PROBLEM GUIDE
Here's what owners are experiencing, based on our research of real owner reports and repair data.
Last updated February 2026
2008–2013
Model years affected
$2,700 – $3,300
Typical repair cost, by problem
Click a problem for the full write-up — symptoms, what we found, and typical repair costs where we have them.
Tell us what's happening and get a preliminary diagnosis, typical cost range, and trusted shops near you.
Answer a few questions and get a preliminary read plus shops near you.
Start my diagnosis →Glass explodes while driving
Check engine light: Off
The sunroof reportedly exploded spontaneously while driving at freeway speed. Similar sunroof shattering is reported on vehicles from several manufacturers.
Sudden loss of power, including at highway speed
Check engine light: On
The engine reportedly died at 70 mph during a highway overtaking maneuver due to fuel pump failure. Multiple owners separately report repeated fuel pump failures, with 2-4 replacements over a vehicle's lifetime.
A burning odor, which NHTSA treats as a fire indicator
Check engine light: On
One complaint specifically flags an abnormal burning odor occurring during a recall wait period, which NHTSA's own database flags as a fire indicator.
Full housing replacement needed, with wiring insulation degradation
Check engine light: Off
Approximately 15 complaints describe LED tail lights failing prematurely, requiring full housing replacement, alongside wiring insulation degrading to expose copper wires.
This generation has a confirmed Takata airbag recall plus a related occupant detection sensor recall. Enter your VIN to get the confirmed, current recall picture for your specific car.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and is not a diagnosis. It is compiled from aggregated owner-reported data and publicly available sources, not from an inspection of your vehicle. Symptoms described here can have multiple causes, and the presence of a commonly reported problem does not mean your vehicle has it. Repair cost ranges are estimates that vary by region, shop, vehicle condition, and parts availability. Recall and service campaign information may be incomplete or out of date — verify current recall status with NHTSA or your manufacturer. MyGearGuru is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any vehicle manufacturer; manufacturer and model names are used for identification only. Always consult a qualified technician before making repair decisions.
This generation's sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving at freeway speed in one documented case. Sunroof shattering is reported on several BMW models and on vehicles from other manufacturers. Separately, the engine reportedly died at 70 mph during a highway overtaking maneuver due to high-pressure fuel pump failure, with multiple owners reporting repeated pump failures over the vehicle's life. Fire-related complaints appear on several BMW models. One complaint here flags an abnormal burning odor during a recall wait period, which NHTSA's own database flags as a fire indicator.