The 2008 BMW 135i has 3 recalls, the most serious being a defective driver's frontal airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the driver or passengers.
The airbag inflator issue is a Takata-related defect that prior repair campaigns did not fully resolve for all affected vehicles, which is why it appears across more than one recall filing. The real-world danger is the same in each case: in a crash that triggers the driver's airbag, the inflator can explode rather than deploy cleanly, turning its metal casing into shrapnel inside the vehicle. Separately from the airbag concern, the blower-regulator wiring harness can overheat and melt its electrical connectors, raising the risk of a fire even when the car is parked and unattended.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the blower-regulator wiring harness with a new part at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module or inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
