Recall 19V579 affects 41,981 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, and 135is vehicles for an overheating blower-regulator wiring harness. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 41,981 2008-2012 128i, 135i, and 135is Coupes and Convertibles under recall 19V579 because wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator harness can overheat. Melted connectors raise the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is parked and unattended, and BMW dealers will repair the wiring free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The blower-regulator wiring harness on these BMW 1 Series cars is the bundle of wires and plug-in connectors that carries electrical current to the blower regulator, the part that controls fan speed for the heating and air conditioning system. Every time the fan runs, current flows through those connectors. The connection has to stay tight and clean to handle the load safely.
On the affected cars, the connectors at the ends of the harness are coated with tin instead of silver. Tin-coated contacts are prone to fretting corrosion, a form of wear that builds up where two metal surfaces rub under heat and vibration. As that corrosion grows, electrical resistance rises at the connection, and the connector and surrounding wiring can overheat. In some cases the heat is enough to melt the plastic housing.
The first warning sign is often the heating or air conditioning system suddenly stopping. Some owners also notice smoke or a plastic burning odor inside the cabin.
Who's affected?
Covers three 1 Series variants (128i, 135i, 135is) across five model years, all built between November 2007 and September 2011 with the same wiring defect.
| 2011 BMW 135I | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2009 BMW 135I | wiring |
| 2012 BMW 135I | wiring |
| 2008 BMW 128I | wiring |
| 2010 BMW 128I | wiring |
| 2011 BMW 128I | wiring |
| 2012 BMW 128I | wiring |
| 2009 BMW 135IS | wiring |
| 2008 BMW 135IS | wiring |
| 2008 BMW 135I | wiring |
| 2011 BMW 135IS | wiring |
| 2012 BMW 135IS | wiring |
| 2009 BMW 128I | wiring |
| 2010 BMW 135I | wiring |
| 2010 BMW 135IS | wiring |
| Units affected | 41,981 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Overheated wiring can melt the electrical connectors and start a fire, even when the vehicle is parked and unattended. Before failure, the heating or air conditioning system stops working, and smoke or a plastic-burning smell appears inside the cabin. Treat any of those signs as a reason to stop driving and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, or 135is is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised BMW dealer to schedule the blower-regulator wiring harness inspection and replacement that fixes the overheating wiring.
- Reference recall number 19V579 when you call so the service desk pulls the correct campaign.
- Park the vehicle outside and away from structures until the repair is complete, since the wiring can overheat even when the vehicle is unattended.
- Call BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 with questions about the free repair or to locate a participating dealer.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the blower-regulator wiring harness and replaces it with a new part. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you have already paid out of pocket to replace the blower-regulator wiring harness before the recall notice, BMW's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair receipts to the service desk when you arrive, or contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 to confirm what documentation is needed before your appointment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 6, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 6, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| August 6, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 27, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| September 27, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 4, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V579?
Recall 19V579 covers 41,981 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, and 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertibles with a blower-regulator wiring harness that can overheat. The wiring and electrical connectors can melt, increasing the risk of a fire even when the vehicle is parked and unattended. This recall expands an earlier 2017 recall, 17V676.
What should I do if my 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, or 135is is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V579. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule a blower-regulator wiring harness inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 19V579 when you call. The repair is free. You can also reach BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to the owner. BMW dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness and replace it with a new part free of charge at any franchised BMW dealer, regardless of where the vehicle was originally purchased.
What if I bought my BMW 128i, 135i, or 135is used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If BMW never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V579, and reference that recall number when you call a franchised BMW dealer.
Is it safe to drive my BMW while I wait for the repair?
BMW has not issued a do-not-drive warning for recall 19V579. The fire risk exists even when the vehicle is parked and unattended, so schedule the free wiring harness replacement at a franchised BMW dealer as soon as possible. Contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 if you have questions about driving in the meantime.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V579000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V579 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V579000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →