YearToAvoid

2008 BMW 135i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2008 BMW 135i ranks worst among 7 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 51 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Fuel system problems, mostly failing high-pressure fuel pumps, account for 35% of complaints, and NHTSA lists 4 recalls including two Takata airbag campaigns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 7 135i years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
51
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
3
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2008 BMW 135i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System18 (35%)
  2. Airbags13 (25%)
  3. Electrical System8 (16%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (14%)
  5. Engine6 (12%)
  6. Seat Belts2 (4%)
  7. Brakes1 (2%)
  8. Other1 (2%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (2%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe long engine cranks and hesitation to start, often blamed on a failing high-pressure fuel pump on the N54 turbo engine.
  • Drivers report a sudden 'engine malfunction, reduce power' warning followed by sputtering, shaking, and loss of power at speed.
  • Some vehicles died completely while driving, with the engine failing to restart after multiple attempts before towing to a dealer.
  • Owners of Takata-recalled cars report airbags that failed to deploy during rear-end collisions, resulting in injuries.
  • One owner reported an electrical fire igniting under the passenger seat and floorboard while the car was moving, causing burn injuries.
  • Run-flat tires reportedly developed tread bubbles and needed replacement well before expected wear limits.
2008 BMW 135i complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2008Mar 2010Nov 2010Feb 2013Nov 2015Jul 2017Jun 2019Jan 2026
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2008 to Jan 2026; peak May 2017 (4).

2008 BMW 135i recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  2. NHTSA 19V579000Aug 6, 2019Electrical System41,981 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.

  3. NHTSA 16V071000Feb 5, 2016Airbags840,000 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 BMW 135i →

2008 BMW 135i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,000
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other 135i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002007200820092010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007No verdict010—
2008Avoid10051420
2009Caution6729420
2010Caution5015420

All BMW 135i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 BMW 135i reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 135i ranks worst of the 7 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 51 complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other 135i years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2008 BMW 135i?
Fuel system issues are the top problem area, making up 35% of complaints (18 of 51), with a median failure mileage of 21,000 miles, mostly tied to high-pressure fuel pump failures.
Does the 2008 BMW 135i have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 135i, covering airbags (two separate campaigns, including a Takata inflator recall) and electrical wiring issues in the blower-regulator harness and battery cable connector.
Which BMW 135i model year is the safest to buy?
Among the 135i years listed, 2013 has the lowest complaint index at 17 and a Best verdict, while 2012 also earns a Good verdict with an index of 33.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.