2008 BMW 3 Series

Routine

Owners filed 68 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

51 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,00050,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System15
030
Engine12
000
Air Bags10
000
Engine and Engine Cooling4
000
Wheels3
000
Tires3
000
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline2
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)22V119000
Filed Mar 2, 2022917,106 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Risk. An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan12E029000
Filed Aug 10, 2012585 vehiclesValeo

Defect. This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Risk. This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.

Remedy. Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.

Seat Belts › Front09V257000
Filed Jul 8, 20092,350 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. 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. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jun 14, 2019140,000 milesNY

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 80 AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN, WAS UNABLE TO STEER, LEFT ME AND MY 9 YEAR OLD STRANDED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES UNTILL IT STARTED BACK UP, EVERYDAY EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT NO MATTER WHAT THE SPEED IT SHUTS DOWN AND HAVE TO PRAY THAT I DON'T GET HIT BY A CAR OR AM ABLE TO GLIDE TO SAFETY, VERY UNSAFE NOT KNOWING WHEN THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME, TOOK TO MECHANIC THERE WERE NO CODES NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING, THEREFORE COULDN'T BE FIXED, SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH CAR, CAR ONLY STARTED DOING THIS FROM APRIL 2019 TO PRESENT,IT DOESN'T MATTER IF I'M ON HIGHWAY, STREET, STOPPED HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED, LIKE I SAID I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.IM GOING TO GET KILLED ONE OF THESE DAYS OR SERIOUSLY INJURED

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 3, 201942,000 milesWI

MY 2008 BMW 335XI WITH 42000 MILES WAS STORED IN MY HEATED SHOP. THE CAR STARTED ON FIRE AND DESTROYED THE CONTENTS OF MY SHOP AND THE CAR. BMW SENT AN INSPECTOR TO CHECK THE DAMAGE AND TOOK HUNDREDS OF PICTURES. CLEARLY THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA AND CONTINUED TO BURN UNTIL THE FRONT OF THE CAR, WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED. CONTENTS IN MY SHOP WERE DESTROYED AND THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING HAD TO BE GUTTED TO THE STUDS. BMW OFFERED NOTHING. DAMAGES TOTALLED MORE THAN $150,000. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW 3 WEEKS AFTER THE FIRE. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT)

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 13, 2018160,000 milesMA

I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER TELLING ME TO STAND BY FOR ANOTHER RECALL LETTER TO THEN TELL ME TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED. THE CAR BLOWN UP PARKED OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN USED FOR 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I HAVE JUST NOW RECENTLY RECIEVED THE SECOND RECALL LETTER MONTHS LATER NO. 17V-676

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 30, 201880,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2008 335I TWIN TURBO BMW 3 SERIES, WHILE DRIVING I STARTED SMELLING A FRESH GAS SMELL IN THE BACK OF MY CAR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE, REALLY STRONG SMELL SO MUCH I HAVE TO KEEP MY WINDOWS DOWN AND IT GIVES ME A HEADACHE AND I FEEL LIKE MY CAR IS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE WITH ANY GIVEN SPARK AND IT COULD, THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC SAID MY FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY IS FAULTY SO I WENT ONLINE AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2008 335I TWIN TURBO BUT FOR SOME REASON WHEN I CALLED BMW THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST SO THEY WONT FIX IT! MY CAR HAS THE PROBLEM, MY CAR HAS APX 80,000 , EIGHTY THOUSAND MILES ONI IT. WHY IS MY CAR NOT COVERED WHEN IT HAS THE PROBLEM OF ALL THE OTHER CARS? THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION I HAVE. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Electrical System
Filed Oct 9, 2018109,234 milesFL

THE WIRES ON THE INSIDE OF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE CRACKED, AND HAVE A LOT OF BARE COPPER SHOWING. THE PLASTIC SHEATHING (CABLE JACKET) HAS BECOME BRITTLE FROM THE HEAT, AND IS FALLING APART, EXPOSING THE CONDUCTOR. THIS IS CREATING THE RISK OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE OR DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND THE ANGEL LIGHTS OF MY CAR IS NOT WORKING IT WHEN OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION - ALL IT TAKES IS TO TOUCH A CABLE WITH YOUR FINGERS AND THE COOPER WILL BE EXPOSE. I'M REQUESTING IMMEDIATE RECALL FROM BMW - SEVERAL CARS ARE HAVING THE SAME ELECTRICAL AND FIRE HAZARD ISSUES. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEBODY GET'S HURT.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 30, 2018WY

A RECALL WAS ISSUE FOR BLOWER MOTOR WIRING. IT HAS ALMOST BEEN A YEAR AND EVERY TIME I INQUIRE WITH THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THE REMEDY AVAILABLE. SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE CATCHING FLAMES WHILE IN MY GARAGE?

Electrical System
Filed Aug 28, 2018FL

MANUFACTURER HAS NOT REMEDY THE SAFETY RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER AS IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE THE RECALLS AND THERE ARE STILL NO PARTS/FIXES AVAILABLE. THERE ARE 2 RECALLS FROM OCT 2017 AND AS OF TODAY AUG 2018 THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THE ISSUES: POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER AND BLOWER MOTOR WIRING. SAFETY RISKS: OVER TIME, IT COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING. AND CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WIRING AND THIS SYSTEM COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 11, 2018PA

UNREASONABLE TIME TO REMEDY

Engine
Filed Jun 29, 2018107,000 milesSC

ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY 2008 BMW 3 SERIES ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED 45 MPH. I RECEIVED NO WARNING BEFORE THE ENGINE STALLED. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER A LANE AND GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE AN IMPACT FROM OTHER VEHICLES. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, MULTIPLE TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I RECEIVE NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN IT HAPPENS AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, ON HIGHWAYS, STREETS, ANYWHERE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, TURNING AND ANY OTHER MANEUVERS.

Engine
Filed May 15, 2018CA

BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND PCV RECALL ISSUED NOV. 2017 REMEDY UNAVAILABLE

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 29, 2018151,864 milesMO

THERE ARE (3) CURRENT RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL, 2008 BMW 328I. ONLY (1) RECALL HAS A 'REMEDY' AVAILABLE. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP, THE 'REMEDIES' FOR THE OTHER (2) RECALLS, BOTH OF WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE EVEN IN A NON-RUNNING PARKED SITUATION, ARE 'NOT YET AVAILABLE'. THESE RECALLS ARE: NHTSA #17V76 AND NHTSA #17V683. BMW USA HAS 'RECOMMENDED' THAT THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALWAYS BE 'PARKED OUTSIDE'. I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO THESE <POSSIBLY> DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS RECALL ISSUES, AS I LIVE IN A 'MARGINAL' NEIGHBORHOOD PRONE TO AUTO THEFT AND WEATHER DAMAGE. MY QUESTION IS, WHEN/HOW SOON WILL NHTSA (FEDERAL GOVERNMENT) FORCE THIS AUTO MFR (BMW) TO QUICKLY AND ADEQUATELY ADDRESS AND PROVIDE PERMANENT MECHANICAL SOLUTIONS FOR THESE (2) RECALLS. IN FACT, JUST RECENTLY (4/28/18) A HOUSE WAS DESTROYED BY A FIRE <LIKELY CAUSED> BY ONE OF THESE BMW MODEL RECALLS, PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND NOT RUNNING. BMW SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT OWNERS OF ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WHEN A SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND, BUT 'HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THAT WILL BE'. NOT ACCEPTABLE. THESE ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES THAT AFFECTS ONE MILLION+ VEHICLES AND THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF MILLIONS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO TO PROTECT THESE CAR OWNERS?

Air Bags
Filed Apr 24, 2018CA

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS REMOVED. I CALL MY LOCAL DEALER AND ALL THEY SAY IS THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE BACKORDER. WHEN THEY RECEIVE THEM THEY WILL CALL ME. I HAVE WAITED OVER ONE YEAR AND NO ANSWER.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Apr 8, 2018NY

HELLO THERES TWO RECALL FOR BMW 3 SERIES THAT NEED TO DONE ASAP BUT WHEN I CHECK THE PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE AND IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEED TO FIX IMMEDIATELY

Engine
Filed Apr 3, 2018140,000 milesMI

WHILE THE CAR WAS TRAVELLING AT A RATE OF ABOUT 45 MPH, IT DID SOMETHING I NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. IT STARTED TO SHAKE, SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER WHILE ASCENDING A ON A PAVED CITY STREET THAT HAD ABOUT A 20 DEGREE UPHILL GRADE. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME DIDN'T EXPECT MY SUDDEN SPEED CHANGE AND NEARLY REAR ENDED ME.. THE ENGINE ICON APPEARED ON THE DASH AND I SPUTTERED ALL THE WAY HOME.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 26, 201869,500 milesCT

THIS IS FOR 2 NHTSA RECALLS ISSUED 10/25/17 AND 10/30/17 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER17V676 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER17V683. IT IS NOW 3 MONTHS LATER AND BMW OF NORTH AMERICA STILL HAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE! BOTH RECALL STATEMENTS CAUTION THAT "OVER TIME" THE PART COULD DETERIORATE, LEADING TO THE CAR CATCHING ON FIRE. SINCE THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE BMW DEFINITION OF "OVER TIME" HAS BEEN MET, AND THEREFORE WE ARE LEFT WITH A NON-DRIVEABLE CAR DUE TO THEIR WARNINGS. HOW LONG SHOULD ONE WAIT WITH NO COMPENSATION, EITHER MOBILITY OR FINANCIAL?

Electrical System
Filed Dec 7, 2017PA

RECENTLY I GOT A LETTER FROM BMW THAT MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR TWO ISSUES WHICH I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SINCE A YEAR. 1 OVERHEATING 2. PLASTIC BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE COMPARTMENT. I BROUGHT THIS TO THEIR BMW'S NOTICE MANY TIMES WHICH THEY IGNORED. AND RECENTLY WHEN I GOT THIS RECALL LETTER FROM BMW I GAVE THEM A CALL(PRINCETON BMW), THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT SAYING THEY WILL FIX THAT. I TOLD THEM CRYSTAL CLEARLY THAT I WAS THERE FOR THE TWO RECALL ISSUES ONLY AND NOTHING ELSE. AND TO MY SHOCK ,LET ALONE REPAIRING THE MANDATORY RECALL ISSUES, THEY GAVE A BIG LIST OF OTHER THINGS, WHICH I DID NOT EVEN ASK FOR, AND THEY CHARGED ME AROUND 170 DOLLARS(ATTACHED COPIES). I AM BRINGING THIS TO YOUR NOTICE FOR SOLELY ONE REASON, AND THAT IS THERE ARE MILLIONS OF UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THIS MALPRACTICE WHO WILL BE FALLING INTO THIS KIND OF TRAP. BMW IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF THIS SITUATION TOO. I AM ATTACHING ALL THE COPIES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND PLEASE MAKE THEM REALIZE THERE IS AN AUTHORITY WATCHING. I FELT LIKE SOMEBODY STOLE MONEY FROM ME. HOPE TO GET A RESPONSE FROM THE DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 10, 2017CA

TAKATA RECALL 1. BMW SENT ME RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016, WITH NO FOLLOW UP REPAIR IMPLEMENTATION AS OF NOV. 2017 = 1.5YRS SINCE THE INITIAL RECALL NOTICE = UNREASONABLY LONG? 2. WHEN I GO TO SAFERCAR.GOV / AIRBAG RECALL.COM & CHECK MY VIN, MY CAR DOES NOT SHOW UP W/ AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL (IT SHOWS UP FOR BLOWER MOTOR WIRING RECALL, BUT THAT'S IT). MAYBE I'M MISSING SOMETHING?

Air Bags
Filed May 19, 2017FL

TAKATA RECALL IT HAS BEEN 15 MONTHS SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, AND BMW HAS YET TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS REASONABLE.

Air Bags
Filed May 12, 2017TX

TAKATA RECALL. RECEIVED FIRST NOTIFICATION ON 02/2016, NO RESPONSE TILL NOW. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR, NEED TO KNOW IF THIS WILL BE FIX OR WHAT IS THE RISK OF KEEP DRIVING WITH THIS ISSUE, BMW WILL BE RESPONSIBLE IF SOMETHING HAPPEN TO ME OR WHO EVER DRIVES THE VEHICLE?

Air Bags
Filed Feb 8, 2017FL

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A SECONDARY LETTER FROM BMW ADVISING THEY ARE READY TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE AIRBAG INFLATOR. I HAVE BEEN WAITING A FULL YEAR FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED.

20 of 68 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20230100Routine
201321000Routine
20127300Routine
20111300Routine
201030310Routine
200953220Routine
2008 — this page68340Routine
2007115240Routine
2006202410Above average
200525010Routine
200477030Routine
200373000Routine
200226000Routine
200136100Routine
200088120Routine
19996100Routine
19983400Routine
19975400Routine
19962400Routine
19953400Routine
19941300Routine
19930300Routine
19920300Routine

Compare every 3 Series year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 2, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.