Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
Remedy: VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Seat belts: front
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.
Show 7 Canadian recalls
Engine
2022-03-02 · campaign 2022-095
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 circuit and overheat.
Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair.
Safety Risk:
An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.
Electrical
2019-08-07 · campaign 2019-384
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the connector for the blower motor regulator may corrode. If this happens, the wiring could overheat and melt. Potential warnings include a blower motor that does not work, a burning smell, or smoke in the cabin.
Safety Risk:
Wiring that overheats could create a risk of a fire.
Corrective Actions:
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the blower regulator wiring harness. Other components will be inspected for damage, and replaced as necessary.
Engine
2017-09-28 · campaign 2017-470
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 this occurs, the surrounding plastics could overheat, melt and potentially cause a fire, which could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater.
Airbag
2016-03-31 · campaign 2016-142
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the front driver air bag inflator or air bag module, depending on the vehicle model.
Electrical
2013-02-07 · campaign 2013-048
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 electrical system, resulting in engine stalling, loss of vehicle propulsion and a loss of function of various vehicle systems, such as lights. A loss of vehicle propulsion and electrical vehicle systems, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver’s reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector with an updated version.
Seats and restraints
2010-06-10 · campaign 2010-196
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-tensioner. This could result in additional property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the front upper seatbelt and repair the "B" pillar sound insulation on both driver and passenger sides.
Airbag
2009-07-08 · campaign 2009-205 · 160 vehicles
On certain vehicles, incorrect crimp connectors may have been used during vehicle assembly on the side airbag and belt tensioner wiring. As a result, sufficient contact between the crimp connectors and the corresponding plug may not occur. As such, the airbag and/or seatbelt tensioner may not deploy during a vehicle crash where deployment would be warranted, which could increase the risk of personal injury or death to front seat occupants. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the wiring harness for the front side airbags and seatbelt tensioners.
Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 1 Series (1 crashes reported). Among 12 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 5).
EPA ratings for each 2008 BMW 1 Series version.