Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2008 BMW 135I Electrical system Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
8%of 51 total for the year
Median mileage
90,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 BMW 135I, 8% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2008 Bmw 135I and my blower motor stopped working as I was driving a few moment later and I started to hear spark and smelt burning wires so I immediately thought of the safety recall that is being done on the 3 series Bmw's I instantly turned off the climate control and fan speed and shut the car off I looked over and saw a little bit of smoke coming from under the passenger side so I went into the trunk and took the negative cable off the battery I then waited a few seconds and then took the kick plate off the passenger side to take a look at the blower motor and I find burnt broken wires…”

NHTSA complaint #11103045, filed 2018-06, 112,000 miles

“An electrical fire ignited under the passenger seat and passenger floorboard. Flames came out from under the passenger seat and floorboard. The driver sustained 3rd degree burns and was taken to the hospital skin grafts. The car was moving at the time of the fire.”

NHTSA complaint #11218082, filed 2019-06, 90,000 miles

“The plastic insulation on the headlight wiring has flaked off leaving the wires completely bare in some places. This has resulted in the loss of a drl, headlight ballast, and adaptive headlight motor. This is a well documented issue online, from Bmw owners of multiple years/series. In fact, there is already an NHTSA complaint on the exact same year and model as I have. This issue is dangerous in multiple ways. The loss of lighting at night could result in an accident, harming both the occupants and people nearby. The highly charged bare wiring could short, spark, and cause a fire. …”

NHTSA complaint #11194766, filed 2019-04, 90,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Bmw 135I. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine loss power with the illumination of the warning indicator. The vehicle restarted in the low power mode. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The computer software was updated and replacement of the fuel pump. The vehicle exhibited poor acceleration performance after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they informed that the vehicle experienced a turbo lag which was associated with the newly installed fuel pump. The failure continued to occur. …”

NHTSA complaint #10363583, filed 2010-11, 2,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012316%
2011726%
2010213%
2009414%
200848%

Other parts of the 2008 BMW 135I

Fuel system
18 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 135I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology