part, in some cases more than a year after notice. Some say the manufacturer took longer than a reasonable time for the repair, and the dealer confirmed that parts were not available. Some complaints describe a loaner offer with restrictive terms, and an owner said the car could not be sold while the recall remained open. Mileage is not stated in most of these complaints, which were filed in 2016 and 2017, and where it is given it is about 67,500 miles.

   Recall 16V0710002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the Takata driver airbag recall for this campaign has been completed, and check the open recall status by VIN before buying. Ask the dealer for written proof of the completed repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall Bmw has stonewalled me! They say I can have a loaner. Wonderful, except it's not a Bmw since all late model bmws have been recalled. I can't sell my car because no one would want it pending a recall that has not been addressed by Bmw or takata. When I inquired about the recall loaner agreement, I was told I would need to sign an agreement for a 2-3 year rental and not drive my car except for a weekly startup and back and forth in the driveway to be sure the battery was good. I am now looking into a class action suit. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10871091, filed 2016-05, 67,500 miles

   “Takata recall. I received notification from Bmw in march 2016 concerning the need to replace the driver's side airbag on our car. To date, I have not heard from Bmw. I recently sent an email to their customer relations. I have not heard back from them. I think that nearly a year to replace this airbag is unreasonable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10949846, filed 2017-02
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and occupant sensor faults

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 44,100 mi at 8.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2022

   Owners describe the airbag or seat belt warning light staying on or coming back, sometimes from the start of a drive. Dealer findings in these complaints include a loose contact in the airbag circuit, a passenger occupancy sensor mat, and a seat belt or airbag module that needed repair. Some say the warning returned after a repair, and the dealer was reported to have said a further module repair was needed. Where mileage is given, these complaints mention about 35,000 to 50,000 miles, and some describe the light returning after repairs.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to scan the airbag and seat belt systems for stored codes, and confirm that the passenger occupancy sensor and seat belt modules were checked. Before buying, check that the airbag warning light is off at startup and stays off during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle is a low mileage (36k) well maintained car. My local dealer replaced the driver air bag under a recall june 29, 2020. Shortly after within 250 miles/2 months a srs/air bag system fault/warning started happening. It was diagnosed as a faulty pass occupancy sensor that they want $3600 to replace. Unfair, there have been several pass occupancy sensor recalls for other models of the same vintage (2006-2008). This should be covered under the 15 yr extended limited warranty offered to other Bmw model owners.”

   NHTSA complaint #11353369, filed 2020-09, 35,100 miles

   “Seat belts/airbag lights keep coming on. They have replaced the harness in the seat, belt buckle, reset the light and now they say the seat belt module now has to be fixed. I believe this is from the recall that has not been done on the car which is the airbag module. The light came on when you sat in the seat or just driving along”

   NHTSA complaint #10991133, filed 2017-05, 50,000 miles
5. 5
   Wheels

   Cracked alloy wheels

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 42,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2015

   Owners describe alloy wheels cracking, sometimes along the inside edge or around the circumference, with tire pressure loss in some cases. According to complaints, the dealer said the wheels needed replacement or attributed the damage to driver error, and warranty coverage was declined based on the vehicle age. An owner reports having to buy aftermarket rims that do not fit fully, and wanting to keep the original set with a replaced rim. Where mileage is given, these complaints mention about 25,000 to 58,000 miles, and the cracks are often described at the rear wheels.

   What to check: Inspect the wheels for cracks on the inside edge and at the rear, and check for slow tire pressure loss before buying. Ask whether any wheel or tire-pressure repairs were done under warranty or are recorded in the service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear right wheel was cracked at 5 places around the circumference and lost tire pressure, discovered by costco tire center in everett washington when brought it in, in august 2014, thinking that the tire got a nail. Bmw seattle declined to cover the tire by warranty stating that I bought in 2009 and it is above 5 years so no warranty on it, I had to buy the after market set of rims (vmr model 701) that does not fit totally with the car and would like to revert to use the original set with a replaced rear right rim. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10759946, filed 2015-08, 58,000 miles

   “-the contact owns a 2008 Bmw i35. The contact stated that the rear wheels were cracking on the inside. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer because the tire indicator light illuminated; the dealer stated that the problem was caused by driver errors and was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was approximately 25,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10362746, filed 2010-10, 25,000 miles

Buying note. For a used 2008 135i, ask for proof that the Takata airbag recall repair and any fuel pump work have been completed, and check the open recall status by VIN. During a test drive, check for long cranking, rough idle, reduced-power warnings, and any airbag or seat belt warning lights.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 42 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.