Headlights problems of the 2008 BMW 135

Two problems related to headlights have been reported for the 2008 BMW 135. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 04/08/2019

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. The continued destruction of headlight bulbs, motors, etc is harmful to the consumers and economy as those parts can be very expensive.

2 Headlights problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2016

After hitting road pothole adaptive headlight warning light on dash illuminated. Placement of complete headlamp assembly quoted at over $2100 plus tax. Dealer repaired headlamp mechanism more than once for about $700 each time but problem with water intrusion resulting in adaptive headlamp warning light occurred after car went through automated car wash (each time after repair it only took one wash to set off the warning). Mechanism clearly is affected by water intrusion. Good thing is headlamp still works and car runs fine. Bad thing is that proper repair is exorbitant and adaptive headlamp warning lamp is blocking other key display information -- time, temperature, radio station info, status of bluetooth. Very annoying and dealer says there's nothing that can be done without repairing the headlight. I feel like I am almost being forced to make the repair simply to restore vehicle dashboard information. Again, headlamp works, just not the adaptive mechanism. I wanted error "coded out" but dealer refused saying it must be repaired.


Other Exterior Lighting related problems of the 2008 BMW 135



135 Service Bulletins
135 Defect Investigations